Di Doodles About Stuff

Di Doodles About Stuff Has Moved

2012-06-06T08:00:00.001+02:00

Hi Everyone.

Due to blogspot’s recent changes making it more difficult for mobile users to use, DDAS has moved to www.didoodlesaboutstuff.wordpress.com/

Please do follow me over there.

Love and Light

Thoughtful Tuesday?

2012-05-15T13:17:00.001+02:00

There is quite a controversial issue circulating in facebooking animal welfare arenas as of late.

I really find it disturbing that this trend is harming animal welfare and is splitting a hardy rift down the middle.

I have had many conversations with people regarding this as I see this situation as a threat to animal welfare as a whole and most importantly as a threat to the animals, the voiceless, and the ones that we as activists, welfare workers, networkers, etc. should be protecting. By protecting I mean thinking very carefully about how we approach problematic areas, and putting the animals first at all times, even if it means being “decent” to someone who may have fallen off the wagon completely or someone who may be merely heading in the wrong direction.

Having the animals welfare at heart means that ego shouldn’t even be a factor.

This is a conversation I had just this morning about this very issue. I am not posting it as a conversation but I think it is vital that people think seriously about which direction they are going and who they are harming along the way.

How can we encourage the good; filter out issues and not be attacked in the process for trying to make a difference?

If you have an issue you need to consider here is a way of looking at it. It’s rather funny but it carries an important message:

Keep this in mind the next time you are about to repeat a rumour or spread gossip.

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day an acquaintance ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about Diogenes?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied, "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."

'Triple filter?" asked the acquaintance.

"That's right," Socrates continued, "Before you talk to me about Diogenes let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "Actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates, "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about Diogenes something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "You want to tell me something about Diogenes that may be bad, even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter, the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about Diogenes going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "If what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even useful, why tell it to me or anyone at all?"

The man was bewildered and ashamed. This is an example of why Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

It also explains why Socrates never found out that Diogenes was shagging his wife

As a dedicated feral feeder and animal networker I feel I should add “Does it harm the animals involved?”.

· When dealing with a problem area you have with an organisation / welfare / charity / volunteer it is not only classy but it shows tact to rather in box or email the manager or person in charge with your “issue”.
· Once you have done this you should show the person enough respect to have patience and wait for them to give a dignified answer.
· If you don’t get the answer you want, look deeper into your question, maybe rephrase it or ask a different question so that you can understand the matter at hand fully.
· Don’t start ranting on public forums because it is not only a bad reflection on YOU but also your sudden need to moan has a ripple effect and harms the animals at the organisation you are questioning. Sponsors pull out and the animals at the said organisation are left in a predicament.

These are things that I shouldn’t have to explain because they should have been one of the fundamentals your parents taught you as a child. In fact I remember being taught these things at PRIMARY school too.

As it reads in the story above I have seen vicious stories circulating that aren’t purely factual. You honestly cannot post a story on a public forum that isn’t true, or doesn’t have all the facts.

Your half truths are acting as a journalistic piece, and unfortunately there are people who believe everything that they read.

I have said it so many times, and here I go again: “THIS IS AN UTTER DISSERVICE TO THE ANIMALS”

If you decide to support an organisation, by all means, check on things but have the initiative to use your own brain and when I say use your brain, I mean think about the ANIMALS first, and think before you leap. Think about how you want your actions to affect them. Try using the above childhood lessons to steer you from causing trouble.

Before you post an idea on a public forum think about how that idea affects the ANIMALS.

I read another post on a public forum that was steering people against sharing plea’s from friend’s public forums. This is so poorly thought out. Some organisations rely on volunteer support to get their plea; whether it be to home an animal or to generate donations, “out there”. These organisations only have these “friends’ public forums” to get the word out on social media.
Social media as we all know has brought a much needed boost to those finding homes for abandoned and unwanted animals. The numbers of animals needing homes is so incredibly high, that they need every ounce of help we can muster to give them the homes they deserve.

REMEMBER: You still go back to your cushy bed at night they don't have the luxury!

Its far better to be a classy do'er than a bitchfest warrior.

To end off, here is a thought for you.

When we had our Saturday feral meeting and walk around we found that a HOMELESS person is possibly feeding ferals in another area of the shopping centre.

Lisa just said to me thank God there are more people like us.

When I shared this story today a friend replied saying “If only all the fighting energy could be put into saving the animals, because they are the only thing that matters...”

Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

It breaks my heart that so few people are willing to donate. Time, food, blankets...

Time of course being the most precious.

I appealed to my far away friends and family in SA and overseas to pay it forward this week, and now I appeal to all of you reading this.

I told them all about the homeless person and said that if a homeless person can step up and have a heart to feed homeless animals the working class can take out one day a month even to make a difference in an arena where they are inspired or feel needs change.

I keep on thinking about the picture I found that said I always thought that "somebody" should do something about that. Then I realised that I was "somebody".

The problem with the viciousness of the bitchfest going on is that possible volunteers think "Do I really want to be a part of that?" As soon as they see the fighting and the warfare it turns them away just as it does sponsors.

It’s incredibly sad, especially for those of us who have our hearts set on education and change.

Last night on TV there was a Rhino insert with Johnny Clegg about a music CD in support of rhinos. They said if every sector / person in SA put an effort in no matter how big or small they believed that we as South Africans could make a difference with the poaching situation. Johnny Clegg said purely because we are South Africans this is our problem and we should unite and take action.

Gosh if every person took positive action the world would be a better place!

Here’s another little bit of mental imagery for you.

Imagine two groups of people on either side of a see saw.

Imagine that one person on the one side gets off.

Everyone on the see saw will come tumbling down.

This is what the result of all the fighting is going to be if we don’t all play nice!

We need to work together to keep the balance in animal welfare.

Balance is a fundamental key!

Unfortunately if you don't see that and at least try to obtain it in your own life (as I know you do) you won't be able to be a worthwhile cog in the one of the most heart wrenching welfare arena's in the world.

Focusing too much on the negative gets those see saw scales to tip yet again. It’s fine and fair to ask questions like the vicious group are saying; it’s the manner in which they are doing it that is doing so much more harm than good. They are taking great ideas and basically ruining them. There is no balance or even tact there I'm afraid.

If a person wants to be part of something they can't walk around with blinkers on and nonchalantly brush off a sector of people who have the insight to see past the merry go round and can illicit change! Because there is so much arguing in aw, those who would normally be making the big changes and thinking of new and innovative ideas to change aw for the better are instead fighting off battles with a tactless bunch of individuals.

I think I could go on all day about how this nonsense is negatively affecting the animals.

I just hope that I can be a voice that initiates change. Good change, change that is manifested in a classy manner. Change for the history books.

I hope that this piece even though it is long will make you think about how you do things. I hope that it makes you think about the lives your 15 minutes of fame affects.

Feral Angel Update

2012-04-11T11:59:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone!

Seeing as it is Kitty Wednesday I have decided to do an update on the Pavilion Feral Angels for you.

For those of you who don't know; Kitty Wednesday is an initiative started up by the admin ladies on the South African Animal Supporters Unite Facebook page. This initiative aims to help the “underdogs” of the welfare world – kitties.

So without further ado, here is a little update.

Many emails and BBM’s transfer between Lisa - who heads up our station at the Pav, Mandy from Kitten Action (the “founder” of the entire scheme and I.

So far we are working on getting a head count of the kitties at our particular station.

We are feeding two litters of kittens.
In the older litter we have two grey and white kittens; which my children called Puff Two and Three after our cat Puff who passed a few years back. They certainly look like family of his.

There is also a little ging, Kitt Two; a black and white kitten, Stig Two; and two tabby and white kittens.
The younger litter used to have 6 kittens 2 black kittens and 4 tabbies. There are now 5…. I’ll get back to that story in a bit….
We have a tabby mommy and 3 tabby kittens that are a few months old.
Yesterday when i went to feed the angels I saw that we also have two calico cats, which I call The Callies.

So far one of the tabbies, who was trapped has been sterilised and released as well as one of the mommy cats. Mandy is planning a trapping evening soon to trap more of the kitties for their sterilisations.

During the school holiday, we got our first glimpse of the new litter of kittens. My heart sank seeing how little these babies were. They are just absolutely adorable. Like Mandy said to me on the phone the other day “when are cats NOT adorable?” ~
My answer: “ Big or small, young or old they are all ADORABLE!”

Gotta CATS!

Last Thursday, just before the Easter Weekend my children and I toddled off to the Pav a little earlier than usual. Dark clouds were brewing so our intention was getting dry food to the feral angels before any down pour occurred.

When we got there the tiny angels were out sunning themselves. when they saw us they moved to sit in between the trolleys.

My daughter who is an honest to goodness cat person went to sit near by while i was talking to the kitties. two of the tabbies were listening intently when Fairy stuck her hand under the trolley and yelled “I’ve got one!”

My son grabbed the towel we carry with us and within seconds this little girl was “saved” from living a life as a feral.

Her first day passed with much love and cuddles for reassurance. On Sunday she was already PLAYING!

Monday, a rather chilly day here in Durbs, we woke to a purring kitten.

She really has been such an easy baby to take care of. She only mews when she wants something, she plays with everything that she can possibly get her paws around and to top things off she is eating well and has already learned to use the litter box! Isn't that AWESOME?!

Its times like these that I am so happy that I chose to get involved with animal welfare.

I couldn't be more grateful that I animals.

For those of you who haven't read my original feral post you can read it here

We are hoping to have another lady on the team from today…. but we still do need food donations. Ice cream tubs and the like are very handy to swop over for cleaning, so please consider collecting some for us. We use them as water bowls.

We are still looking for some wood offcuts to make boxes to house the kitties food better in the rainy weather.

Please email me on stuffdidoodles@gmail.com if you would like to help.

Lastly a HUMONGOUS thank you to Kiley, who donated some food and kitten bowls for our station! *STANDING OVATION*

Feral Furbabies

2012-04-11T11:57:00.000+02:00

Hi Everyone,

Time to tell you about my new project…

I have been so excited and really couldn’t wait to tell you all about it.

I have joined a team of ladies who have started a feral feeding scheme at the Pavilion Shopping Centre.

There is a lot that needs to be done and a lot of areas could use your help.

Before I get carried away, for those of you who don’t know;

a feral cat is a domesticated cat that hasn’t been socialised. They have either ended up being abandoned or have strayed away from their homes.

Ferals mostly rely on scrounging through garbage to find food. The luckier ferals are part of a feeding scheme.

To get to my main point of this post, I would like to ask for your help.

There are a few little kittens still following mommy, and some bigger tabby kittens. I haven’t seen daddy cat yet. But I will keep you up-to-date with developments.

We would like to trap and sterilise mommy, but this is what Lisa who has been feeding these angels on the weekends, has noticed:

“ I saw 3 new adult cats and the 3 new babies came out from their trolley safe haven for a bit. They look about 4-5 weeks old. The Mom is either a tabby or a big black female cat as she looked very heavy but she could be about to drop kittens.
I also spotted an adult tabby with a long fluffy tail.
There are still 3 tabby’s and I hope to somehow try capture them as they are getting rather big now and the conditions leave much to be desired but thankfully they do have some shelter.”

After doing a bit of research and looking at where the kitties are situated; we could really benefit from donations of the following:

Cash donations: for maintenance (buying the below items),(banking details per request via email)
Dry cat and kitten food
Food bowls. (ideally we should be using stainless steel bowls, to reduce the spread of bacteria, but ice-cream containers or the like would be more than helpful)
At the moment there is no place where food can be kept dry and safe from the elements.
If you have any materials for example: wood off-cuts or tarp, that would help us to build a few small boxes to house food bowls

Please contact me on stuffdidoodles@gmail.com if you can help with any of the above. BIG and small donations are very welcome.

We are hoping to get plenty donations for our angels so that we will be able to share with the various feeding stations at the Pavilion.

Thanks to all of you for your regular support and be sure to pop back for more updates.

Yours Purrfully

OVERDOSE VICTIMS

2012-03-09T07:46:00.000+02:00

I'm sending these graphic pictures of overdose victims not for shock value, but rather in the hope that you will have a frank discussion with friends and family about respecting moderation, understanding limits, and knowing when to just walk away.

Blu Puupie Doo

2012-03-05T07:51:00.000+02:00

Hello again -

ARF, It’s me Blu.

I’m sneaking in to tell you what’s going on in this crazy house.

I’m still Bat Dog…. but now I’m a bit worried.

My human brother likes reading, you see…

When he comes home from school he shows mommy all the new books he got from the library.

I caught Mimmo reading one.

They are all about this BIG FAT CAT, just like Mimmo.

Remember I told you last time that she pushed me out of the way with her BIG FAT BUM?

Well, now I know where she gets those ideas from too.

I think – that she thinks – that she IS this cat.

I pawed a list to show you that she really does think that she is this Garfield Cat.

Mimmo	Garfield
Fat	Fat
Loves food	Loves food
Likes to sleep all day	Likes to sleep all day
Likes to boot me out of the way	Likes to boot Odie out of the way
Likes to clobber me	Likes to clobber Odie
Chases me without much effort	Chases Odie without much effort
Likes to watch TV	Likes to watch TV
Likes lots of attention	Likes lots of attention
Likes her scratch post	Likes his scratch post

I like to spin around like a spinning teacup on my blankie, I like to run, I like to chew shoes, I like to wake Mimmo up, I like to sit on the couch and watch a spot of TV, I like to ride in the car (I’d love to ride shotgun but I sit in the back), I like to bark, just like Odie…………

Oh gawsh!

Am I Odie?

Something I think everyone should read and think about.

2012-03-01T08:12:00.000+02:00

The weekend is my time to relax, read, and of course spend a little quality time with the family.

This morning I read some posts from various blogs that I follow and enjoy.

I have mentioned this particular blog before in a few of my posts.
I really enjoy this guy's writing - it is honest and strikes a nerve or should I say almost always has something that I can relate to on a personal level.

At the moment he is writing a series of posts that are linked to one another.
Its all about finding your personal happiness, making the BIG decisions in your life; its about living.

This is a post that really resonated with me.
I mean this is so "me". Its what I'm all about right now.
I really have no interest in making other people happy, or fulfilling what others think my dreams should be.

I've said it before too that in my life; I've always put someone else first; or sacrificed what meant more to me because it made some other person happy.

Don't get me wrong I still enjoy giving and enjoy seeing someone smile. I have just grown to the point in my life where I see that some people add more value to your life than others do.

Its far more worth it to distance those that don't add value - and treasure those that do. You see recently I've opened my eyes to seeing that no matter how much you love and care about a person, and how much you do for that person out of love they may not feel enough about you to even respect you. Sometimes you just have to love a person from afar.

Some people bring so much negativity to your life that they should be cut out completely.
This is something I've also had experience with recently. These are the people who Dan says are the ones who judge you and grow apart from you because of it. To me its also to do with respect and jealousy. I analyse everything and to me these kind of people are poison not only to you but to your family. Your family meaning, the people who live under the same roof as you. That should be your priority, your home should be your sanctuary, and no-one from the outside should meddle with that, whether they are family or not...

As much as I need to distance those people, I feel I need to distance or phase out the "things" in my life that are holding me back on my path. Its basically having all the nuts and bolts in the right places, and in doing so it ensures that the cogs are working in the right order to move forward smoothly.

As all of you know by now; my ultimate goal and something I am always working on is being the best wife and mother I can possibly be.
My personal dreams are with animals. I want to see them happy, I want to be more "hands on" with animals in my community, and I want to continue writing or sharing posts that educate people on what benefits animals and how animals enrich your life. I have been waiting since forever to be doing what I am right now. I feel that things are falling into place for me, all holds have been lifted and its all or nothing for me right now. What's really wonderful is that I can and am still concentrating on encouraging my children, so that their dreams can become a reality.

I really enjoyed Dan's last line which reads "You'll be amazed how absolutely "perfect" a person's judgment calls are for their own life when the rest of the world shuts up for five minutes and lets them do their thing".
This line showed me how completely the post made a full circle for me.

This is what makes me - me.

So what makes you - you?

Take a few minutes and read what Dan has to say. Remember that his post is from a series of posts, read them all. Think about what he says. I'm

The 6 Words People Making Huge Life Choices Need You to Say

You'll be amazed how absolutely "perfect" a person's judgment calls are for their own life when the rest of the world shuts up for five minutes and lets them do their thing

http://www.danoah.com/2012/02/six-words-people-making-huge-life-choices-need-you-to-say.html.

Kind Regards
Di Kendall

"Don't be mad when someone else starts to appreciate the person you took for granted. What you won't do, someone else will."
 via BlackBerry

Are You FOR the Animals?

2012-02-22T09:39:00.000+02:00

Hi again.

There is a lot I’d like to share with you this week, so there have been many posts.

I am going to get straight to it then.

Over the past week or so Irwins Animal Rescue Centre has been in the news. i don’t particularly want to get into the arguments going on between those in welfare as i believe that what people feel and think is irrelevant, unless what they are saying is shed in a positive light for the animals concerned.

That being said i would like to get you informed on the task at hand.

I received this email last night from someone who had been to the centre herself.

Please read it with an open heart with the animals in mind, and then I will tell you a little bit more about how you can help.

Dear All,
There has been a lot of publicity lately regarding the Irwins Animal Rescue Centre. I was there yesterday, after receiving an email advising that the centre was opening their gates to the public as part of a rehoming campaign undertaken by a group of volunteers.

As I understand the situation, they have a deadline pending the outcome of a court case against the owner, to drastically reduce the number of animals at the shelter by 10 March 2012. Should the case be finalised, the relevant authorities will decide on the fate of the remaining animals which is unlikely to be positive.

The volunteers that I met are a wonderful group of dedicated people, with the animals' best interests at heart. I know there has been much negativity, but I would like to appeal to all animal lovers not to criticise what may have happened in the past - whatever has taken place, no matter whether we agree or disagree - it is the PAST. We need to focus now on trying to get as many animals rehomed as possible by the deadline.
It is not all doom and gloom when you visit the centre - I would say comfortably that around 95% of all the dogs were interested in the people who came to see them and freely came up to the cages to be petted and enjoy the attention.

Although the enclosures are not fancy, they were neat and clean with shade cloth and kennels in each of them providing good shelter. There was food in the bowls (I was there at feeding time), and as can be seen from the pictures, the water bowls were clean and full. None of the dogs were thin, in fact some were a bit chubby! There is such a variety of dogs available that there would be a dog to suit anyone's needs and lifestyle.

Please open your heart and send this appeal to anyone whom you know will not mind receiving this email. Strict adoption procedures will be followed with home checks being carried out by people with relevant experience. All animals leaving the shelter will be sterilised, vaccinated, dewormed and treated for ticks and fleas. An adoption fee will also apply to cover these costs. If you or someone you trust, can offer a loving, forever home to these very special dogs, please contact Allison on 083 269 9102 for further information.

They will be hosting adoption days every Sunday from 10h00 to around 16h00 - come and visit the animals, and offer your support. They are also in need of additional shadecloth, and labour to clear some stony areas. Any other donations whether food, cash, collars, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Helen Taylor

As you can see in Helen’s letter, there is an open day every Sunday at the rescue centre.

Besides that there is a Facebook page set up called “Irwins Angels”. The main function of this page is to show case the adoptable animals at the centre. Adoption forms will be available at the centre on Sunday open days. The amazing Emma O Brien has been round to the centre and has taken some photos of the doggies which are now posted on the page.
A group of volunteers have organised some shampoo and sponges to be collected and they will be bathing and dipping the doggies on Sunday. This will all be happening on Sunday 26 February from 10h00-16h00.

NOTE: The Address for Irwins is Plot 25,... 7th road, Walkers Fruit Farms, Walkerville. There aren't any signs except for a rock with IRWINS painted on it in white. Turn left into South and then take the second dirt road on your right - which is 7th road. Irwins is right at the top of the road, on the left!

There is also a food drive on the go, organised by Linsey. This drive has been organised to keep the flow of food for the doggies coming in.
it is unfortunate but sponsors usually pull out when negative publicity surrounds a centre and the ones who end up suffering are the animals.
If you would like to contribute to helping the Irwins animals this is how you can do it:

You can either donate to linsey’s food drive:

please put the ref as IRWINS
L Rautenbach, FNB, ACC NO: 62066091556 BRANCH: SELCOURT

or you can take some food and treats, toys, collars, hoofs etc through to the centre on Sunday.

If you have any bright ideas on how to help this Rescue centre or help one in your area, comment here.
(the simplest way of commenting is by clicking anonymous but you can use one of the various profiles suggested)

I would love to hear from you.

Have a super day further.

Invitation To Participate

2012-02-21T09:53:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone,

Please read Kim’s story look at the pics of the work that they do and please share and / or consider donating to help these ladies continue with the work that they do.

Thanks Di

Hi,

For those that don’t know me, I help animals in Chesterville Township in Durban. Most South Africans are aware of the poverty of residents in townships and the lack of care and ignorance of owning pets. As a result, millions of unseen animals are suffering terribly without adequate food, no shelter, biliary, mange, parasites, being chained, etc., etc. At the root of this problem also is the uncontrolled breeding under horrendous conditions.

Please see pics below of a lot of animals that I have helped, though this is by no means all.

I rely on donations to make this possible and do only those rescues that funds will allow. Quicha Morgado from
Animal Action Dog Rescue has provided the bulk of expenses in the sterilizing and meds, plus she has taken over unwanted puppies and adults and homed them!

In the last 2 weeks alone she has funded the sterilizing of 8 dogs, 1 euthanasia, mange treatment and foster homes for several animals. We still want to do another 5 spays this week. (See pics of dogs below at end.)

Animal Action Dog Rescue is merely a two-woman show with Quicha and Kim Samuels. They have no formal infrastructure and only 6 or 7 foster homes. They raise all their rescue money themselves and with so many animals needing help, their funds are severely limited, yet they are helping me with these dogs which just cannot be ignored.

