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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

Saturday, December 5, 2009

OH, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE THEM BACK!!!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
MAXDOG here... (whew, at last!!!)



Hello there all my long lost furry friends from around the world!!!

I have missed you all so much! (and so has Mom!).

Our humans arrived back a little earlier than expected from their seaside jaunt. The weather was quite horrible and they decided to cut their holiday short! But hey, I'M NOT complaining! I missed them so much!
Thankfully Mom organised a nice dogsitter for us, but it's never quite the same as our own humans! We were well looked after though and guess what?!...

MY STITCHES ARE OUT!!!! YIPPEE!!

Well, now that Mom is home, I am ensuring her undivided attention and giving her that "sorry-for-me" eyeball look...it never fails! (hehe!). I simply carry my toy-puppy around and she is a "walk-over" for my attention!

TAMMY too has been practicing her "sorry" look!


...as for the irritating squirts...well they got a BATH!!!


Well, since Mom is back, I can play the TOUR GUIDE again. I can annex all her photographs and tell you all the stories...

It seems that their holiday was 'rained out'!

The eastern coast of South Africa has been experiencing an unexpectedly high amount of rainfall, so our humans literally only had about 4 hours of sunshine. I'm a little confused, because many of Mom's photographs have that"sunny"look...she must have made full use of that little sunshine that they had!

Here are some pictures of the view from their apartment at:

CABANNA BEACH, UMHLANGA ROCKS,

KWA-ZULU NATAL SOUTH COAST.



Well, that looks sunny to me, right!?! But Mom reassures me that this picture was taken the very hour they arrived - from then on it was rainy - except for 4 hours on Wednesday morning.

Mom said that they spent a lot of time just looking out from the balcony over the sea. The view stretches for miles and one can see the ships come and go into the DURBAN harbour.


There was however some regular early morning entertainment! Every day a school of dolphins could be seen swimming up and down the shore-line...

(I organised them for Mom...she just doesn't realise it!!!)



Dolphins are always a big attraction to people!!! Anyone in their vicinity will simply stand, awestruck and watch them. These two people were on a small little boat and "won the jackpot" because the dolphins came to greet them. Mom says that it was beautiful to watch!..


The dolphins were quite confident and often swim very close to shore...
If you can't see them...here is a more focussed-in picture of the same photo...

...and NO, they aren't sharks!!!
Each morning too, boats are dispatched to check all the shark-nets along the SOUTH AFRICAN coastline's beaches. At Umhlanga the dolphins always seem to greet the boats and their occupants. They also have their own way of avoiding the shark nets.

(In the following pictures, the dolphins are below the boat on the right hand side...between the boat and the rocks!)


Well, Mom says it was lovely to watch the dolphins' escapades...they are truly magnificent creatures!
She also took some pictures from the beach...

Umhalanga Rocks has a lighthouse - to warn all the boats about it's rocks. There is also a pier where people can walk (when it doesn't rain!). At high tide, all the pillars which hold up the pier are under water...this was low tide...



This is what the beach looks like at low tide...


Well, there are MANY pictures from mom's collection to show you all and MANY stories to write for all my readers.
I will try and post some more in the days ahead.

Meantime, I am really enjoying Mom being home (and the other humans, of course!)
But for now, I have annexed the bed!...




After I have caught up on my one-on-one time with Mom, I will catch up on all your news on your blogs.
In the past few days we have missed you all so much!
Lots and lots of licks and love
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA

43 comments:

kks said...

so glad you are home...we missed you and Max!
xoxo

beautiful pictures!

Dexter said...

Max Dog! You are back! And your stitches are out! Hooray!

Well, the beach looks just lovely and all those nice dolphins provided entertainments even in the rain. How considerate.

You haven't missed much from my end. Same old same old...

Slobbers,
Mango

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Glad MOM is home and GREAT job on your sorry face. Hooray for NO stitches ... you're moving around well. Thanks for sharing you mom's vacation photos ... LOVE the lighthouse photo. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Hamish Westie said...

Hi Max
Great to have you back.
And we thought it was only in Scotland that holidays got rained out!
So pleased to hear that you're rid of those nasty stitches. But remember now Max, that doesn't mean you're allowed to scratch the wound...
Cheers! H.

Pam said...

Welcome home Max's family! We missed you too. What a pity about the weather which is such a disappointment when you only have a week. It's hard to believe that the normally sunny and hot Durban area had such a lot of rain.

Love Pam

Andrea said...

Maxx,
You have an award on arise 2 write.
Blessings, andrea

Emma said...

I am glad they're back (sorry Max's mom, but they missed you tons). I love the photos from the seaside, but your welcome home mom & family are priceless.

Glad the little ones got a bath, I am sure they hated it :D.


