Lions welcome
Exploring a new walking area in Tokai (a southern suburb of Cape Town) I encountered a remarkable sign at the entrance of a private estate. It read:"Private property. Trespassers will be prosecuted. Lions welcome".
That area is part of the Table Mountain National Park and Lupa and I have walked there several times. Fascinating is that over many hectares all the (non-indigenous) trees of the former tree plantation have been cut down, with the result that the world famous South African Fynbos is reappearing again after only one year.
For the first time in my life I saw many Geranium plants that are higher than I am.
Cup of Mighty Leaf
Since her operation Eva and a cup of coffee do not agree anymore. For that reason she ordered some tea in our favourite coffee shop called "Tashas".
Again I want to share with you the text that accompanies the pouch:
"Magic of the Mighty Leaf.
Since ancient times, a freshly brewed pot filled with whole tea leaves has been revered as the richest in character. Today we proudly continue the tradition. Our handcrafted silken biodegradable pouches are packed with our artisan blends of whole tea leaves, fruits, herbs, spices and flavors too big for ordinary tea bags. Enjoy the liberation of pure tea goodness and rediscover the pleasure of the way tea was naturally meant to be."
Woaw.
That is what I call good marketing, using food for thought as a way of promoting an article.
Dalai Lama
While Eva was having a physio treatment I was reading a South African magazine called Odyssey in the waiting room.
There I found the following quote from the Dalai Lama.
His Holiness was asked: "What surprises you most about humanity?"
He answered:
"What surprises me most is Man.
Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health.
Then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present.
And as a result he doesn't live in the present or the future.
And he lives as if he is never going to die,
and then he dies, having never really lived."
With love and blessings to you all.
Bruno
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Cava went flying
MY dog, MY wife, MY children, MY grandchildren; I OWN a dog...
These are words we use almost every day.
Just as if we can OWN a wife, a child or a dog for that matter.
Have you ever thought about what it really means when you speak about "owning" a dog?
Do you really think that a dog can be your property, just as if (s)he is a fridge, a car or a television set?
A while ago I read a German book about communicating with dogs and I liked it when the author did not use the word "Besitzer" (owner) when writing but "Bezugsperson" (the person to whom the dog relates most closely). In English we can imagine that we use the word dog - "carer" instead of dog owner.
I like that because when a dog is willing to live with me then I am more than willing to take care of the dog.
Cava was a dog I cared for and he has been one of my best teachers. He was not a big dog and he was not a dog of a breed with a reputation (like German Shepherd or Doberman or Pit Bull or whatever). But he had a lot of charisma and he was a natural born leader. He showed me how he clearly was the leader of our pack simply with his energy, his presence, his behaviour and his body language.
He did not have to shout. He was not nervous. He did not use violence. He was definitely not human. Whenever I copied him when dealing with so-called "difficult" dogs, it worked.
He was a dog and I accepted him as a dog.
I never owned him.
Cava is gone now for he was very ill and suffering.
We took the decision to have him put to sleep and made an appointment with the nearest vet in Wynberg.
Cava left us for the eternal hunting fields at 11 o'clock on Friday 11th of the 11th month of the year 2011.
Half an hour later having a cup of coffee at Tashas while overlooking the Table mountain in Cape Town, Eva and I saw a small, white cloud in the blue sky. We very clearly saw that the cloud represented Cava's head, his body, his tail and his four long legs.
He was flying away.
Five years ago when Chica was put to sleep I was literally devastated. Today I know that while I cried for Chica I also cried for myself. A lot of my sadness was self pity.
When Cava left us I felt much more balanced that 5 years ago. He showed me how he dealt with dying. Dying was something as natural as living for him. Our other dog Lupa was present when we put Cava to sleep but she certainly was not devastated.
Dying is as natural as living.
It must not necessarily be a very sad event.
Cava is not suffering anymore. He is now hunting in the skies.
With love and blessings
Bruno
Friday, November 4, 2011
Cava and Lupa visiting Groot Constantia
Dear friends,
There is a national monument in one of the suburbs of Cape Town that is called "Groot Constantia". It is the place where the very first wine was made in the Cape in the year 1657 and today it is still a wine farm.
