So… I was going to write about the mass exodus – you know, everyone either planning to leave, in the process of leaving, or having left South Africa.
I was also going to write about crime, unemployment, the climbing rape and murder statistics, the dropping education standards, our possible new national health scheme, prisoners having more rights than citizens and the fact that not much is free nowadays, apart from a government condom.
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It’s all doom and gloom, and overall rather depressing.
However, life carries on…
About a month ago, I was helping at a rural pet vaccination outreach in KwaMadlala.
Some 200 dogs and their owners arrived to take advantage of the free service.
Amidst the chaos, the saddest young dog caught my eye.
Her head hung low like she had given up on life (rather like most of us feel nowadays).
Her ribs stuck out and she was later diagnosed with an allergy, which explained her hair loss.
She was a heartbreaking sight, and had lost faith in humans – all the joy had been beaten from her.
A number of dogs needing medical attention were removed and Sam (as I named her) was kenneled next to a puppy named Odor.
Sadly, Odor was later confirmed rabid by the state vet and had to be euthanised.
That shocking diagnosis turned life upside down for everyone.
Those who had come into contact with Odor had to undergo a series of rabies vaccinations.
As Sam may have been in exposed to the virus through the kennel fence, and as I had been exposed to Sam, off I went to Gamalakhe Clinic to start my course of rabies shots.
The last in the series was administered at Tweni Clinic, and five stars to the staff at both clinics who treated me.
Sam, who had by now been introduced to her five new fur-friends at our home, received her second rabies vaccination, as did the rest of my pack, and Sam was sent off into isolation for a precautionary few days.
A stressful exercise, but one can never be overcautious as rabies is a deadly disease with no cure, spread to people through the saliva of infected animals.
Then, the great debate on whether to leave Sam in isolation or bring her back home began. The latter prevailed.
Touch wood – I’m not frothing at the mouth yet – Sam is settling in (chewing on everything and claiming the couch), and learning that humans aren’t so bad after all.
Sam is my feel-good story for 2019.
Out of the thousands of dogs needing a second chance I will never know why this girl chose me, but I’m going to give her the best life I possibly can.
As Sam progressively grows more trusting and loving, and learns to have ‘puppy fun’, she gives me a sliver of hope in a world gone frothingly mad.
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