Lots of hugs Max

Emma & family

Heather and Kelly said...

So glad you're back Max! I sure have missed your posts......

D.K. Wall said...

Welcome home to the humans. We are sure you are more fun to be around than any dolphins.

Molly the Airedale said...

We're so glad you're back, Max!
It looks like your hoomans had a great time despite the icky weather.

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Martha said...

Hi Max, welcome back to your humans - it is lovely to see you back in the blogosphere.
From a purely selfish point of view we were missing our South African spectacular pic fixes!
Loved the beach pic at low tide with the lighthouse in the background.
Sorry about the holiday weather but at least it brought your mom back sooner.
love and kisses
Martha & Bailey xxxx

Emma Rose said...

Welcome home to your Mom, Max. That looks like a beautiful place to stay. I'm so sorry the weather was bad. I bet your Mom missed you as much as you missed her!

Kisses,
Emma Rose

KB said...

Welcome home! We missed you but we're glad that your mom got a vacation after all she's been through.

Congrats on getting those stitches out.

And, I love the dolphins! But, I'm sorry about the rain...

Stella said...

Welcome back, Max! Its good to see you and to know those pesky stitches are out!

Please give our good wishes to your Mom too.

Kisses,
Stella

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

And it is good to have WOO bakhk!

So, those sad eyes and kharrying a toy around is a GR thing?

Merdie does that ALL THE TIME!

It is GReat to see woo again!

Glad all of woo are doing well!

Sorry about the weather - but that is one thing hoomans haven't figured how to khontrol!

Please give your mom some H&K from Merdie and me (and my mom too)!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra and Merdie

Ina in Alaska said...

Hi Max! Nice to have you and your Pack back. Sorry your Mom and Dad had such rain, but we enjoyed the dolphins a lot!

houndstooth said...

Max,

I'm sorry your people had bad weather on their vacation, but I'm glad to see you back at the keyboard! Your mom took some awesome pictures!

Bunny

Valerie Cummings said...

Hi Max! Welcome back to your mommy! Her photos are awesome!!! Looks like our kind of place! We are so happy to hear that your stitches are out!!! Hows it healing? Hugs Joey and Kealani

missbreezysbox said...

It is always exciting when loved ones come home. My animals always make me feel guilty when I come home. It looks like you did the same. South Africa looks like a wonderful place. Have a great one-on-one with Mom.

Kryna said...

Great pics and glad you all made it back home safe!

Clive said...

Max!

You're back! We are so happy to have you back! We missed you lots!

Sorry the weather wasn't very nice for your Mom and Dad but those dolphin photos are amazing. Dolphins and whales are hugely important to the NSLM. Might have mentioned that before. So he's very excited sitting here beside us!

Giraffes also though as well - and we're really loving that giraffe! Hope you got our email yesterday. We have a post nearly done but have been out all day and now the NSLM's Mom and Dad are heading out to a charity dinner and still haven't got it posted. Definitely tomorrow!!

But take it that the giraffe is a huge hit!!

Looking forward to seeing lots more wonderful photos.

love and woofs
Clive and Murray

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Good to have you back and too see you looking so well. What a shame your mum and dad's holiday had to be cut short. Awesome pictures of the dolphins. How lovely that they got to see that everyday.. Hugs GJ x

Lorenza said...

Hi, Max!
Too bad they had to cut their vacation but sure great they are back at home with you!
No stitches?? Yeah!
That beach is pawesome!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

ps Did you see South Africa vs Mexico to open the World Championship??

Angel Tucker, Daisy and Leo said...

Hi Max

We missed you. We are glad your mom is back from her vacation, it's too bad they got rained out. Dolphin pictures were cool.

So glad your stitches are out.

Tucker and Daisy

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

WOWOWOOWOOWOOOOOO!!!!
>You're back!!!
We're soooooo happy!!!!!!!!!
We missed you tons!!!!
We can imagine how much you're happy dear Max having your mommy at home with you again!!!
And your stitches are out!!!!!!
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
We loved seeing your sweet and adorable face again!!!
So sorry your mommy found lots of rainy days during her vacation....
But.....Mmmmmmmmmmmm....better for you so they are back home sooner!!!!
YEPPYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
Enjoy your days with your mommy!!!!
Sure she missed you tons!!!!
WE LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!
Tons of love and kisses!!!!
SMACKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!

Kasha The Dainty Great Dane said...

Hi Maxdog and Max's Mom,

Welcome back home and thanks for coming to visit my baby blog. We love reading all about your adventures in South Africa..it's such a beautiful country. Since we will most likely never get there ourselves we love hearing about it from Maxdog the travel guide.

I'm sure you are glad to be home...love the pictures with the writing in the sand (so creative) and I'm glad Maxdog is recovering from his surgery.

