That would simply be the animal kingdom’s way of saying thank you to a woman who champions their cause – and it’s intrinsic.

Mrs Carson, along with Danielle Horwood and Sonya Morgan, started Paws, Hoofs and Claws in early 2010, and has driven the group with passion and determination.

Today, there are not too many people who haven’t heard about the organisation’s work. 

“Not long after selling my business to the Bakhash girls, I somehow found myself as the president of Paws, Hoofs and Claws and now my days are spent rescuing as many animals as I can and taking care of their needs,’’ Mrs Carson said.

‘‘However, I have always loved animals so I find the job worthwhile and fulfilling and am pleased to be making a difference.

“Our goal of  ‘Rescue, Rehome and Reunite’ is now achieved on a daily basis and literally hundreds and hundreds of dogs and cats which were ‘past their use-by date’ are now living in loving homes. 

‘‘The work is often challenging and sometimes heart-breaking but so many happy endings keep me coming back for more.”

But there is a lot more to Mrs Carson than just  being Mount Isa’s ‘‘dog lady’’ – an unsolicited and unflattering tag foisted on her.

Mrs Carson, who confesses to “having a bit of a wild streak”,  is considering writing a get-even book, The Brides From Hell, which will give a tongue-in-cheek look at the bridal industry. 

She is eminently qualified to do so. 

After 20 years in education, Mrs Carson decided the artist in her needed a creative outlet so she bought Oasis Wedding World; and that, she says, gave her another perspective on life, which wasn’t always funny.

“My hobby had always been sewing and I had won a few national awards for my designs so I decided it was time to change careers. For the next 20 years I spent my time designing and sewing wedding dresses, debutante and graduation gowns and altering literally thousands of garments for guys and gals for balls, races and other special occasions,” she said.

“This period certainly gave me an insight into human nature – I dealt with every type of person imaginable. Most were delightful and I made lots of friends, but there is nothing quite so challenging as dealing with a ‘bridezilla’ and I had quite a few of those over the years. Yes, I do have a book in mind. So look out!”

I smile. It’s not a doubting-Thomas smile. But Mrs Carson makes sure I get the point.

“Runaway best-sellers have a stunning history of coming out of left field, you know,” she says and laughs. 

This time I nod my head vigorously in agreement, and we move on.

The wild-child DNA has always been there. 

“I didn’t rebel in the usual way that many teenagers do, but I released that energy by skydiving, para-diving and waterskiing.  I remember poor Dad nearly having a heart attack when he came to watch me sky dive on one visit to Townsville. I landed kilometres from where I was supposed to be and he drove his ute across country to find me. However, I think he understood because I’d inherited this desire to push the limits from him.”

There’s also an academic in Mrs Carson. 

She completed her schooling at Mount Isa High, then joined university at Townsville (now James Cook University)  on a teaching scholarship. 

She returned to Mount Isa to teach at the state high school and continued studying for her degree externally. 

“During this time I married Stephen (we’d been dating since we were 16) and we had three children. I continued working full time and studying so with three kids to entertain, life was pretty hectic. I moved to TAFE where I continued teaching and became one of a very small number of females in a senior position.

‘‘TAFE was ‘male’ oriented back then and females weren’t accepted too readily so I had to prove myself on a regular basis – more character building.”

Two years in New Zealand were also to have a profound effect in helping shape the young Mount Isa girl.

“At the age of 12, Dad was seconded to the Wairaki Geothermal power station near Taupo in New Zealand so our family spent nearly two years in an area totally different to the barren outback [Mount Isa] we’d been used to – there were green hills covered in beautiful flowering lupins and rivers and lakes everywhere.

“We took the opportunity to travel all over the country while we were there and this certainly broadened our horizons. As an Aussie I copped a fair amount of teasing and it wasn’t always easy, but it certainly made me a stronger person and instilled in me the beginnings of a tolerance for people from all walks of life and all races regardless of colour or customs.”

She arrived in Mount Isa at the age of six. Most of the residents who weren’t housed in the extensive barracks lived in MIM accommodation and bought their supplies from the community store on the Mineside.

“Now that is really ageing me, isn’t it?”she says.

She vividly remembers the family’s first house in Elm Street.

“It was a corrugated iron two-storey building that was as hot as Hades. There was no air conditioning back then and many times the family would either sleep under sheets which had been soaked wet or go out in the yard under the stars. 

‘‘There were often billowing dust storms so bad that Mum would just hose out the house. However, my sister, brother and I led a carefree life climbing all the hills in the vicinity and riding our bikes and exploring.”

Mrs Carson is on a well-earned holiday; on her return, she and her loyal band of helpers will resume their tireless work to get a no-kill animal shelter in Mount Isa.

Wonderful lady, better world.