Yvonne's Kennels

10/06/2025

This year marks 67 years since Laika was launched into space. And, as every autumn, I feel it is my duty to remember this story. Not out of nostalgia or scientific curiosity — but out of a deep sense of guilt and reverence. Because Laika was not just an experiment. She was life. She was presence. She was innocence given over to the unknown. Her real name was Kudrjavka, which in Russian means “curly.” But she became known as Laika, “the barker,” or “Little Barker.” She was a mongrel, half Husky, half Terrier, captured on the cold streets of Moscow. She was only three years old and was chosen because she was calm, docile, and had survived the rigors of life on the streets — as if that made her more suitable to die alone in space. On November 3, 1957, at 2 a.m., Laika was launched aboard Sputnik 2. The satellite was equipped with food, water, a cooling system, and padded walls. But there was no plan to return. From the beginning, that trip was a death sentence disguised as scientific advancement.

It is said that she survived for seven hours, but other sources say up to four days. Alone. In silence. Without understanding why she was taken. Just floating inside a metal capsule, while the Earth spun below her — ever further away.

She circled the planet 2,570 times. Then, on April 14, 1958, the capsule reentered the atmosphere and disintegrated. Carried away by the heat. By gravity. By oblivion.

Laika did not ask to be our heroine.

She did not choose to represent science, the space race or human progress.

She was just a stray dog, with eyes that sought affection — and a body that was used as a tool.

And that, brother, is why I return to this story every year. Because it forces us to remember that not all progress is innocent, and that many of our achievements were written with the pain of those who could not say “no”.

Laika, we have not forgotten you. And as long as there is someone who tells your story truthfully, your memory will live on not as an experiment, but as a testimony of what we must never repeat again. - Original post by Flights and Routes Everyday

04/05/2025

Good Morning on this beautiful crisp Sunday morning
We are extremely pleased to announce that Yvonne's Kennels and Cattery has been nominated in The Best of Durban under the Pets Category for Best Kennels.

To vote:
1. Visit: https://www.bestofsouthafrica.co.za/.../best-of-durban.../
2. Navigate to the Pets
3. Select Best Kennel
4. Choose Yvonne's Kennels
5. Scroll down and click 'Submit'.

29/04/2025

Courtesy of South Australia Events and Tourism:
After an unbelievable 529 days living wild, Valerie — the miniature dachshund affectionately dubbed “Australia’s favourite fugitive” — has finally been safely captured on South Australia’s stunning Kangaroo Island. Her extraordinary survival story, coupled with the relentless dedication of the Kangala Wildlife Rescue team, has captured hearts around the globe.

Back in November 2023, Valerie was holidaying with her owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, at Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island. During a moment of distraction, Valerie managed to escape from her pen, likely trying to follow her owners down to the nearby beach. She disappeared into the dense bushland without a trace. Despite frantic searches involving her owners, locals, and even community-led rescue efforts, the tiny dachshund remained out of reach. Heartbroken, Georgia and Josh were eventually forced to leave the island without her, never giving up hope that their beloved pet might one day be found.

For over a year, Valerie’s fate remained a mystery. It wasn’t until early 2025 that hope was reignited — a dachshund wearing a pink collar was sighted approximately 14 kilometres from her original disappearance point. Motion-activated wildlife cameras soon confirmed the near-impossible: Valerie had adapted to life in the wild.

Despite her small size and domesticated nature, she had survived Kangaroo Island’s tough conditions by drinking from dams, scavenging for food such as roadkill, and foraging for native fauna. Her instincts, intelligence, and sheer determination had kept her alive against staggering odds.

Realising that traditional trapping methods wouldn’t work on such a clever and wary dog, Kangala Wildlife Rescue’s Jared and Lisa Karran crafted a patient, strategic approach. They designed a customised “comfort trap” — turning an ordinary cage into a welcoming space, complete with Valerie’s favourite things: her mum’s old clothing to provide a familiar scent, soft bedding, toys, and treats. They even used a gradual approach to get her used to the setup, allowing her to come and go freely at first.

Technology played a crucial role too. A hidden we**am fed live footage back to the team, allowing them to monitor Valerie’s visits without disturbing her. A remote-controlled trigger was installed to shut the door only when it was certain she was safely inside, avoiding the risk of frightening her away.

After several cautious weeks of building trust, the plan worked flawlessly. Valerie entered the trap without suspicion, and the door was gently closed behind her.

Remarkably, once captured, Valerie displayed little fear, physically, she was in surprisingly good condition — a little thinner and with a few scars from her wild adventure, but otherwise healthy and spirited.

Now safe in care, Valerie is being lovingly prepared for an emotional reunion with Georgia and Josh, who never gave up hope of seeing their little girl again.

Valerie’s astonishing journey stands as a testament to the strength of the human-animal bond and the unbreakable spirit of one tiny dachshund. Her survival has inspired thousands, reminding us all of the courage, resilience, and loyalty our pets hold.

If you would like to support the amazing work of the ‘Kangala Wildlife Rescue’ team, or simply learn more about Valerie’s story, you can visit their official website.

16/04/2025

KZN: URGENT HOME NEEDED FOR CHASE

Chase is a calm, older dog who has been in foster care since January but isn’t coping. He was in kennels from October to January due to a divorce. His brother and sister were lucky enough to find homes. He doesn’t do well in busy or high-energy homes. He’s clearly asking for a quiet environment with no dogs or only older, calm dogs, cats and even chickens.

He’s been through a lot and due to the fact that he just wasn't coping with the younger more energetic dogs in the foster home, the decision wasmade that he needed to be returned to the kennels. Unfortunately, he tends to shut down and stop eating in kennels, so we urgently need to find his forever home.

