Thursday, January 20, 2011

JUST ANOTHER GLORIOUS SOUTH AFRICAN DAY

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...
Hello there to all my friends across the world.
It is another absolutely beautiful day here in Johannesburg, South Africa.  One just has to migrate to the garden in the late afternoons to watch the build up of our famous highveld thunderstorms. 
We've had so much rain recently and everything is lush and thriving.
Tammy and Toby love celebrating their golden joy in our garden...
When energy is depleted, what better way to rejuvenate than to lie on the cool, green lawn...
upside down?!
On Tuesday I spent a day on a short course to familiarize myself with the intricacies of my new camera.  The Nikon D3100 SLR. I'm more confused than ever now, but it doesn't stop me from trying.  I'm determined to give you all the best pictures I can muster...
(Aunt Tam')
(King Toffee)
(Hooligan Toby)

Toby starts his official obedience classes for the new year this afternoon.  He's come along nicely (at home) in the past 6 months and is familiar with a number of commands:
SIT, STAND, HEEL, COME, STAY, DOWN, DEAD, PAW, WAIT, TALK, LEAVE IT,FREE, etc, etc
He'll be put to the test is this afternoon...
he can be quite a hooligan when he wants to be and with his hormones raging at the moment, who's to say what he'll get up to in the class. 
 Hold thumbs for us...please.
This 'Rameron Pigeon' with its low but raucous 'coo' arrived with its mate in our garden recently.  These are the largest of the wild pigeons in our region and get up to 42cm in length. I think it is absolutely beautiful, don't you?  Hopefully they'll set up a nest in one of our trees. How exciting that would be!
In the evening, the fragrance of our 'Moonflower' bush wafts into our bedroom.
It's sweetness attracts the bees in their droves...
I just had to try a close up picture...
As for Toby...well he is now almost 30 kgs and is getting to be a big boy. His nature is still that of a 'sweet hooligan' with a most endearing personality.  It's almost impossible to get angry with him. He just has to pick up a towel or blanket and dance around my feet with his desperate mumble and it immediately dissipates all of my annoyance with him.
 Toby will attend his first "Open" Breed show on this coming Sunday.
What will he show? His looks or his personality?  I can just imagine...!
Sending lotsaluv to you all

22 comments:

kks said...

such beautiful pictures....
i've been talking about taking a class to learn about my "new" camera for 2 years! now that i hear you are more confused..maybe i'll wait some more?! :)
Toby is going to be a big boy! how much do you think he will weigh? how much did Maxdog weigh?
good luck in the show!!
xoxo
as you can see by my blog...it is very cold here...enjoy seeing the summer views from S. Africa!!

Two French Bulldogs said...

We love seeing your beautiful pictures over there across the ocean where you live. Oh Toby what beautiful pearly whites, BOL
Benny & Lily

MySpecialDoggies said...

Oh Toby
You are so sweet! Good luck in school - we're sure you'll do well. If you ever want to trade weather for snow and cold - it's a deal!

Woofs
Nadine & Neeli
Angel doggie Apples (1994-2010)

Anonymous said...

I love that hooligan nickname! so funny. it's always fun to learn nicknames because then you really know the doggie.

i think he'll show both personality and looks! Why not?

Kari said...

You may be confused, but that doesn't stop you from taking absolutely gorgeous photos. The pix of the dogs are amazing. And, as we live in a hot arid climate, we just devour photos of your beautiful, lush country. Toby in his first show! How exciting for him....and us. He really projects charm and charisma. Hope he is comfortable in the show ring and his head isn't turned by some pretty girl doggie.

Anonymous said...

Toby, you're just the cutest hooligan EVER! Good luck with your new class and with your show. I know you'll be super terrific at both!

Wiggles & Wags,
mayzie

Gail Wilson said...

Just have fun with your new camera. And Toby is looking so handsome. I am looking forward to learning how well Toby does at his class today. Your cloud picture is beautiful.
Hugs, Mistaya and M.O.M. Gail

3 doxies said...

Obedience....hehehehe...I's got kicked outta three of 'em. No, I kiddin' you.

YOur fotos are amazin'!!!!!!!!
Trial and error is da best way to go, at least fur us.

Puddles

WFT Nobby said...

Looks like you are getting to grips with that camera. Lovely pictures!

Bertie too is 'familiar' with most of those commands. Unfortunately that does not equate to obeying the commands!

Cheers,
Gail.

Mrs. JP said...

Your pictures are great. I think the moonflower is beautiful.
Of course Toby will show his personality AND good looks. He can't help it if he's just sooooo good looking and a darling too!

Angus said...

Looking at those photos why does the word boisterous come to mind ?

Duke said...

Good luck at your obedience class, Toby!
The pigeon is really pretty!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Kasha The Dainty Great Dane said...

Hi Toby,

I didn't know you were going to be a Show Dog. I'm impressed and I can't wait to see how you did with your new training class...go get em Toby!

AARF Kasha the Dainty Great Dane

Asta said...

As you said
anothew glowious Souf Afwican Day!
we love that you send all these gowgeous pictoowes fow all of us to enjoy. I'm suwe youw camewa will become mowe and mowe familiaw to you the mowe you use it.
I love seeing Tammy and Toby playing and am so glad to see King Toffee(as you wemembew, he and i wewe best of fwiends doowing my "visit" to Max
smoochie kisses and best of luck to Toby(who doesn't need it..he IS aweady a winnew
love
Asta and Mommi

♥I am Holly♥ said...

You have some beautiful pictures! We love your sweet hooligan very much along with Aunt Tam and King Toffee! They are all so gorgeous! Lots of love, Holly and mom

Becky Andrews said...

Nice to read about your beautiful weather. Brings sunshine to our cold, wintery weather. Missed you!

Suka said...

hey Toby,

Good luck in your Open Breed show! Sounds like fun! I think you will take the prize for both looks and personality!

Your mom takes amazing photos! My human and I LOVE looking at all the nature shots, and all the different animals and insects that visit your house. The cloud shot is awesome!

Hope you had fun in Obedience Class! Now go play! :->

Suka

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

We always enjoy your photos so. Had to say those clouds look like none we've ever seen before. Can't get over how your pup has grown. Best of luck to toby in his show!
Smooches from pooches,
BabyRD & Hootie

ps-Our mama's cousin raises Goldens to show back east.

animal lover, quilt lover said...

Hi Maxmom,
I love love dogs too. I think I am part dog!! When I was little the only friend I had was Tippy!! That set the stage for my life with dogs.
I don't understand people who don't have at least one dog. They are missing so much!! My own son has never had an animal in his married life b/c his wife is allergic.
You take some really great pictures!!!!!! I wish I did!!
Thanks so very much for coming to my blog. I love new friends!! You are on Facebook?? I am too,, look for fern reed and we can be friends on FB.......
xx, Fern

Kenneth Copeland said...

Beautiful pictures! Looks like fun!

Scout 'n Freyja said...

Caryl, as always, you bring me closer and closer to SA in my ♥. I just love the photos of Toby and Tammy playing. At first I thought he was getting the best of her but further down it appears that she gives as good as she gets!

Very cold here this morning, brrrr. Must get out to grocery shop - Joe will be spending time with his Mimi.

New laser printer and camera arriving this afternoon via Amazon. Joe is going to have a blast setting them up for me. He's turned into a replica of his daddy.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

The moon flower and pigeon are beautiful! We have moon flowers too.
I love the magic that your camera is showing us. The bee is beautiful.
And the photos of Tammy Girl and Toby- you captured the moment that speaks a thousand words
love
tweedles