ABOUT THIS BLOG
This blog is about DOGS! And NATURE! And the WHY, HOW and WHERE of DOGS in NATURE!
Sooooo WHY? Because the media has done such a good job of anthropomorphizing our four-legged friends for us that we sometimes forget they still just remain DOGS BY NATURE. While there is nothing wrong with treating your fluffy friend to an ice cream cake with a sparkler and barking B-day card for his birthday... Why not rather take him trail running? Replace those paw-paintings Fluffy made for you at the doggy day care centre with amazing photographs of him staring out at an endless landscape at the foot of the mountain you’ve just conquered together!
Even though many dogs today are seen and treated as family and enjoy increased healthcare and dietary benefits, urbanization still came with a price. As properties get smaller, our expectations of the perfect family pet rise. Far too many dogs today suffer from obesity and frustration because their exercise requirements are not met. The same can be said of humans.
This blog was started because today it’s easier to find a ballerina tutu or pirate outfit, and even sun hats for dogs than it is to find easily accessible and safe natural areas to enjoy with your canine companion.
HOW? Walking, jogging, running, hiking, surfing... whatever! This blog wants to share experiences, useful tips and locations by and for people wanting to enjoy nature with their dogs.
WHERE? Although I stay in Pretoria and want to discover all possible surrounding areas that would allow dogs and their owners access to nature, eventually I will try out and share more distant locations as well.
"This blog was started because today it’s easier to find a ballerina tutu or biker outfit, and even sunglasses for dogs than it is to find easily accessible and safe natural areas to enjoy with your canine companion."
ReplyDeleteThis really struck me. I love walking, so does my dog (heh, no big news here, I guess), but finding places to do so... not so easy! I've asked around, even at our dog training facility, and it seems next to no one has any idea (aside from Walkhaven). I love the suggestions in your later posts! The two day walking trail tugs at my heart, I must put this to the other halves (furry and not so much) and set a date.
For shorter walks, have you guys tried Faerie Glen nature reserve, or the Smutshuis's oubaas trail (this one is free during the week, with an off lead section too, which is a rarity)? Neither are distance efforts (both are shorter than 4 kms), but they are both very pretty and relatively easy to reach for someone in Pretoria.
For a very much shorter walk, but with a nice lake for dogs to swim in (if you have swimming dogs), the Struben Dam bird sanctuary is very near Menlyn Park.
I hope you continue this blog! I will keep reading, it is definitely an appreciated effort.
Oh, as a last word, do you guys know about the Glen Austen dog walk on Heritage day? If you're free, willing to come to Midrand, and happy to be in a giant mess of dogs (with boerewors rolls and the like afterwards), let me know, I'll share the info. It won't be very, very long, as the idea is to be inclusive, but it will have an exceptionally large number of socialised dogs there, and you bet there will be running and playing afterwards at the large plot on which the training school sits.
Dear Nina
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the comment and kind words... much appreciated! I find your list of dog-friendly places on Manderston Academy's G+ page so informative (which is how I found the page in the first place)! I've tried most places... Faerie Glen is awesome, though I've heard they want to add game and ban dogs... I'll see if I can maybe find the petition somewhere.
Struben Dam is for sure one of my favorite places in Pretoria! The dogs love it there:-) I'll take some pics next time I'm there and post it here.
I've not been to Smuts House before and would really love to go. SPCA is hosting a Wag a Walk there the 20th October (registration 07:00 - 09:00). We will definitely be going.
I must say our 2-day hike with the dogs was an absolutely amazing experience! I will let you know as soon as we plan something like that again... We don't belong to a hiking club and it's always difficult to get at least one other couple to join for a hike. My best advice on pet-friendly places is to just ask. Few places market themselves as dog-friendly but is willing to accept dogs (especially if it's small breeds). We were planning to do the 2-day Hennops hiking trail this weekend but unfortunately they won't budge on their no-dogs policy, which is a pity. If we don't have any other plans by Heritage Day, we might just join for the Glen Austin Dog walk, so I would appreciate more detais on the event :-)