BIG BAOBAB TREE

MAX THE TOUR GUIDE:...

mmmWOOF!

Yep, I love this tour guide stuff....

Well, I was thinking about the BIG TREE that Mom keeps telling me about - up there in the Northern Province of South Africa. I must say that it is my doggie-dream tree...

Well, you guys must know how us boy dogs like to mark out our territory. Mom gets really mad with me when I go on my walks with her and then need to mark out my place every 10m. She finds it truly irritating, but a dog must do what a dog must do!!!

Well, Mom tells me that the BIG BAOBAB (that is the name of the tree) is over 47m in circumference and is over 6000years old. That means that the tree is older than the Giza Pyramids!

When Mom was small (she grew up near the tree), it took her more than 100 steps to walk around that tree. In my doggie language, that means that I would have to mark out that tree at least 10 times on our walk around the tree. I can do that! I can do that, and if I did, I know that it would then become "Mom's tree"... What a dream!

Mom says that the tree has two chambers inside - one used as a human's watering hole (pub) and the other as a storage area for all the wine bottles. She also says that it is really cool (22degrees C) inside the tree. What a lovely thought for me - I would love to lie inside that tree and cool down from the African sun.

There are many animals that live in that tree too, as well as 2 pairs of owls. I don't mind - I can guard the tree anytime!

If you click on the second image (above) you will see Mom standing in the fork of the tree....THAT'S HOW BIG IT IS!!!

Well guys, I hope you enjoyed our visit to the Big Boabab in South Africa. You can find more information on it at:
http://www.bigbaobab.co.za/baobab.html

Have a wonderful day as we all dream about our dream trees. Next time I will tell you about some of our waterfalls here.

Love mmmMAXxxx

LIONS - THE KINGS OF OUR JUNGLE

mmmWOOF!

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your wonderful comments! It seems that there are many doggie lovers ,around the world, who are also interested in my wonderful country and that my idea of showing you around is tasty to you....YAY

..."MAX the tour guide!!"

Today, Im going to show you the KING OF OUR JUNGLE - THE LION. But firstly, don't you think that there is some similarity between me and the lion - my colour and my mane? I am also King of this household (Although Toffee thinks otherwise)! Unfortunately I don't climb trees! (By the way - lions don't usually climb trees! The photo above was taken at one of those sought after occasions.)

We have many animal parks in South Africa - the most famous is the Kruger National park - where you find the BIG FIVE - LION, BUFFALO, ELEPHANT, LEOPARD and RHINO. The Kruger National Park is about the size of IRELAND. Here, wild animals are free to roam as they please - it is their environment and humans are the visitors....wonderful!

Did you know that they are called the 'big five' because these animals are the most dangerous when you are walking around ("on foot" as the humans say).

Anyway, Mom's photos (above) of the lions were taken at "The Lion Park", just outside my city of Johannesburg. Its a lovely 'day visit' for guests in our city.

As I said in my previous post, us Dogs are not allowed in the animal parks. (Except the wild African hunting dog - which is an endangered species.) Not only is it dangerous for us domestic dogs, but wild animals can get all sorts of strange diseases from us and us from them. Indeed, some of us pedigreed dogs would simply not make it in the wild.

So guys, we love it here in South Africa. Hope you have found this interesting. Soon I will tell you about our 'biggest tree in the world'.

Have a barkful day!

Love

mmmMAXxxx

SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSETS

mmmWOOF!

Hello everyone. I've been thinking...

I've always wanted to be a 'special' dog with some purpose. I tried the show ring, but I don't think I quite made it. I tried too to be a therapy dog, but Mom ran out of steam. So, I've been thinking... I've got so many special doggie friends all over the world that, perhaps, I could be some kind of small ambassador for my beautiful country - SOUTH AFRICA.

Mom has sooo many beautiful pictures which she has taken of our amazing country, that maybe it would be an idea to include a picture a day of something from our country....

Wwhat do you guys think?????

So, I thought I'd start with a sunset picture...because us dogs lovvvve sunsets! In the evening, when the sun starts to drop, we all lie down on Mom's cool patio to watch the sun go down and the birds go to sleep. Mom usually sits down on the ground at that time and cuddles us all. So, we lovvee sunsets!

This sunset picture was taken deep in the heart of the African bush. Unfortunately we couldn't go along with Mom at that time, because there are all sorts of wild animals in the bush - lions, buffalo, hippo, elephant, leopard - so we had to stay at home. Instead we have to make do with the African soft toys which she has given us. But I've heard that people from overseas love coming to visit our African bush.

So, today...enjoy your sunset!

Love

mmmMAXxxx

THE SAGA CONTINUES.

mmmmWOOF! Hey everyone.

Yep, the saga of Toffee's attempt to take over my blog continues....

I admit he's a cutie pie, but THIS IS MY BLOG!!

I spent some time in the garden today gathering my thoughts. This spot in one of Mom's flower beds is one of my favourite...the foliage is nice and cool. Here in Sunny South Africa we have to treasure our cool places.

By the way...a hearty welcome to all the new friends who visit this blog.

With lots of luv

mmmmmMAXxxxxx

PLEASE PICK ME UP.

"Please pick me up...please...please...please!"

Love TOFFEE..

(He...he..he... I've taken over Max's blog...he...he....wooferty!)

TOFFEE HAS BEEN OUSTED!!!

mmmmWOOF!!!

Hello everyone.

I must tell you all...I TRIUMPHED TODAY!!!! TOFFEE HAS BEEN OUSTED!!!!

That little rat has recently been spending all his time on any available lap and I have had to watch from the floor. It's been hugely irritating! Especially since he's been spending frequent time on Mom's lap when they watch TV at night.

This is how he does it. He puts on his "cuteness" pose and nobody can resist but to pick him up. What a stunt...

