Themba – in training

Posted on January 2, 2022 by gonexc

*I think I’ve had enough of this leash thing*

Dear Zak,

Themba is 13 weeks old today and on Friday he weighed 13 kilograms. That’s a kilogram a week that he’s put on since we got him. Yes, he loves his food just like you did and we are seriously considering getting him a special bowl just to slow him down a bit.

The training has started in earnest and we are making progress. He’s not so keen on the walking on a leash but will recall to a treat quite successfully and has learnt to sit and lie down. Fetching has never been a strong instinct for ridgebacks but Themba will give it a go if he’s fetching a treat.

There have been a few hiccups. He plays with Roxy quite nicely but she can be over-reactive and there have been a few squealing fits when she over-did her disciplining. She can also be a bit heavy-pawed in the playing and has squashed him on a couple of occasions. Cheryl said just to ignore it and let them get to know the rules but Marianne has decided to get a dog behaviourist in tomorrow to give us some tips. Themba has got a bit of a dent on top of his head from Roxy – we didn’t see what happened but it looks like there are two bite marks on her chest so maybe he got carried away. We’ll see how it goes.

Tia can get a bit excited when playing but she does give him plenty of warning when she’s had enough and we’ve never heard him yelp when playing with her.

On Christmas Day we went to Jeanette’s and took along Themba to play with her Django. He’s seven months old, big and very boisterous ridgeback. I’d been over a few days earlier to make introductions and Jeanette had brought in a dog trainer who works with military dogs and mine detection dogs to give tips and advice. Django was kept under control and it was all fine on the day. Luckily he is a gentle fellow despite all his energy and with a couple of exceptions, when Django had to be reined-in, they played well.

We have started Themba on short walks on the farm now that he’s had all his vaccinations and has a tick repellent. Marianne insists on putting a harness on him for easy handling but he doesn’t like it and last week just sat down an refused to move with it on. He’ll get used to it.

Themba

Posted on December 10, 2021 by gonexc

Dear Zak,
We picked Themba up from the airport a week ago. Not quite the same place that you arrived at but he’d also had a long day and was crying a lot so Marianne went to chat to him whilst I started the clearing process.

The customs official was a bit suspicious of the invoice I showed him that gave his value at $75 but he couldn’t really do much about it. The whole process took about 2 hours and this time we didn’t have to wait for their lunch break like I did for you. Luckily it wasn’t too hot and he slept on the back seat all the way home.

*Marianne with Themba in his gay pride/rainbow nation harness*

Tia was delighted with Themba, Roxy not. This was pretty much as we expected. Roxy wasted no time in letting him know that he was to keep his nose well clear of our bed – this was her territory. Themba was still learning the rules so there were a few tense moments and the occasional bout of yelping but no contact was made so no blood spilt.

By the end of the day he had chewed and gouged my forearm, humped it and demonstrated a bark to be noticed. My boy had arrived.

We did not get a lot of sleep the first night and Marianne got up at some silly hour to let him out for a potty break. She did it again the second night but now it’s easier to clean up in the morning. Themba has proven himself to be quite the Dump Monster but in his defence he is being fed four times a day and what goes in must eventually come out. I do recall, my boy, that you also took a while to house train and one night after a fruitless wait on the back lawn you came back into the house and left a deposit by the TV. I was unimpressed.

Roxy does play with Themba but she can be a bit rough, not like Kharma was with you. She does tend to swat him into the ground and the yelping follows.

On Sunday we were outside the back kitchen door doling out ice lolly treats of frozen chicken stock. You loved them and so did Themba. Then he went snuffling in the grass where Roxy had been eating hers. Big mistake. She made a lot of noise, Themba made a lot of noise, but once again – no blood.

Monday was not a good day. Roxy was defending her bed with formidable growls and Tia was telling him to get lost and not pull her tail. It was dreadfully hot too and I arrived home to a very tense household. I even got hold of Cheryl in South Africa and she said she’d take Themba back if we really couldn’t handle the situation. I decided to sleep on it.

