THE DESTRUCTIVE ITCH
In August last year, we had a constant young visitor, who at the time worked with my son, Well he loved the Chows and would sit for hours rubbing their tummies and ears, this was fine and the dogs loved it, but unfortunately we did not realize the damage this was going to cause our dogs over the next few months. Unknown to any of us this young man had Scabies and he passed the mite on to our dogs.
Scabies or Sarcoptic Mange is a disease caused by a microscopic spider like creature called a mite; this disease causes uncontrollable itching of the skin, causing the dog to loose all his coat by scratching and biting. The first signs are small red lumps that itch, at this stage our Vet suggested a course of antibiotics and cortisone saying the dogs had hot spots because of the sun’s powerful rays. The treatment only made them worse. Now five of our Chows were driving us and themselves mad with their now very destructive itching.
Well studied all my 43 medical books and came to the conclusion that they had Scabies. So I shaved all their coats off an with the help from my Homeopath I started treating them on Homeopathic remedies, as well as shampooing all of them is a shampoo called Quelled shampoo. After a good bath, I then applied Quellada lotion to their skins, after the first application the itching sopped.
I then waited for another 10 days when I re-shampooed and again I applied the lotion to their shins. At last I had conquered the itch, and now 6 weeks later their fur is growing back and they are starting to look like chows again. During the treatment I cleaned the Kennels out and washed everything in a dog dip. And finally after the treatment was completed I dipped all my dogs as a safety precaution against re-infection and shall continue to dip them once a month in future. I have learnt a lesson from this unfortunate disease, not to allow anyone to touch my dogs unless they have first washed their hands and especially their nails in Savlon. All your carpets in your home must also be treated with the dip, including your furniture, beds and bedding Scabies is very contagious and can be transferred to the human during grooming sessions. The mites do not live longer than three weeks on the human body and the treatment is the same.
This is not a terrible disease and can be cured very quickly but it is a very uncomfortable disease for your dog. It is very disfiguring a they look terrible with no coats, but rather a Chow with no coat than a dead one as coats do grow back.
This treatment can also be used on early eczema as well, I have found the bet remedy for my chows with very sore hot spots or eczema, is that the raw patch is first sprayed with Dermoplast to stop the itch, and then to be completely covered with Gentian Violet. This clears the skin up in a few days. Not all skin problems need Cortisone and I for one do not think it is a good thing to give in excess to your dog. There are other remedies that are just as good.
Monday, June 29, 2009
This Chow deservs a medal
THESE CHOWS DESERVE MEDALS
In the May issue of Heads and Tails, I read the lovely article on chows, Well I phoned Shirley Birkett and managed to obtain the telephone number of Mrs Bunty Hubard in Uvongo on the South Coast of Natal, and I phoned her, what a lovely Lady, I could have spoken to her for the whole day, but telephone calls are expensive, she told me that she had two chows, Tzu Tang a Cream chow of ten years old and a young ten month old female called Laura, whom she got from very dear friends of mine, Erica and Shawn O'roiden a third chow had died a few months ago, this chow as well a her other two deserve medals.
While she was driving through the town of Uvongo, she stopped at a stop street, her handbag was on the seat next to her and her Chow bitch was in the back seat of the car, an African approached the car and a quick as lightening thrust his hand through the open window and grabbed her handbag, but before he could withdraw his prize, her chow sunk her teeth into the thief's arm and would not let go, He was arrested and never got the handbag.
Her chow Tza Tang has covered himself with glory twice by saving her life when a knife yielding man attacked her; see her newspaper cuttings, which were front page of their local newspaper.
Mrs. Hubbards husband is blind and his guide dog is getting old, she is really not safe to take him down the streets anymore, and this is where Lara comes in, she has been learning to lead Mr Hubbard in his daily life and is learning to become his eyes, Who would ever have thought a Chow could be a guide as well a Guard dog, but then they are very special dogs.
Thank you Shirley Birkett for helping me find this wonderful lady and her very special Chows, and thank you Bunty for having the time to speak to me and tell me about your wonderful dogs.
CHOW SAID 'CIAO' TO THIS BURGLAR
STORY BY Sheila Park
South Coast Herald
Friday February 17th 1989.