I love to walk with the dogs on the estate because of the wide open spaces, the magnificent view overlooking the Table mountain and the Ocean and the presence of the many birds. On the estate they have what is called a "dam" which is a huge pond or small lake where hundreds of big birds are living. I have seen Guinea Fowl, Ibis Hadedas, geese, ducks and many other birds. For the first time of my life I saw geese that can sit on tree branches. It is quite dangerous to walk underneath them because they are producing impressive droppings.
The estate is much, much bigger than the small vineyards in la Comunidad de Valencia. The rows of vines are planted wider apart, allowing the use of much bigger tractors, and the grapes are grown on a higher level making the cutting during the harvest easier for human backs. Compared to the heavy red earth in Jalon the Groot Constantia vines are growing in something I would call a rather sandy soil.
Four seasons.
People here are saying that it is normal to have 4 seasons in one day. It means for instance that I get up at 6.00 am and wear my heavy duty jacket during the walk with the dogs while rain is pouring down. A few hours later the sun is shining and when there is no wind I can wear shorts. For our afternoon walk I have to change shorts for long trousers and in the evening I even have to wear a sweater at home because it is that cold outside.
Labels
It is so easy to buy organic food here. When I spoke about organic food in Jalon, people looked at me as if I was E.T. Here it is considered as normal.
It is my pleasure to copy the texts of some labels.
My Dad's Honey
Every morning our bees rush out and collect nectar to make this extraordinary honey. We would like to thank every single bee involved. My Dad's Honey is harvested exclusively from our own hives.
(Underneath the text is the logotype of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, confirming that the honey is "Badger Friendly")
Woolworths Organic Cheddar
Produced from cows that roam free and graze in organic pastures.
My hats
I clearly remember that many friends were sort of jealous of my beautiful hats.
It was pure delight for me to visit the shop called Union Cape Market, where Eva bought me a present. It was....a new hat, because she does not like the old ones with the sweat stains.
Read what the label says about my new "Rogue" hat.
"One of my mates asked me to design a hat for him to wear in the bush. He said that there was nothing he'd seen in the shops that was "right". I asked him what was "right".
"Leather", he said, "all leather and it must be the right colour. It must have a wide curved brim with a stiffener around the edge to keep the shape even if I drive over it."
So we stitched it double in case he does.
"Shape", he said. "Get the shape right and call it "Rogue" and I'll be your first customer".
So we did and he was.....
I see him often and he still wears that hat. He designed your hat - we only make him.
But for me the most amazing thing is how the shops in the nearest shopping centre (remember how I compared it with the horror story in Ondara?) called "The Constantia Village" present themselves. Here we go:
Down-to-Earth-Store.
This store is being environmentally friendly by:
recycling
using energy efficient lighting
providing eco-friendly shopping bags
stocking organic products
selling eco-friendly products
stocking locally made products
offering products made from recycled or reused materials
staff walking, cycling or using public transport to get to work
supporting fair trade principles
using green cleaning products
switching off all lighting after hours.
For more info go to www.constantiavillage.co.za
Most famous Belgian.
By the way I suppose you have noticed that a picture of the most famous Belgian was on the front page of Time Magazine of October 31, 2011.
Do you know his name?
Lovely greetings from Bruno in Wynberg
Friday, October 21, 2011
Groot Constantia
Dear friends walking with dogs in Spain.
Yesterday I had my first glass of young (2010) wine on the terrace of Groot Constantia. Overlooking the amazing vineyards, seeing the ocean at the horizon, admiring the mountains, savouring the wine, enjoying the unbelievable friendliness of everyone here, feeling my two dogs against my legs, I was in heaven. Spring is in the air here and the first leaves are sprouting from the vines.
This is the oldest wine making farm in Africa, as the first crop was harvested here in 1657. The farm was started by Simon Van der Stel who had learned (in Holland of all places) how to make wine.
Today the farm and the whole estate is a national monument.
But there are more things I like very much here.
