A WALK TO LIFT ANY DOG...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

Hello there to all my friends around the world!

It is an absolutely heavenly day here in JOHANNESBURG today!

The sun is shining, the swallows are back, the Namaqualand daisies are blooming in all their glory and there is a definite atmosphere of Spring in the air! 

Some of the trees are starting to display their pale green shoots - a sure sign that summer is on the way...and I can't wait!

However you have to look carefully for these signs because the landscape itself is dry and dusty. 

Those of us who live in Africa will know what I mean...it's a red dust which covers the grass and invades our nostrils.

Anyway, I've been at my desk, writing all week, so I am sorry that I've not been able to visit all the blogs. I simply run out of time, but I do try my best. 

My head was spinning this morning after the hours at my laptop and I really needed to "get out" of the city.

Tammy-Girl..

has had a wonderful week with numerous outings and 'babysitting' expeditions with little ASTA, but I've still feel that I need to  do something extra-special for her. 

Max's absence has had a big impact on her life and I've had to focus on trying to develop her self esteem. I've been doing this with extra walks and some training, but I've got to remember that she is an old dog now and does suffer from Arthritis.

She's a generally contented dog however, but I think that the absence of other dogs, who romp and play around her, is affecting her, so I've been phoning around to see what I can set up for her.  A reputable trainer recommended that I take her to 'WALKHAVEN' - a dog park about 20kms outside our city where she can romp freely with socialised dogs.

 

So this morning, the "Boss" and I decided to give it a go and take her there.

 I think I'll let the pictures tell some of the story...

"Free"...no leads!

More than enough romping space!

Swimming opportunities galore!

Other well-socialised dogs to meet too...

Oh dear and then.....

Sticky slush and rotting fronds...!!!

...my absolute dread...but Tammy's dream...!

A Golden retriever's opportunity to romp in the muck!

 Who knows what is present in it...?

Yuck!

Hey, but they are reeds and Tam' loves reeds!

(She 'short circuits' when she sees reeds... Plenty of loud enticement is needed to extricate her!)

She'll spend hours in them if she is left to her own devices...!

Luckily the owners of this place are really dog-minded and have a hose pipe especially there to rince the pooches off. At least we didn't have to drive home with the sticky sludge too.

Instead we went up to the little restaurant and enjoyed a "cuppa".

(We ordered a breakfast sausage for Tam' too!)

Although Tam' doesn't mind any dog really, she really loves the little ones...

and this little one came to say hello...

Perhaps the outing was a little too much for her, because her arthritis seems to be ailing at the moment.

Nevertheless, she had enormous fun at WALKHAVEN and now she can rest...

I'd like to wish all my readers a wonderful weekend!
Monday is a public holiday for us here and my family is around.

- That always makes me happy! -

Sending lotsaluv to you all,