He might look like a Teddy bear, but there was nothing cuddly about the way Tzu Tang the Chow attacked his mistresses knife-wielding assailant, who cornered her in her garage and demanded money last Saturday afternoon.
Nor did his sprightly 70-year-old owner, Mrs. Bunty Dilworth (Hubard) let her attacker get away lightly for when he threw her to the ground, leapt on top of her and threatened to slit her throat, she kicked and bit him until he gave up and fled.
Mrs. Hubard of Manaba had been shopping at the local supermarket with her blind elderly Husband and returned home at about 1.30pm when she faced her terrifying ordeal, Having dropped her husband and his guide dog off at the gate leading from the driveway to their house, she proceeded to park the car in the garage a few meters away.
When she opened the back door of the car to takeout a bucket she had purchased, she was accosted by a Black Man, who pinned her between her car door and the garage entrance, Initially he told her he was looking for employment, but when she told him that she had none to offer, he demanded money and, after she said she had none, he grabbed her leather handbag.
REFUSED
However she refused to let go of it and he threw her onto the grass, climbed on top of her and pulled out a knife, threatening to slit her throat,
But the determined Mrs Hubard was not prepared to give up without a fight, and she caught him with her knee, kicked him and bit him, he wrenched the bag from her, tearing the handle off and scattering its contents. During the scuffle, She said she had "screamed her head off" which resulted in her losing her voice, her screams alerted a neighbor, Mrs Jean Mclean, who summoned the police.
Meanwhile Tzu Tang, one of Mrs Hubbard's two chows nearly went mad trying to gain access to the garden and Mr. Hubbard had closed the gate leading to it when he went into the house.
But Tzu Tang refused to give up and finding a Hole in the hedge between the next-door garden and his own, he wriggled through and attacked Mrs Hubards assailant, who was making off up the road.
Undeterred by the knife-wielding man Tzu Tang grabbed hold of his jacket and held on, despite being nicked by the attacker's knife. The assailant wriggled out of his jacket as Tzu Tang held firmly onto it.
Meanwhile the police arrived on the scene, as the assailant made his get-away, Attempts to corner him were unsuccessful. But he gained nothing from his attack and Mrs. Hubard was able to scoop up all her scattered belongings.
Mr. Hubard, who had also heard his wife's screams, had wanted to grab a truncheon and go to her assistance, despite being blind and sickly, Mrs. Hubard told the Herald on the Monday when we visited her.
The hero of the day Tza Tang was feeling most putout by the events and eyed our photographer with disdain, only reluctantly agreeing to pose for a photograph.
In the May issue of Heads and Tails, I read the lovely article on chows, Well I phoned Shirley Birkett and managed to obtain the telephone number of Mrs Bunty Hubard in Uvongo on the South Coast of Natal, and I phoned her, what a lovely Lady, I could have spoken to her for the whole day, but telephone calls are expensive, she told me that she had two chows, Tzu Tang a Cream chow of ten years old and a young ten month old female called Laura, whom she got from very dear friends of mine, Erica and Shawn O'roiden a third chow had died a few months ago, this chow as well a her other two deserve medals.
While she was driving through the town of Uvongo, she stopped at a stop street, her handbag was on the seat next to her and her Chow bitch was in the back seat of the car, an African approached the car and a quick as lightening thrust his hand through the open window and grabbed her handbag, but before he could withdraw his prize, her chow sunk her teeth into the thief's arm and would not let go, He was arrested and never got the handbag.
Her chow Tza Tang has covered himself with glory twice by saving her life when a knife yielding man attacked her; see her newspaper cuttings, which were front page of their local newspaper.
Mrs. Hubbards husband is blind and his guide dog is getting old, she is really not safe to take him down the streets anymore, and this is where Lara comes in, she has been learning to lead Mr Hubbard in his daily life and is learning to become his eyes, Who would ever have thought a Chow could be a guide as well a Guard dog, but then they are very special dogs.
Thank you Shirley Birkett for helping me find this wonderful lady and her very special Chows, and thank you Bunty for having the time to speak to me and tell me about your wonderful dogs.