It gives me an enormous lift to be called "Sir" by everyone. People are helpful and friendly and courteous like we used to be 60 years ago in Europe.
What I like is that there is no rubbish where I walk.
What I like is that the dog people I meet are saying hello with a friendly smile on their face.
What I like is a pair of socks I bought in Cape Union Market. Socks made from recycled cotton in place of the regular cotton. It helps eliminate the harsh dyes, pesticides, energy, water and human labour required for conventionally grown cotton. Furthermore recycling discarded fibres helps divert the millons of tons of textile what end up in the landfills. This pair of socks only costs 35 Rand, which 3,5 euro.
What I like is also the way the waiters and waitresses greet me when I go for a cappucino (16 Rand = 1,6 euro) in the coffee shop Tashas. This beautiful young men comes to me, shakes my hand and says: My name is Fidel. Unfortunately he does not speak Spanish. Of course they also bring me a news paper and a free glass of water with a slice of lemon.
What I also like is the business called "Black Forrest".
It is a butcher's for humans and adjacent is a pet food shop.
As Cava is dying from cancer of the colon and as an animal healer got in touch with Eva, and as this lady 's advice was to offer the dog mince, we now buy pet mince and black tripe in the pet(food)shop. Yesterday I bought 6 kg of pet mince and 2 kg of black tripe for 96 Rand = 9,6 euro. That is enough for 2 meals per day during 4 days.
Mixing all that meat with veggies, oats, natural tissue salts, yoghurt, rice and omega oil takes me two hours but it provides Cava and Lupa with excellent fresh food.
Eva is of course thinking that Cava got cancer of the colon because of the pellets he ate.
Me too I see a link between cancer of the colon and the super market rubbish we eat. But you know all that already as I have been boring you with stories about organic food.
What I also like is that there is a magnificent organic shop in the Constantia shopping centre. Buying organic is simply NORMAL here.
What I also like is that the Constantia shopping centre is built as a replica of old Dutch colonial style houses.
Compared to that the shopping centre in poor Ondara is HELL on earth.
That will be all for today.
I have to pay 50 cents for the use of a computer in Postnet.
So that is 25 Rand for writing this blog for you all.
Please send me the money.
LOVE from Bruno in Constantia.
Yesterday I had my first glass of young (2010) wine on the terrace of Groot Constantia. Overlooking the amazing vineyards, seeing the ocean at the horizon, admiring the mountains, savouring the wine, enjoying the unbelievable friendliness of everyone here, feeling my two dogs against my legs, I was in heaven. Spring is in the air here and the first leaves are sprouting from the vines.
This is the oldest wine making farm in Africa, as the first crop was harvested here in 1657. The farm was started by Simon Van der Stel who had learned (in Holland of all places) how to make wine.
Today the farm and the whole estate is a national monument.
But there are more things I like very much here.
It gives me an enormous lift to be called "Sir" by everyone. People are helpful and friendly and courteous like we used to be 60 years ago in Europe.
What I like is that there is no rubbish where I walk.
What I like is that the dog people I meet are saying hello with a friendly smile on their face.
What I like is a pair of socks I bought in Cape Union Market. Socks made from recycled cotton in place of the regular cotton. It helps eliminate the harsh dyes, pesticides, energy, water and human labour required for conventionally grown cotton. Furthermore recycling discarded fibres helps divert the millons of tons of textile what end up in the landfills. This pair of socks only costs 35 Rand, which 3,5 euro.
What I like is also the way the waiters and waitresses greet me when I go for a cappucino (16 Rand = 1,6 euro) in the coffee shop Tashas. This beautiful young men comes to me, shakes my hand and says: My name is Fidel. Unfortunately he does not speak Spanish. Of course they also bring me a news paper and a free glass of water with a slice of lemon.
What I also like is the business called "Black Forrest".
It is a butcher's for humans and adjacent is a pet food shop.
As Cava is dying from cancer of the colon and as an animal healer got in touch with Eva, and as this lady 's advice was to offer the dog mince, we now buy pet mince and black tripe in the pet(food)shop. Yesterday I bought 6 kg of pet mince and 2 kg of black tripe for 96 Rand = 9,6 euro. That is enough for 2 meals per day during 4 days.
