Not quite what you had in mind when someone suggested going to Las Vegas? Didn't think so.
Some places only have one claim to fame - the name. This block of holiday flats, almost on the end of Durban's golden mile, fits this category.
I knew her even before she was born. Danny's maltese poodle, Rags, got herself pregnant with 5 pups. 4 boys and 1 girl. All beautiful.
Even though he was only 3 months old, Mr Toner - the ginger and white male cat Danny had rescued, watched over the pups like a protective father. Rags, the new mother, had such a lovely nature, and seemed to welcome the assistance.
The first indication that we'd share our lives, was in her 4th week of life. I asked the pups, "who wants to go for a walk?", and even though leaving the security of your mother and siblings to walk where you're not much taller than the vegetation, is a huge step, the little girl immediately followed, eager for any adventure.
My daughter , Susan, wanted one of the litter, and Danny convinced me it would be good for Susan to have a pet. I guess I'm just a pushover, because a few days before Christmas, 16 years ago, this independant, adventurous pup became part of our family. Susan named her Smudge.
Training started on day one. First our budgie, Georgie, taught Smudge that birds are more important than dogs, and deserved respected at all times, no exceptions! Georgie flew like a brick, and would not tolerate being closed in a cage. Consequently his open cage always remained on the floor so he could move around as he pleased. While Smudge was curious about this cheeky little feathered creature, she was soon put in her place. Consequently she's always been very gentle with all birds - even the Hadida's which she loved to chase from the garden. To her, the instruction "don't hurt the baby", meant she should follow the bird around, but never touch it, not even if it flapped. One bird hopped on her back causing her to go down in a leopard crawl in an attempt to escape. Her expression very clearly said "Mom! I didn't do anything, he hopped on me!".
Smudge had me very well trained. She trained me to give her chicken for dinner. She taught me to get up and open the door on command. She taught me that biltong must always be shared with her. Her ears were so good that she could be at the end of the garden, but if I touched the packet in the kitchen, she'd suddenly be standing beside me, waiting for her share. About 3 years ago I knew she had gone deaf, because she no longer heard this, even if she was in the same room. It was however obvious her sense of smell was still working perfectly!
Smudge was always a very busy dog, and seemed to have a purpose in life. She loved gardening and as soon as I dressed for the garden, she'd dance around until we went outside to start working. My job was to find stones, and throw them down the garden for her to retrieve for her little stash which she kept under a tree. The lawnmower was allowed anywhere in the garden, but she'd bark fiercly if it went anywhere near her little nest.
When we first moved into our current house the garden was a little overgrown, with the grass/weeds taller than Smudge. Chasing stones would be done springbok style, all the way to the end of the garden and back.
She was well diciplined, very obedient, and knew she'd have to go outside when I went out for any reason. She'd watch as I dressed, and when I picked up the car keys, she'd go and wait patiently at the back door while I locked up the rest of the house. She stayed in the back garden while I was out. If she were going along on the trip for for any reason, the last thing I'd do before leaving was close and lock the back door with her still inside. On these occasions she'd get so excited, she'd dance and yap at the front door, until we left, clearly saying "Yay! Let's go! Let's go!". I was always very careful not to let on that she was going along until the last minute, because when its time to go, you'd better do that NOW, not in 30 seconds. You don't keep Smudge waiting!
In earlier years she'd sleep outside at night. After sitting and watching tv with me at night, I'd say "bed time", and she'd head straight for the door, and into her kennel. As she got older, and safety became more of an issue in the area, I let her sleep inside, because she was an excellent early warning system.
Smudge only had one item of clothing - a little jacket she'd wear when it was really cold. I know she loved wearing it, because she'd trott around looking so proud. She only let you take it off when she was ready. If you tried, she'd walk forward, so it couldn't come off. However, if she wanted it off, then she'd quickly assist by jumping up until it came over her head, reverse out, then she'd do a little dance of thanks.
The end started at the beginning of this year, when she had a problem with her eye. Medication helped, but couldn't save the eye. She slowly deteriorated, until last week when she started cutting down on her food, and battling to walk. A visit to the vet, revealed that her kidney's had given in. Medication no longer had any effect, and yesterday she was refusing food and water, and was unable to stand up. She seemed to be in pain, and could hardly even lift her head. The time had come to make the very painful decision, so we made one last trip to the vet. A very sad day indeed!
My amazing, amusing, delightful, lovable and loving companion of over 16 years may be gone, but she will be remembered forever.
Thank you Smudge for our time together.
It seems that even they realise there's not much future in lawnmowing, so they need to think seriously about getting an education before it's to late!
It's so strange to find unattended cows roaming around the residential areas!
I don't normally post other people's photos, but this was strange enough to make an exception. Thank you to Shane Doyle who took the photo, and to Sue of Port Elizabeth Daily Photo for sending it to me.
Zim Update: China has recalled the ship carrying arms to Zimbabwe, because it 's unable too dock at any southern african port. Well done to all those who played their part in getting this right. Just shows that the "little guys" can make a difference.
The recount is still in progress, but everyone is suggesting Mugabe accept the results and to step down. Hopefully he complies
This train is now part of the playground for children while their parents enjoy a meal, or just socialising at Stokers in Kloof.
This part of the railway line is no longer operational.
Zim Update: The recount is in progress. Let's hope the results are correct and released shortly.
If you live in KZN and were wondering why it's been so bitterly cold the past few days, look no further for the culprit. This view of the 'Berg, from Mooi River says it all!!
Our weather at this time of the year is normally the most wonderful warm sunny days with cool nights - in other words, Paradise. All of a sudden Cape Town sends another cold front our way, and this time it's sufficient to leave a little snow on the Drakensberg mountains.
I know it's not much snow, but for those of us who can go a whole lifetime without seeing any, it's a beautiful sight.
Zim Update:
Last I heard, the ship would not be allowed to dock at any southern African port, and COSATU were attempting to convince their counterparts in other Africa countries to take the same stand as they had.
The news reports stated that this shipment had been orderd by the Zim government a few days AFTER the election, which to me, makes it obvious they are stalling the announcement of results until the arms arrive.
The old Zim government are determined to stay in power no matter the cost, and have ordered another load of arms to be flown over - landing in Harare, so they wouldn't have all this trouble.
Election results still have not been announced.
This wall is on the bank of the Umbilo river feature a few days ago. Both pictures were taken from the same spot.
Rushing past in the traffic, it just looks like the wall has been painted pretty colours, but if you stop for a closer look, it's obviously graffiti.
An even closer look and I'm compelled to associate this one with the yesterday's garbage day.
A quick update on the ship carrying Zim arms: Its on it's way up the west coast of Africa trying to find a port in which to offload. So far the other countries have closed ranks, and no-one has taken it in. I certainly hope it doesn't succeed in this mission. It is critical for the election results to be released as soon as possible, without the threat of military action as a factor.
Tuesdays are garbage collection day, and if your garbage is not there when the truck comes around, it will sit there for a week. Actually thats not quite true, it will be spread all over by the local dogs during the night, for everyone to see.
It was only today, while looking through some of my photos that I saw the funny side of this picture. It is of course a unit in the complex which is for sale, and not the contents of the black bags.
Fortunately the owners retrieved their discarded goods when they saw the mess it had made. Perhaps they will be more careful next time.
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