BLog

Singing the new Pet Blues

Getting a pet is a joyful, exciting, and fulfilling experience. So why do you feel like you’ve made the biggest mistake of your life, and want nothing more than to take the animal back from where it came? Emotions of doubt, anxiety, regret, sadness, panic, and simply being overwhelmed can overshadow the anticipated happiness of having a new furry, feathered or scaled companion, leaving you feeling guilty and desperate. Many

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Fascinating Sloth Facts

Sloths are divided into two main categories: two-toed and three-toed sloths, which are distinguished by the number of claws on their forelimbs. The scientific name for sloths is Bradypus variegatus (three-toed sloth) and Choloepus didactylus (two-toed sloth). They belong to the family Bradypodidae and are part of the order Pilosa. There are six species of sloths currently recognized. The six species of sloths include: the two-toed sloth, the three-toed sloth,

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Top Tips for pets to be calm and safe this firework season

by Bryony Van Niekerk Remember, remember the 5th of November. With the end of year fast approaching that means it is almost time for the dreaded fireworks to start- Guy Fawkes Day on 5 November and then Christmas and New Years. Thankfully, South Africa doesn’t seem to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day anymore- at least here in Gauteng anyway. To be honest I had to Google who he was and it’s

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Triumphs and Tails with Tracy

Nestled within the lush landscapes of South Africa, Dog Town SA has blossomed into a renowned sanctuary for dogs in need, a testament to its founder Tracy McQuarrie’s unwavering dedication to animal welfare. Tracy’s journey with Dog Town began unexpectedly; she was deeply moved by a TV show that highlighted the compassionate work at Dogtown, an animal sanctuary in Utah, USA. Determined to bring similar standards of care to South

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Fascinating Axolotl Facts

Axolotls are not fish but amphibians from the family Ambystomatidae (order Caudata). Their scientific name is Ambystoma mexicanum. The name ‘axolotl’ comes from the Nahuatl language, meaning ‘water dog’. They are part of a group of salamanders known as mole salamanders due to their burrowing behaviour. They are lentic, meaning they inhabits still-water lakes. They are native to freshwater lakes like Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in Mexico City. Axolotls

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Top Tips for Holidaying with your pets

by Bryony Van Niekerk There have been quite a few changes to our household over the last few years which has resulted in two new dog additions. We went from spending the better part of 12 years with two travel savvy and ready dogs to Oliver and Spencer who both don’t know how to sit still in a car. Our easy holidays have turned into somewhat of a palaver. Before

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Brent on paws and positivity

I think it was Sarah Ban Breathnach who famously said, “The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all the world needs dreamers that do.” This is what I think of when I think of Brent Lindeque, the man behind Good Things Guy. Brent has carved out a unique space in the media landscape as the man behind “Good News.” With a platform dedicated to uplifting stories

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Pets Need a Break too

BY BRIAN BERKMAN Luxury travel writer, brian berkman, searches out the fabulous and often affordable options available to you and your pets. Julie, his rescued mixed-breed doggie-daughter, insists on joining them. The Karoo Art Hotel provides the perfect pet holiday. This is one time when being in the Dog Box is a good thing. Just ask Julie after we spent a blissful weekend in Barrydale in the Klein Karoo. Barrydale

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Fascinating Blue Crane Facts

The Blue Crane is the national bird of South Africa. It’s also known as the Stanley crane and the Paradise crane. The scientific name “Anthropoides paradiseus” means “paradise crane” in Latin, possibly referring to their almost angelic appearance. The scientific name for the blue crane is Anthropoides paradiseus. There are fifteen species of cranes in the world, belonging to the family Gruidae in the order Gruiformes. Most blue cranes live

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Top Tips for Creating a pet memory book

by Bryony Van Niekerk In this digital age all our memories, moments and achievements are all tied up on our phone, social media pages or in a cloud somewhere. We no longer have anything tangible or physical to show anyone. Say what you want, but there is something so nostalgic about paging through a photo album and reminiscing about the times captured in a particular photograph. If you are anything

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Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis

Legacy in Leadership Interviewing and writing about the Mayor of Cape Town is no small task, especially when the individual is as influential as Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. He’s not only renowned and smart, but he’s also a really nice guy! After a lot of schedule-checking and back and forth with his team, we were stoked when we got the green light to go ahead with the interview and photoshoot. I

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Fascinating Aardwolf Facts

The aardwolves belong to the sub-family Hyaeninae and its scientific name is Proteles cristatus. Despite its name, the aardwolf is a member of the hyena family, but it is not a true wolf or a dog. The name “aardwolf” is derived from the Afrikaans and Dutch words meaning “earth wolf,” emphasizing their digging behaviour. Aardwolves are found primarily in Eastern and Southern Africa, in grassland and savanna habitats. The aardwolves

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Top Tips for interacting with Service Animals

by Bryony Van Niekerk It’s no secret that I love dogs, cats, rats, pandas, giraffes. Basically, any animal that I encounter I just want to reach out and cuddle (even if it is a big murder kitty a.k.a a lion). So, when it comes to service dogs, I seriously have to reign myself in and fight every instinct to not let out a high-pitched squeal of, ‘you are soooooo cute!’

