#mort heeler

[star0404]

Chilli's Family

[wulfums]

Remember that I'll always be with you, even if you can't see me, because I love you.

[Image Description - Mort Cattle, Young Chilli Heeler, and her mum standing together. Her mum has angel wings and is partially transparent. She and Mort are looking at Cilli lovingly. There is a sun drawn behind mum. The background is lined paper. End Description]

[snowfoxchina]

Bluey - Past & Future

“Hey, why do they look so much like us?”

“Brandy, she seems to be...our mom?”

[kismetconstellations]

"Frisky! You're having a Happy Ending!" "Well, we'll see, won't we, Bluey?"

[uncaaj]

Fanfic: A Granddad Day Out (Bluey)

READ NOW ON AO3!

Bingo scampered into the playroom to see their parents preparing table favors. Streamers, and paper flowers littered the plastic table atop the kiwi rug. Bingo looked to her left and right, then to her parents. “Mum, where’s Granddad and Bobba?” she asked.

Chilli creased her paper and set it down. “They’re out for the day with Frisky’s dad, remember?”

“They’re havin’ a granddad’s day to get to know him,” said Bandit, in-between breaths into a red balloon. “We’re all gonna be one big family soon.”

“What are they doing?” asked Bingo.

“I’m…not sure,” Chilli remarked, scratching her head. “Did they tell you where they were going, babe?”

“Nah,” Bandit shrugged, tying off the balloon. “But they’re probably down the pub or the bowling alley. Typical granddad stuff, ya know?”

Chilli stood up and mimicked her pup’s previous visual search. “Where’s your sister? It’s time for flower girl practice.”

“She’s coming, she’s on the porch,” Bingo answered, pointing out toward the hall.

“BINGO, come on!” Muffin shouted from the yard. The little red heeler startled and dashed off toward the backyard where her cousins and aunt and uncle were waiting by an archway. Chilli grabbed a crown of flowers and followed after. “Don’t forget your fancy dress!”

+++

Stepping into the facility, Bob Heeler, Mort Cattle, Gene Spaniel and tag-along Maynard beheld lots of granite and crystal in this front lobby, a swift change from the beer-stained wood and felt dart tables some of them were used to for a day out with prospective new friends.

“It’s very…clean,” said Maynard.

“I feel like a bara outta water,” said Mort.

“Don’t worry,” said Gene, “by days end you’ll wonder how you ever got on without this.”

Bob and Mort had hesitantly agreed to Gene’s choice of venue for their day off from supervising wedding preparations. To that point, their only interactions with Frisky’s father had been taking over chewing out the caterer after Gene had told them “don’t sweat it, mate, just do your best.” To say they were skeptical after Gene offered them a stress-relieving outing on his dime would be a slight understatement. Maynard on the other hand was all too happy to follow Mort wherever. Thus, they left their take-charge dad mantles at home and walked up to the front desk where an afghan hound smiled warmly at just a bunch of old blokes. 

“Welcome to Oasis Hot Spring,” she greeted, “Do you have a reservation?”

Gene stepped in front of them to handle the business. “Yeah, love, Gene Spaniel?”

The attendant typed for a moment on her keyboard and said, “Perfect, you’re all checked in. Just so you know, our facilities are phone-free so please lock them up safe and sound, if you don’t mind.”

Mort, Bob, Gene nodded their heads at the receptionist. “You too, Maynard,” said Bob, glancing at the wolfhound.

Maynard shrugged. “Don’t have one.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” Gene chuckled, adjusting his shark tooth necklace.

“‘Cause people kept ringing it!”

Bob gave him a playful sneer. “You sure you ain’t holdin out on us?”

“I can vouch for ‘im,” said Mort.

The receptionist handed over a set of keys on maroon lanyards and gestured to their left. “Lockers are right through here along with towels. The rest of the facilities are yours. Enjoy!”

“Right, boyos,” said Gene, passing out the keys before raising his arms in victory. “Let’s get naked!”

Everyone cracked up and followed him toward the locker hall, except for Maynard, who looked back with an incredulous look. “I don’t get it,” he said, “we don’t wear clothes anyway.”

“That’s the joke, Maynard!” Mort called. “Come on!”

Maynard kicked it into gear and headed inside.

+++

MORT, MAYNARD, GENE & BOB: “This episode of Bandit is called ‘Granddad’s Day Out.’”

+++

Gene drew the white silk curtain back and met with rows of lockers on either side of the hall. The old dogs each padded along the cold stone floor to the locker number inscribed on their key to deposit their extranea.

“What exactly do you do at these hot springs, Gene?” Bob asked. “You’re the expert.”

“Well, they have mud baths, massages, typical spa stuff,” said Frisky’s dad, “Or you can just dip into the hot spring and watch the day pass.”

“Would they have the cricket up anywhere?” Mort asked, tossing his green fishing hat into the locker.