Visit their website: http://www.animalaction.org.za/

I am therefore inviting you to help fund these 8 sterilizations and the 5 that still need to take place this week. Please, these animals desperately need our help!

I appeal to you to please make a deposit of whatever you are willing and able, as long as it’s something, to:

· Name: Animal Action Dog Rescue

· Bank: First National Bank

· Account No: 62258858798

· Branch Code: 220426

NB: Additionally, as a reference state: Chesterville plus your name. Also please email me your email address. kim.f.trent@gmail.com . You will be acknowledged in their newsletter and your email address is needed to send you a copy.

Also be assured that every single cent will used to pay vet fees.

Thank you very much!

Kind regards,

Kim Trent

084 683 5149

Below are pics of animals which have all been rescued or sterilized, removed or helped.

DONE IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS:

The following pics are of a dog rescued from giving birth to 8 pups in a hole she’d dug (4 Feb). She’s now in a foster home. For full pics and story:

Two others.

………………………………………………………….

Last week this poor young black dog had advanced biliary and sadly had to be euthanised. Note all the flies biting his bloodied ear.

She was from the same household, was spayed, vaccinated and went to a foster, then forever home a couple of days ago. She’s a very sweet little dog.

THE TWO DOGS BELOW WERE SPAYED 17 Feb. This little black & tan girl is in horrendous condition with mange and sores under her (dirty, dry & brittle) fur. She is very thin too from poor nutrition and lack of food. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3104122156545.142493.1068980914&type=3&l=d22361bfcf

Snoopy was infested with ticks and fleas. Same with Candy, plus lice!

Yesterday, (Sunday 19 Feb) they went to a lovely foster home. They still need forever homes!

THE FOLLOWING ARE DOGS THAT STILL NEED TO BE SPAYED, VACCINATED AND HOMES FOUND:

………………………………………..

THESE 2 DOGS NEED TO BE SPAYED AND A HOME FOUND FOR THE PUPPY AND ONE ADULT:

Note how thin she is and flies biting her ears. (Puppy is also a female.)

This dog is in heat again and needs to be spayed urgently! I suspect she is the mother of the above two

This little girl will be in heat soon.

I am bat dog - Ta Dah!

2012-02-20T07:47:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone

I would like to introduce myself; although I have already heard from mommy that she introduced me to you as a new member of the family.

My name is Blu.

I am a very well behaved Miniature Pinscher, and I love my family.

My mommy believes that I am going through a naughty streak because I like to chew things. She bought me puppy chew treats and lots of toys; raw hide; and hooves too. I still think my siblings and daddy’s shoes are far tastier. I can’t get near mommy’s shoes. This FAT cat that my family call Mimmo protects those with her life.

Mimmo pushed me out the way the other day with her BIG FAT BUM so that she could get more treats than ME!

I was feeling very sorry for myself. I needed MORE treats than her! … I’ll tell you about that later.

Besides waiting for treats; I LOVE food time.
My mommy and siblings are teaching me to sit before I am allowed to eat my food. I get so excited I dance around like my sister Fairy. … …
There can’t just be one dancer in the house…

When mommy or my brother put my plate down, I grab a biscuit and I run on my race track. I like to copy my brother’s cars from his race track.
My family all laugh and say that I get “mad dog disease”.
I am getting really good at running, like my brother who also runs. I run sooooo fast that I skid on tiles; and around corners. It’s so much FUN!

I get so excited when my family come back from shopping that I dig in all three of my water bowls and leave a BIG mess on the tiles. My mommy says the water is like a pool on the floor but I think its fun; it makes a skid pan on the tiles!

The other day I sensed that something was up. I didn’t quite know what.
Mommy took my brother and sister to school and when she came home she put my leash on.
We never go out so early. I like to lay in the sun with Mimmo and Kitt before we go out.

Aunty Fiona hooted at the gate and I went outside with Mommy. I had never been in Aunty Fiona’s car before and I was scared, so I sat on Mommy’s lap and shivered. It wasn’t long before I realised that we were on the same road to the place where mommy first found me.

Mommy filled in forms and then left me there!

I was so happy to see Mommy and my brother and sister come and fetch me again but I felt woozy and I slept a lot.

When I woke up the next morning and I didn’t feel woozy; I bent my head down to my favourite licking spot and realised something was MISSING!

I ran like mad to Mommy and shouted “take me back; take me back, something is missing that I want back!”

Don’t tell Mommy – I think she has been around cats way too long - she doesn’t understand BARK properly yet,… … …

because I’m still missing my favourite parts!

Must Love Cats

2012-02-13T09:05:00.000+02:00

When GOD created the World, He chose to put animals in it, and
decided to give each whatever it wanted. All the animals formed
a long line before His throne, and the Cat quietly went to the end
of the line. To the elephant and the bear He gave strength; to the
rabbit and the deer, swiftness; to the owl, the ability to see at night;
to the birds and the butterflies, great beauty; to the fox, cunning;
to the monkey, intelligence; to the dog, loyalty; to the lion, courage;
to the otter, playfulness. And all these were things the animals
begged of GOD. At last he came to the end of the line, and there sat
the little cat, waiting patiently. "What will YOU have?" GOD asked
the Cat.

The Cat shrugged modestly. "Oh, whatever scraps you have left over.
I don't mind."
"But I'm GOD. I have everything left over. You can ask for anything!"

"Then I'll have a little of everything, please" said the Cat.

And GOD gave a great shout of laughter at the cleverness of this small
animal, and gave the Cat everything she asked for, adding grace and
elegance and . . .. only for her, a gentle purr that would always attract
humans and assure her a warm and comfortable home.

Meet Dusty, the Cat Burglar ...

2012-02-09T08:14:00.000+02:00

Hi all,
I know I haven’t been around much lately.
i decided that this is the year that I am going to be taking care of “me” too.
I was ill way too much last year, so this is the year to be healthy, happy and to just enjoy life, minus people who are hell bent on making life miserable.
On to today’s post…
I have heard so much about this kitty so when I received the email from Second Chance Sanctuary’s, Cherece today I couldn’t help but sharing it with you.
I hope that you enjoy it and have a lovely day, its almost weekend!
xx
Di
P.S. Thanks Cherece

Meet Dusty, the Cat Burglar ...

He's been caught stealing hundreds of items from homes, so you'd have thought police would have locked up this prolific burglar by now. But the strange thing about Dusty is not that he's only aged five years old, but that he's a cat.
Neighbours were mystified for years as their possessions went missing and had feared they were being targeted by a real criminal.
The prolific cat burglar Dusty, from San Mateo, California, has stolen gloves, towels, shoes and many other items from households since owner Jean Chu adopted him from the Humane Society. Dusty has a special love for swimsuits - and neighbour Kelly McLellan says he stole her bikini on two separate trips. She said he appeared focused on keeping the ensemble...

Stolen stash: Dusty the cat sits among the toys and other items he has stolen from neighbours

Sitting pretty: Dusty hangs out in one of his favourite places at home - the upstairs bathroom sink

Minor celebrity: Dusty's owners, Jean Chu and Jim Coleman, are pictured with their cat on the Letterman show. The cat's thieving has made him a minor celebrity.
'It's extreme, but it's absolutely adorable,' cat behaviour expert Marilyn Krieger said.

Huge haul: Dusty has stolen piles of more than 600 items - and even pulled an incredible bounty of 11 household items from nearby homes in a single evening.
Collection: Jim Coleman and his wife Jean Chu, stack piles of items that their cat has brought home over the years to their house.

Ms Chu told the San Francisco Chronicle Dusty has a 'form of OCD' and neurological problems. Cat experts say Dusty's predatory instincts have gone astray, leaving him hunting for people's stuff.
Ms Chu's husband, Jim Coleman, said Dusty something brings home 'expensive' things. 'I get a little worried about that,' he added.

Dusty is also known to steal stuffed toys from local residents.
His crime sprees emerged when The Animal Planet television show 'Must Love Cats' installed a camera outside the house and captured his nightly forays for a week.

Neighbours keep a watch for the cat but his victims do not intend to file police reports. They say that when something goes missing they simply visit Dusty's owners.

From A Pound Dog

2012-01-20T09:25:00.000+02:00

Thanks go out to Tracey Hartley who shared this poem on the animal noticeboard.

Have a super weekend and keep this poem in mind if you are considering adding to your family.

The picture’s i chose here are really powerful. Thanks to those who took the time and effort to make them.

FROM A POUND DOG...

Today is the day that I shall die
My life was short and I don’t know why
I don’t yet know that this will be my fate
The humans just stood there at my gate.
And in their eyes I saw their sorrow
They told me I had no more time to borrow
My 14 days have been and gone
And I’m yet to know what I’ve done wrong.

I greeted the humans with a waggling tail
But with this their resolve seemed to fail
I did not understand why they cried
They told me again and again how they had tried.But rescues are full and I’m on death row
And this meant that I had nowhere to go
Except for that room and the end of the block
It was only then that I took stock.I’ve seen others go in and never come out
And it was at this point that I had no doubt
Today was the day that I would die
And yet still I did not understand why.

As they led me kindly into that room
I knew my life would be over soon
And again the humans tears began to flow
Another life to be lost on dog death row
I know I’m not the only one
One dog an hours dies as I have done
The needle comes out and the drug takes effect
The human holds me kindly and with respect.
This is the end and I’m going to die
And then suddenly I understood why

I was bred without care, without thought or reason
Only because my mum came into season.
I was bred to be sold, bred for the money
At first my new family thought my antics were funny
But as the days past by and the bigger I grew
Left home alone all day
I began to chew.
Soon they said this is not the place for me
So up went my ad onto Gumtree
Family dog free to good home Five months old,no fault of her own that she is being sold.
This next place was even less fun
Kept in a cage with no hope of a run
Soon came the day of my first season
And now I was the one bred without reason.
My pups were soon sold and I was aloneI really hope they all found a loving home
Shut up in a cage, alone and in the dark
For hours on end I would just bark.Once again I became too much trouble

So up went my ad on the double
Work commitments forces reluctant sale
Only ten months old, it’s a familiar tale.The next people seemed nice at first
But it was not too long before the bubble burst
In this place I was to be trained to fight
But they gave up on that as I refused to bite.
They spoke me as I was taken back to my crate
‘If you won’t fight we’ll use you as bait
’I was chained to a post by my collar
When the other dogs attacked I would holler.
This life went on like this for quite a time
But I was soon told I was past my prime
I thought we might have been going for a walk
Yet in the car there was no talk.
And slowly as the car came to a halt
I was thrown out of the door with a jolt
I stood and watched as the car sped away
It was cold and dark and I had nowhere to stay.
It was by this road that I was eventually found
And I was taken away to the local dog pound
And here I lie as I take my last breath
I have one thing to ask as accept my death.
You can help save others from my fate
Spay or neuter your dog before it’s too late

Goodbye 2011–Hello 2012

2012-01-11T10:29:00.000+02:00

Hi Everyone,

A hearty welcome to 2012.