Chase needs a peaceful, stable home where he can finally settle. If you or someone you know can help, please get in touch: Seema @ Sables Creatures 073 352 2836

Please share. He deserves a chance.

15/04/2025

We are proud to announce that Yvonne's Kennels and Cattery has been nominated for the category of Best Kennel in the Pets Category. We're so grateful to everyone that nominated us, but we're only halfway there. If you're a loyal Yvonne's Fan, please vote for us.

Join us in celebrating the people, businesses, and experiences that define our city.

Vote here - https://www.bestofsouthafrica.co.za/durban/best-of-durban-voting-page-main/

27/03/2025

Letter from a dog. 🐕
Be cool, always. 🙏😊

“Dear Human,
I see you.
Not just with my eyes but with my whole being. You may not realise it, but every time your heart beats a little faster, I feel it. When your hands tighten ever so slightly on my lead, I sense it. When you breathe differently, I know.
You may smile and say, “It’s fine,” but your scent tells me otherwise. Your muscles betray you. I can feel your energy shifting, and I carry it with me.

You see, I live in a world of sensation. Your voice is only part of what I hear.
I hear the tension beneath it. Your body language speaks louder than words. I watch your posture, your eyes, and the way you hold yourself. I even catch the subtle chemical changes in your scent when you are nervous or afraid. My nose is built for this—I can detect fear and stress hormones in your sweat and skin. And when I do, it shapes how I feel.

When you are anxious, I become uncertain. When you are afraid, I may feel the need to protect or flee. And when you are tense, I wonder if there is danger nearby. Your feelings change the way I experience the world. I’m not trying to be difficult when I pull on the lead or bark at something you can’t see. I’m just reacting to what I feel through you.

I know there have been times when I embarrassed you. Maybe I lunged at another dog, jumped up on a stranger, or barked too much. You held your breath and worried about what others thought. I felt that too. And because I love you, I tried to match your energy—I either got big and bold or small and unsure. Either way, it wasn’t helpful.

But here’s the thing, dear human: I don’t need you to be perfect. I just need you to be calm. When you breathe slower, so do I. When your shoulders relax, I trust that we are safe. When you move with quiet confidence, I follow.

Please, when you are nervous, remember that I don’t need you to control me with strength—I need you to lead me with clarity. When you feel unsure, help me by being steady. I look to you for reassurance, not through words but through the energy you carry.

If you are feeling uncertain, that’s okay. I understand. Just take a moment. Breathe. Stand tall. Move deliberately. Let me see that you are okay, even if you have to fake it at first. With time, I will learn that I don’t need to carry the weight of your worry. You will be my calm. And I will be your calm in return.

With love and loyalty,
Your Dog”

I hope this helps some folks understand a little more about our dogs’ world.
Best wishes,
Allan Ritchie MGoDT ( MPDTI)

23/03/2025

02/03/2025

Compassionate care for your pets is just a call or a message away. We are working really hard on some awesome upgrades around our kennels and cattery at the moment. Stay tuned for photo updates

19/02/2025

🔁 continues to be a crisis in our community. Vaccination & education is the only way to win this war. ⚠️ YOU CAN GET RABIES at the following veterinary practices ALL YEAR ROUND:

⭐ MediVet Hillcrest
⭐ Camperdown Veterinary Clinic - Dr Van Tonder

Please ensure your 🐶 dogs, 😺 cats, Cows 🐮 and 🐴 horses are all vaccinated.

🔁 Please share this message to ensure all pets in the Upper Highway are vaccinated against Rabies - together we can put a stop to this outbreak 🚫

Credit to Assagay Feeds for the original post and to SAFE for the infographics

01/02/2025

30/01/2025

Meet Howdie, a tiny but mighty soul who's been through unimaginable hell. Just two weeks ago, he arrived at our doorstep, battered, bruised, and broken. The scars on his body tell a devastating tale of years of abuse, likely as a bait dog, and then callously discarded like trash.

Despite being on death's door for nearly a month with a severe case of Erlichia, Howdie's spirit remains unbroken. His diagnosis is daunting: a heart murmur, inflamed oesophagus, unsupported right shoulder blade, filed-down teeth left to rot, and skin bearing the marks of a harsh, unforgiving environment.

Yet, amidst all this pain, Howdie's heart overflows with love. He craves human touch, showering everyone with affection. This little warrior embodies the true meaning of unconditional love.

Howdie is currently under our care at Yvonne's Kennels and Cattery, receiving the healing and TLC he so desperately needs. Once he's recovered, he'll be searching for his forever retirement home – a quiet, gentle haven where he can live out his golden years surrounded by love and peace, possibly even as a "Forever Foster"

If you're ready to provide a loving sanctuary for this incredible soul, please stay tuned for updates on Howdie's adoption journey. Should you wish to contribute towards Howdie, we ask that you contact Kerry at SAFE

19/01/2025

"Kennel life isn't all chaos! When we finally get a quiet weekend, our pack gets some extra special love.

Rogan, our lucky boy, gets one-on-one mentor time with his uncle, fine-tuning his behaviorist skills.

Meanwhile, our Canine Mama and resident naturopath, Mich, is cooking up a storm in the kitchen! One of her best creations? Homemade bone broth gummies that the fur kids GO CRAZY FOR!

Made with love and the finest ingredients, these gummies feature:

Fresh beef bones for a rich, meaty flavor
Bovine gelatin for a nutritious boost and a supplement of turmeric, MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin as well as fresh veggies from our very own garden, grown without pesticides or fertilizers!

Who says healthy can't be delicious? All our kennels guests and rescues certainly agree!