CHOW SAID 'CIAO' TO THIS BURGLAR
STORY BY Sheila Park
South Coast Herald
Friday February 17th 1989.
He might look like a Teddy bear, but there was nothing cuddly about the way Tzu Tang the Chow attacked his mistresses knife-wielding assailant, who cornered her in her garage and demanded money last Saturday afternoon.
Nor did his sprightly 70-year-old owner, Mrs. Bunty Dilworth (Hubard) let her attacker get away lightly for when he threw her to the ground, leapt on top of her and threatened to slit her throat, she kicked and bit him until he gave up and fled.
Mrs. Hubard of Manaba had been shopping at the local supermarket with her blind elderly Husband and returned home at about 1.30pm when she faced her terrifying ordeal, Having dropped her husband and his guide dog off at the gate leading from the driveway to their house, she proceeded to park the car in the garage a few meters away.
When she opened the back door of the car to takeout a bucket she had purchased, she was accosted by a Black Man, who pinned her between her car door and the garage entrance, Initially he told her he was looking for employment, but when she told him that she had none to offer, he demanded money and, after she said she had none, he grabbed her leather handbag.
REFUSED
However she refused to let go of it and he threw her onto the grass, climbed on top of her and pulled out a knife, threatening to slit her throat,
But the determined Mrs Hubard was not prepared to give up without a fight, and she caught him with her knee, kicked him and bit him, he wrenched the bag from her, tearing the handle off and scattering its contents. During the scuffle, She said she had "screamed her head off" which resulted in her losing her voice, her screams alerted a neighbor, Mrs Jean Mclean, who summoned the police.
Meanwhile Tzu Tang, one of Mrs Hubbard's two chows nearly went mad trying to gain access to the garden and Mr. Hubbard had closed the gate leading to it when he went into the house.
But Tzu Tang refused to give up and finding a Hole in the hedge between the next-door garden and his own, he wriggled through and attacked Mrs Hubards assailant, who was making off up the road.
Undeterred by the knife-wielding man Tzu Tang grabbed hold of his jacket and held on, despite being nicked by the attacker's knife. The assailant wriggled out of his jacket as Tzu Tang held firmly onto it.
Meanwhile the police arrived on the scene, as the assailant made his get-away, Attempts to corner him were unsuccessful. But he gained nothing from his attack and Mrs. Hubard was able to scoop up all her scattered belongings.
Mr. Hubard, who had also heard his wife's screams, had wanted to grab a truncheon and go to her assistance, despite being blind and sickly, Mrs. Hubard told the Herald on the Monday when we visited her.
The hero of the day Tza Tang was feeling most putout by the events and eyed our photographer with disdain, only reluctantly agreeing to pose for a photograph.
Arthur
ARTHUR OR CHINABEAR BUSTER OF MELTARI.
He came to live with us four years ago, He was then just 5 years old, he was one of the most beautiful Chows I have ever seen, I fell in love with him at first sight, and within a week Arthur as he was called, why I will never know, as he really was not an Arthur, Golden Boy would have suited him better, but Arthur he was and Arthur he stayed, We were soon getting on very well together, he knew I loved him and he soon learnt to trust me, and then to love me. We were unable to show this lovely Chow, as we were unable to find his original owners, I knew his breeder, but she could not help me, We even went onto the Web but could not find them, I even tried the ITC but without an ID number, this did not help, so Arthur became a pet, where he should have been a Champion, I could not even use him for breeding as his puppies would not be able to be registered, but Arthur was a wonderful pet, he loved playing football, he would hit the ball with his paws and dribble it around the lawn like a professional football player, he never ever chewed up any ball or toy he was given, he would carefully place them in his kennel, these belonged to him and not to any one else, he lived with Gucci our blind rescue chow, and he loved her and she him, he would many a time lead her away from danger, like taking the wrong step and landing up in the dam, of which she did a few times when we first moved onto our small holding, but Arthur soon learnt to look after her. He was also very gentle with the puppies, especially if they were female, he loved the ladies, There was only one thin Arthur was not very happy with and that was my red dressing gown, when I ore it he would do his best to get it off me, and if he had been given his way, he would have dad it and most probably torn it up and laced it in his kennel to cuddle up and keep warm on, Arthur hated getting his feet wet, but loved the rain, he used to sleep on a pallet of wood above the ground so if it was raining his coat would get wet, and his feet tucked under him to keep them dry, crossing puddles in the lawn was another thing he would walk the length of the puddle, looking for the narrowest part where