I hope that you have all had a restful and happy festive season.

For those of you who missed my update on my Facebook page, here’s the big news….

WE ADOPTED!!

We had been talking about adopting a doggie for a while, and decided that December 2011 was the month to do it. We had to end off the year on a good note.

My hubby had his heart set on a little daxie, so I hunted the networks and found that there were plenty daxies in Johannesburg and Pretoria. I enquired about one long dog only to find out that his owners claimed him. I filled in adoption forms and emailed them off to Barking Mad for Cape Town long dogs and never got a reply there.

I was feeling pretty despondent by the time Christmas arrived… We still hadn’t found a doggie to adopt that would suit our family and home surroundings.

You see – because of where we stay we would have to adopt a small doggie, one that would be happy being taken out for walks in the garden and accompany me on my walks while my children are at after school activities. We also needed to find one that would be OK with our kitties.

With my hubby on leave between Christmas and New Year it was the perfect time to go up to the SPCA and see if there was a baby for us to adopt there.

On the 28^th, hubby, kids and I arrived at the Kloof SPCA.

We walked past the kitty runs and greeted some gorgeous faces there. There were plenty kittens… I really wish more people would spay and neuter. There are way too many little souls up for adoption and not enough homes for them to go to!

Then it was time to check out the doggie runs. All the dogs are so desperate for loving attention. The look in their eyes just says “please take me home”. I have to admit that I held back tears. I wish I could have taken them all.

After greeting the strays my kids shrieked with excitement at a find in run 60. Hubby got there before I did and said “I’ll bite” As I got closer there was this little face that popped up from behind the bars. The note on the run read “SURRENDERED UNWANTED”.

Who could not want such a beautiful little face?

I enquired about this 4 month old little boy. I had to write my name down on his form as a reserve. Someone else had put a reserve on him on the 14^th December, and it had to be confirmed whether the people still wanted him. So we left there a little unsure of what would happen next.

I phoned the SPCA after lunch and there was still no news.

Late that afternoon we received a call to say that we could begin the adoption process for the little min pin in run 60.

Thursday morning we were up bright and early and went back to the SPCA to fill in forms for a home check. We also spent a little time with the little boy who would possibly be coming home with us.

Then it was back to waiting again.

I waited rather impatiently for the inspector to arrive.

My patience was running rather thin by Friday morning. We were cleaning house and packing away anything that a little miniature pincher could possibly decide on chewing. It was a direct reminder of a human pregnancy nesting phase…

I know that this is a little off the subject but I believe in angels, this was another day that reminded me of their awesome presence.

I received a Facebook message from my friend Jenny asking how the adoption was going. I told her we were impatiently waiting for the inspector to arrive. She replied with “I’m sending you angels. Watch out for feathers falling in the scramble to get to you.”

Not even a minute later a feather fell from the ceiling and a minute after that we were talking to the inspector who approved our home check.

I got straight in the car and went to fetch our boy.

While he went into the vets to get micro chipped and inoculated I filled out adoption forms, microchip forms and a sterilization contract. At the time it really felt like a lot, but I was so excited to get into the car again and bring this timid little guy home. What an amazing feeling it was when we did!

The process of adoption is a small price to pay to receive a new addition to the family.

Well, as of tomorrow Blu has been home for two weeks. Mimmo is quite OK with him now, although when he first arrived home she made it very clear to him that all the shoes – yes, ALL the shoes belonged to her.

I will be uploading a picture of Blu to my Facebook page, do look out for it and let me know what you think the caption should be on the pic. It’s just for a little bit of fun. I will post the pic again with the winning caption, in a few days time.

I do hope that all of my followers and likers have a fantastic 2012. I hope that there will be much good news to report!

My Story

2011-12-15T19:13:00.000+02:00

Sorry to be morbid all. As you will see I had the crap beaten out of me when I did the slightest thing wrong as a child.

Unfortunately my family still expect me to be their doormat. they expect me to allow to be treated like trash.

I refuse! I will not lay down.

I will NOT let them break me. I was allowed to be broken for too long!

I deserve respect! I deserve love!

Up until I was 22 I lived in fear and I refuse to do it now. I will help the abused! I will save animals until every cage is empty!!! I know too well what its like to be there…

This is why i miss my grandparents. i wish they were here now to say “LEAVE THE CHILD ALONE!!!”

My Story.

My Granny sat me down when I was about sixteen years old and explained that when I was born I was immediately given up for adoption. My mom was only 19 years old and in those days, having children out of wedlock was frowned upon.

This is where my story begins to have two stories.

I am not sure how accurate it is but she explained that I was at Cotlands Children’s Home for about three months, when my grandfather “could no longer take it” and went to fetch me. According to her, they would visit me on Sunday’s, and when they arrived one Sunday I had burn marks on my face. This is what made him decide to bring me home.
My mom explained that she was under a large amount of pressure from my grandparents. After three months at Cotlands she decided that I was her responsibility and brought me home.

Living with my grandparents was great. Gramps would take me to buy veggies on alternate Saturday mornings. I was allowed to choose one type of fruit, he would buy a whole box and they were labelled as “mine”. We would then go to Checkers where he would buy his cigarettes and I would get a box of Sugus. It’s moments like these that I try to concentrate on – when the bad ones start to filter through.
On the Saturdays that he would be at work, my Aunt would come by early so we could go shopping. My Gran couldn’t drive, so this was an outing for her too. We would buy “something nice” to have for tea when we arrived home. I would always choose a jam doughnut. There is something about that sugary coating and the gooey apricot jam ooze in the middle that was just delightful.

When I started school my aunt would arrive early at our home to take me to school. Our home was only two blocks away from the Nursery and Primary School, so my Gran would walk up to my school in the afternoon to fetch me. She would point flowers and acorns on the path and it would make the time go faster.

I loved both my grandparents dearly but poor Granny was only good enough when Gramps wasn’t around. There was that special something about him that made him fun. He would do funny things, play games, (no matter how silly they were) and when I got older his stories of yesteryear would have me engrossed for hours. He would tuck my blankets in very tight at night and sing “Had Gad yo” to me at bed time. Some nights he would sit for what seemed to be hours singing until I would finally fall asleep. He was my hero.

*Had Gad Yo is a Hebrew rhyme that is usually sung at the Seder table to keep the children’s interest to the end of the Seder which is a very long meal.

HAD GAD YO
An only kid
An only kid
My father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid…

Had gad yo, Had gad yo di z’van ab-bo bis re zu ze had gad yo, Had gad yo.

Granny had her own hobbies and in the school holidays I would accompany her at her Bible study classes, or a visit to one of her many friends in the neighbourhood. She would take me to swim at the sports grounds across the road and would do puzzles and play games. She was more of a disciplinarian than Gramps, although he wouldn’t tolerate it if I was “out of hand”.

I realised today that I don’t remember much about my life with my mom during my first few years. The only memory I have is that I woke up really early one Christmas, very excited to open my presents, and to give my mom the bottle of “You’re the Fire” perfume that I had “bought” for her. She cuddled up in bed with me until it was time to wake up. Again, I seem to have more memories of Granny getting everyone together to bake a Christmas Cake and various other Christmas goodies. She really made that time of the year so exciting.

My mom met my step father when I was six years old. I was afraid of him from the start. I remember him visiting one Saturday and giving me “the evil eye” because I wasn’t happy that he was monopolising all of my mother’s time. This “evil eye” was a terrible thing. It was a look that had lasers that would tear into your soul and frighten the living hell out of you. You knew that something bad was going to happen after one of these looks. With my heart pounding so much that my ears were ringing, I ran as fast as I could to Granny and Gramps who were sitting on the veranda. By then he had raced to the front door and was continuing his death ray stare. I was shaking so much I could hardly breathe, but I stood next to granny, telling her about what Gramps said we would be doing on the following weekend.

I remember overhearing my grandparents telling my mom that they didn’t approve of her relationship or the way he dealt with me. I then have a memory of him holding Gramps by the collar, threatening him that he would never see me again if he continued to disapprove of my mom’s relationship with him.

My mom and I moved to a flat in Berea shortly after that.

My time line of living in Berea is muddled. I can’t seem to remember what happened before my mom got married and what happened after.

It was a difficult move for me. Although I still went to the same school – my mom would drop me off at my grandparents’ house in the morning, my Aunt would take me to school and Granny would still fetch me from school in the afternoons – everything else had changed. I experienced my first ever beating of a hiding for not being able to fall asleep.

I know now, being a mother now myself – that this experience, of uprooting a child’s life is extremely distressing. Children find moving in general difficult, having to deal with these added extras of abuse and constant arguing is clearly not an ideal situation. From being treated like a little princess, I was now being treated like I didn’t matter at all.

I don’t remember my mom’s beatings from my step father at this stage. I think I blocked them out. I remember a lot of door slamming, tears from both my mom and myself, my mom would wear her dark glasses more often and my unbearable beatings. It may have been on my bottom, but hell he was strong. He beat a guy up for parking my mom in the one night. The fight continued after he was hit over the head with a pick axe handle, and the blood was pouring from his head.

One night I remember telling my mom that I had a headache. I used to get the most incredible headaches. My head would pound and I would get so horribly nauseous that I wouldn’t move. I remember being told “CHILDREN DON’T GET HEADACHES!” Later that evening my mom went into the kitchen and put ten Disprin into a glass. I remember counting them. She left the glass on the counter and walked out of the kitchen. Before she returned, I had already downed the glass of dissolved tablets, thinking it was for me. I remember being scolded by my mom but I can’t remember anything after that.

My uncle collected me at my grandparents’ house one night and joined my mom and I for dinner. I imagine that he was there to talk her out of marrying my stepfather. If that was the plan it never worked. It probably made her even more determined to marry him.

A couple of months after their wedding, we moved to Princes Avenue Windsor. I was seven or eight years old now. Things got even worse for me here. Some nights my mom and step father would cook dinner together. I would be called into the kitchen to stir sauces on those nights. The stove was next to the door. I would get tired of standing and stirring the sauce, so I would lean on the door.

On this particular night he hit me so hard that I landed on the floor in front of the stove. He then started to kick me at least six or seven times.
The next day I told my Gran about what had happened.

My Gran must have said something to my mom because when I got home I received another beating.”YOU DON’T TELL YOUR GRANDMOTHER WHAT HAPPENS IN MY HOUSE!” is all I got from my mother.

I really should have been removed from their care. I think my grandparents did nothing because they were also threatened. I’m not sure if they were aware of steps that they could take either, they never had to deal with anything like this before.

My trouble with sleep continued, my mom would wear her dark glasses more often and my step father’s ever increasing shouting tantrums at night which added to my problem with sleep.

One night I asked for the shouting to end. I received one of my step father’s famous lectures about how my mom was wrong and he had to set her straight. I remember asking him to speak to her and not shout, but that never worked. He thought that he was always right. The fight continued after my lecture and when I still couldn’t sleep I experienced yet another beating. When I was crying he’d yell at my mother “GO AND SHUT YOUR DAUGHTER UP!”.

