A Breakfast run

On Thursday morning Grant and I got onto the motorbike and rode to the city to buy treatment for my ponds which had collected algae in the three months we've been away. We decided to make it a "breakfast run" which means you ride to a restaurant of your choice, stop and have breakfast and then you return home. (Although this time we continued to a garden centre a few kilometers ahead and made our purchases)

We had breakfast just a few kilometers outside the city at Engen One Stop. Wherever we travel through the country, we always have breakfast at the Wimpy, (which is affiliated to Engen One Stop) a fast food franchise that has been around in SA since the late sixties. You are always assured of the most delicious Wimpy coffee (though I have rooibos tea) and a well-presented and reasonably-priced meal here. Grant normally has the English-style breakfast called Double Up which consists of two rashers of streaky bacon, two eggs (fried to your specifications) a pork sausage and a slice of toast with  butter and jam on the side. I enjoy the Shape breakfast of fresh fruit topped with yoghurt and muesli and a drizzle of honey. At the Wimpy they have a pen for the city children who don't see/know  domestic animals. This one above had goats, including kids, geese and donkeys. Here these very woolly donkeys (we've never seen this type) flea each other

After breakfast we rode to a large garden centre to buy "Pool clear" for our ponds and a few toys for Shadow (we left all his toys except for Shaun the Sheep and Morris, Norris and Horace the mice in Khartoum)

As we passed through the toll gate on the return trip,  we stopped for a drink of water (we brought bottled water along in our luggage). I was horrified to see this whole area littered with bottles, plastic bags and other rubbish. There is always litter in South Africa (in Africa for that matter) where there are humans. Sadly,  many of these bottles and cans above had contained beer and stronger alcohol before they were thrown in the grass. Because of the loose-alcohol-and-road-rules in our country, people drink and drive causing many tragic and often fatal accidents on our roads. Though I don't like to generalize, the most common traffic which stops here after the toll gate,  consists of long-haul truckers. Therefore it can be taken as fact that many of these huge trucks on our roads are driven by people who are under the influence of alcohol

Sadly these are more beer bottles thrown in the grass beside the road

We bought Shadow a smaller harness as he managed to get out of his blue one while I was walking him on the lawn! I don't think he realised he was "free" because I manged to scoop him up into my arms and hustle him inside to safety. More about Shadow's walks in the garden in a later post

Caring for your dog

Dogs need water at all times. In addition to two large bowls where they sleep, my dogs have three HUGE bowls of water to lap from at all times!

Angie gets INTO the water to drink
while Megan licks her lips from her refreshing drink

Angie in her "other" waterbowl refreshing her thirst while Eddy wonders whether she should get in to drink or just lap from the edge

Dogs enjoy space to roll and cavort

“Man’s best friend” this is what dog’s are known as; but are we (man) "dog’s best friend”?

Your dog needs lots of love and attention. If you keep a dog, he can guard your property and be a faithful friend. He can only serve you if he is properly looked after, healthy, strong and happy.

My garden is pet-and child friendly and they know it!

How to care for your dog:

Feed your dog pellets and meat to make him strong.

Do not feed him maize meal; it is not a balanced diet.

Ensure that your dog has clean water at all times. Keep the dish in a cool place and make sure it cannot be knocked over.

Do not use an old tin or tyre for water, because it will not stay clean.

Protect your dog from the cold, the rain and the sun. Make or buy him a wooden shelter to sleep in. It should have a raised, wooden floor so that your dog does not sleep on the cold ground.

Place clean newspaper or sacking (not plastic) in your dog’s shelter.

Do not use iron or tin to make your dog’s shelter. It becomes extremely hot in summer and cold in winter.

Dogs need to run and need exercise to become strong and healthy.

Ensure that your garden is fenced and the gate is shut so that your dog can have free range around your property.

Never tie a dog up on a chain. Remember your dog can only guard your home and protect your family if he can run free.

Never let your dog run in the streets.

If you go away on holiday, the best place to leave your dogs is at a reputable boarding kennel.

If you leave your pets at home, make sure you have someone responsible to see to their needs on a daily basis.

A responsible person will:
Make sure that your gates are kept closed while you are away.

Make sure there is always fresh food and water (supplied by you)

Check to see if your pets are sick and call a vet if necessary.

Check on your pets at least once in 24 hours.

Ensure your dog is protected from the elements.

My dogs love being in the garden with me

In conclusion

All pups should be innoculated and de-wormed at 6 weeks, again at 6 months and then annually.

Have your dog neutered/spayed as soon as they come of age. There are thousands of unwanted dogs in the world; don’t let us add to this misery.
Have all your pets inoculated against rabies once a year.

Never leave a dog or cat locked in the car on a hot day. They can suffer heat stroke within minutes. Remember, unlike people, they cannot take off their coats!

Eddy, Angie and Megan wait patiently, under the leashes (just visible)hanging at the door, for me to take them for a walk

Above all take your dog for regular walks (on a leash), pat him regularly and love him dearly. He will reward you by being the most loyal friend you have ever had.

