Most of you know that I have adopted a dog. His name is Thnuzi (pronounced Two/n/zee), and it means “shadow” in Zulu. I named him that because he is constantly following me every where, and generally makes me look ridiculous when I walk around the village. He also answers to Mr. Inja (Inja meaning dog), and creature. He was full grown when we started hanging out, and has since essentially moved into my house with me. I made him a doggy bed out of one large plastic bag stuffed with other bags that has a sheet over it. He was afraid to come in my house for a long time, but now he sleeps there every night.
Last October he got really sick, and I had to go to the veterinarian in town, explain his symptoms to the vet (without Thunzi being present), and then come back to the village and give him three injections by myself. I left the next morning not knowing if he would be alive when I came back from my Botswana trip. Well he was! Everything was fine with him until the day before my parents were set to arrive in January. I was walking to the taxi rank (taxi meaning public transportation. Think bus) to catch a taxi into town and head to Pretoria so I could be around when my parents got in, and of course Thunzi was following me. He ended up getting hit by a car, and I ended up running through my village screaming and chasing him. He was bleeding from his paws, out of his ear, and from his bum. I was so scared. I called everyone I could think of who might be able to help me get him to the vet in town. Jessyca looked up vet numbers, and Jeff gave me moral support over the phone. I phoned my mother at 6 AM in America (her last morning before leaving) and woke her up with my sobs. I bandaged him up as best I could, but I was so worried. I had to leave the next morning to go to Pretoria, but once again my dog pulled through! He was alive when my parents and I came back to my village the next day!
Since January there have been no close calls. But I swear, this dog really knows how to time things so that when I leave for any amount of time I am worried sick over him. I can only imagine the stunt he’s going to pull when I leave for good!
I will say that having a dog has made my service that much more bearable. Those days when I was so sad, or felt lonely, that dog really helped out my morale. He is always doing something to make me laugh. The other day he followed me to work and lounged around outside waiting for me. I decided to take a walk to go buy some fruit with a young boy named Doctor. Well, Thunzi of course decided to come with Doctor and I. The route we took is full of other very territorial dogs. So Doctor and I ended up having to protect Thunzi as we walked (Doctor threw stones, and I stepped in front of a few very angry looking dogs). He’s a lover, not a fighter. I am looking forward to more adventures with Thunzi in the next 7 months, and fewer heart-attack inducing moments.
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jesseosmun Said:
on 08/09/2010 at 13:19
Congrats on the dog.. I’m also sorry you all are having such a high drop out rate. To me, the relationship with PCSA is really give and take. So far I have been happy with both of our APCD’s and found them responsive. However, I feel that trainings continue to be poorly organized and I was more then a little ticked off with having to catch a ride up to Siyabuswa when I live in KZN. Word from Lisa is that trainings will now be regionalized, and my site will become a Permaculture training area with my former PCV co-worker Justin doing trainings!
Holly Braud Said:
on 09/09/2010 at 16:06
What will you do with him when you leave? Will you be able to bring him home?