Dear Zak,

I have to admit that it took a fair bit of doing to get them all together. Eventually Marianne had to go the bribery route as is appropriate for Zimbabwe. It took a biscuit and you can see Themba’s response. He’s our very own King of Drool!

Tara has settled down nicely, she no longer scratches compulsively. When we go walking at Komani she and Zak go running off together hoping to put up a francolin or guinea fowl. She’s fast, almost as fast as Themba though neither are as fast as you were. Yes, she lives up to her Goromonzi Greyhound “breed” description!

Tia has become and old dog. She still enjoys a gentle run but often just watches Themba and Tara race around. We lift her in and out of the truck now as she’s hurt her back a few times jumping in and out. Marianne says she’s becoming a bit fat. I think she’s exaggerating but anyway, she’s earned the right to a bit of comfort.

Now that the rains have started we are going out to Komani airstrip more often as the ART road can be very slippery even for a 4×4. It is a bit further but makes for more free running as there are no barbed wire fences for Themba to get gashed on.

We haven’t seen any reedbuck on ART for quite some time. I did hear from the manager that they’d caught a gang of poachers with dogs trying to do a bit of hunting on the farm. Do you remember the herds of reedbuck that you used to chase? Those were the days!

That’s all my beautiful boy. Miss you as always.