he could very carefully sort of skip over, making sure his paws would land on a dry spot on the oppersite side and when crossing back over the same puddle he would reverse his steps, and cross back in the same spot he had used before. Arthur did not like cats, Big cats, medium cats or even tiny kittens, given half a chance he would try his best to chase them but cats are not stupid, Arthur was in the run during the day and the cats stayed on the outside of the run, they did not trust the chows at all, even though they had been brought up with them. He also did not like the Egyptian Geese, their quacking made him mad, and he would continuously bark at them it was quite something to listen to the three of them, that is Arthur and the two geese, having a conversation, what they talked about I will never know and don't even know if they understood each other, Many a time he would sit and watched me while I was on the small boat on the dam, and he would sit and watch the Koi swimming past, but he never attempted to bet into the dam to try and catch them, But all good things must come to and end and soon Arthur's time started to run out, he got sick with a gastric torsion, but the first time I managed to save him, but four weeks later it happened again and although my son robin and I stayed up al night with him, I decided that it would be kinder in the long run to put this lovely chow to sleep, I miss you Arthur and will never forget you and your wonderful ways, May you rest in peace now.
He came to live with us four years ago, He was then just 5 years old, he was one of the most beautiful Chows I have ever seen, I fell in love with him at first sight, and within a week Arthur as he was called, why I will never know, as he really was not an Arthur, Golden Boy would have suited him better, but Arthur he was and Arthur he stayed, We were soon getting on very well together, he knew I loved him and he soon learnt to trust me, and then to love me. We were unable to show this lovely Chow, as we were unable to find his original owners, I knew his breeder, but she could not help me, We even went onto the Web but could not find them, I even tried the ITC but without an ID number, this did not help, so Arthur became a pet, where he should have been a Champion, I could not even use him for breeding as his puppies would not be able to be registered, but Arthur was a wonderful pet, he loved playing football, he would hit the ball with his paws and dribble it around the lawn like a professional football player, he never ever chewed up any ball or toy he was given, he would carefully place them in his kennel, these belonged to him and not to any one else, he lived with Gucci our blind rescue chow, and he loved her and she him, he would many a time lead her away from danger, like taking the wrong step and landing up in the dam, of which she did a few times when we first moved onto our small holding, but Arthur soon learnt to look after her. He was also very gentle with the puppies, especially if they were female, he loved the ladies, There was only one thin Arthur was not very happy with and that was my red dressing gown, when I ore it he would do his best to get it off me, and if he had been given his way, he would have dad it and most probably torn it up and laced it in his kennel to cuddle up and keep warm on, Arthur hated getting his feet wet, but loved the rain, he used to sleep on a pallet of wood above the ground so if it was raining his coat would get wet, and his feet tucked under him to keep them dry, crossing puddles in the lawn was another thing he would walk the length of the puddle, looking for the narrowest part where he could very carefully sort of skip over, making sure his paws would land on a dry spot on the oppersite side and when crossing back over the same puddle he would reverse his steps, and cross back in the same spot he had used before. Arthur did not like cats, Big cats, medium cats or even tiny kittens, given half a chance he would try his best to chase them but cats are not stupid, Arthur was in the run during the day and the cats stayed on the outside of the run, they did not trust the chows at all, even though they had been brought up with them. He also did not like the Egyptian Geese, their quacking made him mad, and he would continuously bark at them it was quite something to listen to the three of them, that is Arthur and the two geese, having a conversation, what they talked about I will never know and don't even know if they understood each other, Many a time he would sit and watched me while I was on the small boat on the dam, and he would sit and watch the Koi swimming past, but he never attempted to bet into the dam to try and catch them, But all good things must come to and end and soon Arthur's time started to run out, he got sick with a gastric torsion, but the first time I managed to save him, but four weeks later it happened again and although my son robin and I stayed up al night with him, I decided that it would be kinder in the long run to put this lovely chow to sleep, I miss you Arthur and will never forget you and your wonderful ways, May you rest in peace now.
