Dear Stray

A guy I know only from his postings on Wild Dogs posted a poignant story today... here it is, I hope Andrew does not mind me borrowing it...

"We have a stray that has hung around our offices for many years. She was already old when I first saw her.

Over the last 2 years she has tamed up a bit but doesn’t like to be picked up and will only tolerate being scratched in small amounts. Some of the staff here feed her now and then. She is not what you'd call a "house cat". I have had to answer more than a few ADT alerts as a result of her being locked in the offices and was half keen to “get rid” of her on those occasions where 3am on a Sunday wasn’t funny anymore.

She was never what you’d call a good looking thing; always thin, ribs and the left overs pelt from a bad dose of mange years ago had seen to that. She was not the brightest and unusually, for a cat, looked it too. She’d always half look at one as if it was always a bit of a struggle to put two and two together.

Recently she slowed down a lot and over the last week gave up on eating. She had a large cyst in between her front legs and only walked with clear discomfort.

I had to take her in for her first and last ride in the car this morning. She was unexpectedly very calm and easy going into the cat carrier.

When asked by the front desk lady her name, I was a bit stumped, we’d never given her one, nobody had owned her, “will Skin and Bones do?”

We sat quietly for 10 minutes or so while I was worked into the queue.

Finally, after a bit of a honest conversation with the Vet about options, the humane thing was decided.

The vet asked, “did I want to stay during her last moments?”

I hadn’t thought about this as it was all a bit unexpected. It seemed very cowardly to leave her to it on her own. She’d never asked for much, just a few 3am callouts.

I couldn’t talk on the way out and thank goodness for dark glasses. Who would have thought a stray would be that hard on the plumbing? That was a tough morning. I couldn't be a Vet for sure!


Dear Stray

I knew you long but lightly.
I am sorry that you had to go.
The lightest of touches, away.

I’ll miss your light time here
Come back how you wish
Anytimes fine, Dear Stray


Cheers Girl, come visit when you have time."
I still have tears in my eyes... good on you Andrew.
"If animals could speak the dog would be a a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much." - Mark Twain

Embrace life and be an Unpredictable Hero

This video is so relevant with what has been happening on our roads of late, another Wild Dog was killed while commuting in Cape Town. Kevin Brookes loved motorcycles and brought that out in his art as well. This is one of his drawings of well known Dakar rider Alfie Cox.

Condolences to his family and friends... you will never be forgotten!
So we have suggested that in honor of Kevin all road users should begin using the Kevin Brookes rule;
"Before I start and move off I promise to be considerate towards all other road users, obey the rules and enjoy the drive/ride."
If every road user does this we will save so many lives that are currently being lost through lawless and inconsiderate road behavior. This will also make the lives of law enforcement so much easier as well, as they would be able to notice those who disobey and flaunt the rules so much easier.
We should also petition the powers that be to redress the corruption and other malpractice that does happen as well as have more visible policing and less static speed trapping... currently the focus is skewed toward the enforcement of speed restrictions an less on moving violations, these are the real killers.
So my wish is that we all Embrace Life and be Unpredictable Heroes by implementing Kevin's Rule when we use our roads.

Tears in heaven

As a member of Wild Dogs adventure riding forum we were saddened to hear of the passing of one of our members.
Songololo, you will be missed but will be remembered by family, friends and all you touched during your brief stay here on earth.
As a father of a wonderful son and daughter myself I still cannot imagine what his parents and family are going through, I believe nothing ever crosses one's path that God cannot hold you through but losing a child is one of the toughest ones.
To all I offer my condolences and you will be in my prayers. When something like this happens I am always reminded of this song from Eric Clapton... written after he lost his 4 year old son.

Tears in heaven.
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven
I'll find my way, through night and day
Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven

Time can bring you down
Time can bend your knee
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please

(instrumental)

Beyond the door
There's peace I'm sure.
And I know there'll be no more...
Tears in heaven

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven
Will it be the same
If I saw you in heaven
I must be strong, and carry on
Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven

Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
Hopefully this will be of some comfort to his loved ones.
"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come."
Rabindranath Tagore