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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

Friday, April 2, 2010

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A CHOCOLATE BOX DOG!...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
MAXDOG here...
 


Hello there to all my furry friends from around the globe!!!

 
It is WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY here in South Africa today!...
 
This post is especially dedicated to the
NOT-SO-LITTLE-MAN (NSLM), MURRAY in Ireland!!!
We would like to take the opportunity of wishing all our blogging friends a truly
 
H A P P Y   E A S T E !!!
 
We will not be blogging until Tuesday due to family committments over the weekend, so  we  thought we'd make it up by showing you something special for you today...
 
So here goes...
 
Last week Kim (from Golden Pines) allerted us to the fact she'd seen, in the news (in the USA),that the World's Largest Chocolate easter bunny was on display at one of our
 SOUTH AFRICAN shopping centres..the famous...
 
SANDTON CITY
 


(I know this picture looks pretty gloomy with all the rain we've had,
but SANDTON CITY is "the" shopping centre in
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
 It is surrounded by a number of upper-class hotels such as the Michaelangelo Hotel...)


 
Anyway... today the "Boss" and "MAXMOM' went in search
...of the World's Largest Easter Bunny...
 
Their search began in overcast and rainy weather...
 

 
???
 
They had heard that a new world record had been set, in our city, for the world's
 
LARGEST CHOCOLATE EASTER BUNNY!
 
Apparently this particular bunny, sponsored by "Duracell"
weighed in at 2721 kilograms and was 3.82 meters tall.
 
Where was it???
 
The Peeps searched and searched ..???
 
and when they got to Sandton City, they discovered that
oops....they had missed it!...(Sob!)??
 
Oh Dear!...
 
It had been removed from the shopping centre a couple of days ago..
The good news is that you can view it ...
 
HERE!
 
 
Please don't go yet!!!.... my story is only just beginning...!!!
 
You see, sometimes when you search for something specific, you are pleasantly surprised by something unexpected...
 

 
Whilst searching for this elusive Giant Bunny, MAXMOM , found a wonderful display of delectable, delicious and decadently desirable Easter Goodies...
 
This display, in one of the forecourts of SANDTON CITY, was presented by
 
GELDOF CHOCOLATES (SOUTH AFRICA)
 
 


MAXMOM was enthralled at all the wonderful chocolate goodies on offer...
as well as all the folk in green T-shirts representing
NATIONAL AUTISM DAY!!!

Murray...there were chocolate doggies too...!

Millions of chocolate bunnies...

Chocolate Easter Eggs...


Yes...you are correct! That egg on the left is HUGE!!!
It weighs up to 14kg!
Here is another BIG egg...

(The little yellow duckies are actually money boxes)

Yet another giant egg...


Not only do Geldof make delicious chocolate,
BUT they also sponsor a charity called..
(an organisation which assists with head/brain injured patients)

Soccer World Cup fever is all about,
so they aptly offer little chocolate soccer boots and soccer balls too...

Everything is beautifully presented and so appealing to children and adults alike...

Whilst MAXMOM was looking at the display, she met a lovely lady, "Alex" who told her all about


 It is a South African Company, but they import the chocolate from overseas and manufacture the bunnies, eggs and individual chocolate here.
Geldof have a number of displays and shops in the various shopping centres around our city.
Here is one at CRESTA SHOPPING CENTRE...



Back at SANDTON CITY however, MAXMOM was marvelling at the big eggs whilst talking to "Alex"...

MAXMOM told Alex about all my blogging friends around the world so she gave Mom the opportunity to go inside the mini-chocolate factory to take some pictures for you all...

This is the white chocolate mixing machine...
Once the chocolate is mixed it gets put into moulds...

...and then the moulds get put into a fridge to cool down...

After that they are removed from the moulds, the chocolates are filled and then individually wrapped...

Doesn't this basket look absolutely delightful!?!...
(I always think of the NSLM when I see those yellow chickens!)


Well it really was a pawsome display of Geldof Easter Goodies!!!

The surrounding shops in Sandton City have many SOUTH AFRICAN things for sale at the moment.
Obviously the Soccer World Cup is on everyone's minds.
Look at our Soccer World cup mascot...Zakumi...

...and all the funny hats which are for sale...


But the Geldof display was really the best...!

Thank you to Alex for showing my bloggie-buddies around!


I have always wanted to be a Chocolate Box Dog!

...and THANK YOU for the chocolates too!...

 
 Unfortunately I personally can't report on them,
(Sadly chocolate isn't good for dogs...sob!)
 
BUT
 
MAXMOM says they are...
 
Delightfully, delectably, drooly DELICIOUS!
 
H A P P Y   E A S T E R   E V E R Y O N E ! ! !
 
This is my...
55th day of Grace!!!
 
Lotsalicks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
 

44 comments:

Heather and Kelly said...

Wow, we're lucky your mom got a tour there! All those chocolates are making me drool....

houndstooth said...

Happy Easter, Maxdog!