The next day Roxy was playing with Themba as he tried to get onto her bed! He even snuggled onto her mattress on the floor reminiscent of you sharing Kharma’s chair with her. It’s been much easier since. Roxy plays, still a bit heavy pawed and Tia will play and Themba doesn’t go for her tail much. He’s not going back to Jo’burg.

He is a clever lad and responds to his name and my whistle when he feels like it. If there’s food in the offing he’s especially responsive. A lot like you my boy!

*On the road watching the girls exercise*

He came with us to the farm this morning and watched Marianne and the girls out in front on the road. He’s too small to do any decent walking but he’ll get there soon enough. Then I wonder what sort of adventures we’ll have?

*One day I will be able to run fast like Zak!*

Go softly into the night

Posted on May 2, 2021 by gonexc

*My first photo – already I am well posed!*

You rubbed my ears.

Yes, I promised I would.

You loved me.

Of course, we still do.

You cried.

I never promised not to.

You gave me a wonderful life. All dogs should have a life like that.

Yes, they should.

Please give another dog the chance for a life like I had.

In time my boy, in time. Now I need the pain to ease which could take some time

How will you remember me?

Oh, lots of ways. Always ready to chase something. Your puppy-soft ears. Your amazing good looks – my beautiful boy.

You loved having your chest scratched.

Yes, I did. You scratched it last night when you slept next to me. Just like old times when there was space for me on the bed.

And you looked at me in that special way by bending your head back to make eye contact.

To show you how much I loved you.

You did that in the mornings when you came onto Tia’s bed and waited for love and attention.

Of course, the best time of the day. Before breakfast.

You did always love your food.

Especially avocados and biltong in the evenings.

We could never get the avocados off you, unlike with Roxy.

With Roxy it’s always just a game, with me it was serious!

And of course you were a chaser.

Yes, I really could run! I loved racing against the car on the farm. 50 km per hour at a burst.

Now you can run all you like. Kharma is buried next to you.

Gentle Kharma, the substitute mother who kept me in my place.

Yes she did. And of course I have this blog, filled with memories. You are everywhere, on your bed when I look into the spare room that’s always got your name on it. Barking when I came home, barking when we were about to go for walks on the farm. A real Mr Barker at times. Regal on top of Rukotsu at Nyanga.

I am so desperately sorry that it all had to end like this, we really thought you were on the road to another remission.

It was not to be, you did what you thought was best for me and it didn’t work. Now there’s no pain, I can breathe easy and there’s running to be done!

Run well my beautiful Zak, run free. Love you lots.

Love you too!

Chemo again…

Posted on April 27, 2021 by gonexc

Oh, I feel awful!

I know my boy, I can see you do. It’s the chemotherapy again.

The cancer is back, isn’t it?

Yes, I’m afraid it is.

Is that why my hock is painful again?

Yes, actually you have a small fracture in that joint because the cancer has weakened the bone.

Oh no, there go the walks again. I do enjoy getting out to the farm. All those smells.

Yes, I know you do. And the cancer has gone to your lungs again too.

But last time we checked I was all clear, what happened?

I don’t know my boy. That’s the way of cancer. Just when you think you have it beaten…

Do you think this is it, the final run?

I don’t know, my boy, I don’t know. I hope not. We took the decision to try everything possible to get you some more time. We have to try, you are too special not to try even if the side effects are bad.

When will you know if the treatment is working?

In three week’s time you will have to go back to get another set of X-rays. Then we will have to make a decision.

Well three weeks is a long time for us dogs. I can’t wait to feel better and get back to some sort of normality.

By normality do you mean barking at Tia when she gets annoying?

Well yes, that too. And getting back to walking on the farm. And seeing the other dogs out for walks on the way.

Yes, let’s focus on that. You always liked coming to work with me and I suspected it was as much for the sights along the way as anything else. There was not a lot at the nursery to interest you.

Except for when I scored a sandwich off Rory.

