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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

Thursday, May 20, 2010

DAY 103

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
MAXMOM here...

Another beautiful winter’s sunrise!

It's been a glorious sunny day here in Johannesburg, South Africa
and the 'Max'  temperature  has been 20 degrees centigrade.

Our evenings are spent together comfortably watching television,
 whilst a gas heater pumps its warmth into the high ceiling of our sitting room.
The dogs are usually sprawled out all over the carpet in a totally relaxed state.

Later at night we settle into comfortable beds donned with the necessary feather duvets to ward off the chill.
The dogs have their own bed in the corner of our bedroom...
 
It’s certainly not soup weather yet!
 – that is reserved for the months of June and July – but there’s a definite chill in the evening air.

During the day we dress in layers and gradually strip off as the sun rises and warms the day.

Thanks to MAXDOG...
 our pool is still in use but we have put our own swimming costumes in the back of the cupboards.

Every time I leave the premises, Max uses the opportunity to have a dip. There must be a degree of separation anxiety with my departure - what other reason would a dog have to climb into a really COLD pool? Once I’m home however he’s back at my feet like a leech and follows me around as I go about my homely tasks

In this kind of weather, the air becomes dry and soaks up any lurking moisture.
Our pool's water level drops significantly at this time of the year and this is the first evidence of generally dry conditions. Evaporation plays a large role in our increased water bill at month end and we have to fill up the pool on a weekly basis so that the water level doesn’t drop below the mosaics.
The redbilled woodhoepoes have returned to our garden to taunt our TAMMY-GIRL with their cackling laughter. It's quite a site to see. They are cheeky birds with very little fear of canines. They hang into the bark of trees, not far from ground level and announce their presence in the neighbourhood...

 Usually TAMMY-GIRL is outside on the patio soaking up the sun...

 ...but this quickly changes when the birds are around.
She takes up a belligerent expression as she patrols the garden in a vain attempt to bark them off the premises.
KING TOFFEE follows suite and attempts a TAMMY-GIRL impersonation...


MAXDOG watches their antics from the comfort of the patio door.

Yes, winter is definitely here!

---xXx---

Some surprises arrived in the post yesterday evening.
There was a cheerful postcard from RILEY’s mom (all the way in New Zealand)....

(sorry about the 'blur'...I just don't seem to get these kinds of photos right!)
...and I also received a wonderful little gift book from


“FOR EVERY DOG AN ANGEL” by Christine Davis

Thank you so much to my friends for their thoughtfulness.
 It is greatly appreciated!

Sending all our fur-friends lotsaluv with the wish for a happy day.

33 comments:

3 doxies said...

Hehehe, that impersonation just cracks me up.
That is just udderly weird that it is winter time there and so hot and humid here...bind blowing I tell ya.
Max, I hopes you have a ost wonderful day today and I hopes you eat too cuz you needs your energy so you can thump your tail and go fur a walkie.
Ya'll wil be in our thoughts and prayers.
Puddles

Two French Bulldogs said...

Max we are starting to think you are just fine. You go for swims when mom is not home? We think you guys might be having pawtys too. BOL What lovely presents you got. Keep swimming Max and have lots of fun in the cool weather
Benny & Lily

Unknown said...

Love the presents. How sweet!

Sounds like yet another good day in South african for Max and Co.

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

What great gifts!
Love the photos, Max looks so handsome :)

D.K. Wall said...

We love all of the seasons, but love the winter the most. With our temperatures climbing, we miss our snow! Enjoy the pool. A dip in the cold water sounds really nice. - The Herd

P.S. - The humans say something about the warmth is nice. Pffffft.

Scout and Freyja said...

Looks like Toffee has his TammyGirl imitation down PURRfect!

kissa-bull said...

oh those birds would drive ush cwazy for sure!!! we have enuff wiff the twee rats that tries to invade our yawd . laughing birds would just about shend ush ofurr the edge. please to give extra sugars to max for ush and lotsa kisses to the rest of the pack. please to keep some for you ash well

pibble wiggles
the pittie pack

Sheila and Bob said...

That is one big bed, and boy does it look comfy.
It seems funny to say that soup weather is June & July, that is when we need ice tea.
We can't imagine what our two would do if they ever saw one of those
redbilled woodhoepoes.
Keep warm and Hug the furry ones a lot.


Sheila & Bob

Amy & the house of cats said...

Hi Maxdog and Maxmom! We have been terrible about keeping up our visits lately - we are so excited for day 103! I was wondering if maybe the cool water is soothing to Max - I know if I am not feeling well and am a bit warm a cool bath is nice - maybe it is the same for him. We are so glad that he is still feeling good and hope that it continues for a very long time!

We are as always sending over lots of purrs and prayers!

Valerie Cummings said...

WOW! We have never seen a bird like that! And its in your backyard???? Whoa! It looks so exotic!!! What a wonderful picture of King Toffee! And Tammy guarding the yard as Max looks on....Happy Day 103! Each day is a celebration!!!! Hugs Joey and Kealani

Heather and Kelly said...

That woodhoepoe is one IMPRESSIVE looking bird!! Just gorgeous with that iridescent plumage...

Thinking of you and Max on his 103rd day of grace!

Heather and Ellie

MySpecialDoggies said...

Apples Neeli & I just want to say hello to you, Max & your family. We too are enjoying a beautiful spring day in Philadelphia and hope that the sun shines on you always.

