What a jam packed week, I have just sat down to write this and can't believe how much has happened! Still plenty of wine and work as last week (well as always)...
"A leopard never changes its spots." - Anon
[A quote and pun in one, oh dear, oh dear!]
We have had more new arrivals, our TV show premiered and there has been some crazy animal behavior!
Here are our new arrivals....
| "Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms" - | |
George Eliot
|
Sebastian Julius Mongoose
(a yellow mongoose handed to us by a man that ran over an oryx accidentally - unless I have mixed up two stories here - and yes running over an oryx must be a fairly scary experience!)
We also have two new and adorable jack russell pups Alfie and his brother Noodle, below is Alfie curled up on my knee.
Far too many baby animals around at the moment, everyone's mothering instincts seem to be coming out, and that's just the chaps!
"The purity of a person's heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals" - anon
As you can see there are lots of cute animals wandering around, however whats in the box in the office?
Awesome, a baby cape cobra!
(On a wildlife sanctuary in Africa, always ask the question, never just peek)
This new arrival was set free on a nearby farm - its nice to give your neighbours a present from time to time!
"The manner of giving is worth more than the gift." - Pierre Corneille, Le Menteur
Bobby the baboon is getting bigger and bolder, he is becoming really cheeky and taking more and more risks, like heading from the lappa (kitchen) to food prep on his own on the other side of the compound, approaching the bigger volunteers and staff, which was especially hilarious today as he was screaming and running up to one of our 6ft something big Afrikaans fellas. The other day he was on top of a chair and he and Benny (zebra) were sniffing each other - I am sure they are so used to us kissing them that they were greeting each other as we greet them.
(Spot the anthropomorphism!)
The boldest thing he did this week though was to attempt giving Cubbie the baby cheetah 'the eye' (an aggressive baboon threat) and climb up his fence. Having slipped a disc three times last year I have not moved quite that fast in a while, but needless today we still have a baboon in one piece!
"It's hard to be brave when you are a very small animal" - anon
[unless you are a baboon]
Benny the Zebra is growing stronger and healthier too. One evening this week everyone had gone to bed and I was the only one up feeding him, it was a very still evening and I could hear Meatball out lion roaring, echoing all round the courtyard. In the dark at about midnight when no one is about you do start to wonder if he could just be strolling about looking for some dinner. I have to admit I did have a little moment thinking about how vulnerable life is! I nearly ended up staying inBenny's bedroom, never mind him in mine!
Tuesday evening was the premier of our new 13 part TV show Wild Animal Orphans, so we all went up to the Directors house for a braai, a few drinks and to see the show. Lovely evening, and great to see the show on the farm and in the house where it was filmed, with all the staff and volunteers and three dogs (one puppy), one baboon and the usual chaos, where better to watch it?!
“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill
Thursday was a successful day spent in town, picking up a donation of 2 computers and printers, unsuccessfully looking for a pressie for Brad and Angie, meeting a supporter who runs a local radio station, running errands and squeezing in a lekker breakfast of Eggs Benedict!
"Sure it's a big job; but I don't know anyone who can do it better than I can." - John F. Kennedy
Thursday saw the escape of four of the adult baboons into the junior camp and two of the juniors out into the wider compound. Bloomie the junior alpha decided there was no way she would be acting as protector and hopped straight out. Luckily all the staff were relaxing over a few beers by the staff bedrooms and all jumped into action, other staff from the houses heard the commotion and ran down and slowly order was restored with only one casualty - one of our adult baboons took some bites and a nasty shock from the fence and had to be rushed to Windhoek for expert veterinary care, she is now recovering really well though.
This is my weekend off, so hoping for a lovely lie in...
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday morning's alarm clock, twelve sheep outside my window - baaaaaaaaa!
Well, I am up so I might as well go enjoy myself!
Swimming in Cheetah Dam, the open water compulsion kicks in and despite being in white I plunge right into the large orange puddle...
[Thinking about the nurse back at home who said not to paddle with bare feet, or drink milk, or swim in water that's not flowing, and to 'exercise caution' at all times, yeah yeah blah blah]
"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one." - Dr. Seuss
One swim, one raft race and several mud fights later....white is now not so white.... mum can I send my washing home please?!)
I dont think that will be worn off the farm again !!
"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way."- Mark Twain
The below image is the sort of thing we are used to here, the animals get involved in everything, meal times, day to day activities and farm work.... welding with a baboon on your back, totally normal!
Just for a change there is a storm on the way...
"It's hard to be brave when you are a very small animal" - anon
[especially when you are a dog and there is a storm coming, hiding under the bed seems a good option - poor Jaci]
Met some very inspirational new supporters this week who have really lived life to the full, taken all their opportunities, embraced life, and given so much back. I want to hit their age and have the same type of stories to tell. Perhaps I already do?
"Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to give something back by becoming more" - Anthony Robbins
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