Where's Wally?

Where's Wally?

Hi!  I'm Mbwa, who the hell is "Wally"

The big one and the little one came to the den again...this time though they kept hold of me for a long time.  The others just kept their heads down, I am pretty sure they were pretending to be asleep because this happened yesterday and two of the pack didn't come back.   There was a lot of talk about "Wally", he must be from another pack, maybe the one down the road.  I was getting hungry and bored so was about to practise my new call when I was put into a box with a huge chewing mat.  I nearly fell over with fright when a huge bang made it much darker in the box.  The people kept talking about Wally, perhaps I was being taken to meet him.  Eventually the rumbling under the box stopped, the light came on again and I was back outside.  I was getting a bit fed up with all this "Wally" talk and tried to express my frustration at being ignored by gently nibbling a finger.  Result!  Back on the ground I started hunting for the pack, smells are all wrong, can't find anyone.  Fast-moving things on four legs won't let me smell their butt and make horrible noises.  They run up trees and go into the place where the big and little one are still talking about Wally.  The box with the giant chewing mat is a good place to hide.


Today they brought me a new toy but they wouldn't let me chew it.  They wanted to tie it around my back so that I can't chew it.  What sort of toy is this.  The little one kept making snorting noises, I think she must be ill.  The big one made lots of really loud, weird noises and then just walked off.  He didn't want to play and took the toy with him.


New two-legged creatures are here, also talking about Wally.   One of them keeps making holes for me to dig in and has huge chewing toys (note from two legged creature "wellington boots") at the end of his legs, he is very greedy and won't let me chew them.  The other one keeps disappearing into the place where everyone goes but won't let me in.  I have found three big holes, that I can get through, sometimes.  I don't know why the creatures keep going in there, everytime I get through the hole  my legs go in different directions and the two legged things keep shouting "No".   


Two weeks ago this became the most often heard phrase in our household!  Our newest family member, Wally, took over our lives.

At seven weeks old the cute little puppy left his rather large family to join a household of felines that had no intention of preparing a welcome party. A harsh adjustment at the best of times.  It has to be said however that the greatest adjustment to be made was for the human component of the family.

For twenty years we have had a clowder of cats.  OK, so I had to look it up.....I mean, a "clowder" of cats????? Where does that come from?  But back to the point, we have always been surrounded by intelligent, occasionally aloof, and always independent, felines.  

And then "Wally".  

Defying all the rules of motion!

Without being at all judgmental, "stupid" is the best adjective that can be applied to the boy, who seems to have a severe case of ADD.  On a good day his attention span can only be measured in seconds.  He falls over his feet, our feet, his food bowl, the stairs....at times he seems to just fall over!  The cats, all of whom have developed a penchant for elevated viewing platforms, sit for hours watching him, their bemused and superior expressions completely ignored by Wally whose full concentration is needed to keep all four paws travelling in the same direction! 

"Walter Ndege", to give him his registered name is a red wheaten Rhodesian Ridgeback.  Growing at a rate of over 1kg a week, the lovable, sleepy pup who weighed just 1.2 kg five weeks ago is beginning to show us what he will grow into, a seriously handsome dog, who, if you don't know him, may come across as just a little bit scary!  At the moment however we are worse than nervous parents, we worry that he is too cold, too thin, too lonely, too aggressive and so it goes on......

Keeping warm on Mummy's feet

Today he weighed in at 7.6kgs which already makes him heavier than Rafiki.  Raffi, despite his size and speed (if necessary) will have absolutely nothing to do with Wally whose attempts at a face to face meet and greet session are shunned outright. 

Given the cats indifference to the new boy, we have tried to compensate, and perhaps, just occasionally we go a little OTT.   Unseasonal thunderstorms in Nairobi have been dramatic over the past couple of weeks.   What do we do?  Sit outside with Wally, in case he is scared.  Jon went one step further and lay him on my feet, wrapped in the slanket!   Enormous thanks to a great friend and animal lover, Marion, who has provided us with a supply of puppy treats, that make Wally the most spoilt puppy in Kenya!

Helen and Wally

Its official, small animals clearly possess magical powers, their key spell being to bewitch all who look into their eyes.  Wally's powers have extended to our staff.  Helen, in particular, is besotted with him, and in honesty, the attraction seems to be mutual.  There is of course another option, Wally is not short on brain cells at all and has sussed that Helen is an easier touch than surrogate Mum and Dad.  

Juma who cares for our garden is nothing more than a dream come true for Wally - attention all day! Juma trims the bushes, Wally eats what is left, Juma rakes the leaves, Wally redistributes them, Juma washes the verandah, Wally digs in the garden and returns the verandah to his preferred state....covered in pawprints.  

Basically he's a dog, after twenty years with cats....what an idiot we have bought!  He is lovable and we have high hopes that he will grow into his feet and learn to move with a semblance of grace and dexterity.


Our lives will return one hopes, to something more than puppy-sitting in the not-too-distant future.


Kwaherini