Hugs & licks,
Nadine, Apples & Neeli

Golden Samantha said...

Very kind pressies and cards from thoughtful bloggie pals! So many changes in the winter - that bird is so exotic-looking to us here - wow! Love the image of Toffee and Tammy barking and chasing it to no avail! But adore the bed photo, dogs cuddled with each other atop feather duvets???? Wowzers - you lucky pups! Is Toffee in there or not? I thought I could see a lil one with white fur, but could be a toy or pillow hehehee! Happy 103rd, Max!
Hugs and Hugs xoxoxo
Sammie

Andrea said...

Maxx,
Mom and I love seeing the picture of you guys snuggling together. So sweet. Keep hanging in there and know there are many humans and furry kids praying for you.
woofs and wags,
sitka

Nika + PARKER said...

Max is inviting others over to for a pool party when you are not home : )

Enjoy your day.

PS: thanks for the Bday wishes!

Ms. ~K said...

What an amazing bird to have as a backyard visitor.
I'm thankful for the "peace" of your lives. Please give all the pups a hug for me...I love them all!
Kit

houndstooth said...

King Toffee, I don't think your impression is going to scare off those big birds! I'm just saying!

It's always soup weather!

Bunny and her mom

Jake of Florida said...

Based on our experiences with small white dogs who look a lot like King Toffee, we believe, if anyone is going to get that bird's dander, it will be he!

We're having a very hard time thinking of June and July in terms of cold weather. We understand it logically -- but emotionally, June is hot and July is hotter. And here in South Florida, May is also sweat dripping down Mom's nose weather when she takes us for our walkies!

Since we're also not too swift at changing centigrade to fahrenheit, we've decided to just accept whatever you say and not worry our doggie brains with it!! Just be one with Mother Nature!!

Wirey love,

Jake and Just Harry

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that Tammy-girl is protecting the backyard from those horrid birds with their cackling and such!

I've heard some dogs actually LIKE to swim in cold pools of water. Not me! I'm a land lubber for sure!

I like thinking about how your season is so different from ours here. But my mom is still dressing in layers cuz it takes Collie-rado a little longer to warm up than the rest of the country.

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

Piappies World said...

Hello there Max,

King Toffee is really one tough pup! Shoo the birds away.

We hope some of your winter air blows our way. You surely have wonderful seasons in SA.

Great pressies for you. Continue the share the warmth of your love within your pack and pawrents as well us all over the globe.

-Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & the Piappies

the magic sleigh said...

Wooos! Great gifts! Nice that Tammy is doing such a wonderful job guarding the house and yard from those birdies. Mom is laughing about dogs going into cold pools, I swam all winter! I like cold water!
~husky kisses~
-Kira The BeaWootiful

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

So many great photos once again, but our favourite today is the one of Max and Tammy on their bed! They look so comfy!
Woofs,
Tommy

sprinkles said...

What great pressies! It's so nice to get something besides bills in the mail, isn't it?

I love Toffee's impersonation of Tammy! Max is my favorite of all your dogs and Toffee comes in just under him. And then Tammy is just slightly under Toffee. Toffee is just so darn cute and he sounds like he has quite the personality which I absolutely love!

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

It is funny to us that you have to bundle up the most in June and July...when we are shedding things trying to keep cool.

Whatever the weather, it sounds like you are all having a good time.

Still sending you all purrs!

Mrs. JP said...

HEY,,,I love the picture of the three of them.
Those birds are lovely. They remind me of like a dinosaur sized hummingbird.
Love to all of Max's family from his Tennessee friends.

Sierra Rose said...

Hi! Nice to see you all! Always love that fantastic backyard...no matter what the temperature, I know I would be taking a dip :)

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

The Life of Riley said...

I'm glad you liked the postcard. My mum is so impressed that you already have a Kiwi bird (a flightless bird that is our national symbol here in New Zealand) that is just like the Kiwi picture on the front of the card we sent!

Thinking of you lots, and wishing Max a great 103rd day of grace,
Love
Riley

Clive said...

We hope all those football supporters going over to SA from Ireland remember that its 'winter' with you! They have been reminding the supporters in news reports here particularly about it getting chilly in the evening! However your winter is probably about the same as our summer so it will not be that different!

Great excitment building up here about the football - shame all our supporters have no national team to shout for ....

Glad to see you still enjoying the pool, Max!

lots of love
Clive and Murray

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

MaxDog is just so smart - why waste his energy barking at those pesky birds when he knows he can't get them anyway. We just love that soulful expression he always has on his face.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Jacqueline said...

Lovely photos...It's nice to see them all together...That's a wild looking bird; I can imagine it makes Tammy a little crazy with it's taunts!...Toffee is too cute trying to impersonate Tammy's attitude!...Max has such loving, wise eyes; it's as if his soul is so full of love you can see it through his eyes...Blessings and love.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Happy 103 day MAX!!

It is so hard to imagine that your side of the world is slowing down for the winter, and our side of the world is waking up.
What an awsome long tailed birdie
love
tweedles

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

it sounds like yoo had a lovely day. Keep enjoying each day ~ it's all any of us can do.

My Mind's Eye said...

Happy Friday Max Dog and Mom....
wonderful pictures of you all...the bird was quite a treat never heard of or seen one before.
Max we send you a big hug,
Madi and Mom