Category Archives: pets

Themba – in training

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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.

Playing by the rules – this time

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

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Themba

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!

It’s good news!

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The morning run

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!

 

That’s not fair!

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I’d rather be running

That’s not fair!

I’m sorry my boy, cancer is brutally unfair.

Why can’t you take me along for the ride then, it’s better than lying here.

Because it’s so difficult to get you into the pickup. I can’t help and Marianne is not strong enough. That’s how you hurt your leg last weekend and look how far it’s put you back. I know how much you like getting out but I needed to take Roxy and Tia for a run to get rid of some energy.

I wanted to come with you to work on Thursday too.

I know, I know. I remember how much you liked coming to the office with me even if you didn’t do much when we got there.

Us Ridgebacks have good eyesight so it was always great to see what was going on from the front seat. And I dig get to chase the odd chicken when you weren’t looking.

Jenni also liked coming along for the ride, she’d often see francolin before I did when we were out on the farm.

I’m not going to run again am I?

No, I don’t think so. I am building a wheelchair to support your back leg. That will allow you to run.

So that’s what that thing is. Not sure I’ll like it.

Please try, you will be able to move much quicker.

Oh, I do miss running! I can still run in my dreams.

So can I.

You haven’t always used walking sticks then?

No, when I was young I could run. I wasn’t as fast as you of course  but I did enjoy it.

Wow, I’d have loved to go running with you!

We can run together in our dreams.

Yes, we can. That will be fun.  I will slow down for you.

 

 

 

A good morning rescue

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I didn’t always smell like this. I used to have a home and a family to love me.

Me: Phew, he did smell a bit.

Zak: That’s not surprising if he’s been living of the rubbish dump. Tia smells a bit sometimes.

Me: She does eat anything.

Tia: Well, I’ve been there – I had to survive off my wits for 2 weeks.

Me: That was then, now you are well-fed.

Tia: No I’m not, I’m starving. I barely survive from one meal to the next!

Zak: Well, the avocados are there for the taking, you just have to get there before I do.

Tia: He’s hairy just like me!

Me: Much better behaved though. He was very gentle when I gave him your biscuits.

Zak: You gave him our biscuits?

Me: Well, not all of them. But I think he needed them more than you do right now.

Tia: Do you think he’s just lost then?

Me: I don’t know, he did jump into the car like he’d done it before. I definitely think he’s been someone’s pet before.

Zak: Or he knows who to trust. We are pretty good at judging humans like that. He was very lucky to be on the road just as we came past.

Roxy: So what will happen to him now?

Zak: Oh hello Roxy, glad you could join in the conversation.

Roxy: No need to be sarcastic, just all this talk of food and scrounging makes me feel ill.

Tia: You definitely are a bit odd with you picky-eating ways.

Roxy: Some of us are a little refined you know.

Tia: I can’t help being blond.

Me: Ok, ok, ok. The SPCA picked him up from the vet where we left him and he’ll have to stay there for 2 weeks in case his human recognises him and collects him. If not he’ll be put up for adoption.

Roxy: I hope they give him a bath.

Zak: And some food.

Tia: Maybe you should take him an avocado.

Me: They are not supposed to be good for dogs. But maybe some biltong.

Chorus: What? Our biltong?

Me: Hang on, who buys the biltong?

Marianne: Me actually.

 

 

The chase

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Back from the chase

Back from the chase

A good chase then, give them something to worry about did you?

Oh yes, I really had them on the hop! It’s why we Rhodesian Ridgebacks are feared the world over.

Which is why they were flicking their tails at you?

Of course, it’s a reedbuck’s way of surrendering. You know, the white flag and all that.

I think it’s more like flicking the middle finger that we humans do.

Really? Well, they need to think that they are winning.

Why?

So they won’t mind being chased again tomorrow!

The Season of Rat

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I'm concentrating!

I’m concentrating!

You have a fly on the end of your nose.

Mmmm. I KNOW!

Why don’t you do something about it?

Where's that rat?

Where’s that rat?

Because there are more important things to concentrate on.

Such as?

The rat up there – somewhere.

Where’s this rat?

In the creeper.

Where HAS that rat gone?

Where HAS that rat gone?

I don’t see one.

You aren’t a Ridgeback! There IS A RAT IN THE CREEPER!

Ok, ok. I’ll leave you to it.

Thank you – I can concentrate better without you commenting.

Well, when you’ve got that one there’s at least another one in the house.

Hush, PLEASE!

 

 

Let the games begin – (again!)

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The first chase

The first chase

Oh yes, this is fun!

It took you 8 days.

Well I think she might be worth it even if she is a little slow.

Team players

Team players

And even Kharma is enjoying it!

Yes, bless her, she’s staying well within Roxy’s limits.

Peaceful interlude - all friends!

Peaceful interlude – all friends!

Well I’ve got to give it to her – she’s got a fair bit of stamina for one so small.

And she’s only going to get stronger.

Yes, I think she might fit in to the family.

You are so gracious.

I know!

 

Running free

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Come on, there's running to be done!

Come on, there’s running to be done!

Do you know how lucky you are to get out and about and be able to run?

What do you mean, lucky?

There are other dogs out there who never get to see outside their garden.

No! You can’t be serious!

Afraid so. Last week I was driving around the area by the race course and I saw the silhouette of a dog under a tree. A Ridgeback.

You went to investigate?

Of course I did. She was young, about 6 months old and very sweet.

What! You didn’t bring me a girlfriend?

I did try. She came over to me and licked my face but wouldn’t get in the pickup. She didn’t even have a collar on so I’m pretty sure she’d never been out of her garden. She didn’t like it when I tried to put a lead on her either.

But you took a photo?

No, she wouldn’t keep still. I think she was just so excited to see there’s a whole world outside her garden. Eventually someone came along who knew where she came from and phoned the house and the gardener came to collect her. She didn’t like him very much but went running back down the road when the cook called.

So what else did you do?

I called VAWZ who said they’d pay the house a visit and I did offer to foster her if they decided she was too much energy to handle.

Oh yes, I’d like to run with someone who has more energy than Kharma.

Thanks Zak, I do pretty well for someone of my age!

That’s so sad. We ridgebacks need to run!

And explore and be socialized.

Did you find out her name?

Yes, it’s Rosie.