That I thought you had stolen.

What me steal food? Never! That’s not my style.

And I had to give you permission to eat the sandwich.

Of course, I am a good dog!

Yes you are my boy, you always have been.

If this is the beginning of the end…

Yes?

You will be there for me, at the end I mean?

Yes, of course I will. I have always promised you that.

And rub my ears.

Of course.

And don’t cry.

No, I don’t promise that.

Until then we must focus on positive things. Walks, smells, barking!

Walks, smells and barking.

You train easily!

It’s good news!

Posted on January 6, 2021 by gonexc

It’s good news – we can’t see any sign of your cancer!

Am I cured?

No, probably not. It’s called “in remission” meaning it’s not active but it’s still around..

So it will be back?

I’m afraid so, we can’t say when.

So the cough was just that, a cough?

Yes, the vet couldn’t see anything bad on the X-ray. Bone cancer often moves to the lungs but nothing. Clear in your back leg too.

But in the meantime I can go running?

Of course, but it won’t be for a while.

Oh, it’s that covid thing again isn’t it.

Yes, but this time it’s for a whole month.

A month. That’s a long time for us dogs.

I know, but there’s nothing we can do about it.

I don’t like that photo, I am coming third. I used to be able to beat Tia and Roxy easily.

Well you have got 3 legs so it’s appropriate.

That’s not a good joke. But I am improving aren’t I.

Yes my boy, you’ve come a long way.

You just can’t keep a good Ridgeback down!

What’s this virus thing about?

Posted on April 1, 2020 by gonexc

I find this difficult to get and depressing

What’s all this corona virus thing about?

Well, a virus is a very, very small thing that causes disease.

All of them cause disease?

No, most do nothing at all. We just live with them without knowing it. They are not even alive.

But this corona virus is a problem not so?

Yes, but only if you are a human. Animals don’t get it.

That’s a relief. But what happens if you get it?

Probably very little, but as an asthmatic I could have a problem.

What? Could you die?

Yes, if I am unlucky and don’t respond to the first line of treatment. It varies but about 2% of people in my age group die if they contract the virus.

You could go to hospital and get healed!

Zimbabwe is not a great place for that. The hospitals are not well equipped.

Oh. Can’t you protect yourself?

To a point. Try and stay away from other people and lots of hand washing.

Don’t people wear masks and gloves?

Yes, but they are largely useless. The masks that do work are only used in hospitals and need special fitting and frequent changing. Viruses stick to gloves too so they need to be changed all the time which most people don’t do.

So I don’t need to take precautions then. That’s a relief. Is this why you are not going out much? I like it when you stay at home.

Yes. Right now we are not allowed to go to work except in special circumstances. The idea is to reduce the spread of the virus, which is know as covid-19.

Is it going to work?

Probably not. It’s not being strictly enforced.

That sounds bad. Is it going to be bad?

Probably. Not just in health terms, also in economic terms – lots of people will lose their jobs.

I think I’d rather hunt lions, even though I’ve only got three legs. Will you keep your job?

I think so, but it could be a tough time. Don’t worry, we’ll look after you.

What does it all mean?

Posted on December 10, 2019 by gonexc

That’s heavy stuff

So this cancer thing, does it mean that I’m not going to get old?

Probably, we don’t really know but the vet things we can get you another 2 years at the most. Maybe more if we are lucky.

Two years is a long time in dog-years though. That doesn’t sound too bad. But what about my leg, will it grow back?

No, I’m afraid not. That’s where the cancer was so it had to go to hopefully stop it spreading.

Wow, I’m glad you didn’t tell me that beforehand. Having a leg amputated was hectic!

Sorry my boy, the other option was to do nothing and if we’d done that you probably wouldn’t be talking to me now.

So three legs it is. A bit difficult to chase on three legs but I don’t think I do a bad job of it.

You certainly are coping well even if Tia out runs you.

Hmm, yes, that is a bit difficult to stomach.

