Our first week with Bob

We wanted a dog for some time, but with there being 5 kids at home and both Peter and I working it just wasn't possible. About a year after moving to South Africa and only 2 kids left at home, who were 12 and 16, we decided it was time to get ourselves a dog. Around the same time, we were adopted by a cat, little did we know at this time that we would have to move house within 8 weeks and that 2 weeks after that I would have to fly to the UK in an emergency after my dad had a heart attack. But we are great believers of what will be will be and we just got on with it.

As it happens we were turned down for adoption, we had less than a year left on our visa's and despite reassurances we would take the dog with us if we left, the answer was still no. From time to time to called in at the SPCA in Watloo, Pretoria and although there were plenty of dogs for adoption, there wasn't our dog.

Finally after renewing our visa, the SPCA said with our determination we could adopt a dog, so Dan and I headed off to the kennels to take a look. It was a wet day and again, we saw plenty of dogs, but just not the one. As we were leaving Dan decided to look right down the end of the last aisle and said 'Mum, come look'  We named him Bob, he didn't have a name when he was left there 6 weeks earlier.

It took a lot of coaxing to get Bob to come over to us, but we knew straight away, he was the one and he was coming home with us.

We paid the adoption fees, bought food, collar and lead and made arrangements for the house to be inspected, although we were informed as we had a walled garden, unless there were major issues we could pick Bob up in a few days.

I made a bed for him and we visited on the weekend and took Peter and the teen up to see him, neither of them were too sure, but our minds had been made up.

I decided to surprise the boys by collecting Bob a a day early, we wrestled with the harness after he slipped out of his collar in the car park, I drove home with one eye on him worried he could attack me, I knew nothing of his temperament and for the first time started to panic.

He settled in immediately, but wouldn't leave my side which 3 years on is still the case. The cat was really unhappy with her new house guest and it took a year before they would tolerate being in the same room together.

Within the first week we took Bob out for walks and let him run off lead, he came back straight away, he put weight on.

We took our first family portrait.

Now there is only the 4 of us at home, Peter and I, Bob and Pushkins, but they miss the kids.

6 weeks after we got Bob I had to return to the UK for 4 months, unexpectedly, but everything was fine, what will be, will be.

Week 16 - One Daily Positive and Project 366

It's been a long week, not tiring, just feels like it's gone on longer than normal, including the weekend. We changed our routine and have decided we will now spend Saturday mornings in the desert and the rest of the day at home, catching up with house work (Peter is currently ironing, I'm currently sitting in Starbucks, but I did do the washing and shopping) and watching the football, rather than Friday's and so far it has been much more relaxing.

This week on the blog:
#MySundayPhoto The #teen has gone home, but there's chocolate in the fridge
#AnimalTales and the Rabbit on the beach
#HDYGG Indoor plants and update on the Geranium
#POCOLO Why my husband has to be my best friend

Sunday Day 108 #onedailypositive #project366 a nice relaxing evening after work, even had time to spend in the garden.

Monday Day 109 #project366 #onedailypositive I hate it when people say Peter and I are lucky to live abroad, as we weren't given this opportunity, we worked hard to get here. But this evening after a day at work for both of this we do feel lucky to be in this situation and say 'let's walk to the beach and grab a burger on the way'

Tuesday Day 110 #onedailypositive #project366 living life dangerously. Chicken soup in a tomato soup bowl. I'm home alone this evening while Peter dines out tonight.

Wednesday Day 111 #onedailypositive #project366 chilling out at home this evening after a trip to the shops for emergency cat food and a few treats as a way of an apology, don't worry Bob did get his share but not without a few hisses as I fed him some biscuits.

Thursday Day 112 #onedailypositive #project366 feeling very lonely this evening as Peter was late home and away a lot over the next few weeks, but cheered up by the pea eating cat.

Friday Day 113 #onedailypositive #project366 we booked a brunch last week but neither is knew what time it started so Peter phoned this morning to confirm. On arrival we were informed brunch was cancelled and replaced with an Indian buffet, so we dined in the @rainforestcafeuae instead with the added bonus of some shopping.

Saturday Day 114 #onedailypositive #project366 this was Bob 3 years ago today, unloved and unwanted at the SPCA in Pretoria. Now living in Dubai and couldn't be loved or wanted any more than he is. It also marks Bob's 6th birthday, there will be cake. 

A rabbit on the beach in Dubai with Animal Tales

I didn't expect to see a rabbit on the beach in Dubai, yesterday evening. it looked well cared for, maybe escaped from someones garden, maybe a stray, but certainly not native to these parts. After a bit of research I discovered there are Arabian Cape Hares in the UAE, they don't live in burrows and live above ground.
There is a stray cat feeding station near by, so maybe that's why he is choosing to be here.

In other news, 3 years ago today we were waiting for the SPCA in South Africa to pass our family and house as suitable for Bob to come home to, we had signed the adoption papers,  and next week will mark the 3rd anniversary of Bob becoming part of our family.

Our Dog Bob and Our Cat Pushkins

I was asked to join in with #AnimalTales over on twitter and link up blog posts over at Eco_Gites of Lenault  looking through blog posts I realised I don't actually blog bout our cat and dog, just post photos on twitter, Facebook and instagram of things they do to annoy me, make me laugh or just because I can. I also post the pictures for the 2 youngest children who have since left home.

So before I start blogging about them I thought I should introduce them to you formally.

This is Bob, he is a Rhodesian Ridgeback Cross, he is a rescue dog and was born in 2010 in South Africa, he came to live with us in April 2013. His previous owners handed him in to the SPCA as they could no longer afford to feed him, unfortunately it appears they also hit him with a stick and kicked him as he is very frightened of sticks if you try to throw one and runs away and hides, he also gets very scared if you get tangled up in his lead and lift your foot up to get out of the way.

Then

Now

This is Pushkins, what can I say? She was a stray and decided to move in with us in March 2012, my friend Suzi was visiting and she assisted my youngest with the adoption procedure, without my knowledge. The cat then just moved in and claimed us as her own. She is a long haired tabby, there was no chip and she was well fed and cared for and wearing a collar, we advertised her around the estate, pet shops and several vets. After 2 months we had to move and I wasn't sure she would come with us, so keeping her in the new house for a few days and letting her outside for short visits on a leash we decided just to let her go and what would be would be. Well 3 years on and a move to Dubai, we can definitely say she is now ours.