I think you've reduced my mom to a mass of quivering mush at the thought of all that chocolate. I got her to give me a little taste once, and oh boy, that stuff is delicious! Thank you for sharing...I think. Now I need to go keep an eye on Mom!

Bunny

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

Chocolate is soo pawesome... I think - my mom tells me it is :)

Having a chocolate tour would be great, wonder if they allow guide dogs??

Toby

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

What a wonderful and delightful store. They were very nice to give your Mom the special tour. Of course, MaxDog, you are always a special sweet to us. We send wishes to you and your family for a happy and holy Easter. God bless.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Piappies World said...

Thank you for taking us to the chocolate tour today. Happy Easter to you and your pack and of course to Maxdog Mom and Mr. Boss!!!

The giant bunny is incredible too. Mommy sure got craving for sweets right now.

As we observe Holy Week, we constantly pray for you dear friend. Happy 55th day of grace. Have a good weekend to you all.

-Fudgie, Princess & the Piappies

Rufus and Indie said...

Pawsome post, Max!
All that chocolat...wow! Too bad your mommy missed the giant bunny!
We can't wait for the World Cup, our national team is playing and we just think they are very lucky to go to a country as beautiful as yours!

Happy Easter!

Angus said...

Great photos.It was almost as if we were there. Have an awful feeling that the Mongeese will be wearing those awful hats in a few months .

Ms. ~K said...

I gained 5 pounds just looking at all this chocolate!!!
Max, you're sweeter than any chocolate!

I'm heading to Florida for a week at the beach with the Girlfriends!

Happy Easter to the entire family.
Hugs,
Kit

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

Thank you for that wonderful chocolaty tour. It all looked very delicious!

We wish you all a Happy Easter. To our dear friend Max, we wish peaceful slumbers, endless cuddles, and sunshine to lie in over the weekend (our weather here is appalling...).

Woofs, Purrs and Hugs,
Tommy, all the "Chans" and #1

Jake of Florida said...

Having once gotten into a box (allegedly doggie proof) where Mom had stashed away two dozen or more individually wrapped Ghiardelli chocolates, I can pawsonally testify that chocolate is yummers. Mom came home from shopping and found a trail of wrappers on the floor. As her heart almost stopped, she sniffed each of our breaths and concluded that I was the perp. She called the vet and, from the emoty wrappers, told him how much chocolate I must have eaten and reminded him of my weight. He told her he thought I'd be OK -- but to watch me. Thank doG, I was fine -- but the proof of the crime emerged a day or so later: a small piece of red Ghiardelli dark chocolate wrapper amidst the you know what!

Can't fool mother nature -- or DogMom!!

Loved your post, Max, and all the excitement that is building up for the World Cup! Have you seen the commercial with the African animals and the soccer ball?

Wirey woofs and licking lips,

Jake of Florida

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

Mom is drooling all ovFUR my laptop now!!!

Thanks fur sharing that great tour with all those special sweets and special khontributions!!!

What a pawesome and furry tasty post!

Life with 'us' is truly like Forrest Gump's Mama always said!

Hoppy Weekend!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Anonymous said...

Wowza! Thank you for taking us on that Most Amazing tour! It's kinda sad that dogs are allergic to chocolate cuz it looks SOOOO nummy! And that really big bunny? Whoa! I hopes I NEVER sees one that big in real life! I'd probably just faint right then and there.

I hopes you and your mom have a beautiful day, dear Max!

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

Jacqueline said...

Amazing chocolates!...Sweet Max, I hope you and your family have a very Happy Easter weekend together...Blessings and love to you all.

Sheila and Bob said...

Wow !!!!
All that chocolate makes our Mom & Dad's mouth water.
What a great tour guide your Mom is.
Have a Wonderful Easter weekend.
Many, many more days of grace to you.


Hamish & Sophie

Angus said...

Max - Thank you for the kind invite. Sadly, it's not likely to be us but the Mongeese who are in your neck of the woods. Three Rugby playing pre-meds are not the height of sophistication but they do know about Toffee and Max!

Lorenza said...

Hi, Max!
Your family missed the giant bunny but they found many other pawesome things!
All that chocolate! I don't know why my mom is drooling....!
Happy Easter to all of you too!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Jans Funny Farm said...

We're drooling with you after that chocolate introduction. We hope your mom substituted a treat you can actually eat for the ones she took back and ate herself.

Happy Easter.

Anonymous said...

I hope you and your family have a very Happy Easter weekend together!

We saw the giant bunny on tv here in Oregon too!

Hugs and Kisses, Tessa

the booker man said...

happy easter to you and yours, mr. max!!
thanks for the most excellent tour of geldhof chocolates. my mama would sure like to get her hands on some of those yummy chocolatey treatsies. heehee.
*woof*
the booker man

meowmeowmans said...

What a great story ... we almost feel as though we were actually there with you! Happy Easter to you Max, and your whole family. :) Woofs and purrs!

How Sam Sees It said...