Now that I’ve finished the chemotherapy, will I have to go back for anything else?

The vet says he wants to see you in a few weeks for a checkup; to see if the cancer has spread to your lungs.

I’m not sure if I want to know the answer to that.

Nor am I.

All this treatment, it was expensive wasn’t it?

It was a lot by today’s standard. But you are worth it.

What do you mean by today’s standard?

Well, back in the days when we used real US dollars I had a lot more money.

So what’s happened?

The government stole all the money.

Wow, that’s not very nice, what have they done with it?

Who knows, used it to spend on themselves and have a bigger collection than the next person.

Well, you still have me. And here’s to luck.

Yes, I still have you. Here’s to luck.

Biscuits donated to a typical Zimbabwean

Posted on September 8, 2018 by gonexc

href=”https://zakthedog.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/lost-and-ridged.jpg”>I liked the biscuits…[/

I gave away some of your biscuits today.

You did what?

Well he was a Ridgeback, in a sense.

Really, a black and white Ridgeback. Didn’t think such a thing existed.

Well not really but he has got a ridge.

I guess so. Where did you find him?

In the industrial sites. He just wandered into the premises where I was buying some overalls and stuff.

Was he hungry?

Not as much as I thought he’d be.

Friendly?

No, not really. Very cautious. He came within a metre or so but wouldn’t take from my hand.

We Ridgebacks are bred to be cautious of strangers. What did you do?

Well the rescue organisations won’t come out unless they know the dog will still be around when they get there so I went as asked around if he was known. It seems that he does hang around that area quite a lot. He didn’t stay long and was walking out when I got back to the car.

He needs a home.

There are lots like him around. Just getting by and hoping for better.

Sounds like he’s a typical Zimbabwean.

Goodbye Kharma

Posted on February 13, 2017 by gonexc

Warm. She was always warm and cuddly.

Happiness is – a warm surrogate mother.

Soft ears, puppy ears even when she was older.

Playful.

First games

Loving. Very expressive eyes too.

Art of the raised eyebrow

Cheeky at times.

Don’t even think of it Zak!

She was just putting you in your place.

And clever.

Well yes but I did cheat her out of an avocado. Once.

That tail, that full-body-tail-wag and the Kharma smile, with her ears rolled back!

The Kharma smile

Yes, she was always so pleased to see you. 4 minutes or 4 days, it was all the same to her. She was just pleased to have you back.

And she was so gentle with you – tolerant.

Yes, she would always play with me.

And she was the first to play with Roxy and Tia when you didn’t want to know them.

Kharma, Zak and Roxy playing

Well I did find them annoying, at first.

She wasn’t much of a runner.

Stepping out – whilst Kharma was still the quicker of the two.

No but she’d get that look in her eye and flick up her front paws and then she’d try and knock you flying.

Come on, there’s running to be done!

Yes, that was fun. But that last run…

Not your fault my boy. The cancer was already in her leg and made it weak which was why it broke.

Is that why it took so long to heal?

Probably. But in the end it was another tumour that stopped her from eating.

Aww. I’ll miss her. She was such a gentle lady. And well-behaved too!

Gentle Kharma

Yes she was. Those big soft eyes and the ability to fit in anywhere. She could also be very manipulative. Especially with Helen.

Training Helen

She loved you.

Just the two of us

And I her. Before you were around I’d come home and she’d do several circuits of the house at full speed to show her delight. And if I’d left her inside she’d stand on my mother’s dressing table to look out of the window and check if it was really me.

Her claw marks are still there…

When she first arrived she was so nervous. I let her out of her crate in the Land Cruiser and a few minutes later she’d disappeared. Didn’t know how I was going to tell Cheryl.

Out and about in the Tsetsera mountains

Where’d she gone?

Back in her crate in the Land Cruiser! It took her a long time to settle down but then suddenly she just accepted me and I was home and she was my best friend for 7 lovely years.

Kharma in her prime. A good looking and gentle girl.

She didn’t go alone did she?