Gene laughed. “Nah, mate, I don’t think they would.” Gene closed his locker and stretched his neck, grunting as it popped and snapped as it rolled atop his body. “Man, I should’ve booked a massage. Can’t take the chop like I used to.”

“Come again?” asked Maynard.

“Oh, I mean the rough waves. I surf.”

“You surf at your age?” asked Bob. “You still got one of them surfer nicknames too?”

“Yup, it’s Wake,” said Gene, gently tossing his long hair back. “You and Chris are on the Gold Coast, right? What’s your excuse?”

Bob cleared his throat and shut his locker. “I’m down the beach most days. I…was never much of a surfer though. I played footy until I did me hip in.”

“That’s hardcore, mate,” said Gene. “We all need somethin’ to keep us young.”

Bob smiled at the understanding response. “Yeah, being Bobba for my grandpups took that place.”

“This guy right here keeps me young,” said Maynard, slinging an arm around Mort. He couldn’t hold a blush back as he returned the favor.

“Well, then you can scrub your mate up,” said Bob, gesturing to a sign posted on the wall. “Gotta be done before we dip in the pool.”

Upon exiting the locker room, the grandads were met with an expansive atrium lounge with wall to ceiling windows displaying a tranquil world outside, deliberately disconnected from both the concrete jungle of Brisbane and the dirt stained chaos of the bush. Signs pointed them to the communal showers which were lined with white tile with accents of sky blue. Stools flanked carts of specialty toiletries and tall mirrors, providing a viewpoint to aid cleansing. Bob and Gene took the two stations in front of them while Mort and Maynard shared one immediately next to them. Thus they washed not only the day’s grime so far but the stress and emotions of the wedding planning away.

When finished Mort shook the excess water from his shaggy fur and rose up. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt more clean.”

Gene replaced his handheld nozzle, having just rinsed off. “They use the hot spring water here too, ripper stuff.”

“What do ya reckon, Bobba?”

Bob brushed his arms out, drops of water cascading onto the tile. “My fur feels kilos lighter. I could be done with the shower, frankly.”

“Don’t quit early, eh?” Maynard appeared, or it looked like Maynard if he were a sheep.

“Dude,” said Gene.

Bob choked back his merriment but Mort didn’t have such restraint. “I think you need a shear, mate!” he said between belly laughs.

Maynard leaned forward, hands on his hips. “Been dealing with this coat for 60 somethin’ years! You can’t pierce through me with your cracks!”

“Not with that parka on ya, we can’t,” said Bob. The two old Heelers guffawed and stepped carefully across the wet floor toward the waiting hot spring. “Time for the main attraction,” said Gene, lining up behind. Maynard trailed them, growling.

+++

The soft new age music continued outside, not missing a beat and perfectly enhancing the vibe of the hot spring. A small waterfall fed the steaming pool, a combination of machine cut and natural scraggly stone. Deep green bushes lined the far side of the pool while trees towered over the whole facility, isolating the spa in its own little bubble.

Bob dipped his toe into the spring and all the tension in his paw seemed to melt away. “Ooh, that hits the spot.”

“Don’t forget yer towel hats,” said Gene, wrapping his small towel into a ball and holding it upon his head. The others copied the hot spring veteran before all four old dogs eased themselves down the stairs into the steaming pool. Their collective aged, scratchy howls of relief could be heard from the parking lot as they lowered themselves to the underwater bench all in a row, the healing water rising to their shoulders.

“That good, eh?” said an approaching waitress.

“You’ve no idea, love,” said Gene.

“Whole parking lot knows we’re here, I reckon,” said Mort with a chuckle.

“However you enjoy yourselves is fine with us. We do recommend staying hydrated due to the hot spring’s high temperature, so can I get you gents started with something?”

“A big fizzy water sounds good,” said Maynard, looking to the others for their preferences.

“Fruit juice for me,” said Gene.

“A spritzer,” said Bob.

“I’ll have what he’s havin’,” said Mort, gesturing to Maynard with his head.

“Will do,” said the waitress with a nod, before she returned inside.

“Better make Mort’s a small!” Maynard shouted after. 

Mort elbowed him. “Can it, you.”

Maynard scoffed. “I’ve been ragged on enough today. I’m sharin’ the wealth. ‘Sides, just trying to watch after you,” he said with a wink.

Mort’s smile contradicted his rolling eyes.

“How d’ya mean?” Gene asked.

“Can I, mate?” asked Maynard, adding to his request with the slightest please face.

Mort sighed. “I suppose you’d better.”

Maynard jumped right into his tale. “Right, so the other day, we’re at me petrol station, and we order curried sausages on delivery. Now I like mine with a bit of kick to ‘em, but Mort not so much.”

“I had no spice tolerance before India, then I got a taste for the real stuff,” Bob remarked.

“I just wanna taste the spice without the spice, you get me?” said Mort. “I dunno who stuffed up the order but my curry was so hot, I had steam pouring out my ears!”

“I had to keep passing the water bottles like sweets to cool his mouth off!” Maynard exclaimed. “Must’ve downed the upside of four!”

“Did you have to pay for them, mate?” asked Gene.

Mort shook his head. “A benefit of our relationship. And talkin’ of…”

At that moment, the waitress returned with the requested drinks for the four old dogs, complete with citrus slices underneath the clear ice cubes. They clinked them together and took simultaneous sips.

“Ah, good ol’ vitamin C,” said Gene, setting his glass next to him.

“Anywho,”said Maynard, picking back up without a hitch, “he was gonna pay for 'em another way. Not half an hour later, he says to me, ‘gonna hit the dunny.’”

“I go in there, and half the bloody bowl’s sheared off!” Mort chopped with his arm to emphasize the disbelief in his voice.

“Whoa!” exclaimed the two intently listening dogs.

“How d’ya reckon that happened?” Bob asked.

“It blew up a day prior,” said Maynard, matter-of-factly. “The aliens are out to get me, I tell ya!”

“And without the common courtesy of an ‘out of order’ sign,” Mort whinged, crossing his arms. “But then, it was near closing time so I figure I can hold on ’til home and not need a bush wee like some drongo.”

“Cause you’re stubborn,” Maynard japed.

“If I have a perfectly good toilet at home, why wouldn’t I use it? It’s there for a reason!”

“They’ve always been like this,” whispered Bob to Gene.

“Like me and my wife,” Gene concurred.

“Hence why you was bouncin’ all over my ute seat on the drive back,” Maynard pointed out.

Mort sank a little lower into the pool.

“Holy dooley, it was that bad?” asked Gene, slinging a leg atop his knee.

“It came on rather…suddenly,” Mort mumbled.

“It ain’t a short jaunt to the shop neither,” Maynard continued, “And yet you still refused, talking about preserving your dignity and whatnot.”

“And I would’ve been fine if some kangaroo hadn’t decided to have her joey in the middle of the road!”

“Get out! What are the chances?” said Bob.

“Bush life,” said Maynard. “I look over after 5 minutes or so of waiting in line, and there you are, holding yourself like a toddler, legs pressed together, saying, ‘Get around it, I’m gonna bust!’” Maynard imitated Mort’s potty dance with a pained look of his own, generating small waves in the spring. “And I say, ‘take the bloody bush wee, you old fool!’”

Mort rubbed the bridge of his snout. “A-a-a-and there goes me dignity again.”

Bob and Gene laughed. “Don’t worry about it, mate,” said Bob, “we’ve all been caught short before.”

“Yeah,” said Gene, “I remember I went surfin’ this one time without using the toilet before hand. Won’t make that mistake ever again.”

“How’d you solve that?” Mort asked.

Gene leaned back, eyes half-lidded. “I’ll just say, it’s a good thing my Speedo was already wet.”

Silence hung among them for a moment, before Bob double-taked. “Oh, mate!” All burst into wheezing laughter as the implication of Gene’s statement became known. Mort’s embarrassment was quickly forgotten as the laughter settled down.

Gene wiped a tear from his eye and said, “By the way, didja make it home, mate?”

“Nah, I wouldn’t have, and Maynard won’t spring for leather seats in his ute,” said Mort, getting one back at his mate, “so at least this bloke was the lookout when I took that ‘bloody bush wee.’ I’ll never make that mistake again.”

“Well, all’s well that ends well, eh?” Gene remarked before taking a sip of his juice and sighing. “Man, I feel like my muscles are unraveling.”

“This is the fanciest bath I’ve ever taken,” said Maynard.

Mort sighed. “Just think, our kids are busy folding party favors while we’re here living the good life.”

“You’ve changed my life, Gene,” said Bob, “Next time I wanna take Chris down the pub or the bowling alley, I’m taking her here.”

“She’ll love you, mate,” said Mort.

The four old dogs let the tranquil nature of the hot spring carry them to utter relaxation as they continued to experience the healing effects of the mineral-rich water and gentle breeze.

“Your eldest is a stand-up bloke,” said Gene, breaking the silence. “I’m glad he’s marrying my daughter.”

“Thanks, mate,” said Bob, “Frankly, I’m glad he’s marrying at all,” said Bob.

“What d’ya mean by that?”

“I just worried about him, you know? He was always a free spirit but he cared so much about his brothers. I knew he’d be a great dad one day but it was never top of his list. He was more concerned about traveling the world or making the most money. He’d say he was ‘searching for that missing piece.’ At some point, I thought he wasn’t gonna find it.” 

“Sounds familiar,” said Gene. “Blokes like me and him just need to follow the wave wherever it goes.” Gene took another sip and smiled wistfully.

Bob raised an eyebrow. “You good, mate?”

Gene nodded. “Just…ridin’ memories, is all. I envy Rad in a way, getting to try so many dreams in his life. Havin’ Frisky squashed that for me.”

“When’d you have her, if I may?” asked Mort. “You seem pretty young, compared to us old geezers.”