Lukes Nightmare and Kennels all shiny new
sleep.
LUKES NIGHTMARE
We were awakened by a screaming dog, who sounded like he was in absolute agony, Robin and I ran outside with the torch, not thinking to put on the outside lights, the unholy screaming was coming from Luke's kennel, we shone the light into their run and Trisha seemed to be O.K. but Luke could not move, We went into the run and climbed on the top of his kennel with him, he had got this toe caught in a small hole on the top of the kennel, Now the Kennel is made out of metal and after looking to see what the problem was and calming him down, I said to Robin to run and get the wire cutters, and to see if we could cut the hole bigger and thus be able to get his toe out, While Robin very carefully and gently cut the metal away Luke never said a word, he seemed to know that we were trying to help him and within a few minutes he was free, we had pored a cup of cooking oil over his foot and he was far more interested in licking the cooking oil up then worrying about his toe, Thankfully there was no harm done, and the following morning he was walking around on all four feet, If this had happened in America, or maybe else where in the world, 911 would have been called to get him free.
KENNELS ALL SHINY NEW
It's not Christmas yet but close enough to it, the date is 19 November 200l and today Carol bought us some nice new shiny wooden kennels to sleep in and just in time because I know it's going to rain very hard, I was a bit worried as I like to sleep on top of my old kennel and when I saw all these new ones, I thought I would have to learn to sleep on the ground like every one else, but no Carol had made a plan as usual and when she took out my old kennel I was very reluctant to say good bye to it, as it had been home for two years and it smelt of me, Well she took out my kennel and them Alex's Kennel and then she and Robin her son carried in out new ones, first she placed Alex's one on the ground and then she put my kennel on top of Alex's, as she knew I would not sleep on the ground, then she placed a roof over mine that would act as a roof for both of our kennels, I was very suspicious at first and would not go into it, it smelt different, not the homely smell of the old one, but it looked far more comfortable, and when she put in my piece of carpet then it started to look and smell a bit like home, Alex refused point blank to go into his, So guess what old Sidjen pinched it even though she had a nice fiberglass kennel of her own, so now if Alex wants to keep out of the rain then he has to share the new kennel with Sidjen or use her old one, Tammy and Archie also got new kennels, and Archie could not wait to get into his, he tried to get into it before Robin and Carol and even managed to get the roof on and of course he does not mind sharing it with Tammy, Gucci now loves her kennel and it is not easy to get her to come out of it, as she is nice and warm. Skye and Sinjon also got one but Skye like me likes to sleep on top, she has a long bench in her kennel which is sheltered by the roof, and this she likes to clime up onto and go to sleep, weather it rains, hails or is boiling hot, Sinjon smelt the new kennel and that was it a new home for an old boy, Trish and Luke also got a new kennel and they take turns sleeping in it, as both of them like to sleep up on the old deepfreeze's that where put into their run for them to sleep in, and keep them out of the rain, but the new kennel has slightly changed their way of living. Denim got the spare lid put over his kennel, and is also now kept dry. We have had some terrible rain in the last few days and I as well as all the other Chows and the Dobermans are very grateful for the lovely Christmas present Carol has given us. Even though it may be a bit early.
LUKES NIGHTMARE
We were awakened by a screaming dog, who sounded like he was in absolute agony, Robin and I ran outside with the torch, not thinking to put on the outside lights, the unholy screaming was coming from Luke's kennel, we shone the light into their run and Trisha seemed to be O.K. but Luke could not move, We went into the run and climbed on the top of his kennel with him, he had got this toe caught in a small hole on the top of the kennel, Now the Kennel is made out of metal and after looking to see what the problem was and calming him down, I said to Robin to run and get the wire cutters, and to see if we could cut the hole bigger and thus be able to get his toe out, While Robin very carefully and gently cut the metal away Luke never said a word, he seemed to know that we were trying to help him and within a few minutes he was free, we had pored a cup of cooking oil over his foot and he was far more interested in licking the cooking oil up then worrying about his toe, Thankfully there was no harm done, and the following morning he was walking around on all four feet, If this had happened in America, or maybe else where in the world, 911 would have been called to get him free.
