Christiena Lottering
It was a Sunday morning, just a couple of minutes before we had to be at church for Olivia’s dedication.
Me: “Johan!!! This house is a mess!!! What will people think!?” As I said this Johan opened the oven door where I hid the ‘doopkoek’ from Pootifar for the night.
His face went all white and he slammed the oven door shut, and stood against it with his back. He smiled and nodded, but I knew he was not listening to a word I said.
Me: “What’s wrong? Did something happen to the cake?”
Johan: “The icing just melted a bit.”
Then Olivia came into the kitchen with one shoe missing. Alex was sitting next to the fridge, de-boning a chicken thigh for Pootifar and from the corner of my eye I could see the puppies playing tug of war with a table cloth that I left outside for the snack table.
Me: “I can’t take this anymore! Let’s call the whole thing off!!”
Johan: “No my dear, let’s go in two different cars. I will leave halfway through the service and get everything ready before you get here.”
Relieved but still worried, I get into my car with Olyfie and we go and wait in the street for the other two. It takes some time to get the bakkie out of the gate, because she is quite big. I was almost at the end of the street when I had to stop the car with a screech.
Me:”Johannnnnnnnnn!!!!!!” (His window was open)
Johan: “What???????” Me: Look behind you!!!!!!!”
As Johan turned around he saw Pootifar sitting on the cover – at the back of the bakkie. He had his chin in the air, his eyes were almost shut and the wind was ruffling through his fur. He was adamant and ready to join us for church.
Johan and I both started laughing and Johan had to turn around to take him home. I could imagine Pootifar sitting at the gate, heavily offended, but nevertheless waiting for us to come home. He probably sat there in a knob with his tail hugging his body, thinking: “We are all God’s creatures!”
* Christiena is a teacher with a huge interest in writing, arts and drama. She is also a former language editor at MooiVaal Media. She is the dedicated mother of Olivia and Alexa and the beloved wife of Johan. Her former colleagues describe her as hilariously funny.