Source: (Paraphrased and used in part) Checkers Consumer Sense

Caring for your Cat

A playfull cat is a happy cat.

Who'd guess Tigger will be 12 years old next month?

Always ensure your cat is safe from being chased by dogs and cars driving into the yard

It’s been a while since I posted on my label, Soap Box Chronicles. Yesterday I came across a pamphlet from a leading supermarket. It had salient points on how to look after your cat and/or dogs and what the responsibilities of a pet owner entail.

Pets form an important part of our lives. They are totally dependent on our care and love and cannot fend for themselves. It is therefore, every pet owner’s responsibility to ensure their pets are happy and healthy.

Teach your children to be gentle with animals. My 6 yo granddaughter is as crazy as her grandmother about animals in general and cats in particular. Whenever she visits, she plays with Chip as if she is a doll. She cuddles her, sings to her and wraps her in crochet clothes, dishtowels and scarves. Chip who turns 10 this year, revels in all the attention.

My cats love the outdoors. They're always beside me when I'm in the garden
Give your cat pellets designed for a cat. If you have multiple cats (like I do) have a seperate bowl for each one
Clarice, who is a rescue cat, has crept into our home and hearts

Cats

These furry felines need lots of love and will repay you for your love by being a good friend.

How to care for your cat:

Non-spayed or non-castrated cats are likely to stray and fight. All cats should be sterilized.

If cats are kept in at night, always provide a litter tray.

Give your cat regular meals of canned cat food; provide a bowl of cat pellets as well as plenty of clean drinking water.

Do not allow your cat to eat out of dirt bins/garbage cans and never give him chicken or fish bones.

Do not feed your cat dog food or table scraps.

Do not tie ribbons around your cat’s neck. It may get caught in a tree or bush and injure the cat.

If you want to use a collar, make sure it is one with an elastic insert, so that it can pull free if caught.

Add an identification plate on the collar with your address and phone number should your cat be found by strangers.

Cats should be brushed often, especially if they’re fluffy. Fur balls can form in your cat’s stomach is the loose fur is not brushed off regularly.

Kittens are cute to look at and cuddly to hold, but many cannot find good homes. Therefore, wherever possible, ensure your female cat (queen) is spayed at 6 months.

Take your kitten to the SPCA or vet at 8 months for its vaccinations and deworming. Cats become very ill if they’re not dewormed and vaccinated.

If your cat scratches a lot of rubs his head against the floor, he may have an irritation in the ear. Take him to the vet to be checked for ticks or other ailments.

Above all, speak to your cat, give him lots of love and strokes and play with him often.

Next week I’ll post about “Caring for your dog”.

Source: (Partly used and paraphrased) Checkers Consumer Sense

Recycling

This casual worker picked up litter

at one entrance to our town

This other casual worker collected litter in town

and then on the outskirts at the second entrance to town.

A third helper picked up litter at a through road which runs past our town

"Last week a Marquard resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, made a positive effort to tidy up the main street and town entrances. Employing three casual workers, she took them to strategic points in and around town. The first man started in Van der Watt Street (main street), picked up all the litter and filled four garbage bags. He was then transported to the Marquard -Senekal entrance where he collected six bags of litter.

The other two men were dropped off at the Marquard - Clocolan and Marquard - Winburg entrances respectively. They worked their way along the main road (towards Food Zone) and collected a total of 17 bags of recyclable waste. It has been arranged with Senekal Recycling from the town Senekal, to collect the bags from a strategic point. "

David Motala, my own gardener loads bags of litter into my pick-up

The above was an article of mine published in the local newspaper two years ago. I was trying to encourage residents and businesses to take up the challenge and keep the town and surrounds tidy. No easy task...

However, I had some good response from school learners (pupils). I’d given demonstrations and talks in the higher grade classes and subsequently judged a competition whereby the entrants made items with recyclable waste. Even if I encouraged only one or two of the younger generation to care for their environment, they might encourage their parents or one or two friends.

Fourteen months later I've managed to motivate three other residents and three businesses in town to keep their dry goods for recycling. Senekal Recycling Depot collects the waste from our respective homes and business premises concerned.

A little later I will post about recyclable products and how to go about storing your household waste until you can take it to a drop-off point. Most South African cities have recycling depots with trucks and trailers that trundle around the streets collecting cardboard and metal from businesses. Household waste normally has to be dropped off by the householder. Certain cities have a collecting option. Check up in your own town/city.

Too late for tears

One minute she's there and the next she's gone. It is indeed every parent's worst nightmare not to know where their child is, or what's happened to her.

While in the city a few days ago, we noticed many families in the malls; young families. Mum, Dad, little guy and little girl. Sometimes, a really young mum, dad and baby in a pushchair. At breakfast in a fast-food outlet, we sat across from a middle-youth (Ha! I'm not getting myself reprimanded for saying middle-aged) woman with two beautiful teenage daughters and a little boy of about four. In my wild imagination, I often make up stories/create lives for people I see. In the case of the above, I imagined that the lady had two daughters from a previous marriage. At some stage she married a man with no family and they wanted a child together. Hence the little boy who is so much younger than the two girls. When I voiced my thoughts to my husband, he said he noticed nothing “different” about the group I was referring to. I told him I’m glad I don’t rely on him to help me with my writing!