KENNELS ALL SHINY NEW
It's not Christmas yet but close enough to it, the date is 19 November 200l and today Carol bought us some nice new shiny wooden kennels to sleep in and just in time because I know it's going to rain very hard, I was a bit worried as I like to sleep on top of my old kennel and when I saw all these new ones, I thought I would have to learn to sleep on the ground like every one else, but no Carol had made a plan as usual and when she took out my old kennel I was very reluctant to say good bye to it, as it had been home for two years and it smelt of me, Well she took out my kennel and them Alex's Kennel and then she and Robin her son carried in out new ones, first she placed Alex's one on the ground and then she put my kennel on top of Alex's, as she knew I would not sleep on the ground, then she placed a roof over mine that would act as a roof for both of our kennels, I was very suspicious at first and would not go into it, it smelt different, not the homely smell of the old one, but it looked far more comfortable, and when she put in my piece of carpet then it started to look and smell a bit like home, Alex refused point blank to go into his, So guess what old Sidjen pinched it even though she had a nice fiberglass kennel of her own, so now if Alex wants to keep out of the rain then he has to share the new kennel with Sidjen or use her old one, Tammy and Archie also got new kennels, and Archie could not wait to get into his, he tried to get into it before Robin and Carol and even managed to get the roof on and of course he does not mind sharing it with Tammy, Gucci now loves her kennel and it is not easy to get her to come out of it, as she is nice and warm. Skye and Sinjon also got one but Skye like me likes to sleep on top, she has a long bench in her kennel which is sheltered by the roof, and this she likes to clime up onto and go to sleep, weather it rains, hails or is boiling hot, Sinjon smelt the new kennel and that was it a new home for an old boy, Trish and Luke also got a new kennel and they take turns sleeping in it, as both of them like to sleep up on the old deepfreeze's that where put into their run for them to sleep in, and keep them out of the rain, but the new kennel has slightly changed their way of living. Denim got the spare lid put over his kennel, and is also now kept dry. We have had some terrible rain in the last few days and I as well as all the other Chows and the Dobermans are very grateful for the lovely Christmas present Carol has given us. Even though it may be a bit early.
Three hours past midnight
THREE HOURS PAST MIDNIGHT
It's 3am, up until now I had been sleeping soundly, when I was rudely awoken by my Chow Chow Skye, who has her kennel right outside my bedroom window, she was not barking but almost screaming, what on earth is wrong this time I thought, this is the sound she makes when the monkeys are around, but there were no monkeys around at this time of the night, I got up and walked onto the veranda and looked into her pen, she was very agitated about something and Baxter was also bouncing around the kennel, well I thought there is no way out but to go and see what is disturbing her, I walked around to her kennel and in the dark saw the shapes of Tao and Denim who have the run of the whole garden at night, attacking something under an old pile of wood we had used for making their kennels, I walked up to them calling their names, but to no avail, something was there, and they were trying to get at it, I could hear a sort of a "Yak Yak" noise and low growls coming from under the woodpile, they had cornered an animal, I tried to grab Tao by her coat, but she darted away from me, running to the other side of the wood pile, I eventually had to pick her up to get her out of danger, and carried her to her kennel where I locked her in, Denim now on his own wanted to go in for the kill but knowing this could be a dangerous situation, I made a grab at him risking his sharp teeth and shouting at him, I demanded that he return to his kennel, which surprisingly he did, I then tried in the dark to see what was there, but could only see two red eyes looking at me with the continued noise of"Yuk Yuk, growl" it must be a mongoose I thought, but being careful as to where I put my hands, I did not want a nasty bite from this terrified animal, I thought it best left alone, and hopefully it would make it's escape while the dogs were locked up. I went back to bed and tried to get back to sleep, but it was impossible.