As the years went on I learned to always have an answer for everything because he would always twist a situation to make himself look “right”. This has worked for me in some situations later in life and also worked against me. I still find that even today I’m always on the defensive and I don’t think that will ever work its way out of my system.

By this time I was so afraid to sleep at night that I would tuck my teddy right up against my back. The sweat would pour under my blanket but I felt more secure. I tend to over analyse everything and I realise now that I would tuck myself in so tight just to feel that security I had when Gramps would put me to sleep at night.

My step father had strange friends and a half brother that would visit only when he wanted something. My step Gran, a petite, “prim and proper” lady, would also visit but that would almost without fail end with her leaving in tears because of an argument.

He once decided to make his own beer. The stuff was so potent that after one mug of the stuff he was unable to stand up on his own. He invited his new buddy from the complex next door to us. Well, my mom and this guy’s wife had to literally carry the guy home after his mug of beer. At least on these nights we didn’t need to worry about being beaten or shouted at.

We lived across the road from the golf course and my step-father got to know the care taker whose house was also across the road. They used to drive around the course checking on security together. Then they would get horribly drunk at the club house and go home. We were luckier on some nights than others, but the fear was always there.

My Grandparents and Aunt would always buy me clothes and shoes. This included everything I needed for school including stationery. My step-father would get very angry when they bought me things. Once my Aunt bought me shoes and I refused to wear them at home. I hid them under my bed at my Grandparents home and wore them there. My Aunt told me the other day that she told my stepfather, that I was her niece and she would buy me shoes if she wanted to. I’m surprised that he never threatened her – or maybe he did and I just never knew about it.

One Saturday morning my step father was “cleaning” his gun. He shot a hole in the floor. It happened behind closed doors but I remember the fear I had inside that my mom had been hurt. I was only too happy to see my mom come into my room and tell me she was ok.

When I was eighteen I wanted to learn how to shoot a gun but my step father wouldn’t allow me to. It only dawned on me today that he probably thought I would end up killing him if I did. I think I would have – and sometimes wish that I did.

We moved again, this time to Viscounts Ave in Windsor. Shortly after we moved my mom fell pregnant. Things were ok. I can’t remember any incidents that took place while she was pregnant.
My Grandparents would take me out pretty often and I would go on holidays with them to the Cape.

When my brother was born my chore load got bigger. I would have to see that dinner was made, so that my mom could feed the little bundle. They would also leave me to look after him on my own while they went shopping. It felt like they took hours to return. I would wrap my baby brother tightly in his blanket, his crying would eventually stop and he would fall asleep with red eyes and a crying hiccup. I was taught how to make a bottle and taught myself when to change and bath him. My mom would come home to a fed and bathed little bundle smelling of baby powder. I think that this is what caused me to argue with my brother when he was older. I was jealous that he had some kind of a childhood while I had to grow up very fast.

My step father’s tantrums weren’t always hidden from friends. Shortly before my brother was born I became very close to a friend at school. I would spend most weekends with her family. On one of the weekends she spent with me my step father started one of his night time tantrums. He was shouting at my mom again. I honestly can’t remember what sparked it but the next thing I knew he was trying to give me a beating. I tried to get away but ended up in a choke hold being strangled. My friend was probably petrified that she would be next. I remember consoling her afterwards; I was so scared that I wouldn’t have my friend visit any more. I would rather have her feel at ease and have a friend, than be alone and be consoled myself. We are still friends today, and it’s one of the relationships that I am most thankful for. It has only been in the last couple of years that I have felt safe enough to let her hug me or hold my hand in a caring way. Someone so wonderful, and I have unconsciously, pushed her away many a time. I realise now that it was because of my fear of letting someone into my space. I feel terrible knowing this as it has probably hurt her so very much and I wish I could have realised sooner that this mess I experienced had so many repercussions.

You see I have a lot to be thankful for too. My self esteem was in tatters and at my friend’s house my confidence was boosted, I loved it there. Her mom was one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever seen. She had oodles and oodles of make-up and hair ties and bracelets. After a day of shopping and swimming we would bath and go in to her mom’s room and experiment with all the goodies.

I must admit that the first night I slept there I was petrified for the moment her dad would come home from work. You see I had a Grandpa and Uncles. The picture of a “father” to me wasn’t a nice one, one that you could have an unconditional relationship with. I learned very quickly that my friend’s parents did argue, but the things that happened in my home, never happened in hers. Her dad still today is an amazing, caring, compassionate, human being. It is really amazing how some men differ like night and day.

In my friend’s home I was made to feel a part of the family. I would even call her Gran, “Granny ………” When my friend’s parents bought a new lounge suite, her mom told us to go to the bedroom so she could surprise us. We waited so long, we decided to sneak out my friend’s bedroom window and walk to the shops. Boy were we in trouble when we got back and tried to climb through the window, only to find my friend’s mom sitting there. We never tried that trick again. We were punished though, not beaten to a pulp, or strangled or given death ray stares. It was made quite clear to us what we did wrong and that it was because we were loved so much that we should never do something like that again. I use this very strategy with my children today.

My friend’s sister tried to brush my hair after a bath one day. I had hair that I could sit on. The problem was that I didn’t know how to take care of it. It was so matted it was like the hair of an abused, uncared for, long haired dog. This is no exaggeration. I’m not sure how my Gran got to find out about it, but I have an idea that my friend’s mom paid her a visit and informed her. You see my step father would not allow me to cut my hair. In the next few days my aunt took me to the hairdresser and my hair was cut into a Princess Diana do.

Shortly before we moved to a house in Emmarentia, my step father’s, half brother phoned one night. My stepfather had been drinking heavily all day. I remember my mom being in a state and my step Gran and Stepfather’s sister being at our home. Who knows what more would have happened if they weren’t there. His half brother was going through a sticky divorce and wanted my step father to help him get his children for the week.
My step father left in a rage and ended up beating his brother’s soon to be ex-wife’s new boyfriend within an inch of his life. Charges were laid but he got off scott-free because of a crooked lawyer.

After that event my step father decided to stop drinking and turn his life around. Life was peaceful for a while. Then he got a new job and he started to go on “drinking” business meetings.
My mom ran her own business from home. He came home one day and beat her very badly. Things were strewn all over her home office. She had another black eye too. The nanny and I grabbed my then two year old brother, and we tried to get into the car with my mom and drive to my Grandparents house two blocks away.

My mom hit a pole on the carport and the door was stuck. We all ran out into the road. Luckily for us my Gramps was driving to the shop to get his daily newspaper. I have never got into a car so fast before. Late that night my step father arrived at my Grandparents house, and tried to convince my mother to give him my brother. I was so scared that I called the flying squad. She eventually went with him. In the morning she came to fetch my brother and I – and we went back home.

While I was on holiday with my Aunt, my Mom and step father bought a house in Randpark Ridge. We had a woman move in with us whose husband disappeared, literally off the face of the earth, leaving her pregnant, and jobless. There were no arguments at that home that I can remember. We didn’t stay there very long though.

My mom and stepfather ended up buying a house in Brackendowns, where the walls of their marriage would finally crumble. We didn’t move into this home right away as the sale would only go through after six months, so we moved into my Uncle’s flat in Victory Park.

My step father got insanely drunk again one night. He wanted to take my mom and go out “clubbing”. She refused, and a fight started. During the argument he grabbed my brother and tried to leave with him. My mother was exhausted so I ran after him and spoke him down to a point that I could get my brother away from him. Heaven alone knows what would have happened if he succeeded in taking my brother. My brother and I shared a room, so when I got home I got in to bed with him and clung to him all night. I doubt that I slept much but there was no way I would let my brother be in harm’s way again. I protected him against other children’s bullying and any other threats that may have arisen. What really gets to me is that there are more than just a handful of flats in that block, and NO-ONE came out to help.

Once we moved to Brackendowns things escalated over the nine years that we were there. The issue also came up again of my grandparents buying me things. My stepfather couldn’t keep a job so there was never much money. At one stage both he and my mom were working and I asked to go along on a shopping trip to get some underwear. Mine were holier than the pope. I waited and waited all day for them to arrive home, and they never did. My mom went wild in the shops; she bought herself new shirts, pants, shoes, underwear, the works, including a pair of fluffy teddy slippers. When I asked why they never came to fetch me I was told quite clearly. “Go and ask your Grandmother.”

It reminds me of the Christmas that my brother got a brand new “top of the range” cricket bat and accessories. I got a R2 water paint set from the bargain shop. I was considering buying each child in the class I was teaching one of these sets, so yes I did know the price. What really irked me is that they knew well that I had an expensive set which was bought for me to take to college but I never needed. So it was unused.

Other than that there were a lot of the usual arguments, drunken rage, black eyes and lectures. Five incidents stand out to me though.

The first occasion was when my step father drank heavily at a soccer match of my brother’s. The minute we walked in he started to beat my mother. I ended up calling a friend of my brother’s – father - who came to our rescue. My mom looked worse this time than any other time. We spent the night at these friends. In the morning my mom decided to take my step father back again!

The second: He got horribly drunk on another occasion, this time my brother had one of his friend’s spending the weekend. This time I had two little boys to keep calm and out of harm’s way.

The third: I had started to work and because I had money of my own I would buy cold-drinks to share etc. I put the cold drink in the kitchen and went to the cupboard to get glasses, so I could pour a drink for everyone. My step father came in and chose a huge mug to pour his cold drink into. I asked him to rather use a glass that was the same size as everyone else’s. He flipped, He grabbed my left arm and twisted it, knowing that he would hurt me the most there. (I broke my arm one Christmas when I slipped on slasto. My arm never healed properly because I had a drunken idiot for a doctor and because every time I did something that pissed my step father off he would grab it first)

He threw the two litre bottles at me so hard that they broke and there was cold drink splattered all over the kitchen. He then threw me across the room into a cupboard door. I slumped onto the floor, and then he started to kick me. I had so many bruises after that beating. I had to take my Gran shopping the following Friday and I still could barely drive my car, let alone push a shopping cart.

On the fourth occasion I remember running into the street yelling “FIRE!”. Once again no one helped. The neighbours that did come out were friends of my step-father’s and turned around and walked away. If I knew where they were today I would probably have them beaten to a pulp and then ask them if it was nice when I walked away and never bothered to help. I phoned another of my friend’s mom’s that night. She came to my rescue. I am more than grateful for what she did. She even had the guts to speak to him and tell him that what he was doing was wrong. I still use her as a reference to my life today. What a strong amazing lady.

The fifth was my mom’s last beating. He threw a glass lamp across the room at her, and then a steaming hot cup of coffee. She had finally had enough. By this time he was having an internet affair and also beat my brother for “spying”.

The sixth and final beating was when we were moving out. I tried to get my dog. Yes I had to protect our pets from his wrath too! He would train the dogs to walk on a lead by dragging them on a long lead making their paws bleed. No one was safe.

He punched me in the face through the gate, so hard that I literally flew to the ground metres away. My arm was once again wrecked and I was very sore, but my babies were safe. Yes – When I say I have been directly in the line of fire for an animal I was. I laid charges but the court papers were “lost”. Once again thanks to a crooked lawyer. So this is my justice.

It has been a long hard journey to get me to where I am today. My self esteem is still shaky, and I still sometimes flinch when my husband puts his arms around me, moves suddenly or reaches to get something from a cupboard when he is standing next to me. I refuse to let it cause a rift between us though. I hope that one day my invisible scars will eventually heal.

I still ask questions like – why wasn’t I good enough? I still sleep very lightly and I can’t seem to close my bedroom door at night. That fear is still there that something may go wrong, and that I will have to save someone from danger. I still keep most people at an arm’s length in fear that I will be hurt, but at least I’m allowing the people into my life who have been there through it all, through thick and thin. It’s because of them that I am still here and am able to tell my story.

I will continue to fight against those who abuse women and children, or animals. It sickens me to see how little people are willing to step in and help.

My children don’t know all the details but I am educating them. My son will never raise a hand to a woman, and my daughter will have enough strength and self esteem for it NOT to happen to her.

HAD GAD YO
An only kid
An only kid
My father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid

Then came the cat
and ate the kid
my father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid

Then came the dog
and bit the cat
that ate the kid
my father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid

Then came the stick
and beat the dog
that bit the cat
that ate the kid
my father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid

Then came the fire
and burned the stick
that beat the dog
that bit the cat
that ate the kid
my father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid

Then came the water
and quenched the fire
that burned the stick
that beat the dog
that bit the cat
that ate the kid
my father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid

Then came the ox
and drank the water
that quenched the fire
that burned the stick
that beat the dog
that bit the cat
that ate the kid
my father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid

Then came the butcher
and killed the ox
that drank the water
that quenched the fire
that burned the stick
that beat the dog
that bit the cat
that ate the kid
my father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid

Then came the angel of death
that slew the butcher
that killed the ox
that drank the water
that quenched the fire
that burned the stick
that beat the dog
that bit the cat
that ate the kid
my father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid

Then came the Holy One, Blessed be He
and destroyed the angel of death
that slew the butcher
that killed the ox
that drank the water
that quenched the fire
that burned the stick
that beat the dog
that bit the cat
that ate the kid
my father bought
for two Zuzim
An only kid
An only kid

Chorus:
Had gad yo, Had gad yo di z’van ab-bo bis re zu ze had gad yo, Had gad yo.

Basic Rules for Cats Who Have a House to Run

2011-12-05T07:30:00.000+02:00

This one is for cat people.

Thanks Cherece for the email.

lol

xx Di

CHAIRS AND RUGS: If you have to throw up, get into a chair quickly. If you cannot manage in time, get to an Oriental rug.

If no Oriental rug is available, shag is good.

DOORS: Do not allow closed doors in any room. To get a door opened, stand on hind legs and hammer with forepaws. Once door is opened, it is not necessary to use it. After you have ordered an outside door opened, stand halfway in and out and think about several things. This is particularly important during very cold weather, rain, snow, and mosquito season.

GUESTS: Quickly determine which guest hates cats the most. Sit on that human's lap. If you can, arrange to have "Friskies Fish ‘n Glop" on your breath. For sitting on laps or rubbing against clothing, select fabric color which contrasts well with your fur. For example: white furred cats go to black wool clothing. For the guest who claims, "I love kitties," be ready with aloof disdain; apply claws to stockings or use a quick nip on the ankle. When walking among the dishes on the dinner table, be prepared to look surprised and hurt when scolded. The idea is to convey, "But you always allow me on the table when company isn't here." Always accompany guests to the bathroom. It isn't necessary to do anything. Just sit and stare.

WORK: If one of your humans is sewing or writing and another is idle, stay with the busy one. This is called helping, otherwise known as hampering. Following are the rules for hampering: A. When supervising cooking, sit just behind the left heel of the cook. You can't be seen and thereby stand a better chance of being stepped on, picked up and consoled. For book readers, get in close under the chin, between the human's eyes and the book, unless you can lie across the book itself. If it is a news paper, claw at it until shredded.

EATING HABITS AT NIGHT: Remember when you come in during the early hours of the morning after a nice romp in the neighbourhood to make as much noise as possible in order to wake your human slave quick and abrupt. It is most unsettling to be starvingly hungry only to find an empty bowl and a snoring human. If that does not help, climb on top of his/her pillow and start working your way through the hair to get as much nail leverage into the scalp as possible. Never mind the screams. If all else fails, sit on the human’s face, especially after a good, healthy shit, and prepare for a lift off!

Tough Week

2011-12-02T10:17:00.000+02:00

Enjoy everyone! its an email I received…

Have a super weekend

x Di

It all started this morning

When I made breakfast

For the cranky youngsters And fed the baby a bottle.

I loaded up the kids in the car seat

And took them to daycare & school

I was late for work and

Traffic was a nightmare

My husband called my cell Phone to tell me he got laid Off from his construction job

I got to the office

(I'm a Tech Analyst)

My supervisor chewed me out

For misplacing the mouse

I went out for lunch and

Got caught in the rain

I left work early to pick up

My new glasses (wrong size)

Drove the boys to karate lessons

And the girls to tap & ballet

When we got back home, all

They wanted to do was watch TV

Instead of doing their homework

After much chaos, they took

Their baths, got ready for

Bed and brushed their teeth

I read them their Nightly bedtime story

And they finally went to sleep

I tried doing some aerobics

In the living room

Uh oh, I don't think all the 'fast-food' and exercise is agreeing with me

Now, I think I'm getting a migraine

And a runny nose

I'm pretty certain it's the flu

After a long and gruelling day, I crawled into bed and Was just drifting off when

I realized I had forgotten something

Dear Lord, despite the

Topsy-turvy day I've had,I give thanks to you

For all the blessings you've

Bestowed upon me and my family...

Next week, I'm off to the spa and pool for some much-needed rest and relaxation with my girlfriend

That's how MY life is going....How are things with YOU?

Elephant rescue

2011-11-15T06:29:00.000+02:00

I received this email over the weekend – it was too good not to share wit you all.

Enjoy.

Most conservationists believe that man should not meddle with the natural order and that we should allow nature to run her course however cruel or grim it seems to be. We agree on the whole, unless a wildlife problem has been created by man (for instance in the case of snaring or being trapped in a fence, in which case it's justifiable to intervene) then nature should be left to her own devices. She has a plan.

However - every rule has an exception and the dreadful plight of a baby elephant trapped in the mud of the Kapani Lagoon and her mother, who had also got stuck trying to save her yesterday had us all in a frenzy of activity. We simply could not stand by and watch them struggle and slowly die. South Luangwa Conservation Society together with our neighbours - ZAWA - the wildlife authority - agreed with us and we all joined forces to try and save the mum and baby. I usually try to keep the newsletters short, but I hope you'll forgive me for making an exception with this one and agree that this story is worth a little extra time and attention.

Abraham got these great photos of the unfolding drama......

The family herd desperately trying to help the screaming Mum and baby escape

but they were completely stuck in the deep, rapidly drying mud with no chance of getting out

The brave and skilled SLCS team manages to slip a rope under the baby, narrowly avoiding mums thrashing trunk - and starts to haul her out …..

Nearly there - the whole team is hauling as hard as they can.....

But the baby is terribly frightened and won't leave mum's side

Again - she's out and we think we're almost there......

But despite my frantic waving and shouting - she won't leave her mum

One more try - the team pull her further away from mum this time.....

They unwrap the ropes and help her to her feet

This time - thanks to a young herd cousin calling her to safety.....

she makes a dash for it as the rest of the herd scream for her to come to them

Now back to mum who is dehydrated and exhausted - we've been pouring water over her to try to protect her from the scorching midday sun. SLCS staff carefully slip a rope under her....

and the tractor starts to pull and pull - inching her out of what would have been a muddy grave - she seems to sense that there's a chance of escape and begins to struggle for her life...

With us all shouting encouragement and just willing her to keep going "come on Mama, come on Mama"....... to the delight of us all - she makes it! Weak and wobbly she drags herself out

and runs to find her baby and the rest of her waiting herd! The happiest possible ending!

The SLCS team all share a celebratory drink on the Kapani deck with our relieved guests!

This is all in a day’s work for the amazing Rachel McRobb and her outstanding team at The South Luangwa Conservation Society. Go to www.slcszambia.org - it’s a fantastic site and well worth a visit. You will be amazed at what this relatively small group can achieve – their dedication and commitment to wildlife is inspiring. Together with our local wildlife authority – the South Luangwa Area Management Unit of the Zambia Wildlife Authority, they are extremely effective at anti-poaching activities including anti-snaring and patrolling in vulnerable areas of the National Park. Rachel and her team are also skilled at darting snared animals, removing the snares and treating the horrific wounds they cause. Their awareness raising activities and work with other local conservation groups are incredibly effective. Of course – this all takes money so please consider becoming a regular supporter.

Our MD Dave Wilson and NCS Director Adrian Carr are both active trustees in SLCS. It was extremely heartening for us all to see how many local people joined in the efforts to free these two elephants – the cheers of joy, first when the baby ran to his cousin and then when Mum was finally released from the jaws of the sticky, cloying mud were wonderful! Everyone seemed to identify with the mum’s plight - we all saw the incredible emotional bond between the worried herd members and mum and baby. Thank you SLCS and ZAWA and also all the NCS staff who bravely fought to make this a happy ending!

Immigrating With Your Pets – Part 2

2011-11-14T07:24:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone.

This is a follow up post about immigrating with your pets.

While the last post was based on the facts and details of the new quarantine laws, this post is a personal account from two lovely ladies who have both travelled with their pets.

I hope that after reading the two posts you have a better idea of what to expect.

First is a little more info for you from Tilanie, and then an article from Liz.

Thank you Tilanie and Liz for your input. You are both animal angels in my eyes. Thank you for helping me to help other pet parents.

Tilanie writes:

I have moved from South Africa to Austria and back with my pets in tow as well as moving my first German Shepherd from Germany to South Africa. And my parents also moved overseas with pets.

Moving with a well known pet company. I think this is the better option as they – especially today flying from SA stay with your pet/pets till they are boarded.

They organise all the paper work, all you need to make sure of is that you have all their vaccinations up to date – they will also organise either a box or a crate for you dog or cat which yes it is pricey but oh so worth it.

They will tell you whether it is necessary to tranquilise your animal (this depends on the distance).

Moving my dogs to Austria did not require any sort quarantine. And I made sure that they were on the same plane as myself every time. Went straight to the cargo section and got my boys when I was through (however, prior arrangements can be made to have the company organise someone on the other side)

I also did a trip from Germany to South Africa – also through a company.

Then I did the trip from Austria to South Africa – this was a nightmare as the company who used to do this over there was no longer in operation. That left me running left right and centre for signatures and stamps etc. It also meant having to take my boys to the airport and crating them and I had to catch the same flight so I had to leave them in the cargo hold without any supervision (nightmare for me).

