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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Our SA menagerie...

and Emily.

Yesterday was the official beginning of our holiday. It was bliss to stay in bed (on electric blankets) sipping my tea and easing myself into the day.  A far cry from my hectic schedule of running the company Guest House in Mwadui! 

Emily, our house-lady duly arrived at 8am and many hugs and greetings all round. She and the two gardeners always receive an extra [cash] bonus from Grant at this time.
As usual Emily had taken good care of our three dogs and three cats in our absence. She also keeps the house clean and tidy, while John and Simon keep the garden neat. There's nothing nicer when you have been traveling Intra-Africa, to arrive home to a neat patio and spring annuals already blooming; with fresh bed linen, shiny floors and clean-smelling rooms indoors.   
 Emily smiles for the camera as she completes her last tasks before leaving work


Shortly after lunch,  I wandered out onto the patio to photograph the animals. Tigger and Chip are our oldest cats (and pets) at 16 and 13 years old respectively.  Felix is nine years old and my friendliest cat. He also has the loudest purr that I've heard in a cat! 
 16 year-old Tigger

Tigger, my 16 year-old cat still has a very healthy appetite. is eyesight and hearing still seems to be good but his voice is definitely croaky! All three cats sleep indoors on their own blankets or in their own igloos and as soon as they've had breakfast in the morning, they wander out onto the patio where they soak up the warm morning sun! 
 The cat - books say that cats sleep for about 22 hours per day. Well, Chip, our 13 year-old cat [above] proves this and more! 
Felix at nine-years-old, is very laid back and has the sweetest nature I have ever come across! 

The cats took a little while (until evening snack time, in fact!) to accept our presence but the three dogs were ecstatic and greeted us with great enthusiasm as we arrive home on Saturday.

Angie, our rescue dog is almost five years old. She is the sweetest dog with friends, family and all the pets on the yard but is a brilliant guard dog when the need arises! 

  Megan, who needs a haircut, is almost thirteen years old. Her favourite thing in the whole world - apart from her bone-shaped nighttime treat - is to go in the car with us to the city to be clipped! 

Eddy, our long-haired fox-terrier, used to be John and Debbie's dog. When they left Marquard, she stayed with us while they built their new home. Eventually though, it was decided that Eddy should remain in the Free State, where she was born. She and Angie are wonderful friends

I hope you're all having a wonderful week. 

For more posts of other people's worlds, click here
 
 


12 comments:

  1. Good to see the other African menagerie look so fine.

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  2. I can imagine that you purr as loud as Felix, being home after such a long time ! Your Emily looks so very much like a friendly goodhearted Mamma !
    You will probably be very busy in the next time with visiting family and friends !

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  3. Hi there - what a great tribe of cats and dogs you have! It must also be a real help to have somebody to look after them when you are away.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  4. Tea in bed is such a great way to start one's day. Beautiful pets you have there. Enjoy your stay in Tanzania.

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  5. Hi Jo, I love all your dear pets. The dogs are a favorite of mine. Loved the photos. Have a great day!

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  6. So glad to that your cats and dogs are doing well without you. They all look great! Enjoy your stay.

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  7. You have lots of nice pets. We estimate our cat is 17 now. Quite an old gentleman who loves to sleep day and night. - Margy

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  8. I can tell that it's great to be home for you and Grant, even if only for three weeks. It's nice to know that you have pets in both places who love you and are glad when you return. Your pets definitely receive tender, loving care, judging by their longevity!

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  9. Hi, Just wanted to drop by and say HELLO. It's been a busy week/month --and just gonna get busier.

    Isn't it wonderful to be 'home' enjoying a life of leisure for awhile --and your wonderful family/friends--and four legged babies!!!!! How neat.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. You do have such a wonderful family of four-legged "children", Jo! Love your captures of them! What would we do without them!!! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!

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  11. What a wonderful account of your vist back home. It was always great to come home to Tennessee from Kenya and be greeted by family and friends. Relax and enjoy it all. God grant you and your spouse travel mercies.

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo