“I ducked when I should have weaved mate.”

There is nothing quite like a good yarn that brings a smile to the face, and former Coonamble resident Russell Reid is certainly full of them.

But his latest about a run-in with a kangaroo that was trying to drown his dog Buzza may just top the lot.

Russell currently lives on Goodwood Island along the Clarence River near Yamba on the North Coast of NSW, which is where our story begins.

“Last Wednesday evening we had a heap of ‘roos on the Island, and down where we live it’s a bit swampier,” started Russell.

“My dog Buzza, he doesn’t like when people or whoever comes into the yard, he’ll bark at them and this time he slipped out and chased this roo down to the water.”

“He was down at the water, and I saw them there and thought well I’ve got to go in and save my boy.”

Russell then approached the roo that was holding his dog underwater. He estimates the height of the kangaroo at around 5 foot 5 inches to 5 foot 8.

“So Buzzas with this roo in the water, and I've gone in to go and get him,” continued Russell.

“I got close to him, and fair dinkum I pick him up as high as I could to try and get Buzza.”

“He just looks at me like ‘is that all you’ve got’ and has a swipe at me.”

PHOTO: Former Coonamble resident Russell Reid following his roo fight

The swiping and scratching continued.

Russell sustained injuries to his face, chest, and back as a part of the tussle.

“It could have been much worse, and the real heroes of the day were our neighbours who came by on their boat and scared the roo off,” he said.

“But before that it was getting bad, I was bloody dancing with roo in the tidal rivers, all I’m thinking is you d***head you’re about to die getting drowned by a roo.”

“At the end of the day he’s my dog, and I was the one to bring him home so I’ve got to look after him.”

Buzza is safe and sound, coming away with hardly a scratch, which is more than can be said for Russell who has some serious scratches front and back.

He went to hospital where he received a tetanus shot and some anti-scarring medication to “save my looks”.

Some of the wounds on Russell's back after his tussle with the kangaroo. IMAGE SUPPLIED

Russell first came by Buzza after seeing him along the river one day.

“This rough couple came by with all these dogs, one a beautiful kelpie pup and I thought ‘You’re coming home with me’,” he said.

“We’ve done all the puppy school and trained him, but he struggles with barking and carrying on around people.”

“So we’ve been sending Buzza to the doggy pyschologist.”

“It’s like having a baby,” he laughed.

“The photo of him after with the ears pinned back and arms crossed, butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.”