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A Tribute To Pigcasso

As I sit down to write this tribute, memories flood back of the day I had the privilege of meeting Joanne Lefson and her beloved pig, Pigcasso. It was a day filled with unexpected twists and turns, but amidst it all, one thing remained constant – the remarkable bond between a woman and her animals. To everyone on the team’s delight, the barn was everything we dreamed of. There were

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Francois on family + fame

Balancing the demands of a flourishing music career with the responsibilities of family life is a delicate art that South African pop/rock sensation Francois van Coke has mastered over the years. In a candid interview, Francois shares insights into how he navigates the ebbs and flows of fame while staying grounded in the warmth of family. When Francois agreed to do this interview, I was obviously beside myself. Not just

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Top Tips for dealing with pet parent guilt

by Bryony Van Niekerk Hello, my name is Bryony and I suffer from dog mom guilt. I feel guilty if we don’t go on a walk everyday (even if there is a literal flood). I feel guilty for leaving my dogs alone when I need to go out. I feel guilty for feeding them ‘junk food’ on occasion. I feel guilty for not being able to provide equal attention to

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Fascinating Grasshopper Facts

Grasshoppers and Locust belong to the order Orthoptera, which also includes crickets and katydids. Locusts are actually species of short-horned grasshoppers. Grasshoppers existed long before dinosaurs. Fossils date back to the Carboniferous period, which shows that the primitive grasshoppers first appeared more than 320 million years ago. Grasshoppers sometimes “spit” brown liquid to defend themselves from predators. Some people say grasshopper’s spit “tobacco juice,” probably because grasshoppers have been associated

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Pets Need a Break too

BY BRIAN BERKMAN Luxury travel writer, brian berkman, searches out the fabulous and often affordable options available to you and your pets. Julie, his rescued mixed-breed doggie-daughter, insists on joining them. Belmond Mount Nelson now welcomes dogs & cats Brian Berkman says you can now take your best friend to one of Cape Town’s best hotels Afternoon Tea at Cape Town’s gracious pink lady, Belmond Mount Nelson, began like it

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The Best Training Treats for Your Dog

Healthy Options and Homemade Delights Training your dog is a rewarding experience, and using the right treats can make all the difference. Choosing healthy and delicious treats not only motivates your furry friend but also ensures their overall well-being. In this article, we’ll explore the best training treats for your dog, emphasizing the importance of health and providing you with some simple and nutritious homemade options. The Importance of Healthy

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Top Tips for making your garden pet friendly

Depending on where you are situated in the country, you are either still stuck in perpetual winter, just stepping into spring or gone straight into full blown summer (us Gauteng-a-lengs are melting!). Regardless, this is the time of year where you start to try and turn your brown crispy grass into a luscious green lawn and plant some beautiful seasonal flowers. Unfortunately though, what is good for your garden is

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Fascinating Sloth Facts

Sloths are divided into two main categories: two-toed and three-toed sloths, which are distinguished by the number of claws on their forelimbs. The scientific name

Read More »

Fascinating Axolotl Facts

Axolotls are not fish but amphibians from the family Ambystomatidae (order Caudata). Their scientific name is Ambystoma mexicanum. The name ‘axolotl’ comes from the Nahuatl

Read More »

Pets Need a Break too

BY BRIAN BERKMAN Luxury travel writer, brian berkman, searches out the fabulous and often affordable options available to you and your pets. Julie, his rescued

Read More »

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis

Legacy in Leadership Interviewing and writing about the Mayor of Cape Town is no small task, especially when the individual is as influential as Mayor

Read More »

Fascinating Aardwolf Facts

The aardwolves belong to the sub-family Hyaeninae and its scientific name is Proteles cristatus. Despite its name, the aardwolf is a member of the hyena

Read More »

Francois on family + fame

Balancing the demands of a flourishing music career with the responsibilities of family life is a delicate art that South African pop/rock sensation Francois van

Read More »

Fascinating Grasshopper Facts

Grasshoppers and Locust belong to the order Orthoptera, which also includes crickets and katydids. Locusts are actually species of short-horned grasshoppers. Grasshoppers existed long before

Read More »

Pets Need a Break too

BY BRIAN BERKMAN Luxury travel writer, brian berkman, searches out the fabulous and often affordable options available to you and your pets. Julie, his rescued

Read More »