By the same token I often feel panic if I see people walking along with their little boy/girl tagging on behind. Don’t these people know how often little children are stolen in broad daylight? And no, I’m not a doomsayer and I don’t "do" negativity. It just makes me mad to see how nonchalant people can be with the most precious possessions they’ll ever own. I mean, would they leave their handbag/wallets/backpacks with credit cards, cash, and cell phones, not to mention all manner of personal items, on the floor of the mall and saunter ahead? I think not.

I was still thinking along these lines when I popped into the ladies restrooms. As I passed a row of closed doors, I saw one door ajar. Just before I pushed it open completely I realised it was occupied, albeit by someone whose legs didn’t reach the floor. Even here I wondered, “Why is this child in a toilet on her own?” No matter what, the safe thing would be to take her into the toilet with you.

I managed to find an open stall, and when I came out again, the little girl from the half-open toilet was at the washbasins chatting to the cleaning lady. (No harm in this; black people in this country love little children and would never harm them) The cleaner helped her with soap as she was too short to reach the dispenser. Then the little girl stood on tiptoe and tried to reach the tap over the basin next to the one I was using. I leaned over and turned on the water. She thanked me politely and I asked her where her mum was. She said her mum was at home. So I said, “Who are you here with?” And she answered: “Auntie Miranda”. Then she asked my name (this blonde-haired, blue-eyed little girl was as cute as a button and not at all shy, which could bode worse for her if she was dealing with a stranger with bad intentions) When I told her I was Jo, she said her name is Chantelle Smith. (Not her real name) Then I asked her where Auntie Miranda was, and she pointed to a closed door halfway down the row of cubicles.

There and then decided I could not go for two reasons: one was that I didn’t want to leave the little girl alone in the restrooms while her “aunt” stayed in the toilet for goodness knows how long. The second was, when “Auntie Miranda” (whom I imagined was the little girl’s mother’s not-too-responsible-younger sister,) emerged from the toilet, I wanted to point out to her that it was not safe to leave young children alone in Shopping Malls, let alone in a public toilets where any pervert could pick them up and whip them out of sight in no time at all.

Finally Auntie Miranda came out of the cubicle clutching at least six shopping bags (see, it’s more important to keep your recent purchases under your watchful eye than a five-year-old.) At once I saw this was no younger sister. The woman was at least in her forties and immediately it dawned on me that she is a childminder or Day Mother as they are known here in South Africa. These women look after the children of working parents; often caring for them “privately” which means they’re not affiliated to any official body that checks up on you where you’re minding these children. For instance, do you have enough space for the amount of children; do you supervise them at all times; are the facilities adequate and clean, etc. Now, while I don’t want to go into the dodgy Day Mother/ Care Centres in our country, once again, my mind jumped to the fact that here was a Day Mother who had only one child at this [holiday] time of the year. She obviously had to come to town and of course, the most natural thing was to bring the child along. However, surely she’d be extra vigilant with a charge in her care?

I looked her straight in the eye and said: “Good morning, I waited here with little Chantelle. I didn’t want to leave her alone while you were in the toilet; it's not safe.” (My family has often said that I stick my nose in – interfere - where I'm not wanted) The woman looked at me and said: “Oh.”

Just that.

Grr.

When I met up with my husband waiting in the Mall, I told him the story as we walked quickly to the escalator/moving stairs. He asked if it was a young woman with this child and as I was about to answer him, the woman walked past him and around the bottom of the stairs. So I quietly said: ” There she goes” and then I realised she didn’t have the little girl with her. My husband turned around to look at the woman while we ascended on the stairs, and saw that she was walking back in the direction of the ablutions. She had left the little girl behind!

I don’t know the outcome of this story. All I know is that I felt sick for the rest of the day, worrying about this little girl (who was probably OK, as my husband pointed out) and hundreds of little children who are not held onto securely while out in public with the adults.

I am not generalising here, please don’t get me wrong. We saw many, many a mother holding a child securely by the hand, or a father carrying his toddler. I’m talking about the odd person who doesn’t care enough to watch their child or charge when they’re out shopping. And to me, ONE child lost/abducted is a tragedy.

I remember, shortly after I had my second son in 1979, a friend and I went on a three day shopping excursion from the farm in Zululand to Durban, at the coast. She had a baby girl whom she strapped to her chest. I did the same with my tiny baby. My older son, then four years old, was secured in a pretty blue child harness with teddies on the straps; I clipped the matching leash to the ring the back of the harness (on my child's back) and in this way, my friend and I kept our children safe and close to us. While walking down the sidewalk, an elderly lady coming in the opposite direction, stopped me and pointed a gnarled finger at my son in the harness. She said I should be ashamed tying my child up like a dog and then she stalked away. I was young, sensitive and felt terrible at her accusations. Nevertheless, I kept my son on the leash, and used it later with my second child. Today I know I did the correct thing by ensuring my children were always safe when we went out into the public. I have always taken the same care with my grandchildren...