FRIDAY MUSINGS ...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!

MAXMOM here...

Dear friends...

I woke up to a duet of sparrows and wind-chimes this morning. 

What a beautiful day! 

 Not only that, but the doves were cooing and the Hadedah Ibisis had discovered that the precious minutes, just before the sun comes up, are 'Tammy-free'in the garden.

Their safety is assured...

They strut around with their long beaks, searching for snails, earthworms and grubs, but all the time keeping one dithery eye open for the slow stalking of dear 'Aunt Tam'.  Her canine dream is to catch one of them one day...and her years are now frustrating her...not to mention her camoflage!

(I know it's an old picture, but I love it anyway!)

We are having absolutely glorious weather!

Our October sunshine shimmers off shiny green leaves and the building thunderheads spill their showers over the city in the late afternoon.  Last night we had a touch of hail - no damage - but this morning, the world was awash with exquisite colours.   The 'light' in Africa is something that one can't describe...you have to experience it!
Who couldn't be positive in this weather?

It's amazing what summer does for the soul!

---xXx---

IN THE NEWS...

Some of the alleged Rhino poachers have been arrested and another one was shot dead in Kruger Park yesterday.  Perhaps in time these small inroads will alleviate the scourge on our natural heritage!  I am sickened by the cruelty of what some humans can do. However I am pleased to say that a Hippo poacher has been arrested too...small, but important progress perhaps!

---xXx---

I have spent another week at my desk, making slow but steady progress with the editing of  "Maxdog"s manuscript .

 My mood is somewhat melanchonic...since I'm putting in the final editing touches prior to the next step (hopefully) of submitting it to publishers.  

These eight months of writing have been so similar to

Max's 'Days of Grace'.

The same sadness sometimes sweeps over me as I draw near to the end of this huge project. 

(It's almost like saying "good-bye" to him again - but this time, to his book!)

 Over the months, I have embraced the writing and have had to totally immerse myself in his amazing story again.  I have also had to relive all the sadness again...as well as the joy of experiencing it all within the amazing

 "POWER OF THE PAW"!  

It has been emotionally wrenching, but hopefully the end result will be pleasing to all who read it and will serve to 'do good' wherever it goes.

I am so lucky to have an earthly angel helping me with the editing process.  Hopefully his experience and wealth of publishing knowledge will direct this book into the hands where it is meant to be.

For those of you who pray, I ask that you keep this in your prayers...

"That wherever Maxdog's book is read...good will be done!"

I am such a novice at these things, but I still have high hopes.

Only time will tell...

---xXx---

Some of you have asked me about this picture of Toby...

"What's up with Toby in the water bowl?"

Well, here's the answer...

One day after Toby's afternoon walk, he decided to 'dig' in the water bowl in our kitchen. After his exploits, the floor was a slippery mess, with muddy pawprints everwhere.

"Oh Toby, what have you done?"

It is always very funny to watch puppies discover things, but it is equally important to redirect their behaviour so that what appeares to be 'cute' now will not turn into a big problem when they are a little older.

At first, I couldn't fathom what this 'water bowl' thing was all about and then I remembered Max's habit...of climbing onto the top step of the pool to cool off after his afternoon walk.

After a little research during Max's era, I discovered that dogs cool off through their tongue and through their paw-pads.

Toby's feet in the water is simply...natural!

Anyway, I now give Toby the 'opportunity' to cool off after his walk - either in the pool, like Max did, or in one of those water bowls.

---xXx---

Some of you have also commented about "Aunt Tam's" haircut.

Yes, it is rather 'rough' - as one blogger put it.

The truth is that I have been strictly prohibited from any activities which involve "Aunt Tam's" appearance or the trimming/eavening out/ rectifying her look. 

Indeed, I am not allowed to touch her!

 Strict orders!

Since "Aunt Tam" doesn't actually belong to me, I am merely allowed to feed her, walk her, play with her, occasionally bath her and take her for her Vet's visits. I can brush her and cuddle her too, but in terms of her hairstyle,

I am ONLY allowed to take photos.!...

Oh dear!

The funny side of this is that 'Aunt Tam' was shaved during the first attempt. 

(I take it that you have worked out that I wasn't the one attempting the makeover!!!)

 Unfortunately the shaver packed up half way during the event, so the job had to be completed with a pair of scissors. 

This left "Aunt Tam" with one side smooth and one side rough! LOL!

...and now she has her own, unique, Albino Zebra style!
Her corrugated texture and her awkward tail have been declared

"More than suitable for the South African climate!!!"

"What's with you, Maxmom? You are far too vain! Your bloggers shouldn't worry so much about appearances!"

So bloggers....keep your comments affable please...

....for the sake of my own life! LOL!

I am "walking on thin ice" (I-I-Ifff you know what I m-mean!)

I am pleased to report that "Aunt Tam" is indeed delighted with her new look.

She has much more energy and loves puppyhood...

I am pleased to report that I have total jurisdiction on what I post about

MY OWN PUP!...

Since tomorrow is another "PUPPY CLASS" day,

here is a picture from two weeks ago...

(Thank you, Margie!)

I am looking forward to a weekend with my own human pups...

If this blogpost suddenly gets deleted...you know why!

LOL!

To those who are struggling in any way,

especially Angus, Wilf and the Font...

I pray that

THE AMAZING POWER OF THE PAW

will embrace you and give you comfort!

Sending lotsaluv for a wonderful weekend!

See you Monday!