Every now and again Skye would let out her terrible scream, so eventually I got up, and let her and Baxter out of their kennel into the protected area of the garden, Baxter listened to me buy Skye made straight for the wood pile, she had to have her say in this matter, I heard the terrified noise of the small animal, knowing that it was still there I grabbed Skye and pulled her through the gate, it was now 4am, I locked the gate behind me and allowed the two of them the run of the front garden knowing that they could not get into the back yard, I again went back to bed and tried to sleep, but it was impossible, I was wide awake, thinking of how I was going to capture this small animal, and at 5.30 I got up, hoping that it had gone, I put Skye and Baxter back into their kennel and allowed Tao out of hers, she went straight to the woodpile, but there was not a sound coming from it, the little animal had gone, Tao then went charging up the hill into the bush following it's scent, but it was gone, I'm sure it was a mongoose, and she was looking for a warm place to hide or make a nest, I felt sorry for the little creature and hope she finds somewhere in the bush away from my Chows to make her home, and hopefully will be able to get a good nights sleep tonight.
This morning I phoned the Natal Parks Board, and found out that it was not a mongoose but a Genet cat, possibly looking for food to feed her kittens; she may have had in a nest nearby. Although I have not seen her I believe they are incredibly beautiful cats, bigger then the house hold cat, they could also give the dogs a nasty bite if given a chance. They are very fast and will spend a lot of time in the trees catching birds, they will eat anything, and this includes dog food, hopefully she does not come back tonight, and we are able to get some sleep.
It's 3am, up until now I had been sleeping soundly, when I was rudely awoken by my Chow Chow Skye, who has her kennel right outside my bedroom window, she was not barking but almost screaming, what on earth is wrong this time I thought, this is the sound she makes when the monkeys are around, but there were no monkeys around at this time of the night, I got up and walked onto the veranda and looked into her pen, she was very agitated about something and Baxter was also bouncing around the kennel, well I thought there is no way out but to go and see what is disturbing her, I walked around to her kennel and in the dark saw the shapes of Tao and Denim who have the run of the whole garden at night, attacking something under an old pile of wood we had used for making their kennels, I walked up to them calling their names, but to no avail, something was there, and they were trying to get at it, I could hear a sort of a "Yak Yak" noise and low growls coming from under the woodpile, they had cornered an animal, I tried to grab Tao by her coat, but she darted away from me, running to the other side of the wood pile, I eventually had to pick her up to get her out of danger, and carried her to her kennel where I locked her in, Denim now on his own wanted to go in for the kill but knowing this could be a dangerous situation, I made a grab at him risking his sharp teeth and shouting at him, I demanded that he return to his kennel, which surprisingly he did, I then tried in the dark to see what was there, but could only see two red eyes looking at me with the continued noise of"Yuk Yuk, growl" it must be a mongoose I thought, but being careful as to where I put my hands, I did not want a nasty bite from this terrified animal, I thought it best left alone, and hopefully it would make it's escape while the dogs were locked up. I went back to bed and tried to get back to sleep, but it was impossible.
Every now and again Skye would let out her terrible scream, so eventually I got up, and let her and Baxter out of their kennel into the protected area of the garden, Baxter listened to me buy Skye made straight for the wood pile, she had to have her say in this matter, I heard the terrified noise of the small animal, knowing that it was still there I grabbed Skye and pulled her through the gate, it was now 4am, I locked the gate behind me and allowed the two of them the run of the front garden knowing that they could not get into the back yard, I again went back to bed and tried to sleep, but it was impossible, I was wide awake, thinking of how I was going to capture this small animal, and at 5.30 I got up, hoping that it had gone, I put Skye and Baxter back into their kennel and allowed Tao out of hers, she went straight to the woodpile, but there was not a sound coming from it, the little animal had gone, Tao then went charging up the hill into the bush following it's scent, but it was gone, I'm sure it was a mongoose, and she was looking for a warm place to hide or make a nest, I felt sorry for the little creature and hope she finds somewhere in the bush away from my Chows to make her home, and hopefully will be able to get a good nights sleep tonight.
This morning I phoned the Natal Parks Board, and found out that it was not a mongoose but a Genet cat, possibly looking for food to feed her kittens; she may have had in a nest nearby. Although I have not seen her I believe they are incredibly beautiful cats, bigger then the house hold cat, they could also give the dogs a nasty bite if given a chance. They are very fast and will spend a lot of time in the trees catching birds, they will eat anything, and this includes dog food, hopefully she does not come back tonight, and we are able to get some sleep.
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