BLog

PETS NEED A Break too!
Julie Berkman-Fluckiger allowed her fathers to accompany her to the fabulous ASARA Estate in Stellenbosch. The welcome begins at the neatly paved, oak-tree lined driveway where guests are announced by the security guard. By the time one has reached the long albeit gentle drive to ASARA’s reception the team is ready to help park and attend to luggage. “Is this Julie our VIP guest,” one of the staff enquires looking

Fascinating Mantis Shrimp Facts
The mantis shrimp is a marine crustacean known for its powerful, lightning-fast claws and belongs to the order Stomatopoda. This order includes various species across multiple families, such as the family Stomatopodidae. One well-known species is the peacock mantis shrimp, Odontodactylus scyllarus, famous for its vibrant colors and striking speed. Mantis shrimp are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, commonly inhabiting coral reefs, rockyshores, and sandy bottoms.

Crafting For A Cause Easy DIY Pet Projects That Give Back
Not everyone is cut out to work in the field when it comes to animal welfare. It might be a little too much to take emotionally, or maybe you just can’t get away from work or home… but that doesn’t mean you can’t help! Here are a few practical tips on how YOU can help welfare organisations in a fun, yet thoughtful way. There’s something magical about using your own

How Adopting Senior Pets Changes Lives
When you walk into an animal shelter, it’s easy to be drawn to the puppies bouncing at the front of the kennels or the kittens climbing the bars with wide, curious eyes. They practically shout, “Pick me!” But linger a little longer, and you might notice the quieter souls — the older pets who sit patiently, often overlooked, their eyes filled with a lifetime of stories. Adopting a senior pet

PURPOSEFUL PAWS
Isla tells her person when her blood sugar changes. Havana knows if there’s gluten in something. Alex and Emma support people with Parkinson’s Disease. Millah and Paris are learning to detect seizures. And Loki’s in training to do it all, including proper napping technique. These are just some of the incredible canine superheroes trained by the passionate team at Honey’s Garden for Medical Alert Dogs, near Cape Town HONEY AT

Kinetix – Physio for Performing Dogs: Moves, Muscles and Magic
By Tanri de Lange (BSc.VetPhysio)SAVC Registered Veterinary PhysiotherapistFounder of The Vet Physio Pod Podcast Whether it’s a Border Collie busting a move in a canine freestyle routine or a Labrador landing a perfect trick in a talent show, performing dogs are true athletes in their own right. Behind every twirl, leap, and fancy footwork lies an incredible mix of coordination, strength, and training — and at the heart of it

Top Tips for looking After Feral Cats
By Bryony Van Niekerk I have been picking up stray cats since I can remember. In fact, my entire family has – mom, brother, aunts, cousins. Actually, now that I think about it, I wonder if it is genetic? I have shared before that I am technically more Cat Mom than Dog Mom, but what I haven’t told you is how I came to be the proud (crazy?) mom to

Brigitte Reeve-Taylor Passion Meets Purpose
Brigitte’s life has always been choreographed by rhythm, grace, and grit. For decades, she has nurtured dancers, shaped routines, and guided performers through competitions and exams. But it was one moment, on a highway in 2012, that changed her own life’s routine forever. She spotted an emaciated, abandoned dog and after a 90-minute chase, she eventually caught it. “I couldn’t leave him,” she recalls. That rescue planted the seed for

Get to Know Dr. Susi Petersen
I completed my BVSC degree at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna in 1993, and my master’s degree in 1995. I immigrated to South Africa in July 1995 and took the South African Board exam in 1996. Wanting to give something back to the veterinary profession, I worked for 10 years at the S.P.C.A. in Grassy Park. It was tough and rewarding at the same time. It was there

When Treats Become Troubles
There’s something undeniably rewarding about giving our pets treats. It’s a universal language of love—an unspoken “I adore you” wrapped in a tasty morsel. Whether it’s a crunchy biscuit, a chewy snack, or a nibble of whatever we’re eating, treats have become a staple of pet parenthood. After all, who can resist those big, pleading eyes, the wagging tail, or the excited little bounce that comes when a pet knows

The Bitter Bite
Understanding Tick Bite Fever in Pets If you’ve ever found a tick on your dog, you know the sinking feeling that comes with it. It’s not just about removing the tick—it’s the nagging worry about what kind of diseases it might have carried. One of the most concerning is Ehrlichiosis, also known as tick bite fever. It’s a bacterial infection that can make your pet seriously ill, and if left

Superfoods for Super Pets
Boosting Your Pet’s Diet with Nutrient-Rich Ingredients As pet owners, we all want the best for our furry companions, and that includes their nutrition. While traditional pet food provides the essential nutrients pets need to thrive, incorporating superfoods into their diet can provide an extra boost to their health. From improving digestion to supporting their immune system, these human-grade foods offer plenty of benefits. But not all superfoods are pet-friendly,

Recipes (March / April 2025)
Jenny’s Doggy Birthday Cake CELEBRATE YOUR PUP’S SPECIAL DAY WITH THIS NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS HOMEMADE DOG-FRIENDLY CAKE! MADE WITH WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS, THIS CAKE IS A HEALTHY TREAT FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND. Ingredients: Instructions: Preheat the oven to 180°C.Prepare the pan: Lightly grease asmall cake tin with olive oil.Fry chicken livers in a pan with alittle bit of olive oil. Layer the ingredients: Arrange half of the chicken breast slices at

Fascinating Zebras Fact
The zebra, a fascinating and iconic African mammal, is scientifically classified into three main species: the plains zebra (Equus quagga), the mountain zebra (Equus zebra), and the Grévy’s zebra (Equus grevyi), each with its own unique characteristics and habitats. Zebras belong to the family Equidae, which is a diverse group of mammals that also includes horses and donkeys, sharing a common evolutionary lineage and several anatomical and behavioural traits. All

