Sunrise over East Africa

And a puppy-update, day nine!

Yesterday we were on our way to Mwanza for Grant to fill a dental appointment. Halfway to the city, the sun arose over the African veld.

We had a full program in Mwanza and only arrived home after 5pm.  

 Princess had missed us as much as I'd missed her and the pups

As soon as I'd kicked off my heels, I went outside to the dog shed to check on the pups.

Of course, they were asleep.

 Oh mama, life is so good!

This little mite (the first-born) has tiny slits in its eyes already!

Mum, am I still a good Mama? 

As I snapped Princess' picture above, she turned her head, spotted danger and took off into the distance!

Princess in hot pursuit of a Sacred Ibis who dares to set foot in her yard!

I'm linking my post to Skywatch Friday which you can visit by clicking here

Good Fences, Good Dogs

I couldn't think how I would find a fence to post along with Princess and her pups on day eight! Then I remembered that Grant had arranged for the workmen to come and erect a fences around the pups' shed. I had asked him to have this done. Once the pups eyes open and they begin to move around more, they will leave the hut and want to explore. 

Even though Michael and I will let them romp and run around our huge garden, I want to train them, that when they've had enough exercise, they will be herded into their fenced off  area. It will be quite large enough for seven puppies to play with each other and when tired, to flop down in the shade, or meander back into the hut to sleep. The area is 5meters x 2.5meters with a gate which Michael will keep closed at all times. 

Sekaminya and his team of three arrived at 8.30 yesterday morning.  Once they'd sunk the poles, and laid the chicken-wire on the ground to measure it,  I went out to check on the proceedings. I reminded him that he had to leave an opening for a gate. He asked me how big should the gate be, When I said I need to fit through it, he picked up the metal tape measure and held it in front of me, between my waist and hips. He checked the tape, nodded and said: Mmm, 24 inches; that is how wide I will make the gate!

The whole day Princess watched the proceedings from either the inside of the hut where she was feeding the pups, or near the outer fence while she was taking a break. The pups, they didn't turn a hair!

Sekaminya, sun shades on head and his team

Sekaminya starts to measure up ...

 ... Princess watches from the background

By 4pm the fencing was almost complete 

 Sekaminya checks the tension of the fence

And throughout the entire construction process, the pups slept ...

...and slept...

...and slept!

I'm linking my post on fences, Princess and her pups, to TexWisGirl's  meme which you can visit here

Hope you're all having a wonderful week.

Princess, her pups and garden birds

As the title indicates, this post is about Princess and her pups and birds... However, due to Internet issues (read very, very slow and not being able to upload photos easily) I am posting about Princess and the garden birds. 

Today the pups are one week old and doing exceptionally well. Princess has proved to be a jewel of a mother and the pups health and well-being vouches for this. 

 It's quite warm in the shed during the day, but there is ample ventilation so Princess and pups are very comfortable

The litter of seven clamoring to get at the milk bar! 

Not only is Princess feeding, cleaning and mothering them, in every sense of the word. She is wildly protective of them as well. Michael and I are permitted to work in the doggie nursery: Michael keeps the place scrupulously clean and replenishes Princess' water regularly. I am allowed to place her food bowl between her paws so she can eat while she, in turn, feeds her babies. I also stroke and cuddle the pups and of course, photograph them in all their cuteness. 

  Lately I've noticed that when Princess is out stretching a leg, she often hurtles past my window as if chasing something. Yesterday I checked and she was chasing something; several somethings, in fact! She doesn't eat much of her food that is brought from the Guest House (because I feed her so well!) so the sparrows, Cordon-bleus, crows and hadedas enjoy the spoils from her large feeding bowl. Normally the dogs don't mind sharing their food with the birds. But suddenly Princess is more concerned with the proximity of the long legs and beaks that the ibis yield, that she keeps them off the yard! 

 The peace-loving Ibis wouldn't hurt Princess' pups! 

 I'm linking this post to Wild Bird Wednesday which you can access by clicking here. Do your self a favor and visit Stewart Monkton's incredible blog and join in WBW to enjoy birding photos. You won't be disappointed.