Nickname means business

He may be nicknamed Blackdog, but this Kooweerup resident has no history of depression. In fact, youd be hardpressed to find a more upbeat fellow than local lawnmower man Trevor Black.

Trevor traces the nickname back to his days playing competitive pool at the local pub at the age of about 18.

Though the pool bug didnt last long Trevor gave up in his early twenties despite winning two premierships in three years the nickname stuck with him after he made the transition onto the footy field.

Blackdogs Kooweerup Football Club credentials could hardly be called into question. He attended kinder, primary school and high school in the township, and fronted up proudly for the Demons until his retirement in 2004 at the age of 32.

Nowadays, the canine moniker is so firmly established that those who have only met Trevor in recent years wouldnt know his real name, he said.

But its not as though Trevor minds. In fact, hes become so fond of the nickname he used it for the lawnmowing business he began three years ago and which has been going like a prize greyhound ever since.

Trevor attributes a good part of his success to his business name, Blackdog Mowing, and to the slogan emblazoned across his truck: You grow it and the dog will mow it.

I pick up so much work because of that. Ive got a really well signwritten truck. As I drive along kids looking out their back windows get a big laugh out of it, he said.

Now 34 and with his days of hounding the football opposition over, Blackdog is a barking mad Swans supporter.

He also spends as much time as possible with wife Casey, threeyearold daughter Molly and ninemonthold son Benjamin.

Although it is a little early to say, it would appear that young Benjamin is being groomed to follow in his fathers footsteps.

He was nicknamed little Benny Blackdog by my sister before he even left the hospital. He owns his own push mower, a shovel and rake that my sister bought him, Trevor said.

Young Benjamin isnt walking yet, but his toy mower already has his own nickname plastered across it.

Only time will tell, but the Black family looks set to find out once and for all whether you can teach a new dog old tricks.