I Was Told That Is Where I Belonged
Being another cold morning. Therefore, I did not feel like going to work today. But he forced me to. I had not eaten a good meal in weeks and had to eat what scraps I could find. Chained up in a small space outside. I was told that that as an Africanis, this is where I belonged.
It was hard to be loyal and to continue committing to this relationship.
Weak And Miserable
The long walk to work was hard on my feet. I was weak and miserable. He shouted at me and called me lazy and other names that did not make sense. He tied a rope around my neck to make sure I kept up with him. I tried to twist and wriggle out of the noose.
The rope rubbed on my old wounds and it stung like crazy. I tried to please him even though he was such a mean man. Our workplace was out in the open so there was nothing to shield me from the icy winter wind.
He was a beggar by profession, too lazy or unwilling to get another job. Maybe there were no other jobs. He would never share his takings with me.
It was all about him and his bad habits – that sweet smell of cannabis, that repulsive smell of homemade beer. I drank it once out of desperation, hell no, how on earth.
My Birthday
It was my first birthday yesterday. I turned one. Maybe I will get a surprise treat today.
And I did! That day, a friendly lady asked him about me, where I stay and what I eat. She even asked him what my name was. I had multiple names, unfortunately, they were all swear words.
He used my poor health condition to get sympathy from people to give him money. Tracey showed more interest in me than anyone else ever had.
A Stranger Rescued Me
After a very long, persuasive, and rather uncomfortable encounter, he reluctantly handed me over to the care of this stranger. Having no idea where I was going, I was really afraid. Was it better?
She bundled me into the car and drove straight to the Animal Welfare Society. I did not want to be here.
I want to go back to that man. Better the devil you know! The receptionist filled in papers and gave me a name – Marie. I was whisked away and put into an open, fenced-off area with 3 others.
No rope around my neck anymore. After coaxing me into a cage, there, waiting for me, was a bowl of food.
Wrapping me up in a nice warm blanket, I felt scared. Was this a deception of something worse to come? I did not care, I just gulped down the food.
My Whole Body Swayed With Excitement
My daily routine started from that day. Regular meals, visits to the resident vet and lots of people running around taking care of many others like me. 120 in fact.
I was still very cautious of these strangers. After putting on some weight and, developing a cheeky attitude, I put on a cute face look to get some attention.
My whole body swayed with excitement. It’s my mother’s doing, she gave me this long tail. I made friends with Susan and Clare. They would take me out of the enclosure from time to time. Hug me and talk to me. I looked forward to those moments.
When I was much stronger, they assigned me to a man I had never met before who would take me for walks. That meant a lead around my neck again!
No way, was I going to play ball – too many bad memories were flashing back to me. But he was different.
He encouraged me gently along the walks. Training me. We always ended up back at the compound where I knew where my next meal was. Andrew was always kind to me. I hoped it would stay like this always.
Becoming Famous
I became famous. Clare took pictures of me and posted them on Facebook, telling the world what a loving Africanis loving I was, what a great personality I had. People came in to check me out, only to find that I was not the only one that had found fame on Facebook.
They checked all of us out. Some around me left the compound and never came back. They got adopted. I wondered what that felt like.
27th October 2020, during this crazy thing called Covid-19, this couple came to the compound and requested to see me. I was eighteen months old now and still growing. Susan brought me through to the front garden.
I was so insecure and wanting to go back to my secure space in my cage. They hugged me and held me and were so happy to see me. I was having none of this. Running back to Susan and hiding behind her, I wanted her to take me back inside.
My Name Is Marie Biscuit
The adoption papers were signed without my knowledge or approval. They changed my name to Marie Biscuit.
It was arranged that I would go into a holding area for the night. It was confusing and left me wondering what I had done wrong to deserve this ‘alone-time’. Early the next morning I was whisked into a car that was waiting for me in the parking lot.
It all happened so quickly and the same couple was waiting for me! This time they gave me food and hugs. I sat in the back with Monika while Glen drove the car.
Road Trip
I had no idea what was happening to me. Bouncing around, trying to look out the windows to make sense of my whole situation. Suddenly I felt exhausted and passed out.
They had given me a sleeping pill. When I woke up 5 hours later, we had stopped outside a park in a strange town.
They took me for a walk, fed me and given me water. I felt drowsy but I really enjoyed that walk. Monika was gentle with me and while staying close to her, Glen prepared my food and water. It was like a kind of picnic!
We were back on the road and further on we stopped for a late lunch. My new caregivers negotiated with the owner so that I would be allowed to go with them into the restaurant. Well, we eventually ended up sitting on the porch outside. My first time ever!
They were discussing what I should have from the menu that was healthy for me. We stayed in a small Karoo town of Nieu-Bethesda for two nights to break the journey on our way to Johannesburg.
More eating and walks and more walks and more eating. Gee whizz, this was ‘lekker’.
I Am Africa’s Legacy: an Africanis
I am the South African ‘Africanis Mix Breed’. A unique variety of dogs native to Africa. Although people did not plan to breed a dog like me, over centuries my ancestors adapted to the harsh African environment, rendering me my natural resilience.
I am a legacy, rich in history and biodiversity. I am man’s closest companion. My greatest desire is to please my best friend. Protecting them and my territory and following them wherever they go. I prize myself in my strength, speed, and agility.
They Kept Hugging Me
It was very pleasing that they did not fly me to Johannesburg from Cape Town as I could bond well with Glen and Monika. We used the three-day road trip to get to know each other well.
They kept hugging me, talking to me, and telling me how beautiful I was. I like this and I hope the love and hugs will never end.
We arrived in Johannesburg. Two other adopted smaller dogs and one funny-looking furry thing called a cat (I have never seen one of those before) came to greet us. I did not know what to expect but they were friendly. Making friends was not in my interest.
I wanted to know where my food was and where I would sleep. In the beginning, I kept trying to steal the other dog’s food, as I had no ‘table’ manners.
They Understood Me
I found it difficult to determine where I could go to the loo as it is a much bigger environment. I thought the lounge area was a perfect spot and had my first hearty solid motion right there. My newly adopted parents understood my confusion and tried to coax me outside.
Actually, they understood me more than I realized. I was still young and now, while I could, had the space to be a puppy.
My New Life
We go for walks every morning at 4.30 am. We are allowed to play in the park without our leads, at the end of the walk. I love that. I love my companions, Shakira and Harry and I love the five cats I live with. My companions had already formed a pack and I slotted in well.
Early evenings are serious playtime, the three of us playing the way dogs should play together. Two hours of it. I get woken up gently a few times a night. Apparently, I have nightmares and my body and legs shake and I whimper in my sleep.
Maybe I went through more trauma when I was younger than I had realized. Those nightmares are getting less and less as I feel more secure in my loving home.
I am now twenty-one months old and have grown even bigger. Glen and Monika were not expecting that. I am now a healthy big Africanis Mixed Breed with a personality that’s irresistible.
Thank you to Glen and Monika Wilson for sharing Marie Biscuit’s story and for the photos in her new home.
Clare, Susan, Andrew and all staff at the Animal Welfare Helderberg in Gordon’s Bay, Cape Town for the pictures of Marie in her early days and for taking great care of this overlooked breed of dog.
The Africanis Rescue Network for some fun facts about the Africanis Mixed Breed.
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