Well, I wasn't going to have any more of this...

I OUSTED HIM!!!

Now I have taken over the big chair with mom. I finally see what Toff' likes about all this cuddling. Try it guys!!

Love mmmmmMAXxxxxx

SOME MORE FUN PICTURES

Hey Guys....mmmmmWOOF!

I tried to help Mom unwrap her presents, but she tangled me up in the wrappings...

This last picture is of me in my traditional sleeping pose when I forget about everyone and everything.

Take care. Love you all

MMMMMMMaXXXXX

MOM'S BIRTHDAY - MOM & MAX CELEBRATING

A BIRTHDAY LETTER: TO MOM, FROM MAX

(A poem...written by CAM. 23/5/2009)

You’re the essence of my existence,
The script of my fate.
At your side
I watch...I wait:

A tilt of Your finger,
A turn of Your head,
The sound of our bowls –
I know we’re being fed,

The jingle of leashes,
We rush for our walk,
A little command and
I’ll willingly “talk!”

I feel the wind in Your heart,
I know You are mine,
You’re the tapestry of my life,
As I tow Your line.

The exuberance of Your kitchen,
The healing of Your rest,
A nuzzle in Your side
When I know that it’s best.

Snugly, in the corner of Your room,
I listen for your breaths...
And ponder – the ebb and tide
Of our inevitable
deaths...

But Mom, not to worry...
I’ll prepare a place for You
A happy hunting ground
For just...us two!

Where our leashes are off,
We’ll roam the hills,
We’ll sniff the rivers,
And soak up the stills.

Since I have become Yours –
You are also mine,
Together we’ll dance
To the ends of Time.

A NOTE FROM CARYL:
I make no apologies for the anthropomorphic style of this poem. To me, it expresses the deep sentiments of the special bond which I have with my dog. At this milestone in my own life – my 50th birthday – I know that our time together is shortening. In human years he’d be 65 years old. We have travelled a long, arduous path together. He’s my friend and companion...
He’s MY MAX!

MOM'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE.

Psssst.....Let me tell you a secret.....

Tomorrow it's Mom's birthday and we are planning a surprise....

....we are digging a HOLE for her. Hope she likes it!.

We can't seem to think up what to put into the HOLE. The pack have offered the following suggestions:

1) Toffee suggested that we use the hole ourselves...roll in the dust for her birthday!

2) Tam' thinks we should catch the next door cat for Mom and put it in the HOLE.

3) Tommy says we shouldn't bother him....he's sleeping!

4) I think we should collect the washing and put it into the HOLE.

...Any suggestions??

Luv Maxxxxxxx

WE WATCHED THE SUNRISE.

mmmmm....WOOF!

Hey Guys...This morning me and my toys got to watch the sunrise...Awesome!

I called Tam', but she was more interested in chasing the Hadeda Ibisis.

The twins stayed in bed...Pathetic!

Have a barkful day!

Luv Maxxxx

WATCHING THE CUDDLES GO AROUND

Hey there.....mmmmmmmmmWOOF!

We haven't done much this past week except hang around Mom's feet, but that's not too bad - we love being with her. It's great because we've taught her to step gently around us, but I suppose we will have to watch out - her eyesight is starting to get bad and one of these days she's going to trip over one of us!

Toffee's mom came home last night from university, so the brat spent the whole evening on her lap....I just had to watch. I wish I was small enough to fit onto mom's lap. Sometimes though she gets right down onto the floor to snuggle me...mmmm.

I love Mom!

Hope you guys are all training your owners well.

Luv Max Woof, Woof!

NEW WINTER JACKETS

WOOF!

Thought I'd show you what the twins look like in their new winter jackets....

pathetic, don't you think?

Luv Maxxxxxxxx

HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY

Woof!

It was "Mothers' Day" yesterday, so I slept in late (with mom) .......ZZZ.....and then I took her for a walk.

Happy Mothers' Day to all the Doggie moms out there!

Luv Max

xxxx

US PETS MUST TAKE NOTE!

Hey Everyone...woof!

Mom got this email from someone. It's supposed to be a letter to us dogs (and Cats). Not sure where it originates, but thought you guys might enjoy it. It's a bit of fun....

Luv Max.

"Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food.

Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate does not stake a claim for it becoming your food. Nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

Racing me to the bottom of the garden is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king size bed. I am very
sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Remember, dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep, so it is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximise space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut,
it is not necessarily to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door.

TO ALL
NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS
1) They live here, you don't.
2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur-niture'.
3) I like my pets better than I like most people.
4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons and daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1) Eat less.
2) Don't ask for money all the time.
3) Are easier to train.
4) Normally come when called.
5) Never ask to drive the car.
6) Don't hang out with drug-using people.
7) Don't smoke or drink.
8) Don't want to wear your clothes.
9) Don't have to buy the latest fashions.
10) Don't need a gazillion dollars for college and........
11) If they get pregnant, you can sell their children!!!"

SEASONS CHANGE.

Hey Guys....

Thanx sooo much for the comments about our video. Yes, our walks are wonderful! We have a walk at least once a day, but Tammy and I are making progress to get mom to take us walking twice a day. ( psst...Maybe we can work on 3x...??) The walks aren't too long, but it gives us a chance to read the neighbourhood news. We really enjoy it.

It's starting to become 'winterish' here in the Southern hemisphere. We love it... our coats aren't really designed for South African HOT summer weather. The leaves of the trees are turning strange colours - red, orange and yellow - and the humans in our household are wearing a lot more clothing.

We are looking forward to mom putting on the heaters in our household.... we can then all snuggle up next to them. Tammy has to be careful though - she sometimes turns ORANGE when she lies too close to the heaters.

So everyone in the Northern Hemisphere....ENJOY THE SPRING!!

Love and Woof,

Max