My new haircut
I have been having a great week of holiday. Rushing around trying to get things done before my op next week. I have been to the beauty palour and the hairdresser.
A while back I won these vouchers from the Bobtail packet (a make of dog food) “Win a pamper session for yourself and your pet.?”So I had booked a massage for myself and a wash for both dogs. The massage was just wonderful. Exactly what I needed.
The visit to Moggie Doggies was an adventure.
First of all, it was a process to get them all collared and leads attached and in the car. Milo really thought we were going for a walk and stood determinedly by the gate. Coffee, the affectionate love dog, followed me around.
Eventually I got in the car and called them and they jumped in. Then I realized the pole (car port) was in the way of the door. I started the car to move everything forward. Then it was one dog in, then one dog out. Eventually I got them both in.
Off we set. I was so extremely happy to have them in the back, poking their heads out the windows and enjoying the scenery. The best was when we got to the intersection of Malibongwe and the highway where the hawkers stand. In South Africa we have these guys everywhere selling everything. At the moment it seems to be cell phone chargers.
Anyway they still came to try sell their stuff, but the one guy said to me: “Are those your body guards?” I thought that was brilliant. Of course they are.
Off we went at high speed on the highway. Both dogs sat down. Too windy now to put their heads out the window.
Eventually we got to Rivonia where this place is. I was very stressed about how to get them out. I am just not strong enough for both at once. If I walk them I have to take them one at a time. Anyway there were some nice dudes hanging around who worked there who helped me. Whew!
Off they went to get their bath. I asked the very nice lady there how I could help and she said to just sit and wait, I would make them more anxious if I hung around. This I totally understand as a teacher as parents who hang around the kids make the separation anxiety worse.
So I sat in their pet shop (it is like a complex pet shop, vet and dog spa). With a kitty cat sleeping next to me who loved getting stroked. I was in heaven. I love cats too and it has been a while since I spent quality time with one.
Milo and Coffee also had their teeth brushed. And apparently they were ok. Well they looked happy enough!
I took them home and they are so clean and sweet smelling now. I would go there more often, but it is a bit of a distance. We normally just do it in the bath at home. I get the maid to help me with Milo.
They had a reward when we got back: bones left over from a brunch we had with friends at Papachinos the previous day (the 9th was Woman’s day here). So they really were spoilt.
Well, Coffee and Milo were our adopted dogs from the SPCA. But now onto a different kind of orphans.
In our cell /bible study group there are this couple that two of the other couples met on the Alpha course who are involved in an orphanage called “The Village Safe Haven”. There are 17 kids ranging in age from 3-16. We were meant to go to a dinner in aid of it a few weeks back but B was sick. But we were definitely going to go on a trip to visit them. B joked that I mustn’t bring too many home on the first visit!
We got there and he started playing with a kid and a soccer ball. (The kid holding the ball in the pic).
Then we sat down and had tea and coffee, and then they took us on a tour of the place. It really is amazing what all the kids have been through. Abuse, rape, being locked up like a dog, HIV, you name it. One kid has a lump on his head from being hit with a stick. Two of them are up for adoption.
They get donated food from Pick n Pay and Woolworths. When they have extra stuff they use it up e.g. jam. They gave us bottles of tomato sauce which I am sure is going to be delicious.
They are in good schools and are doing well. They were saying it is better to have fewer kids and school them well. I agree.
Nevertheless there is such a need out there and they want to do more building and fulfill what they are zoned for (36 kids).
They also have lots of pets around. One just like Mily.
When we left there I was left with such a feeling of gratitude and being blessed for what we have. Really I am so lucky.
We chatted idly about if there were any kids that stood out: maybe for me it was the kid with the lump on his head. His friend who he is running around with is getting adopted.
But I didn’t feel the pull to action. Just grateful for what I have, and the awareness that there is a need. It is just sitting there at the back of my mind, and the seed will grow if it needs to.
I am keen to first sort myself out physically (with this op) and see where we go from there. B has come more on board now for paying for IVF, and I am grateful for this. Just want to have a timeline and a plan on what is happening. Need to talk to doc about how long it is going to take to get my thyroid levels down and when we can proceed. I have started taking the meds.
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