GUNDOG CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW GAUTENG...A much lighter side...:)

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM and TOBY here...

 

...BUTT, the most pawsome thing about being cut early in a dog breed show is... I get to chew my bone-treat early, BOL!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

TOBY, the SWEET HOOLIGAN here...

Lotsalicks

MAXDOG, TOBY, KATHLEEN, DOG SHOWS...the week's roundup.

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

Early summer has finally descended on Johannesburg and the trees are all sporting their pretty green leaves.

Some of the seasonal birds have also returned and generally people are in good spirits.

The Rugby World Cup competition in New Zealand is also contributing  to a generally festive mood in our country. Temperatures too are in their mid-20’s and our pool is looking more inviting by the day. Admittedly, I’ve not yet found the courage to brace it’s chilly contents, but I do imagine that my first swim of the season is just around the corner.

Toby, however is unperturbed by the weather.

He takes his swim whenever he gets hot. But today was the "Hooligan’s" bath-day because tomorrow, and on Sunday, he’s attending a dog show again.

Anyway, his grooming is completed and he’s looking very handsome indeed. If only I can wash some of his energy out. Donovan might well have to call on all his skill tomorrow to control him in the ring….Good luck, Don’!

It’s been a busy week for me: My attention has been largely focussed on finalising MAXDOG’s book cover, finalising the manuscript and finalising the discussions around the foreword. Next week, the editor is going to start her scrutiny, so I have to have the manuscript totally ready (which it is) to hand it over. After three weeks with the editor, we begin the serious layout design of the manuscript. We also have to finalise decisions about which photographs to include. Phew, I can’t believe it’s finally happening…but it can’t happen quickly enough now!

I need to see MAXDOG in print!

One of my special blogging friends, and talented artist, Kathleen Coy, agreed to write the foreword to MAXDOG. Her contribution is really touching and has reduced me to tears this week. For those who may be unfamiliar with Kathleen : - she is the artist who painted the

 ‘MAX-TERPIECE’

 – the beautiful portrait which is on the cover of MAXDOG.

At the time, the painting was sponsored by many of my blogging friends around the world and has come to be extremely sentimental to me. It hangs on the wall of our lounge and we are able to look at Maxdog’s face every time we walk past it. Kathleen truly is a fantastic artist and I am so grateful that she has written the foreword to this book.

Thank you Kathleen for your poignant words and also for the encouragement you have given me on this incredible journey.

Unfortunately however, my readers are just going to have to wait for the book’s publication to read what she has said. I can, however, tell you that…it’s really beautiful!

You can check out some more of Kathleen's beautiful work at:

KATHLEEN COY FINE ART STUDIO

---xXx---

It’s also WORLD CUP RUGBY FEVER here in South Africa at the moment. Patriotic T-shirts and various branding is been sported by many of our South African supporters.

Good luck to the Springboks, who play against Fiji tomorrow. Oh, how I wish I was in New Zealand at this special time.

Well, that’s all for now, except for a few more photographs of my ‘Sweet Hooligan’.

"Wherever MAXDOG goes, let it do good!"

Sending lotsaluv to all my friends around the world

THE WONDER OF A NEW DAY...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

MAXMOM here...

There are some sounds which are so integral to life in Johannesburg – the ever prevailing hum of the traffic, the intermitted sounds of aircraft streaming across the skies, constant conversations and sounds of all sorts of machinery.

In the suburbs, it’s the sounds of dogs barking, lawn trimmers and a soiree of bird calls – doves, olive thrushes, black-eyed bulbuls and nesting weaver birds. In early Spring we look out for a new call – the Burchell’s coucal, commonly known as the ‘Rain Bird’ – a sure sign that we’re in for a thunder- shower.

But I would imagine that many people don’t notice these sounds because the pace of city life is so intense. Most people are too pre-occupied with the stresses of modern living. But if you take a moment to switch off that ever present radio stream, you will understand what I mean.

Obviously at night, the modern day living sounds are dampened when people crawl into their beds and try and recharge their batteries for the next day. But it is the first Spring thunderstorm, which generally jars us all from our sleep to remind us that there are greater things at work in the universe than our little lives. I just love that first thunderstorm of the season!

There was no warning to our first storm last night. We’d had clear skies yesterday afternoon. But the first bolt of thunder at about 3am rendered me wide-awake. Soon, Toffee’s whimpering and desperate raking noises at my bedside made me sit up and retrieve him; to hug him gently to my chest and to reassure him that his world wasn’t actually ending. He was soon tucked into my side, underneath the warm duvet, snoring comfortably.

But, my own sleep was a thing of the past, so I decided to absorb the wonder of the storm.

First, soft raindrops played their magic on the roof of our house. Then the heavier ones confirmed that the storm was upon us. It wasn’t a violent storm by any means, but enough to remind me that some things are beyond my control.  I listened, in awe, to the wonder of this gift from the universe – the opportunity for winter to shake off its cobwebs and to embrace the new growth of summer.

This morning, bright sunlight streamed through our curtains. The neighbourhood is once again beautiful; sparkling and clean. It’s a new day, a new page in our lives and the opportunity for new hope – yet another opportunity to ‘Live life to the Max’.

Is it the excitement of my book which is making me more aware of the world?

Somehow it all just fits.

Yesterday we finalised MAXDOG’s cover and now it all seems so real. I am both excited and admittedly, a little daunted.  Soon that special dog, who played such a significant role in my own healing, will be immortalised in print. I can’t help but be overcome in amazement that I have actually accomplished my task.

“Wherever MAXDOG goes, let it do good!”

Here is a sneak preview of the final front cover. What do you think?

Me? I’m excited beyond containment.

Sending lotsaluv

 

PLEASE NOTE:

If you would like to read more about my book

please click

HERE

RUGBY WORLD CUP...Every little bit counts!

Greetings from..

SOUTH AFRICA

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011

Every little bit counts....even the small things!

What a fight it was in this, our first game!

South Africa 17: Wales 16

Well done to our Springboks!

Bring that trophy home!

RHINO POACHING AFFECTS US ALL!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

TOUR GUIDE TOBY here...

Hello there to all our fur-friends around the world!

I know you can help a little bit...

Everyday, here in South Africa, Rhino's are being threatened.

Poachers cruelly and ruthlessly kill these beautiful creatures for their horns. Syndicates are responsible for darting these animals and hacking off their horns - leaving them for dead. Often these animals suffer for hours before they eventually succumb to a painful and cruel death.

 

Can you imagine a world without Rhino's? 

Well, it might not be as impossible as it sounds...

Even today, while we were looking through our folder of photographs, we suddenly discovered that we don't have ANY photographs of our own to show you?! 

Can you believe it? Not a single photo of a Rhino?!

We have photos of almost all the other species of animals, but NOT ONE of a Rhino!!!

 Each of us is capable of helping to stop this assault on these beautiful creatures.  Many of us may not have the money to contribute, but we most certainly have our VOICES! 

YES, YOU CAN help by creating awareness of this massive problem.

We can all unite and spread the word! 

Every conversation you have about the Rhino will help in creating awareness around the world. 

This is the least we can all do!

You can also join the campaign to save our Rhino by visiting and joining some of the sites who are fighting to save these beautiful creatures:

Aquila Private Game reserve: click HERE and HERE

Palala Rhino Sanctuary: click HERE

Save the Rhino foundation: click HERE

I am really sad for our Rhino's...

Lotsalicks

NOTE:

If you want to read more about the book

MAXDOG

please click

HERE