No my boy. I held her and told her how much I loved her – all the way to the end.

You’ll be there for me too won’t you?

Of course I will. Of course.

Goodbye sweet Kharma, we love you.

My brother, Duncan, and Kharma two days ago.

The last day. The eyes say it all.

The M word

Posted on January 2, 2017 by gonexc

On hearing the news…

Oh boy, is that heavy stuff.

Which is why you have to rest your head on the chair?

I just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.

Well, think of it as a permanent version of the current situation.

Wow, that sounds good!

My thoughts exactly. Want to hear the story?

Hey yes!

You know we’ve bought a house together? Well, we were having this conversation about writing a will together to ensure that whoever “goes” first leaves the house to whoever is left – it can get really complicated otherwise. So the conversation went something like this:

Me: “Or we could get married. But you don’t believe in marriage”

Marianne: “Well maybe I’ve changed my mind”

Me: “So you’d consider it then?” (doing some serious fishing here)
Marianne: “I might”
Me: after a long pause “So will you marry me then?”
Marianne: “Yes, I will!” (also after a significant pause).

Weren’t you nervous?

No, not really. She wasn’t looking shocked and I could see her starting to smile.

Wow, that simple huh?

Well the actual ceremony was something else. It took a while to get Marianne’s ID sorted out (she’s on a German passport) and then we had to go and book at the Magistrate’s Court in town. They have a room there just for the purpose with a whole lot of tables where the couples to get married sit with their witnesses and the magistrates come around and read the vows and sign the documents.

On the day we arrived at 6.45 a.m…

Oh, so that’s why we didn’t get a walk. Some priorities.

Well, the courts open at 8a.m. so they are supposed to be finished by then. So, as I was saying before you interrupted; we arrived early and Felicity was there to pin on Marianne’s corsage and my buttonhole.

Hmm, I did notice you wearing some strange garments.

They are called a jacket and tie and were compulsory. You should have seen the others there – 3 piece suits for the men and full-on wedding dresses for the ladies. We had to wait around a fair bit and when we got into the marriage hall (though “hall” makes it sound a bit grand) we were seated at a table complete with a white table cloth, white chair covers and a satin cloth decoration. Then someone came past and asked us if we liked the colours. Marianne replied that yes, it was fine. Then we were asked to pay for it all! We brushed them off with the excuse that we hadn’t brought any money so the chair covers were unceremoniously pulled off the chairs and the table cloth removed and moved to where people would pay for them. It was only at 7h30 that the magistrates started doing the rounds, reading out the vows and signing the documentation. But first one of the magistrates welcomed us and told us how, if we wanted, we could get a divorce and even if our partner was unfaithful we could sue the third party!

What a way to start.

The couple in front of us had a really good magistrate who looked like she actually enjoyed what she was doing and went out of her way to make the ceremony memorable but our magistrate was bored before he even started and stuck rigidly to the text. Marianne got the giggles and I forgot her names.

How could you do that?

Well, Marianne is not her first name it’s Debera and the magistrate was using her surname first which was a bit odd for a marriage ceremony. After we’d signed the various certificates we had to put our fingerprints on one of the forms and there was nothing supplied to wipe our fingers on.

I’d have used the tablecloth.

Well we didn’t pay for one but fortunately Marianne had tissues. Then we had to get out of the way for the next couple.

What, vacate the table?

Yup but it gave us time to watch the other goings on. Couples were kissing for the camera and posing by false wedding cakes.

Geez, that sounds about as romantic as a day at the cattle dip!

Well we did have a celebratory breakfast afterwards at Valdemeer’s restaurant opposite Arundel shopping centre which was fun. A few close friends and then the reception will be in February.

Lots of guests?

I haven’t counted but yes, I think there will be quite a few.

Lots of food of course.

Yes, I thought you would anticipate that angle.

Hey, us Ridgebacks have our priorities right!

Wedding breakfast

I am Zak

Zak, Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy, raconteur, undeniably cute!

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