Tuesday, March 22, 2011

'TIS A SEASON TO BE UPLIFTED.

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...
Hello there dear friends!
There's no getting away from it -
Autumn has descended on our part of the world! 

We've had a wonderful, long weekend  -
shared with the brightest moon I've ever seen in our sky.


---xXx---

Yesterday was a public holiday here in South Africa.
Please allow me to reflect on this important day.

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY.

South Africa's Human Rights Day is of critical importance in the lives of all South African citizens. 
The 21st of March 1960, marked a turning point in the history of South Africa, when dozens of people were killed and injured during the Sharpeville Massacre. Fifty years later, South Africa pays tribute to these heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle who sacrificed their lives for the benefit of all South Africans.
This is my humble tribute to my country:

I am so grateful to be living in a country where we are relatively free from the horrors, which we currently see across the globe.  I am so blessed to be living in South Africa - a country which embraces peace, and the acceptance of all our cultures. I am proud to be part of a nation which practices tolerance - towards numerous ethnic groups, languages, cultures, religious affiliations and political attitudes.  We are  truly a rainbow people.  We love life and we live in relative harmony with one another. Like all countries, we have our problems, but we recognise them and attempt to address them...peacefully.  I believe that South Africa offers evidence of what peaceful negotiation can accomplish.

I am proudly South African!

---xXx---


Besides Human Rights day, we spent our weekend soaking up the many changes all around us. 

What is it about the early onset of winter that is so invigorating? 
Why is it so uplifting?
Perhaps it's the suggestion that things are reaching closure. 
Perhaps its the knowledge that new life is just around the corner.

Perhaps it's the behaviour of the birds in the lush,green grass which was recently drenched in rain.  Soon this too will dry out and succumb to winter's clutches.

Perhaps it's my-wind swept front entrance which remains enviting...

For Toby, however, there is no changing season! 
 He has paused the clock, to remain firmly in Summer! 
His swimming and splashing never end.
 “Coming in, Mom?”

The effects of his Saturday late-night scavenging, on the counters of my kitchen, seem to have secured his canine friendships.



 "Share and share alike!"

Have I forgiven him for the theft of my Koeksisters on Saturday night?
(See previous post)
Well, almost!
The delight of an Autumn outing is clearly evident in the excited expressions draped over the back seat of our car.

Well, I 'm now convinced that our young Toy is still just a ‘Bebe dog’ who is disguised as a grown-up trouble-magnet. 
He will remain our
SWEET HOOLIGAN!

 Yes, he's almost eight months old now –
strong and vital,
with an entrenched mission for his life:

"LIVE LIFE TO THE MAX!"
Go Toby, Go!

---xXx---

Sending lotsaluv to you all and wishing you a happy week.

22 comments:

Miss Bailey Herself said...

Oh, Toby, a pool! How wonderful. All my exertion at the beach has resulted in a very sore leg (where I had cruciate ligament surgery 2 years ago) so it's off to the vet for me this week.

Kasha The Dainty Great Dane said...

Oh Toby I just love your photos of you jumping into the pool. The expresssion on your face is one of just pure joy! Enjoy your fall season. It's spring here, still cold and raining but at least it's not snow.

AARF Kasha the Dainty Great Dane

Mrs. JP said...

Oh, I really like these photos. My favs today are the two moon shots (those are hard to get), Toby w/ all feet first (that one made me laugh), Toby and King in his kennel, and Tammy and Toby in the car. See, I had definite favorites but I'd be hard pressed to pick out just one. You are really making good use of your new camera.
Happy fall yall...

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

What a lovely post. It is good to remember and appreciate those who gave of their lives for a good cause.

And Toby? We LOVE ya!

Molly the Airedale said...

We love your autumn pictures. It's our favorite season!
You are such a fish, Toby! We're anxious to see if you'll be swimming year-round!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Amber-Mae said...

That's a really great tribute! Beautiful words, beautiful pictures. And Toby, he's beautiful as always! LOVE that picture of him leaping into the pool. He's one fearless hooligan. Anyway, enjoy your Spring!

Piappies World said...

That's really a great post, Maxdog Mom! Thanks for sharing the lovely photos.