AARF Kasha the Dainty Great Dane

Chester said...

Missed you too Maxdog! I wanna go to a beach so I can write my own personal message in the sand too 'cuz I happen to think that's very cool.

Sorry your 2 leggers only had 4 hours of sunshine but she sure took some great pics while it was shining.

You must be healin' if your stitches are gone-Yippeeee!

Keep up the good work, Maxdog!
Chester ;0=)

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Awww, that is too bad about the weather and the vacation but we are glad to see you back, we really missed you. Thanks for sharing the photos of the beautiful beach and the dolphins, we would love to see more. It is funny how we never stop to think that Africa would have beautiful beaches like that.

Woos, Phantom and Thunder

Deborah said...

YEAH! Your back!
First, I want to say I'm so glad your stiches are out!
Too bad your Mom had so much rain. That has happened to me on vacation before. Sun the day you get there and then the day you leave...That drives me batty!
I can't wait to see the pictures. So far, it looks beautiful. I love your Merry Christmas message in the sand! That was great!
Missed you guys!

The Army of Four said...

Hi Max!!! We've missed you SO much! I love all the pictures - especially the ones of YOU, of course! And ooooh, your greeting on the beach is sooo cool!
I'm so glad your stitches are out! Are you feeling good? I hope so!
Love,
Ammy

Yas said...

Hi Buddy!!
Welcome back, we missed you!!!!
Soo happy to hear that your stitches are out! Thanks for the beautiful sandy Christmas message and of those pictures are really magnificent!
Hope to hear more from you!!

Cheers,
Maxx & Mommy

Ms. ~K said...

YAY! It's so good to see you (without stitches) Max!!!
I love Mom's Christmas greeting in the sand and the vacation pictures are beautiful.
I know you're sleeping better with Mom and Dad home!
Big hugs,
Kit

Anonymous said...

Hey Max,
We're glad that your family is all together again. Zim over at the Army of Four had to use the sorrowful eyes the other day also. It works here too. Our mom and dad usually always comwe home a day earlier than planned when they go down to Florida. When they get back they tell us that it's our fault because they missed us. Who'd da thunk it. Glad that your stitches are out but still no scratching or you'll get a cone of shame on your head. GReat to be you.
- TBH&K

Dog By Nature said...

Welcome home! Too bad the weather wasn't better for your trip but we're guessing the pupa are so glad you're home early:)

Mochi and Bali said...

Yay! I'm glad your humans are back and I'm glad your stitches are out! :)

I love all the pics! Especially the ones with you in it!

Mochi

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Hi Max
Sorry your family had bad weather, but we are glad they are home. It must have been such a surprise to see them! And I know you are feeling much better Max- now that the stictches are out.
The pictures you shared are awsome.
Can't wait to see more.
love
tweedles

JD and Max said...

Woo, woo - we're so pleased you're back! We're sorry your mom had bad weather on her holidays but at least it means she's back early - yay!!

Great photos - we can't wait to see more. We're very happy your stitches are out too!

Big schnauzer snuggles - JD and Max.

Golden Samantha said...

Missed you soooo much Max!!! I'm soooo happy to hear that you got your stitches out - hooray! That must feel so much better! And those photos of where your mom stayed looks spectacular! Look forward to seeing more! What a gorgeous spot!
Hugs xo
Sammie

Hoover said...

Hey Max,

So glad to ss you've got your humans back. Great news about your stitches coming out.

Your humans really came home early because they missed you.

Hoover BPD

Moose said...

Sorry about the rain but yay they are home! Glad they returned safely and quickly to you! I work on the water and see dolphins pretty regularly and every time it is exciting and fills me with joy! I know captains who have been on the water for most of their lives and it is the same for them. It never gets old! Interesting they can avoid the nets- they are smart for sure.
Thanks for the tour as usual!
Moose + Dana
p.s. Yay for stitches out! I am so glad this horrible thing has ended so well when it could have been so much worse. hugs!

Sierra Rose said...

Oh hi!!! So great to visit. What a fantastic and beautiful place there on the easter coast. Would love to visit the area sometime!
Glad to have your special hoomans back...always feels so good, and relaxing to have them nearby!
Look forward to more holiday photos!

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

Cocorue said...

hey Maxi, wouldn't it be great to be running and writing messages on the sand.....*dreaming*

i'm not sorry your mumster had to cut short their hols - i KNEW they wouldn't have enjoyed without you

i just hope she's rested abit; but you should keep a keep an eye on her as she may still be leaking and she'd never tell you she's still sad...

chikisses

Nika + PARKER said...

Good for you Maxdog that the vacation was cut short, not so good for your humans. Thanks fort he photos though, looks great to me. And the dolphins...nice! Glad you got your stitches out and are doing much better.