Other thing was that my one was getting more hyper from the sedatives – and managed to open his crate – thankfully I was still there so we were forced to put a lock on the crate – this is not advisable because in an emergency situation the animal can not be freed very easily. From my own experience, I would advocate using a reputable company for the safety of the animals and your own peace of mind.

On both occassions where I used a company to move my dogs I was truly satisfied and happy with the end result, happy wagging tails to see their mom.

This is a piece from Liz whose doggies are in quarantine, she recently moved to the UK from SA.

These are your pets you are moving overseas so do not let any one bully you. You know your pets better than anyone and know their likes, dislikes and behavourial patterns.

As we know there is no quarantine now for most countries although check as there maybe about 3 very unknown places that will require quarantine. Make sure all animals have their Rabies shots three months prior to departure and the blood test a month before departure , de-wormed, micro chipped and a Pet Passport also required prior to departure. If not obtained the animals will be in quarantine for 3 months.Check the DEFRA website it clearly states all requirements.

On arrival at any airport there will be a 2-4 hour wait. The State vet has to check all animals to make sure they are healthy and to check all papers are in order.

I researched every cargo pet carrier and found Pet Wings in South Africa the best. They are knowledgeable, sympathetic to your needs and the animals, they will clearly state the animals are their first priority not the owners feeling. Any questions they will answer promptly and be very informative.

All animals will be crated and will go into cargo. Get these crates as soon as possible. Put the pets blankets in them, put treats in the crates and feed them in the crates this will help the animal not to be frightened when the time comes for travel.

Departure, only your animals will be in the van on collection. Each crate will have 2 water bowls, make sure you have frozen the water. This will stop spillage, also last longer for the journey and stay cool. If more than one animal travelling ask for the crates to be put opposite each other so the animals can see one another, it does reassure them. I had 3 dogs going overseas and managed to get them in the van and on the plane where all could see one another. Again it really is a question of 'You are paying for this service it will be done as you request' as much as possible.Do not be bullied but be firmly polite.

I can honestly say the travel and flight was never a problem, everyone concerned was informative, kind and went out of their way to make it as painless as possible for animal and human. After all and you may not believe me but us humans suffer far more than the animals. Think of it as an adventure and in a few hours all will be reunited

New Zealand, Australia and Canada are going to have sticker laws for animals coming into their countries but still does not include quarantine. This will not be known until 2011 when the UK stops their quarantine.

Unfortunately this was by far the easy part for my animals trip. Mine have had to spend 6 months in quarantine and are still there till Dec 18. I have always been a firm believer quarantine or not if anyone loves their animals they will go where the owner goes and not be left behind. Now there is no excuse, quarantine for the UK from 2nd January 2011 no longer exists and in all European Countries and America there is no quarantine. What a joy to know if all regulations are followed where you go your beloved pets can go to. This had been one of the best laws the British Government has abolished. Quarantine came from the dark ages and should have been abolished years ago but even so I still put my animals through this and would do so again because they are loved and could never live with the not knowing of what happened to them. Unless you see it with your own eyes no one can ever be sure.

I have never heard of an animal being lost or dying on a plane to or from any country. I cannot speak highly enough of the quarantine kennels or people at Heathrow airport, if I had my way they could have stayed there for the 6 months. My animals arrive, they were feed, cleaned and groomed with fresh bedding but most importantly they were welcomed with soft words and kind hands.

The question is would you be able to live without your beloved pets or spend the rest of your life wondering what happened to them. I know what I would rather have.

Immigrating with pets…

2011-11-10T11:13:00.000+02:00

While hunting for info for an immigrating couple, I realised that not many people know about the new rules applying to those couples wanting their pets to join them at their new home.

It is upsetting for both owners and those involved with rescue and rehoming to have to find new homes for once loved family pets.

When I post pets on Facebook for rehoming and the info involves the word immigration I receive a barrage of comments pertaining to the immigration laws – and “do you know?”.

Yes, I do know…

The issue here is that we need to educate people on all areas of a pets life.

So please guys and girls don’t give the networkers or re homers a hard time.

Rather repost some info to educate another pet owner.

Here’s what I found:

I emailed at least 10 companies in SA that transport pets to overseas locations.

About 4 replied by the end of yesterday.

Two of the companies were very helpful and gave me the following info.

From 1st January 2012, the rules for bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret into the UK will change.

Until then, the existing rules continue to apply for pets coming into the UK,

see www.defra.gov.uk/pets

Approved non-EU countries – listed overleaf but please check
www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/countries/noneu-countries/
for latest details

Pets in quarantine
Pet owners with pets entering quarantine from 3 July 2011 to 31 December 2011 may be able to have their pet released from quarantine from 1 January 2012 and before the current 6 month quarantine period has elapsed, if they have prepared their pets to meet EU rules.
See Defra website for further information.

Requirements for dogs & cats into United Kingdom

Requires a 3 to 4 month process here in South Africa.

1st step - RABIES VACCINATIONS & MICROCHIP

Pets need to be microchiped and vaccinated against rabies at your local vet. You then have to wait a minimum of 30 days but no more than a year to do step 2 – rabies antibody Titre test.

NORMAL CANINE AND FELINE VACCINATIONS

The veterinary authorities are mainly concerned that the rabies vaccination is current. However it is important for your pet’s health that these vaccinations are given annually and it is advisable that these vaccinations be updated when necessary. In addition, should your pet require boarding before they travel all reputable kennels would insist that you produce a valid vaccination certificate.

2nd step – RABIES ANTIBOBY TITRE TEST

A blood sample has to be taken by your local vet and sent to an EU-approved laboratory (Onderstepoort in Pretoria).

Once a positive rabies antibody titre test result is received (has to be equal to or more than 0.5IU/ml) the pet has to wait 3 months from the date that the blood was drawn before travelling.

3rd step - HEALTH CERTIFICATE

The pets have to be accompanied by a health certificate issued by a private veterinarian certifying compliance with the above requirements and countersigned by the State Vet.

All pets must also be dewormed at the time of the completion of the Health Certificate. These treatments should be clearly stated on the Health Certificate.

This page may be of futher help.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/06/30/new-rules-pet-passports/

Defra says you should ask yourself these questions if you would like to take your pet abroad.

PART A Entry to the UK from other EU Member States and
approved non-EU countries:

For your pet to enter the UK from these countries, you must answer ‘yes’ to the following questions:
• Is it microchipped?
• Is your pet currently vaccinated against rabies?
• Was it vaccinated after it was microchipped?
• Have you got an EU Pet Passport or Official Veterinary Health Certificate from your vet certifying the microchip and vaccination?
• Have 21 days passed since it was vaccinated?
• Are you travelling into the UK with your pet on an approved route?**

PART B Entry to the UK from non-approved countries:
For your pet to enter the UK from these countries, you must answer ‘yes’ to the following steps:
• Is it microchipped?
• Is your pet currently vaccinated against rabies?
• Was it vaccinated after being microchipped?
• Was a blood sample for a blood test taken at least 30 days after
it was vaccinated?
• Has it passed the blood test? (your vet will tell you)
• Have you got an EU Pet Passport* or Official Veterinary Health Certificate from our vet certifying the microchip, vaccination and blood test result?
• Have three months passed since the date the blood sample was taken?
• Are you travelling into the UK with your pet on an approved route?**

If you have a personal account of moving abroad with your pets, please email me on stuffdidoodles@gmail.com i would like to post YOUR story so that we have a personal account of the above steps.

have a super day.

FRESHLY JUICED HAMPER.

2011-11-09T10:32:00.000+02:00

As you all know I have been struggling along to get donations for my DDAS blog birthday drive.

Today a very kind friend decided to donate a R500 Freshly Juiced hamper to raffle off, so we can raise some funds for the shelters close to the heart of DDAS.

If you would like to win this hamper tickets cost R50.

Because of the new raffle our birthday drive will be extended to the 30^th November.

I will do the draw on 1 December and notify the winner of the hamper and the winner of the SAiNTs Calendar.

Email me on stuffdidoodles@gmail.com if you would like to buy a ticket.

Here is a little more info on Freshly Juiced as well as their contact details, website and facebook page if you would like some more info regarding their products.

“Their products are absolutely amazing! They feel good on your skin and smell absolutely delicious. I had products with pomegranate in. Such nice products. Very happy with them” ~ jacqui

Freshly Juiced is a ladies luxury body care range with a very strong Eco focus.

Our website is www.freshlyjuiced.co.za where we take the customer on a journey of learning to read the label of their products and not just look at the fancy logo!

Of course we also run promotions from our www.facebook.com/Freshlyjuiced fan page (with approximately 780 fans currently).

We are against animal testing, use biodegradable ingredients wherever possible (such as in our scrubs), actively encourage recycling of the packaging, and use high quality natural ingredients in all our products.

Where we have had to use synthetic ingredients, we have ensured they comply with EU safety standards and that they are derived 100% from plant material (NO ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS like so many other skin care products).

We can sponsor a R500 Freshly Juiced product hamper – including our Exfoliating Salt Body Scrub, Luxury Body Butter, Hand Cream and lots of other goodies!

Kind regards

Julie Gouws

079 898 2845 | julie@juciskincare.co.zatel

: (011) 513 4046 | fax: (086) 608 4490

Postnet Suite 1, Private bag X75, Bryanston, 2021

Got my penthouse Pets calendar

2011-11-07T15:17:00.000+02:00

I was so excited today when I saw the notice in my Post Box to collect My SAiNTs Calendars.

I ripped open the envelope to find the beautifully photographed and printed calendar.

I am thrilled.

One of the lucky Ladies or Gentlemen, who donate to my Blog’s Birthday Drive wins one of these calendars.

For those of you who don’t know the history of this type of calendar – here’s a little info…

Calendar Girls is a 2003 comedy film directed by Nigel Cole. Produced by Buena Vista International and Touchstone Pictures, it features a screenplay by Tim Firth and Juliette Towhidi based on a true story of a group of Yorkshire women who produced a nude calendar to raise money for Leukaemia Research under the auspices of the Women's Institutes in April 1999. (from Wikipedia)

The SAiNTs Calendar is also tastefully done with the same idea of giving behind it. Proceeds from the sale of this calendar will benefit, Barking Mad, CLAW, 4Paws, Co-operative Cat shelter, AARF and Cat-a-Holics.

I chose AARF to benefit when I purchased DDAS’s and my calendars.

If you’d like to win this copy email me on stuffdidoodles@gmail.com for more details, and make a donation to the birthday drive.

I would LOVE to raise at least R5000 yes it increased over night as I’ve added a Transkei Animal Outreach PE to the list of charities I would like to donate to.

The list is as follows: Second Chance Sanctuary, Happy Yappers, AARF, PETS CT, and Animal Outreaches Transkei Rescue PE.

Even if you can donate as much as R100 to our drive it will help us reach our target.

I understand that not all of my friends are animal lovers, and some are but cant donate. Please instead of tearing me down for trying to support animal charities rather share this post and rally some support.