“I was,” said Gene, “I was at uni when my wife, girlfriend at the time gave me the news, and people started talking around. And you know, people see a beach bum like me, feathers in me hair and such, on the surf team, they don’t immediately think, ‘he’d be a great dad, eh?’ I had to grow up. It was all about Frisk from then on.”

Bob told himself Gene was more than his beach bum exterior, but this confirmed it. “Yeah, havin’ kids changes ya like that,” said the grey Heeler, snapping his fingers to emphasize it. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever felt unqualified for, and I made a lot of mistakes for sure.”

“Tell me about it,” said Gene. “I am the first to admit I didn’t have a clue!”

“Took me shovin’ off to India to really let go of my younger hardnose tendencies, and all three kids said to me, ‘we coulda used that as kids!’” Bob laughed with a tinge of guilt and Gene followed. “How’d you handle it?”

Gene leaned back and threw both hands behind his head. “Once the denial wore off, I kissed school g’bye, married my girl, and got the first lifeguarding job I could find to make ends meet. I scrapped for everything I’ve given Frisk but I’d do it all again anytime, ‘cause I got an amazing daughter out of it. I know wherever she and Rad go from here, they’re gonna rip it up.”

“Cheers!” said Maynard.

“I’ll drink to that,” said Mort.

Bob sniffed. “I told myself I wasn’t gonna cry at this wedding and you got me doin’ it here.” The other piped in with laughs. “They’ll have to carry me away on a surfboard.”

“Hey, I’ll volunteer,” said Gene, raising his hand.

The dogs laughed and Gene grabbed his glass. “Bring it in, mates. To the soon-to-be wed, and to the great mates I gained in the process. Glad to know ya!”

“You too, mate,” said Bob. “You’re a good dog.”

Gene grinned. “Thanks.”

“Three cheers for Gene!” said Mort. The group cheered their drinks with a hearty “hip, hip, hurrah!”

+++

Retrieving his phone from the locker room, Bob was overwhelmed by the number of missed notifications waiting for him. “There might be somethin’ to your ‘people just kept ringing it’ business, Maynard.”

“You too?” said Mort. “I just knew they’d start a bush fire without our supervision, eh?”

“Grandads to the rescue!” cheered Maynard.

“Lead the way, mate,” said Bob, “you’re drivin’.”

But when they arrived back at the Heeler’s abode, all seemed normal. The “for sale” sign was still standing tall. They were welcomed back inside and led to the backyard to see the progress achieved. The tent had been raised and all the party favors were in boxes, ready to go on the big day. The kids and the grandkids were sure alright.

After dinner, the granddads rested in the TV room with Bandit, Chilli, Radley and Frisky, enjoying a more traditional old dog activity-watching the footy.

“You all are getting along,” said Bandit, munchin on a bowl of chips.

“Yeah, we had a great time, just what we needed,” said Mort.

“You sure you didn’t need us supervising?” asked Bob playfully. “I look at my phone after we left and I got all these notes from you and Chilli! What happened?”

Radley cleared his throat, drawing every eye to him. “Yeah, you ain’t gonna get mad when I tell?”

Bob put patted Gene’s shoulder “Mate, I promise you, nothing at all could take me out of the zen I’ve found today with me new pal.”

”There’s more to us ol’ sea dogs than meets the eye, eh?” said Gene.

“Hear, hear,” said Bob, clinking his glass with the spaniel, and the two took a hearty drag of their beer. 

Rad scratched the back of his neck and gulped. “Well, here goes. I…almost caused Frisky to call off the wedding.”

Both sprayed their drinks on the floor, and all four granddads jumped up from the couch. “You WHAT?!” they barked. The take-charge dads had been remantled.

[daikenkki]

[bearlythere]

will not shut up about how bluey's 30 min episode gave us so much more lore and references to the real world

the writes really made so much literal and euphemistic use of the word "sign" in this episode

in chronological order! and spoilers below!!

do let me know if I missed anything out!

FRISKY AND RAD'S WEDDING!!!! in the iconic heeler house!!

bandit's bully bucky dunstan being the real estate agent selling his house

English sheepdog buying the bluey house (emigration - would be nicer if they got english voice actors to voice them though)

the bluey house was actually for sale on an Australian real estate website! and as per the time of writing this post, it's been "withdrawn from sale" - the bluey digital marketing team AMAZES ME.

I wonder which city bandit got a new job in - don't know if they'll explore that in future seasons

bluey's friend the brown dog (I'm sorry I don't know his name) having 2 mums!

winton talking about his divorced parents and the terriers' saying their mom likes winton's dad!!!

jack and his army interest! him and rusty playing army!!

the sitting in a tree, kissing thing that kids do

Jeremy the gnome

bobo being the car's name

frisky's licence plate being fr15k

the first time kids sit in the front seat of the car

police officers pulling people on the road over LMAO

rad's profile picture being him goofing around with his 2 brothers

how realistic it is trying not to lose someone you're following on the road

the butterfly from slide!! 🦋 it has a name! flappy!

everyone being afraid of the butterfly except bingo because we know she loves insects!

chilli reminiscing how she and frisky used to go to the lookout to "think" when we all knew she meant drink LOL

frisky's 3rd friend appears!

BRANDY IS PREGNANT???

the canon in d rendition as bgm

the busker being the priest??

also they got mort and maynard to come attend the wedding too!!

frisky's father is a typical surfer dude lmao

we see trixie standing amongst the girls during the bouquet toss. and then we see stripe come in to intercept the toss. does this mean that stripe and trixie are not married yet and have just been cohabitating? stripe grabs the bouquet and celebrates, but we see trixie face palm... what does this mean??

love the photo montage and the huge family photo, how it shows that you can't get everybody to be ready for the photo

AFTERPARTY

GRANDPA BOB WENT TO INDIA TO FIND HIMSELF 😭 man needed spiritual rediscovery

the busker is the music dj too!!

uh oh... stripe and trixie are fighting... perhaps it was about the bouquet toss? and we see socks playing with the cake toppers - possibly mimicking her parents actions

awww Radley quit his job so that frisky could stay in a city she loved ❤️

they brought back the music from dance mode!

NANA AND BOB FLOSSING!!!

chattermax randomly appearing 😭

bingo getting stuck in the railing again

bingo being sad because she has to move and lila won't be able to follow. which is also the moment I realised they won't be moving in the end, because of the montage at the end of daddy drop-off episode where bingo and lila grow up together and be friends "forever and ever and ever"!

the 2 English sheepdogs pushing their fluff away from their eyes to see haha

THEM SEEING WINTON'S DAD'S HOUSE WITH A POOL WHICH IS FOR SALE BECAUSE THEYRE MOVING IN WITH THE TERRIERS AND THEIR MOTHER!! THEY ALL FIT IN ONE CAR!!!

seeing the iconic bluey house empty, with spots where furniture used to be somehow makes me feel a little empty and nostalgic

the montage of them saying goodbye to their old neighbours, bandit having one last chat with pat, the girls and chilli saying goodbye to judo and her mum

Judo still has short hair!

chilli reminiscing the kitchen because bluey took her first steps there

WHO SANG THAT SONG IN THE END PLEASE RELEASE IT LUDO STUDIOS

THE SHEEPDOGS WENT BACK ON THEIR DECISION TO BUY BLUEYS HOUSE TO BUY WINTON'S DAD HOUSE

you can tell how much chilli didn't want to move as she was the first one out of the car running over to hug him when she realised bandit didn't want to sell the house anymore. and the shoulder shakes shows that she was fully sobbing too

iconic kiwi rug! loved the simplicity of the last scene, where even if there's nothing around you, as long as you're together with the people you love, eating the simplest meal, enjoying the moment, that's family.

[ifwebefriends]

I’m curious as to what other Bluey fans are thinking on this

[beeclops]

[woahpinkhorsegirl]

More Bluey nonsense because mlljhgfffg I wanted to lol

My interpretation of Mort's family! Including Auntie Mary!

My headcanon for their backstory, although trigger warning for young parenthood, running away from home, and controlling communities. These probably make their backstory seem a whole lot darker than it really is but I would rather be safe:

Mort's parents are both from a gated community specifically consisting of Heelers, however their main population is mostly Red Heeler families. A lot of unspoken social rules were set in place and it generally did not favor rowdy behavior, they wanted everyone to look and behave their best whenever they left the house. These rules did not stick well with Mort's parents, both of which were proudly rambunctious teenagers in love, and often stayed up past communal curfew just to be together. They wanted to marry someday, but Mort's maternal grandparents thought her boyfriend was a bad influence and didnt consent to the union. Being she was their only child, they chose a specific community member to try and hook her up with to set her for life, but she did not like that boy at all, and refused to even acknowledge their suggestion. Mort's paternal grandparents didn't like their relationship either, but also didn't try to sabotage or split them, thinking it would only end up being puppy love in the end. At only nineteen years old, Mort's mother fell pregnant, and it scared both of them. Having no access to termination (assuming it even existed at the time), they both made the hard choice to steal some physical money from their parents, pack their things, and run away to find somewhere else less restrictive to live. Mort's father had to say goodbye to his younger sisters in the process, but he refused to let his girlfriend go alone.

After walking around from town to town for almost a week, just when the couple was running out of money, they stopped by a farm to see if they could squeeze out some cheap breakfast and buy some eggs. When the farmer's wife (the neighborhood chef, as many called her) answered the door, both were surprised to see each other. Mort's mother was taken aback, gasping and saying "Y-you! Your the legendary runaway!" The farmer's wife told them to shush, but nodded her head in shame. She told her story about how she too was from that gated community, and ran away to the village she currently resides in because she just couldn't live like that anymore. In this village, she was unofficially adopted by one of the families, and got married to a Red Heeler/Dingo mixed breed, something that'd never be allowed back at home. Having this experience, the farmer's wife allowed the couple to live on the farm, on the condition that they help with farm chores if physically and mentally capable (which ended up with Mort's dad doing most of the extra helping once his girlfriend's pregnancy was apparent.)

