Here comes the judge

By Callie Morgan

Born in Canada, named after a famous judge and possessing an intense love of riding in cars, Gomery the poodle is one of Docklands’ more quirky pets.

“His name is a Canadian joke,” owner, Kerry Fisher, explained.

“When we got him we were living in Canada and all you heard about on the news at the time was this Judge Gomery man and his role in the royal commission into corruption in Quebec.”

After three years living in Canada, Gomery was forced to pack up his kennel, hop on a plane and move to the other side of the world with Kerry and her husband.

“He had to fly to Vancouver where he spent two days having vet checks and things like that and then he was sent through to quarantine in Sydney,” Kerry said.

“He’s a Canadian poodle but now he’s an Australian too.”

Gomery didn’t seem to mind the move and has embraced his relaxed and spoiled Docklands’ lifestyle.

When he is out walking, Kerry said Gomery “is like the welcoming committee for Docklands.”

“He is always greeting tourists on his walk and people always want to take a photo with him when they see him.”

When he’s not trotting around the harbour and chasing rabbits under the Bolte Bridge Kerry said Gomery literally jumps at the chance to get in her car.

“His favourite thing to do is ride in the car,” she said. “He hops in and doesn’t know if we’re going to Brunswick to see my daughter or if we’re going to drive to Sydney.”

While leaving pets in cars is usually frowned upon, Kerry said Gomery loved it.

“I can leave him in the car if I have to and he doesn’t mind,” she laughed. “The other day we went to the Grace Kelly exhibition in Bendigo and he came along and we let him stay in there. It was raining and wet but he was quite happy to sit in the car and guard it for us.”

Kerry said most Docklanders were familiar with Gomery’s big goofy grin and since moving here he had made dozens of new friends and was enjoying the Australian way of life.