Yes one incredibly bitchy creation gave me a mouth full last week for doing what I do. The ladies and Gents who tirelessly find homes for the voiceless understand this, I know.
We have ALL had our time with at least one of these heartless people.

Please hit share on your social networking sites or mail to your friends and contacts.

Please do support the SAiNTs team too. This Calendar will make awesome Christmas gifts for clients or family members. AND it goes 2 ways because you’ll be giving a gift to the animals. Email vivsaints@live.com to order your copy.

LOST DOG FOUND AFTER TWO YEARS

2011-11-03T11:11:00.000+02:00

I’ve had a terrible week and I am sure a lot of you have too. Here is a story to brighten your week.

LOST DOG – SCOTTBURGH AREA

From: Leighton
Sent: 14 December 2009 05:08 PM
To: Valerie and Derek
Subject: Fw: LOST DOG - SCOTTBURGH AREA

Hi all

Please email URGENTLY as Mia went missing last Friday after the pool cleaners left =he gate open.

Mia is sorely missed and her companion is pining for her.

She is very wolf in nature and could be in hiding....

Kindly pass on to all in your address book and anyone in the Scottburgh/Umkomaas area.

Thanks so much.

Lyn

----- Original Message -----

From: Ivan Down

To: 'Leighton'

Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 2:17 PM

Subject: FW: Emailing: poster Mia

Hi Lyn

Please find picture of our dog as Discussed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Valerie and Derek
Sent: 02 November 2011 01:53 PM
To: Valerie and Derek
Subject: Fw: MIA FOUND AFTER NEARLY TWO YEARS!!!

"Mama Mia" Mia is back
Wolf Dog is reunited with us her family after disappearing 22 months ago.
Mia was one years old when we were having work done on our pool, and due to having wolf in her she is very pack orientated and very skitterish. Our side gate as well as our front gate was open and before we could secure her she bolted. We, as her family were heartbroken; we searched intensely for her for a long time using every possible method we could. Wolf dogs are amazing animals but are not for everyone.

We would get phone calls from people saying she had been spotted and we would go to where ever she had been seen, but nothing as time passed. We buried her in our hearts and moved on, that is until last Friday the 27th October. In the mail was a “adopt a stray” and the picture was of her. My son who had come home for the weekend picked the paper up and when he saw the photo just knew and was absolutely convinced it was her.

He phoned the number and this dog, a female was at the local vets she had been there for eight days, she had been caught in Umzinto. A very kind man had been feeding her over his fence for weeks but he could not let her into his yard as his dog would not accept it. It was already 6 pm and the ladies were closing up so we had to wait till Saturday morning, the excitement was building at the unbelievable thought that this is, or could be her.

Bright and early Saturday morning my hubby and I rushed to the vet Dr Budgie, and he took us through to the back. I took one look at her as she lay right at the back of the kennel and knew. We bent down and we started talking to her and her eyes started to register, she got up slowly slinking her way to us, we reached in through the fence and started touching her, her tail started to wag and she licked our hands, I was just crying and my heart was soaring, I could hardly see her through all the tears of complete disbelief that after nearly 2 years, here she was in front of my eyes.

Budgie let her out and she started jumping and whining and just displaying so much joy, I had the lead on her and could not get her out of there fast enough.
A lady who works at the vet told me that she showed no emotion towards anybody there even when they gave her treats and tried to be friendly towards her.
My other wolf dog at home a big male heard the car and was waiting as he usually does, and when we brought her out she just ran to him for at least a 10 minute chaotic display of barking, whining, running , jumping and licking reunion that took place between them and us in the middle. Once that was over she ran into the house, knew exactly where the water was, made a bee line for my bedroom and jumped onto my bed like she always had done in the past, and it is just so completely unbelievable, a true miracle that Mia is well and in one piece, and towards us displays the same crazy personality as if it was like she never had left.

We would like to say a big thank you to all those who showed kindness to Mia in the 22 months she was away, and thank you God for protecting her and guiding her back to us. To my son Dodge for being so totally convinced it was Mia, thank you!

Now that I have you all in tears with me go and look at this vid…

This may just be an example of what Valerie felt…

Where there's help - there's a way

Please feel free to comment… you don’t need a blog to comment, just tick anonymous if you aren’t sure which ID to use.

I WANT TO QUIT

2011-10-31T08:04:00.000+02:00

Thanks Patti for this amazing email.

It came at a time when I was feeling really low. I put my heart and soul into my little page and pray to God every day that it can change someones mind or help to find one home.

My Donation Drive was and is going really slowly. It seemed that everyone who had been supportive had all-of-a-sudden become quiet in case I asked them for a small donation to make the end result a big one…

There is one person I wanted to have say to me hey you’re doing a great job keep at it but I got exactly the opposite…

My new scary health issues didn’t help much either.

BUT then I got this… It reminds me why I fight every day to make my page a success, Why I fight to make this blog a success.

This gives so much meaning to my life… meaning that only a rescuer can understand.

xx Di

I Want to QUIT!

I want to quit!

My health is bad. There are days I feel so terrible that I can barely move. My phone bills are outrageous, and I could have replaced my van with the funds I have spent these last 3 years—on animals that were not my own.

I want to quit!

I spend hours and hours emailing about dogs. There may be 500 messages when I start—and at 4 AM, when I finally shut down the computer, there are still 500 emails to be read.

I want to quit!

Gosh, I haven’t the time left to email my friends. I can’t remember the last book I read, and I gave up my subscription to my local newspaper- — I used to enjoy reading it, cover to cover, but now it often ends up under the kitty litter box — unread.

I want to quit!

I’ve spent days emailing what seems like everyone—trying to find a foster home, help for a dog languishing in a shelter—but his time has run out, and the shelter has had to euthanize to make room for the next sad soul.

I want to quit!

I swear, I walk away from my computer to stretch my legs—let the dogs out—and come back to find another dog in desperate need. There are times I really dread checking my email. How will I find the funds, the help, to save yet another dog?

I want to quit!

I save one dog, and two more take its place. Now an owner who doesn’t want his dog—it won’t stay in his unfenced yard. An intact male wanders… This bitch got pregnant by a stray… This 3-month-old pup killed baby chicks… The dog got too big… This person’s moving and needs to give up his pet. I ask you, friends— what town, what city, what state doesn’t allow you to own a pet?

I want to quit!

I just received another picture, another sad soul with tormented eyes that peer out of a malnourished body. I hear whimpering in my sleep, have nightmares for days…

I want to quit!

I just got off the phone. “Are you a Rescue? We want to adopt a male to breed to our female.” How many times do I have to explain? I have tried to explain about genetics, about health and pedigrees. I explain that rescue NEUTERS! I usually end up sobbing, as I explain about the vast numbers of animals dying in shelters across the country, as I describe the condition many of these animals are found in. I wonder if they really heard me…

I want to quit!

It is not like I don’t have enough rescues of my own to worry about– -but others have placed dogs improperly and aren’t there to advise the new owners.

I want to quit!

There ARE some unscrupulous rescues out there—hoarders, collectors, and folks who will short change the care of the animals to make a dollar. They save them all, regardless of temperament, putting fellow rescuers and adopters at risk by not being truthful.

I want to quit!

I have trusted the wrong people— had faith and heart broken…

I want to quit!

AND THEN… My dog lays his head in my lap, he comforts me with his gentle presence—and the thought of his cousins suffering stirs my heart.

I want to quit!

AND THEN… One of those 500 emails is from an adopter. They are thanking me for the most wonderful dog on earth—they cannot imagine life without their friend—their life is changed, and they are so grateful.

I want to quit!

AND THEN… One of my adopted Rescues has visited a nursing home. A patient that has spent the last few years unable to communicate, not connecting– -Lifts his hand to pat the huge head in his lap, softly speaks his first words in ages— to this gentle fur child.

I want to quit!

AND THEN… A Good Samaritan has found and vetted a lost baby, “I can’t keep him, but I’ll take care of him until you find his forever home.”

I want to quit!

AND THEN… “Johnny took his first steps holding on to our dog.” “You should see this dog nursing this hurt kitten!” “I was so sick and he never left my side…”

I want to quit!

AND THEN… I get an email from a fellow rescuer, “Haven’t heard from you in a while—you OK? You know I think of you…”

I want to quit!

AND THEN… A dozen rescuers step up to help, to transport, to pull, and to offer encouragement. I have friends I have never seen, but we share tears, joys, and everything in between. I am not alone. I am blessed with family of the heart, my fellow Rescuers. Just days ago it was a friend who shared her wit and wisdom, whose late night email, lifted my heart. Sometimes it is friends who only have time to forward you a smile. Often, it is my friends who forward me the notices of dogs in need. There are Rescuers who see a failing transport and do everything they can to find folks to pull it together for you.

Rescuers who’ll overnight or foster your Dog while you seek transport. There are Rescuers not used to or comfortable with your breed, but who put aside their discomfort to help.There are Rescuers whose words play the music of our hearts. Foster homes that love your Rescue, and help to make them whole again—body and spirit. Foster homes that fit your baby in, though it may not be their breed.

Rescuers whose talents and determination give us tools to help us. Rescuers we call on for help in a thousand ways, who answer us, who hear our pleas.

Rescuers who are our family, our strength, our comrades in battle. I know I cannot save every animal in need. I know my efforts are a mere drop in a sea. I know that if I take on just one more — those I have will suffer.

I want to quit!

But I won’t. When I feel overwhelmed, I’ll stroke my dog’s head while reading my fellow Rescuers emails. I’ll cry with them, I’ll laugh with them—and they will help me find the strength to go on.

I want to quit!

But not today. There’s another email, another dog needing Rescue.

This piece is dedicated, with love and gratitude, to all Rescuers. Author: Joan C. Fremo

Di Doodles Birthday Donation Drive

2011-10-24T14:57:00.000+02:00

Di Doodles About Stuff Birthday Donations
to Animal Sanctuaries In Need.
Dear Di Doodles Supporters.
It was Di Doodles About Stuff’s Blog’s first birthday on Friday the 21^stOctober.
To celebrate I am collecting donations from our suppawters to donate to some needy animal sanctuaries that are close to the heart of Di Doodles About Stuff…
The more donations we collect from 21 Oct to 21 Nov the better.
I will start with one Sanctuary and as the amount of donations grows I will add more… sanctuaries that is…
If you would like to donate email me on mailto:stuffdidoodles@gmail.com and and I’ll give you more details.
I would like to keep the sanctuaries a secret from the sanctuaries themselves and surprise them so please don’t spill the beans when I tell you who will benefit… ;)
If you would like to donate as a company I will put a little ad on FB for you so our supporters know that you support animal sanctuaries in need!
Thanks Everyone!
Our first donation went towards buying a Calendar Girls Calendar…
I think its cool that you can buy a calendar and be suppawting animal shelters. We chose to suppawt AARF when we bought the calendar.
This calendar will go to one lucky Di Doodles Suppawter who donates towards the drive! So lets get donating people!!!
If you would like to suppawt SAINTs and buy a calendar these are the details… Remember to choose which sanctuary, whose ladies are in the calendar, you would like to donate to…