Someone just honked to get me out of my parking spot faster, so now I have to sit here until both of us are dead.
– Unknown
This quote really appeals to me!
I hate being pushed about by someone who thinks their time is more important than mine.
I hate bullies and will always stand up to them.
I hate being told what to do.
So yes, I totally get this quote!
Little Monkey – on the day we got her
Little Monkey is 13 years old.
I don’t know LM’s exact date of birth, but according to the rescue centre that we adopted her from, it is sometime around now.
For Little Monkey’s 13th birthday I present for your entertainment a collection of some of my favourite photos of this amazing dog; including never-before-seen footage!
Enjoy the uniqueness and daftness that is our very own Little Monkey.
The first photo above shows a young Little Monkey on the day we got her, in February 2007.
LM – daft
She immediately settled in and showed us her quirky character by trying to squeeze through the bars!
LM and Madam
Above Madam, the alpha female, has an ostrich bone and Little Monkey, the omega, is not going to challenge her.
LM – bone
However, the moment no-one was looking LM would gather all the bones or hooves together and guard them!
Seeing Eye to Eye – Madam and Little Monkey
LM and Madam always had an uneasy truce, mostly because LM hadn’t a clue about the social rules of dog etiquette!
LM and TJ 1
Long before Mr Spaghetti Legs, Little Monkey was best friends with TJ, who was about 8 or 9 years old here and LM was 2 and a half.
The pale thing on LM’s legs is part of a chewed up pool noodle!
LM and TJ 2
You may recognise TJ as being my WP Gravatar and also on my About page; My Tail Too.
LM and TJ 3
I’m glad that LM had TJ in her young life, and later on, SL. As you all know, LM is an anxious dog and it’s very hard to find another dog who will tolerate her and that she is comfortable with.
The young LM
The above photo is of Little Monkey 10 years ago. She hasn’t changed much, apart from being a little hairier now and with more white around the muzzle.
If you scroll down you can see the various faces of Little Monkey, as she has appeared over the years.
Happy Little Monkey
Pensive – Little Monkey
Little Monkey Sunbathing
LM Walk 8
Little Monkey
Little Monkey – Always ready for Mischief
Little Monkey
Little Monkey stretching 1
Quagga Disguise – Little Monkey
Little Monkey 2
Little Monkey Collapsed 1
Little Monkey
Little Monkey 1
Little Monkey
And let’s not forget Little Monkey’s companion, dear old Mr Spaghetti Legs, who helped to make this blog what it is today.
Peas in a Pod – SL and LM
LM and SL check out the Puzzle Tree
LM and SL
LM Sundog 2
LM Sundog 4
Happy LM
LM 2
Super Dog
I hope you have enjoyed this special post on my very own Super Dog!
Alcohol kills brain cells slowly, but that never bothered me because I’m not in a hurry.
– Unknown
Actually I think that a little of what you fancy, in moderation, does you more good than harm.
As to killing brain cells, the general anaesthetic I had over 10 years ago destroyed more of my brain than all of the vodka I’ve drunk my entire life!
I was stupid for at least a year; couldn’t remember things; couldn’t solve my crosswords; and was exhausted all the time.
So the next time I need an operation, to do less harm, I think I’ll ask them to knock me out the old fashioned way, with a bottle of vodka!
Sunrise
Here is a gratuitous photo of a lovely red sunrise, in lieu of a decent picture of the recent Blood Moon.
We had crystal clear skies last Friday night here in Cape Town and a perfect view of the whole eclipse and subsequent Blood Moon.
Blood Moon 1
I did take a few photos, but my little Canon camera wasn’t quite up to the task.
What do you mean, you can’t see anything?
Blood Moon 2
Above is the Blood Moon and below is Mars.
Mars
Though people the world over were witnessing the same event, here in Cape Town we saw the Earth’s shadow creeping across the moon from the opposite direction to those of you in the north.
And when you think just how far away the Moon and Mars are, I think it is amazing that my little old Canon managed to capture anything at all!
post script: This is just a fun post. There will be many excellent captures of the eclipse out there online for those who are interested in actually seeing what went on!
Maybe if we start telling people the brain is an App they’ll start using it.
– Unknown
Sometimes I think that the intelligence of the human race is deteriorating more with every new device that comes on the market.
We evolved opposable thumbs for grasping things, not for playing games on electronic devices.
The more time people spend connected to their devices, the less time they spend using their brain and actually thinking.
And as the saying goes; use it or lose it!
post script: Before I get any backlash here, let me say that there is nothing wrong in playing games or being on social media. It’s just that I think some time every day should be spent away from it; going outside and connecting with nature or other people – actually in person; reading a book; creating something – a painting, writing, planting seeds; learning something new and using your brain.
And a Thank You to Quiall at Butterfly Sand, whose Shady Quip made me think of this today.
Ceramic Green Frog
This little green ceramic frog lives on my stoep amongst my plant pots.
Frog and Plant Pots
There are other animals hiding here too.
Bunny
You have already seen Bunny.
Stone Frog
And Mr Frog.
Blue Ceramic Tortoise
There is also Mr Tortoise, a blue ceramic reptile.
Apart from all these, shall we say “less active” pets; my stoep is also occasionally visited by Sparky the Squirrel, and frequently by Cheeky Chops, the Olive Thrush, who uses Little Monkey’s water bowls for his daily ablutions.
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This post is for Garfield Hugs, who wanted to know more about my stoep pets.
Squirrels
Tag; you’re it! Catch me if you can!
I was sitting quietly in the lounge having a cuppa and doing crosswords, when I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye. When I looked up I saw a squirrel on the fence outside. I grabbed my camera and took a quick photo. Then I noticed that there were actually two Sparkies playing on the fence.
I wanted to take more shots, but my camera froze for some reason; maybe because it was jolly cold!
Anyway, it was nice to see these two chasing each other as if they were twitterpated! It means Spring is just around the corner.
All the birds around are noisily proclaiming their territories and there are Shouting Wars going on at all hours. On our dog walk a few days ago Little Monkey and I saw about eight Egyptian Geese, sitting high above us in the branches of the massive fir trees and also on the rooves of nearby houses, all honking loudly at each other. It was ear-shattering!
And I saw my first snowdrop that day too.