Their firstborn child is their daughter, Mary. She's a tomboy who loves to help on the farm, especially when feeding the chickens, she just thinks they look silly. Mort always described her as his best friend. As an adult, she'd grow up to come out as a lesbian, and lived with her wife until her death. She'd help Chilli through her mom's death, acting as her new mother-figure and helping her brother raise her, passing down her home recipes to her beloved niece.

Their secondborn two years later was Mort, and the last child they had. He was just as rambunctious as his sister, and the two had a habit of wrestling over petty nonsense. But when worse came to worse, Mort could rely on his big sister to defend him. Mort would always try to herd the cows and sheep as a child, with Mary, his parents, or the farm family having to save him last minute before he would be trampled. He kept that energy for years to come.

After their children grew up, Mort's father managed to find the new location of his sisters, who both moved out of the community after seeing the way their beloved older brother was treated after his disappearance. They're both leading wonderful lives, one being married and childless while the other has four kids. The three siblings met up, bringing their kids and spouses, and even a few grandkids along, giving the family a moment to reunite, finally able to be their true selves around one another.

(Original screenshot i used as a base for the drawing)

[thatbaldartist]

Hey guys! Long time, no see! Been in a bit of a rut recently (damn you, executive dysfunction!) I won't promise that I'll start posting regularly again, but I wanted to post what I just finished! (Headcanons under the cut.)

Young Adult (probably around 19-21) Bluey and Banjo and some hc for their characters: -I hc Bingo as transmasc nb. In their teens (about 15-17), they began living by the name "Banjo" and using he/they pronouns. His full name is Banjo Mort Heeler (Mort coming from Chili's dad.) -Banjo is currently studying Entomology (the study of insects) at a local university, but also sings and plays guitar in a band with his best friend, Lila. -Bluey is in her second to last year at uni. She's following in her mentor, Calypso's, footsteps and studying Education. -Bluey and Banjo still remain close after all these years. Bluey makes a point to come to just about every one of Banjo's concerts. HEY! If you like my stuff, please consider liking, reblogging, and maybe even giving me a follow! Thanks for reading!

[riot-dude]

i did it!! rick and morty bluey designs!!!

rick is a blue heeler and mort is a red heeler/brown lab mix. I'll post the rest of the smith's designs tomorrow, i stayed up really late finishing these.

[articusdog]

I forgot to post them here lol

I made an actual design for this character, let me present you to Mort, a kind and energetic little labraheeler, and by @Leg0_007 request, to Jasper, a brave and loyal border heeler, special thanks to

@christianlizot2 @TerceroPando and @shiba_akua (twitter) for naming them!

if you like any of the designs I made feel free to draw them

[uncaaj]

Fanfic - Old Dog, New Trick (Bluey)

main fic | BONUS

READ NOW ON AO3!

Bandit could feel his eyelids sagging despite the high-octane action on TV. This was supposed to be the hottest new movie that all his friends were talking about, and it was boring him to sleep. Chilli, however, was on the edge of the couch and he was happy for her sake, but he’d rather watch a bone get brushed. What he wouldn’t give for something to break up the monotony of the same four buff guys whose names he’d forgotten punching each other in the mouth.

The jaunty ringtone playing on Bandit’s phone drew his attention away, like a song from heaven. He grabbed his phone from the armrest and saw Mort Cattle’s scruffy face smiling back. “Babe, look, your dad’s on the phone,” he remarked.

“Hmm,” said Chilli. “He’s usually in bed by now.”

Bandit turned the TV volume down and answered, putting Mort on speakerphone. “G’day, Mort,” he greeted.

“Bandit, thank goodness!” came Mort’s gruff, slightly panicked bark. “Look, I’ve got something…personal to tell ya. You alone?”

Bandit turned to Chilli and gulped. If Mort could only see the look of death his daughter just gave him. “Er, Chilli is with me. Is everything alright?”

The other end was silent for a beat. “Ohhhh dear. Er, e-everything’s fine, Chilli-dog. Maybe. I dunno. I mean-“

“Dad, what’s going on that only Bandit can hear?” Chilli asked, eyebrow raised and tone prodding.

“Look, I didn’t mean anything by it. I only phoned Bandit because I know he’s one o’ those…multi-lovin’- no, dual…? Nah, that’s not it.”

“What are you on about, Mort?” Bandit asked.

“Aw, strewth, what do kids these days call it when you fancy both girls and blokes?”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Wait. Hold the phone. He looked at Chilli. “Is he…?” he mouthed.

Chilli shrugged, eyes wide. She could feel now this was as much dropped in her lap as it was Bandit’s. She didn’t know how this was about to go.

Mort sighed. “Okay, listen, you know me mate Maynard, right?”

Bandit tensed, sensing what was coming. “Yeah, he really likes fishing, eh? What about him?”

“I may or may not…have fallen for him.”

