26/05/2020
Episode 2 - DOGGOS (no resembling emoji available)
Today it's Doggos's turn to be introduced.
In 2009 I went to look for a puppy at the SPCA as it would be easier to introduce to the cats and v.v. However, after seeing several lovely puppies I decided to go for a slightly older dog as the puppies would find a forever home within nano-seconds. There were 2 dogs that captured my eye; a bitch and a dog, in adjacent kennels. I took the dog, called Benno, to the cattery to see how he would cope with cats. There was no reaction; he sniffed, sniffed some more and ignored despite some of the cats throwing a serious hissy fit. That's my dog! Upon bringing him back to his kennel the lady in charge asked if I wanted to bring the bitch to the cattery. No, was the answer, as I would have to make a choice if she would have the same reaction. And 2 dogs was not an option. After 10 days I fetched Benno. I so did (and do) not like the name and chose a new one ...... Doggos (wanted to call him Dog, but thought it a bit 'rude').
Ten days later in the latish afternoon I picked up Doggos and drove him home. After a lot of sniffing and exploring in and around the house and stables he found his bed and decided to go for a early night. When one of the cats wanted to snuggle up to him, he got so pi**ed off, started growling and chased the cat. You cannot imagine how upset I was. When all calmed down we told him in a very angry tone of voice: 'You do this one more time and I will show you what it's like to be chased, chased by a big, very big cat ....... a lion!' Since then, all is peace on the southern front; it was the one and only time. Occasionally he chases one of the cats, buts now it's playfulness. And on a very regular basis Doggos and the cats sleep together.
Doggos cannot stand being locked up. He escaped his kennel multiple times by climbing the fence and when locked in the house he destroyed whatever he could find. I quickly found out that by leaving him outside on the stoop he would patiently wait for me to come back from the safari rides or town. Having said that, he does go for his jollies but always makes sure he’s back before I am. It’s only when rain, thunder and lightning are threatening he’s allowed to join the safari rides.
In his younger years he often joined me on short endurance training sessions, easily doing 20km. Once he even followed me on the first 4km of an endurance competition before he was caught out!
Doggos must be around 12 / 13 years old now. His eyesight and hearing are failing him, his joints are troubling him, making him less active and therefore gaining weight. He sleeps (and snores!) a lot and prefers to sleep in one of the cat beds. He has difficulty jumping into the Landrover and it will not be long before I will have to make a special plank to make it easier for him. He feels horrible when he can’t make the jump and falls on his back. His expression says it all.
He has a special bark when snakes are around, he is scared of thunder and lightning, he hates rain and he hates the cold, he is extremely jealous when the cats get (too much) attention, he’s afraid of the horses except when on rides, he’s a good guard dog and loves chasing warthog and cars (read: tyres!), he loves treats and knows he will get one when he smells coffee in the early mornings (a cookie for you and a coffee for me), he is the sweetest, most loving dog one could ever wish for. He is a happy chappy.
Doggos is my shadow; wherever I am Doggos is. He is devoted and the best friend (wo)men can have. Love this Dog(gos) to pieces.
