"MAXDOG" is now available on Amazon.com!!
Click HERE for the 'Print-on-Demand' version
Click HERE for the Kindle (USA) version
Click HERE for the Kindle (UK) version
Caryl Moll's author page on Amazon, click HERE

Dear Readers and faithful friends,

After a number of years of wonderful blogging, this blog has effectively become dormant - except for occasional updates regarding my book, MAXDOG. I have left this blog as a legacy to my dog and a place of sanctuary where we can reflect upon his life. Take your time, peruse the pages spanning Max's 18 months in cyberspace. Feel refreshed and uplifted because his story is an amazing one of..."LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX!"
My activities have now moved on to my new blog entitled "LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX". Please join me there where you can read about my family and canine companions. I also invite you to visit MAXDOG's FANPAGE on FACEBOOK. You can follow the specific links by clicking below:

* 'LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX: click HERE
*MAXDOG'S FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: click HERE
* MAXDOG, the book: click HERE

If you would like to follow me on a deeper, spiritual level, then I invite you to visit my more personal blog:

May God bless you and thank you for following me!
MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

MAXDOG's CHRISTMAS TRIBUTE

Monday, August 17, 2009

A BIT OF NOSTALGIA

mmmWOOF!!!
Hey there all my furry friends!

Im feeling a little nostalgic today, so I thought I'd reminisce a bit (look back on the pawprints I have left) and also tell you a little about my Mom.
In my younger years, before I became a fully fledged 'house dog', Mom got me involved in all sorts of things - dog shows, special events and a bit of therapy work at one of the schools.
The picture above is of her and I performing at the ANIMAL CARNIVAL at the Rand Easter Show, in 2004, in Johannesburg. We had joined up with a whole lot of other Goldens at the time to do a presentation. MAXDOG did tricks like jumping through hoops, rolling over, talking on command, sit, stay, come, leave, etc, etc....
Those were fun times!
..............................................................................................
Now let me tell you a bit about my Mom...
The picture below is of her, when she was a little girl, growing up on their farm in the lowveld of South Africa.
Her little friend in her lap was called "Nifty".
Nifty was responsible for introducing my Mom to the wonderful world of animals.

The small farm where Mom grew up supplied their household with all the basic necessities.. It was also well stocked with a variety of furry creatures.

Mom's animal friends of her childhood included: Cows, pigs, rabbits, an owl(Percy), an African bull-frog, numerous scorpions, ants and grasshoppers, a crow, a python, hens and chickens, cats and many farm dogs. My mom was a real animal whisperer in those days. It ensured that she was well prepared for me!

Look at Mom's shoes in the picture. These shoes are called 'Veldskoens" - meaning shoes of the veld (bush). She wore mainly these shoes in her youth, otherwise she went barefoot in the bush. Mom has written a number of farm stories for her future grandchildren's treasure trove.

I wish we could turn back the clock so that I would be able to live with her on that farm!

Lots of licks

MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA

13 comments:

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Maxdog, we love your new header!

Sounds like you mom grew up in a cool farm and yes, it would be so nice if you could turn back time and live with her on that farm.


Sam & June

bbes tribe said...

We like your new header. Mom hasn't figured out yet how to do something like that with a variety of pictures. She only gets one at a time. Growing up on a farm/ranch is good. Bet you would have enjoyed it.
Ernie & Sasha

Woodrow, Luna, MJ Campanella said...

great header - and awesome post - it looks like alot of fun

Woodrow - Sweetie - MJ

Hamish Westie said...

Well Max, how nice to learn a bit about your family background. But beware, not all farm life is that great. I spent be first 3 years on a sheep farm in NE Scotland and was rather neglected.
But Gail is very envious of your Mom and Nifty, as she had to wait until she was 40 years old to finally get a dog (that's me!).
And we both think those Veldskoens look nice and comfortable, just as shoes should be!
Cheers, H.

TwoSpecialWires said...

This was a special post for us to read... it gave us some nice insight into your lives and promoted conversation at our house about our Girl's life before us. Those Veldskoens reminded Moma of some felted shoes that our Girl once had. (We saw them in pictures.)

Those farm stories that your mom has written will indeed be treasures. We're hoping to gather the same for our Girl. So very very special.

You guys are great. We're glad we know ya!
Jake and Fergi

The Army of Four said...

What a great post, Max! That photo of your mom and Nifty is SO dear!!!
We loved learning more about you and your mom!
Love,
Ammy

Martha said...

Hi Max
What a lovely post - that picture of your mom as a little girl with her first doggie was wonderful!
We just adore your new header too - can't remember if we told you that already but well it's so good we can say it twice!
love
Martha & Bailey xxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Max,

First, GREAT Header pics!

Great pics of working with your Mom and your Mom when she was little.

For me I stay away from our chickens cause they are bigger then me!

woo woo, Tessa

Cloud the Wonder Dog said...

Wow Max, you are so multi-talented!
And my mom grew up on a farm with lots of animals too, (chickens, goats, pigs, ducks, cats and dogs) and a huge garden. She said it's the best experience a child could have!

Luv,
Cloud

Paco,Milo, Maya and mommy Simona said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
What a great post dear Max!!!
So you were a very very talented boy!!!!!!
You look soooooooooo attentive in that pic!!!!
And woowowwoooooo!!!
We love reading some of your mommy's life!!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!!
Living in a farm is a very very very big opportunity for a child!!!!
Our mommy lived in a city until she known daddy....she wasn't so happy...but now that we lived in a farm we are all very very happyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!
Have a great dayyyyyyyy!!!
WE LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Unknown said...

Love your new header too! What a great collage of photos!

Aw...and we loved learning more about your human. My human is VERY jealous because she wishes she could have had a childhood like that too...she was always desperate for a pet and loved animals but her parents hated animals and so she never had any pets growing up - even though she tried to adopt all sorts of stray things!! (even a slug she found in a cabbage once!!!) - she had to wait 30yrs before she could get her 1st dog: ME!! :-)

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

Lorenza said...

Hi, Max!
Thanks for sharing your good memories!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Ms. ~K said...

WOnderful memories...love the old photo.