“Erm…have you or haven’t you?” asked Chilli. “I feel like there’s no inbetween there.”

“Okay, yes! I have. I mean, I don’t know! Well, maybe, it’s confusing. Rather- oh, biscuits and jam! I’m 65 years old! I don’t know how to be double-attracted…whatever it is you are!”

Bandit massaged the bridge of his snout. “Bisexual, Mort.”

“Yeah, that! I knew I heard that somewhere!”

Chilli shook her head. “Dad, when did all of this come about?”

“Umm…you two got a mo’?”

“The kids are in bed and my father-in-law’s coming out. We’ve got all the time in the world now!” said Bandit.

Chilli even had to admit, the movie was nowhere near as good as this was likely to be.

+++

MORT: This episode of Bandit is called “Old Dog, New Trick.”

+++

“You know me and Maynard have been mates through thick and thin. Any time I spend with him is the best part of my day. But I suppose things changed about a week ago when I went with him to his favorite fishing spot…”

Not a cloud was in the sky nor wave on the lake. Maynard, bless him, was perched on the nose of my canoe, foot on the very end. I turned away from me own fishing pole to see how he was gettin’ on and I rolled my eyes. Maynard probably thought he looked like some bloomin’ superhero, watching over his city.

“You’re gonna fall into the lake, mate,” I told him for the 10th time.

He turned back and shook his head, his ears flopping about like they were mocking me. “I tell ya, mate, you gotta show the fish who’s boss and dare ‘em to bite your line. This has worked for me countless times.”

“You’re dreamin’, mate.”

“Watch me catch the biggest Barra in this lake and you’re gonna eat those words.”

“Tell you what, you catch anything before you fall in this lake, I’ll kiss you.”

Maynard huffed. “Oh, you’re playing with fire now!”

Yeah, I was. I’ll admit, he looked kinda cute standing there, thinking his superstition would make a difference, so I was havin’ a laugh, or I thought I was. Maynard told me he was gay years ago so I figured a bit of riling up would be a funny joke. I returned to my own fishing pole thinking nothing of it.

Then out of the corner of my eye, I spied a freshie, a tiny crocodile breaching the surface. As soon as he appeared, he dipped back below. Not a rarity but not something you see every day, “Uh, Maynard? We got a freshie.”

“Yankin’ my chain again, are we?” he huffed.

“Seriously. I think we’d better get back to the dock.”

“Oh no, you made your bet, now lie in it. I’m catchin’ that bloody Barra!”

All of a sudden, I saw him lean forward, his pole bending under the weight of whatever he just hooked. “Aha! Got a bite! You know what that means!” He started reeling in his catch and I started to dread his gloating. He always does that when he’s right.

And then, the boat is hit, right? A good whack underneath and we were rockin’. Maynard wobbled where he stood and tumbled tail over tea kettle into the lake. This freshie surfaced again next to the boat and snapped his jaws, hissing like mad. Maynard’s hook had it snared at the top of its mouth.

“Maynard, you idiot!” I yelled as he surfaced. 

“Aw, that ain’t no Barra!” he whinged.

I grabbed the freshie by the snout and held his jaws shut. “Get back in here!” As Maynard heaved himself back into the boat, the freshie struggled in my arms, flailing with all its might. Keeping my grip, I slowly pulled the hook out then tossed the little bugger as far away from us as I could. I didn’t see it splash down before I cranked the engine over and took off back toward the dock. Those ten seconds felt like 5 minutes, I tell ya.

When I parked the boat, I finally noticed I was heaving like crazy. Me brain was racing a hundred miles an hour. I was thinking about all we had been through together. Bunking together during the war and all the jams we’d helped each other out of. It was eerily like one of those times. All the way to him helping out when me and your mum raised you. He’s a guy I’d trust with my life. I’d put him on the same level as your mum.

And then something inside me broke. It felt like a flea flew in me ear. I never once thought of any old mate that way before then and I couldn’t believe it. I never thought I’d feel that way about anyone after your mum.

“You okay?” Maynard said, climbing onto the dock. I turned back to his scruffy mug, the afternoon casting a glow on his soaked fur. “He didn’t nick you, did he?” He certainly didn’t look like someone whose life was just threatened.

I tackled him. “Nicked me?! I thought it was gonna nick you! Those freshies can bite your tail off! And you were up at the front of my boat like you were king of the world! Don’t ever do that again!”

Maynard held his hands up. “Okay, okay! I’m sorry!”

Was I being unfair? Yeah, a bit. All these surfacing feelings and I was taking them out on me best friend. I stopped myself from saying anything else and helped him up.

And then he said, “It wasn’t a fish, but do I still get that kiss?”

What an oaf he always was. Not a care in the world. I took all our years of friendship and planted it right on his snout, and it was as if everything clicked into place. All I can say is… I didn’t hate it.

+++

“Really?” said Bandit. “That’s all you can say after all that?”