Mixing all that meat with veggies, oats, natural tissue salts, yoghurt, rice and omega oil takes me two hours but it provides Cava and Lupa with excellent fresh food.
Eva is of course thinking that Cava got cancer of the colon because of the pellets he ate.
Me too I see a link between cancer of the colon and the super market rubbish we eat. But you know all that already as I have been boring you with stories about organic food.
What I also like is that there is a magnificent organic shop in the Constantia shopping centre. Buying organic is simply NORMAL here.
What I also like is that the Constantia shopping centre is built as a replica of old Dutch colonial style houses.
Compared to that the shopping centre in poor Ondara is HELL on earth.
That will be all for today.
I have to pay 50 cents for the use of a computer in Postnet.
So that is 25 Rand for writing this blog for you all.
Please send me the money.
LOVE from Bruno in Constantia.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Diep River Pack
Walking with my two African dogs is quite different from walking my two Labradors in Spain.
Every morning I arrive between 6.00 and 6.30 in the morning, parking the car close to the Wendy house of the security guard.
Although I preferred to walk each time in a different area, here I have been going for 9 days to the green belt of Diep River.
Why? Because there is such an enormous diversity of flowers, trees, bushes, birds, ducks, squirrels, and people walking with dogs.
I recognize huge oak trees big enough for Robin Hood and his mates to live in, or flowers that are very expensive in European flower shops and the Hadidas and Guinea Fowls that are bigger than European chickens. It is my intention to buy a book about the flora in the Cape provinces, for many other plants are unknown to me.
But I do recognize the dogs.
We meet Labradors, German Shepherds, Jack Russels, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, mongrels and lots of Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Rhodesia is now called Zambia in the north and Zimbabwe in the south but the big African dogs are still Rhodesians.
What is so amazing is that this huge amount of dogs is running of leash and sofar I have never seen an incident between them.
Why is this possible?
I can see at least two reasons.
First, many dogs we meet are pets we have met before. Obviously their carers walk them in this magnificent botanical garden on a very regular basis. The result is that these dogs are used to meeting lots of other dogs. They are really very well socialized.
Secondly there is the way their South African carers walk with them. Sofar I have not seen many nice, nervous, insecure and anxious persons emanating weak energy. On the contrary. What I can read in the body language of the Diep River Pack is confidence, leadership, and calm assertive energy. Men or women, it does not matter, they are all walking fast or jogging and most of the time they take no notice of the dogs. The effect is that their dogs pay attention to them.
I have to admit though that there is absolutely no traffic allowed in this green belt and that a belt is....well a belt. I mean it is 100 to 200 m wide and very long. So you can say that it is easier to walk there than in the orange groves of Orba.
But nevertheless I am pleased to see the link between the assertive behaviour of the carers and the natural behaviour of their dogs.
I wrote that I arrive early in the morning.
It means of course that I get up early in the morning.
Why is that possible?
Because I have lived already 9 days without TV. Nine days without murders, wars, catastrophes, corruption being poured into my soul. Beautiful!
My bio-rythm has changed dramatically. I go to bed at 9.00 pm and get up at 6.00 pm. And you know what? All the hours of sleep before midnight count twice.
Did you know that?
Love from Bruno in The Cape.
Every morning I arrive between 6.00 and 6.30 in the morning, parking the car close to the Wendy house of the security guard.
Although I preferred to walk each time in a different area, here I have been going for 9 days to the green belt of Diep River.
Why? Because there is such an enormous diversity of flowers, trees, bushes, birds, ducks, squirrels, and people walking with dogs.
I recognize huge oak trees big enough for Robin Hood and his mates to live in, or flowers that are very expensive in European flower shops and the Hadidas and Guinea Fowls that are bigger than European chickens. It is my intention to buy a book about the flora in the Cape provinces, for many other plants are unknown to me.
But I do recognize the dogs.
We meet Labradors, German Shepherds, Jack Russels, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, mongrels and lots of Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Rhodesia is now called Zambia in the north and Zimbabwe in the south but the big African dogs are still Rhodesians.