Toby! You truly are a water lover! The pool is really very inviting. You will always be a sweet puppy hooligan to us.

Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & Forgie

Martine said...

Hello Caryl,
Your pictures are great and Toby is so gorgeous. I also like autumn very much.
Here in Alsace, it is springtime. The days are sunny but a little fresh. We can see the first flowers.
A friend of mine has a new family member : a little Golden. He is three months old and he is a sweet "hooligan" too. His name is Pinky. Today, I told my friend about your blog and she seemed very interested in seeing it.
Now, have a nice evening.
Hugs to your whole family...
Martine

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

A very lovely post.. I so loved especially the jumping in the pool pictures. Go Toby go.. You are adorable.. Hugs GJ xx

WFT Nobby said...

We are delighted that you blogged about Human Rights Day. Did you know that Gail is the Chair of our local Amnesty International group here in Aberdeen? Apparently Hamish used to go out and help her in fund raising activities, but I am deemed as yet too bouncy to be an effective aid when collecting money in the street...
Toodle pip!
Bertie (who is feeling most uplifted by your post).

Suka said...

hey Toby,

I love Autumn too. Thanks for sharing such pretty pictures of your Autumn.

What a beautiful tribute to your Country. It seems like a wonderful and beautiful place to live!

Your super moon photos are gorgeous. I had rain so only got a few peeps of it past midnight.

As usual, great pictures of you! Love the one of you jumping into the pool, paws forward, and the car seat photo. You are a sweetie!

Suka and K

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Toby
I love your Rainbow Nation, and I am so proud to be your friend.
Your nation is such a good example of humans trying to live in peace together.
I also love the photos of you in the pool, and flying through the air.
I loved your full moon photo. My mommy took photos of the moon too.
I went to the moon on Saturday,, and visited with Emmitt, and Stubby and Max Dog, and Betty and so many more. They all hang out on the full moons- together...... so that is what I did... I went to visit. I saw your mom taking picture of the moon, while I was up there.
love
tweedles

rottrover said...

Happy Autumn Everyone! It's our favorite season as well. We agree with others who've pointed out that for Toby it's summer year 'round!!

The Life of Riley said...

I'm still hanging onto summer here for as long as I can, so haven't looked for the autumn leaves yet.

Toby's doing well with his flying into the water.

Love and woofs,
Riley

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Quite the special day in a country so challenged by its diversity -

Thanks for sharing it -

AND thanks for sharing the special fella!

H&K,
Khyra and Her Mom

Lorenza said...

Autumn is the best season of the year!
Enjoy yours!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Scout and Freyja said...

Sweet Toby, you certainly did make friends, didn't you, with King Toffee! If you can't win them over with your charms you can always grab them with luscious treats!

As I sit here with snow all around and see your side of this planet getting ready for a winter's nap I sometimes wonder if my side isn't stuck on repeat - snowing over and over and over again and not advancing into spring. Give it a shove for me, OK?

Pepsi the Lazy Bum said...

Toby looks GREAT! Love the pictures of him jumping into the pool - amazing shots.

Enjoy bootiful Autumn!

Woofs,
Pepsi

D.K. Wall said...

Love your jumping in the pool pictures!

Amy Wood said...

Beautiful autumn pics. I just love all the color changes. Hope Toby enjoys summer as long as he can. He sure does look like he enjoys swimming in the pool!

kks said...

wisconsin is trying hard to push into spring...now just a sloppy, wet, cold mess....
Toby is such a darling!!
xoxo

Jacqueline said...

So many lovely photos of your precious babies, especially the fun leaping/swimming pictures and the ones of them together=too sweet!...Toby is such an adorable boy with a mischieveous streak=that last post was too funny!...I've had computer problems for a few weeks now, only able to stay online for 20-30 minutes at a time, very frustrating :( (will buy another as soon as I can afford it, I've been putting all my money in the new house), but you have been on my mind with Max's birthday a few weeks ago=such a bittersweet day for you, but know he is never forgotten across the globe...Hope this finds you and your family happy and well, Caryl; have a wonderful weekend, sweet friend; kisses to your beautiful babies.