“Okay, that’s a bit harsh. I loved it. I still can’t believe I’m saying that, and it’s been all I can think about all week. I feel like I’m going nutso, like I got a stomachache all hours of the day.”

“Have you told him how you feel yet?” asked Chilli.

“Um…no. I haven’t seen him since that kiss on the lake.”

“Oh, Mort!” Bandit exclaimed.

“Honey!” Chilli hissed, finger to her lips.

Oh, that’s right. Don’t want the kids to pry into this quite yet. He turned toward the stairs and waited. No one appeared. 

“Mort,” said Bandit in a lower tone, “you can’t push him aside. That’s the worst thing you can do. If you really feel this way about him, you gotta tell him.”

Mort sighed. “You’re right. I owe him that after all he’s done for me. I suppose…I was just scared of me own shadow. This came on so suddenly, I didn’t know how to face it. You think you have it all figured out and then ol’ mother life bowls you a dip, eh? I keep thinking it should be up to me and it never is.”

Bandit and Chilli laughed. “Yeah, dad,” she said, “something like that.”

“The way you talk, Bandit, figuring yourself out must’ve been a picnic.”

Bandit so easily could’ve leaned into this small boost to his ego and agreed with Mort. But he couldn’t lie in front of Chilli. She had a talent for sniffing that sort of thing out. “Er, not really,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.”I had a fit like you the first time I realized I was falling for one of my mates. Didn’t tell my mum or dad until much later. But I knew I had to share this with him otherwise it would just eat me up inside.”

“What’d you do?”

“I learned a song and next time I went to his house, I played my guitar and sang it to him. I wanted to impress him so that it would at least soften the blow. He loved it, and then I told him. And I don’t regret it at all.”

“You mean he felt the same for you?” Mort asked.

Bandit scoffed. “Course he didn’t, it was the 90s! But he still appreciated my being honest and we found a way to stay friends for a while. So yeah, you want my help? Talk to Maynard, if not tonight then first thing tomorrow, and figure out how far you wanna take this. I’m sure he’d be over the moon. You two already get on like an old married couple."

“...wow. I reckon we do. You really think I should?”

“Yeah. You’re never too old to learn something new about yourself, Mort. It’s just new tricks, is all. Trust me, Bluey and Bingo help teach me things every day.”

There was a pause on the other end. Bandit wondered if Mort was back to second-guessing himself.

“Chilli-dog?”

“Yeah, dad?”

“D’ya think your mum would be happy looking down wherever she is and seeing me with Maynard? You know, I really did love her, right? And I always will.”

“I know, dad,” said Chilli, trying to hold back tears. “I think she’d be happy seeing you happy. Don’t worry about her.”

“Alright, I’ll see if he’s still up. He usually is. Thanks for helpin’ this old dog learn a new trick, Bandit.”

“Anytime, Mort.”

“I’m sorry this came on so sudden, Chilli, and I appreciate you hearing me out as well.”

“Of course, dad,” Chilli nodded. “I love you.”

“Love you too, dearest. G’night.”

With that, Mort hung up. The movie was over by this point and Chilli and Bandit, both exhausted by this point but thoroughly satisfied with the turn of events, decided to retire for the night. As they climbed up the stairs to their room, Chilli said, “So how long until Bluey and Bingo find out about this?”

“If they haven’t been spying, babe, I’d say leave that up to Mort. I hope I said the right things.”

Chilli waited at the top for Bandit, then leaned in for a kiss. “You were terrific, babe.”

+++

A week after coming out to his daughter and son-in-law, Mort decided to pay the Heelers a visit. He had gotten the hang of the ridesharing app thing since the last time and had no trouble calling his own ride into Brisbane. But this time, he ordered a car for two.

Bluey and Bingo ran out of the house and wrapped their tiny arms around Mort. “Grandad!” they cheered.

“How ya been, squirts?” Mort asked.

They pulled away and Mort crouched down to their level. “Kids, I’ve got some big news. Your ol’ grandad’s got a new true love.”

“Oooh, who is she?” Bluey asked, tail wagging.

“Well, it’s not a ‘she’ as it happens,” Mort chuckled nervously. He stood up and turned back to their ride. “Come on out!”

A gray dog with scraggly fur stepped out and waved. “G’day, kids!”

“Maynard!” said Bingo.

“Maynard’s your new true love?” asked Bluey.

“Sure is,” said Mort, wrapping an arm over Maynard’s shoulder.

“Honestly didn’t think he’d ever come ‘round,” said Maynard.

“Oh, you,” said Mort, rolling his eyes and ruffling his messy fur. Bluey and Bingo giggled. “Let’s go inside, kids. I think you’ll wanna hear how this came about. And it starts with me, Maynard, and a little freshie…”

[butterscotch-brigade]

i love you bluey i love you bingo i love you bandit i love you chilli i love you uncle stripe i love you aunt trixie i love you muffin i love you socks i love you uncle radley i love you frisky i love you nana chris i love you grandpa bob i love you grandad mort i love you aunt brandy i love you chilli's mom i love you heeler/cattle family