What is so amazing is that this huge amount of dogs is running of leash and sofar I have never seen an incident between them.
Why is this possible?
I can see at least two reasons.
First, many dogs we meet are pets we have met before. Obviously their carers walk them in this magnificent botanical garden on a very regular basis. The result is that these dogs are used to meeting lots of other dogs. They are really very well socialized.
Secondly there is the way their South African carers walk with them. Sofar I have not seen many nice, nervous, insecure and anxious persons emanating weak energy. On the contrary. What I can read in the body language of the Diep River Pack is confidence, leadership, and calm assertive energy. Men or women, it does not matter, they are all walking fast or jogging and most of the time they take no notice of the dogs. The effect is that their dogs pay attention to them.
I have to admit though that there is absolutely no traffic allowed in this green belt and that a belt is....well a belt. I mean it is 100 to 200 m wide and very long. So you can say that it is easier to walk there than in the orange groves of Orba.
But nevertheless I am pleased to see the link between the assertive behaviour of the carers and the natural behaviour of their dogs.
I wrote that I arrive early in the morning.
It means of course that I get up early in the morning.
Why is that possible?
Because I have lived already 9 days without TV. Nine days without murders, wars, catastrophes, corruption being poured into my soul. Beautiful!
My bio-rythm has changed dramatically. I go to bed at 9.00 pm and get up at 6.00 pm. And you know what? All the hours of sleep before midnight count twice.
Did you know that?
Love from Bruno in The Cape.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Arrived in Cape Town
Dear friends in Spain walking with dogs,
I have to admit it was quite a shock for me to meet my ex-spouse Eva in the airport. When we split 4 years ago she was still participating in tennis competitions. Now she is constantly in pain and walking slowly with the help of two crutches. Next month she will be in hospital for a total hip replacement operation.
But she is still a strong spirit and her aching hip did not prevent her from organizing so many workshops all over this very big country that her Academy for Tissue Salts and Facial Analysis called Atifa has now tens of thousands of customers being helped by over 200 consultants.
We are living in "Little Chelsa" in a suburb of a Cape Town that is called Wynberg.
Just to give you an idea of the atmosphere in Little Chelsea I have transcribed the text of two signs I saw attached to trees.
The first one says:"Beware! Geese with babies crossing."
The second one is even better:"Apartments to let. Squirrels only."
Last Sunday we went to Surfers Corner in Muizenberg in order to have a look at the big waves of the Ocean. For the first time in my life I saw the red flag flying on the beach, meaning that there was a shark alarm.
And now for some doggy news.
I walk the dogs (Cava and Lupa for the friends who have known them before 2006) in what is the green belt of Diep (= deep) River. In some parts of it I have the impression of walking in one big botanical garden with all sorts of flowers and huge trees that are unknown to me.
The biggest difference with dog walking in the Val del Pop is that here all dogs are running of leash and that everyone says hello to everyone. Obviously these hundreds of walking dog carers are less afraid than many clients I have met in Spain. What I read in these South African faces and in the body language of these walkers is a lot of assertive energy and a no-nonsense spirit.
O yes, I have seen my first large pack of baboons when we were walking at the foot of the Constantiaberg. I called the dogs, put them on a leash and walked away as fast as I could. The rangers on the estate are better equipped than I was with sticks and plastic bottles in order to chase them away.
Well, now you know what to do if you meet a pack of baboons in Orba.
A hug from Bruno
I have to admit it was quite a shock for me to meet my ex-spouse Eva in the airport. When we split 4 years ago she was still participating in tennis competitions. Now she is constantly in pain and walking slowly with the help of two crutches. Next month she will be in hospital for a total hip replacement operation.
But she is still a strong spirit and her aching hip did not prevent her from organizing so many workshops all over this very big country that her Academy for Tissue Salts and Facial Analysis called Atifa has now tens of thousands of customers being helped by over 200 consultants.
We are living in "Little Chelsa" in a suburb of a Cape Town that is called Wynberg.
Just to give you an idea of the atmosphere in Little Chelsea I have transcribed the text of two signs I saw attached to trees.