PETS NEED A Break too! (March 2025)
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.” Brian Berkman recommends SÓTANO after an outstanding lunch and special canine company. Cape Town’s Most Tail-Wagging Dining Destination: SÓTANO Welcomes All Members of the Family At Mouille Point’s iconic seafront strip, where the historic Green Point Lighthouse stands watch,

Kinetix – Home Modifications for Pets
Creating a Physiotherapy-Friendly Environment By Tanri de Lange (BSc.VetPhysio)SAVC Registered Veterinary PhysiotherapistFounder of The Vet Physio Pod Podcast When we think about home renovations, the focus is often on improving our own living spaces—making rooms more stylish, functional, or comfortable. However, have you ever considered how your home can be optimized to support your pet’s physical well-being, particularly if they are recovering from surgery or managing a chronic condition? As

Get to Know Dr. MAC
I qualified as a veterinarian in 1973 and have been in private practice ever since. That’s a career spanning over 52 years, and during that time I have seen many changes in our profession. I would like to enlighten you on some of these changes. Veterinary Science is a science, but there is also an art to the profession. In my early days, we subject the patient to a thorough

Delectable Doggy Delights with Jenny Morris
Delectable Doggy Delights with Jenny Morris I have to admit, when Jenny Morris agreed to be the Cover Model for this issue, I was relieved. Not only was this to be the first shoot for the year, but it would also be our debut for our live video interview stream on YouTube. Having someone like Jenny Morris to interview was a huge advantage, simply because she is such a down

Ask The Vet – Dr. Travis Gray (March 2025)
Hi, my name is Travis and I’m a vet at a referral practice in Cape Town, dealing exclusively with dogs and cats. I’m a catlover, and proud cat-dad to two rescues named Natsu and Falcon. In a world filled with conflicting veterinary information, Pet Prints has given me a chance to try and make sense of some of the muddle. So, if you have anything you want to ask, send

PETS NEED A Break too! (Jan 2025)
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.” Gone are the days when our four-legged friends had to be left behind with a pet sitter. Whether you’re cruising at 30,000 feet or checking into a five-star hotel, you’re just as likely to see a designer dog carrier

PETS NEED A Break too!
Julie Berkman-Fluckiger allowed her fathers to accompany her to the fabulous ASARA Estate in Stellenbosch. The welcome begins at the neatly paved, oak-tree lined driveway

Fascinating Mantis Shrimp Facts
The mantis shrimp is a marine crustacean known for its powerful, lightning-fast claws and belongs to the order Stomatopoda. This order includes various species across

Crafting For A Cause Easy DIY Pet Projects That Give Back
Not everyone is cut out to work in the field when it comes to animal welfare. It might be a little too much to take

How Adopting Senior Pets Changes Lives
When you walk into an animal shelter, it’s easy to be drawn to the puppies bouncing at the front of the kennels or the kittens

PURPOSEFUL PAWS
Isla tells her person when her blood sugar changes. Havana knows if there’s gluten in something. Alex and Emma support people with Parkinson’s Disease. Millah

Kinetix – Physio for Performing Dogs: Moves, Muscles and Magic
By Tanri de Lange (BSc.VetPhysio)SAVC Registered Veterinary PhysiotherapistFounder of The Vet Physio Pod Podcast Whether it’s a Border Collie busting a move in a canine

Top Tips for looking After Feral Cats
By Bryony Van Niekerk I have been picking up stray cats since I can remember. In fact, my entire family has – mom, brother, aunts,

Brigitte Reeve-Taylor Passion Meets Purpose
Brigitte’s life has always been choreographed by rhythm, grace, and grit. For decades, she has nurtured dancers, shaped routines, and guided performers through competitions and

Get to Know Dr. Susi Petersen
I completed my BVSC degree at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna in 1993, and my master’s degree in 1995. I immigrated to South

When Treats Become Troubles
There’s something undeniably rewarding about giving our pets treats. It’s a universal language of love—an unspoken “I adore you” wrapped in a tasty morsel. Whether

The Bitter Bite
Understanding Tick Bite Fever in Pets If you’ve ever found a tick on your dog, you know the sinking feeling that comes with it. It’s

Superfoods for Super Pets
Boosting Your Pet’s Diet with Nutrient-Rich Ingredients As pet owners, we all want the best for our furry companions, and that includes their nutrition. While

Recipes (March / April 2025)
Jenny’s Doggy Birthday Cake CELEBRATE YOUR PUP’S SPECIAL DAY WITH THIS NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS HOMEMADE DOG-FRIENDLY CAKE! MADE WITH WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS, THIS CAKE IS A

Fascinating Zebras Fact
The zebra, a fascinating and iconic African mammal, is scientifically classified into three main species: the plains zebra (Equus quagga), the mountain zebra (Equus zebra),

PETS NEED A Break too! (March 2025)
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

Kinetix – Home Modifications for Pets
Creating a Physiotherapy-Friendly Environment By Tanri de Lange (BSc.VetPhysio)SAVC Registered Veterinary PhysiotherapistFounder of The Vet Physio Pod Podcast When we think about home renovations, the

Get to Know Dr. MAC
I qualified as a veterinarian in 1973 and have been in private practice ever since. That’s a career spanning over 52 years, and during that

Delectable Doggy Delights with Jenny Morris
Delectable Doggy Delights with Jenny Morris I have to admit, when Jenny Morris agreed to be the Cover Model for this issue, I was relieved.

Ask The Vet – Dr. Travis Gray (March 2025)
Hi, my name is Travis and I’m a vet at a referral practice in Cape Town, dealing exclusively with dogs and cats. I’m a catlover,

PETS NEED A Break too! (Jan 2025)
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