Suddenly, I am really craving chocolate. Enjoy your weekend!

Sam

Sierra Rose said...

Yay for 55th day of GRACE! And, we have the rainies here too. :(
And...yummmmm!!! Chocolate overload, drooling for chocolate.
Have a really wonderful Easter!

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

Ina in Alaska said...

With apologies to the Mango Man..... I am slobbering.... the chocolate tour was simply devine!! Thanks and Happy Easter to all!! xoxoxo

Anna the GSD said...

Wow, your post has made mom's tummy start to rumble and her to start scouring the house looking for any sort of chocolate...she maybe going to the store soon to get some choclate noms!!!

Clive said...

Hi Maxdog and family

We were so honoured to have you dedicate your post today to the NSLM and World Autism Awareness Day! Thank you so much for helping to spread the message!

You won't believe it ... but by a lovely coincidence - your yellow lion t-shirt arrived in the post this morning. Murray is absolutely thrilled with it!

All that chocolate has the NSLM ever more excited about the Easter Bunny! He loves going on his easter egg hunt!

Have a lovely Easter with all the family Max,
with love and best wishes from all of us here in Dublin
Clive and family

Unknown said...

Happy 55th day and happy Easter.
Cheers
Twinkie

Anonymous said...

Wow! That chocolate looked so good. My mouth is watering right now.

Paws & Whiskers,
Jude,Poo,Babybella,Piper & Marley

Yas said...

Hi Max!
Wow all that chocolate tour's making me hyper!! Thanks for sharing it!
Have a great easter weekend!

Cheers,
Maxx

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Jeepers that must have been a huge easter bunny to carry in those extra large eggs.
Oh mommy said her mouth is watering,.
Thank you for showing us the awsome displays . They were spectacular.
Happy 55th day of Grace my Max friend and Happy Easter to your family.
love
tweedles

sprinkles said...

I think I've just gained 50 pounds just looking at all the chocolately goodness in all of your pictures! Yum!!!!!

Happy Easter to you and your family!

Sally said...

That was avery drooly blog - we want chocolate! Those were great photos - did you leave with armfuls of chocolate eggs? I know D would have ....

Lots of licks
Sally and Paddy

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

HAPPY EASTER to yoo all and espeshully Max.

After all those chocky pics our mom is now craving chocolate!

Molly the Airedale said...

Our mom loves the white chocolate best! Thanks for the tour, Max!
Happy Easter to all of you!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

kks said...

now that is a lot of chocolate!!
happy easter to you!!
xoxo

Mrs. JP said...

How would one possible go about even starting to eat an egg that big?? I'd have to go to the tool box wash and dry the chisel and hammer and have a go at it! It would be a labor of love because I LOVE CHOCOLATE. Oh, and the factory where everything is made with love.
BLESSED EASTER TO YOU AND YOURS FROM THE HOLLER.

Scout and Freyja said...

Max,n our momma said that she thinks she gained ten pounds just looking at the photos of this most wonderfully sweet post!

We wish you and yours the best Easter in all of South Africa. We will do the same here in northern Michigan☺

BRUTUS said...

That was one delicious-looking post!! Happy Easter MAX!!!

Bunny-eared Snorts-
Brutus the Frenchie

pibble said...

Max, I LOVE white chocolate! I almost ate my computer screen. I hope you and your family have the happiest of Easters!

Donna said...

Those candies are awesome! I wish I could have some. :)

I am so glad u are enjoyin Easter. Woof woof. :) Hugs!

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

What a display .. Thank you for showing us around.. It all looks yummy. Alas I cant taste either because mum says it is not good for cats either.. Hugs GJ xx

My Mind's Eye said...

Happy Easter Max and Max Mom,
thank you for sharing all the 'sweet' pictures. Now we are both very hungry.
Madi and Mom

Dexter said...

That looks like heaven to us. Wow! All that fancy chocolate! Nommy!

Slobbers,
Mango

Dean Grey said...

Hope you had a Happy Easter, Max!!

-Dean

Anonymous said...

Hey Max,
Please tell Ms. Caryl and The Boss how much we enjoyed the tour of shopping centers and Easter displays. (Is "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen?) That sure was a GIGANTIC chocolate bunny. It was very nice of Ms. Alex to give your mom the guided tour so that we all could see how that chocolate is molded. The only one of us that has had a significant amount of chocolate is J.E.B. He once ate a whole baking dish of chocolate brownies. Dr. Witter had mom give him some ipecac and then he spent about 6 hours out on the deck doing his thing. Dad was able to just hose everything away. It's good think that our mom isn't a dog because she's a chocoholic.
We always have autism awareness day here whenever we read about Clive and the NSLM. Clive, like you'll, has truly enlightened us about things that we knew so little about. It's a good thing that the world took time to recognize the special attributes and requirements of autistic people throughout the world.
We are glad to see you enjoying your extended period of Grace and hope it continues for a GReat deal more. As always Max, we hold you and yours close tgo our hearts and in our prayers.
- TBH&K