The first one says:"Beware! Geese with babies crossing."
The second one is even better:"Apartments to let. Squirrels only."
Last Sunday we went to Surfers Corner in Muizenberg in order to have a look at the big waves of the Ocean. For the first time in my life I saw the red flag flying on the beach, meaning that there was a shark alarm.
And now for some doggy news.
I walk the dogs (Cava and Lupa for the friends who have known them before 2006) in what is the green belt of Diep (= deep) River. In some parts of it I have the impression of walking in one big botanical garden with all sorts of flowers and huge trees that are unknown to me.
The biggest difference with dog walking in the Val del Pop is that here all dogs are running of leash and that everyone says hello to everyone. Obviously these hundreds of walking dog carers are less afraid than many clients I have met in Spain. What I read in these South African faces and in the body language of these walkers is a lot of assertive energy and a no-nonsense spirit.
O yes, I have seen my first large pack of baboons when we were walking at the foot of the Constantiaberg. I called the dogs, put them on a leash and walked away as fast as I could. The rangers on the estate are better equipped than I was with sticks and plastic bottles in order to chase them away.
Well, now you know what to do if you meet a pack of baboons in Orba.
A hug from Bruno
Monday, October 3, 2011
Kaapstad/Cape Town
Dearest Friends walking with dogs,
Thank you very much for the love and the friendship I felt during the farewell-party you organized for me on Sunday 02.10.2011 in Orba.
Enjoying the warmth of your positive energy there was a bit of sadness in my heart because I am leaving for Kaapstad/Cape Town in South Africa.
But I also felt joy because I was told many times that because of my Sunday walks with dogs you are now a group of friends and you will keep on walking.
Me from my part I will keep on writing on my blog.
My dear friend Jeni has taken the position of leader in your dog walking group and she invites you this coming Sunday 09.10.2011 for a walk in Lliber.
You can contact her on jeni.oliva@gmail.com or phone her on 680781889.
In Kaapstad/Cape Town I will help my ex-wife Eva Schoenfeld in her company called "Atifa". The word "atifa" means "kind" in Arabic. Treating yourself and your dog with Natural Tissue Salts means that you can be kind to yourself and your pet.
But atifa is also the name of the Academy for tissue salts and facial analysis in South Africa. For more information about the academy I invite you to visit:
http://www.atifa.co.za
My address in Kaapstad/Cape Town will be
Postnet Suite 405
Private Bag x 16
Constantia 7848
Western Cape
South Africa
My email address stays the same on brunosdogs@gmail.com
On 06.10.2011 I am leaving Spain with a rucksack filled with friendship and love.
Inkosi inkubesesi.
May the Great Spirit bless you.
Bruno
Thank you very much for the love and the friendship I felt during the farewell-party you organized for me on Sunday 02.10.2011 in Orba.
Enjoying the warmth of your positive energy there was a bit of sadness in my heart because I am leaving for Kaapstad/Cape Town in South Africa.
But I also felt joy because I was told many times that because of my Sunday walks with dogs you are now a group of friends and you will keep on walking.
Me from my part I will keep on writing on my blog.
My dear friend Jeni has taken the position of leader in your dog walking group and she invites you this coming Sunday 09.10.2011 for a walk in Lliber.
You can contact her on jeni.oliva@gmail.com or phone her on 680781889.
In Kaapstad/Cape Town I will help my ex-wife Eva Schoenfeld in her company called "Atifa". The word "atifa" means "kind" in Arabic. Treating yourself and your dog with Natural Tissue Salts means that you can be kind to yourself and your pet.
But atifa is also the name of the Academy for tissue salts and facial analysis in South Africa. For more information about the academy I invite you to visit:
http://www.atifa.co.za
My address in Kaapstad/Cape Town will be
Postnet Suite 405
Private Bag x 16
Constantia 7848
Western Cape
South Africa
My email address stays the same on brunosdogs@gmail.com
On 06.10.2011 I am leaving Spain with a rucksack filled with friendship and love.
Inkosi inkubesesi.
May the Great Spirit bless you.
Bruno
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