But...he can sleep in my bed!

In this harsh economic and social climate of South Africa, it is increasingly difficult to make a living. This is more so in rescue because although money is exchanged for services rendered in the real world, a truly charitable worker is one who works expecting nothing in return.

For this reason, I would like to take this opportunity to point out how grateful Woodrock are to have such a wonderful board of staff members. They range in age, gender, background and experience but each Woodrock employee falls under a bigger umbrella of commonality- that of empathy.

As a Woodrock employee, there are no structured "off" hours. At any point during the day, night or weekend, these tireless exployees are on call to assist with an animal related emergency or rescue.
They are kind and patient souls who go above and beyond for the greater good of animals in need. There are also no personal boundaries in regards to space or no go animal zones. Nightly the beds, blankets and bowls are hauled into the staff's sleeping quartersPaulina, a domestic who has worked for my parents for over 10 years, is the local cat lady with a resident cat always found curled up on her bed. For years, Victor, Woodrock's driver had a large Boerboel sleep next to his bedside until she died of old age. Tights bonds are formed with the animals and occasionally attachments are so deep that the staff take on specific animals as their own. If my parents go away, there is always someone on call to fill the bedspace that the dogs look forward to snuggling up to. These people are truly special and there is always a smiling face in sight even if that hand is halfway down a dogs throat retrieving something or examining faeces and or vomit for signs of sickness.In regards to the previous post regarding Nicholas and his rats- The staff have had their fair share of having to catch rat escapees within the car- just a small one of their daily tasks!

Woodrock workers are also incredibly patient, as anyone in rescue knows, animals that have not been trained are prone to messing wherever they can. There is always a mop, bucket and reams of newspaper on standby for an accident and it is a common joke that you can't go anywhere barefooted or socked for fear of encountering a cold or even worse warm mass on the floor!!

But it is definitely always worth it so thank you Woodrockers!


Woodrock Dog Rescue
Standard Bank Rivonia
Account number: 425 369 161
Savings account
Branch code: 001255

Viva rodents viva!!

The antics of my father Nicholas Meldau seem to be the common theme of the blog posts for this month – don’t worry mom your turn is most certainly coming!!

Anyway I would like to enlighten you about my father’s absolute love or rather tolerance of the humble “rat”.

Rodents, pets, vermin, spreaders of disease etc… yes these are the usual connotations of rats but not to my father. My parents have the absolute joy of living on a small holding in Hennops as you all know- unfortunately due to the farming surrounds and highly appropriate terrain, it is rat central in regards to pest problems. Woodrock do have resident cats- (which I will tell you all about in another post), but cats can only eat and or kill/mutilate so many rats!!

For this reason, the vermin have an absolute field day at the farm free from their number one nemesis cats but so too from human intervention- the reason- my parents abhorrently hate any kind of unnatural pesticide or poison that would kill an innocent creature so that is not an option!

As many of you animal lovers out there know- there are humane methods to deter and or dispose of rats depending on how large an impact they are having on your property- in this case- they have a huge impact basically vibrating the house’s ceiling panels with their rambunctious running around! Anyway I am waxing lyrical here giving you background- the point of my tale is however how my fabulous father devised a very labour intensive method of moving his rats. The process entails- humane rat traps- tempting rat treats and direct telephonic lines to the farm and kennel handlers.

Much to my mother’s dismay- my father will get a call any time day or night with the code word “RATS” shouted over the phone or sent via texts. Nicholas then projecting every secret agent James Bond agent he has ever watched rushes into his car to go and collect the “rat” in question and deliver it to Hennops River or the Jukskei depending on location. Many a morning, my mother has been ushered into the car at an unholy hour because they have to do a rodent rescue before going into work.

Bizarre but true!
Only animal nuts could understand this kind of devotion, in the interim I hope my boxes in storage at the farm aren’t being snuck into by the pesky fiends!!

Until next time
L

"Don't even think about it..."

Let us never deny the fact that our animals are primal creatures. I have praised their ability to not give a hoot about their bodily functions but is there some substance behind the fact that will intentionally do something in order to get a reaction out of you like a petulant child does to its parent.

Many a time, I have witnessed a dog performing its most embarrassing moments at an extremely ill timed opportunity eg proceeding to hump a stuffed animal and or leg, cushion etc when a snobby relative comes to visit. My personal favorite is the old "drag race" trick.... Allow me to elaborate.

My perfect pooch Lavender loves the feeling of certain materials.
If Stella is wearing a silk top, there is only one place Lavender will insist on sitting. So too does my little doll enjoy walking under the fringe of a very antique piece of furniture (what can I say, she has good taste...) just to get a gentle tickle along her spine. There is no problem with this but her enjoyment of texture extended to her nether regions as well. She is examined monthly and regularly dewormed etc so there is no physical issue, but this usually well behaved lass gets an absolute thrill from dragging her bottom along the most expensive of carpets and particularly if there are people other then myself in her presence! Many a time I have had to give her that subtle "don't you even think about that right now..." Body language in the presence of less animal acclimated individuals.

But I mustn't complain, I would take her with every gross habit she has, god knows she has seen me at my worst, we have an understanding and I don't care what anyone says I am a proud kiss my pooch on her lips kinda gal! You will understand if you have an animal, every there dirty little smell is adorable and plus they are much better than humans!

Until next time
L
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"Here fishy fishy fishy...."

“The random task of sexing KOI.”

I am fortunate enough to have a very good relationship with my boyfriend’s family and him with mine. We have been together for the better part of a decade and he is simply lovely.

But…. And this is my fault entirely, I find it excessively difficult to say no to familial responsibilities or when my skills are in need. For this reason, I often find myself doing random chores that are mundane and/or strange shopping for random objects like stuffing for pillows or materials or ping -pong balls etc…

But I have been allocated my strangest task to date recently. The job of “sexing” KOI fish. Yes, you read that correctly. Now, I am no Ichthyologic expert here but as those of you who know me- I always need to find out the answer (The OCD in me has to be front of the queue) and thus my good friend Google is always up to this task.

So why may you ask have I been assigned this specific task, well there is a problem of overpopulation in a water pond on my “in-laws” property- the KOI are so happy they are breeding at a very high rate!! My father, the lover of nature and animal savior who has a particular fondness for fish is only too thrilled to take on the excess KOI. Thus the task to find out the genders in order to allow some breeding in future but at a manageable rate- turns out its all a question of stomach width, pectoral fin shape and roughness of gill- yes male KOI actually grow a kind of stubbly beard!!

So my Saturday morning has consisted of chasing fish from one side of the pond to the other to try and get pictures of each one! I look like an army nut doing a sort of foot-in-foot-out-knee-high-kicks (the pond has a narrow area which you can place your feet on either side of) Might I add that I am also quite clumsy, a trait I picked up from my papa. So,I cant help smiling to myself imagining my father- a rather rotund and clumsy giant trying to catch his precious fishhhh when the time comes !!!

Stay tuned,

Ill definitely keep you posted on this one!

Did you say haddock?

“Ooh I would love some haddock…”

My dog Lavender is a Chihuahua, perfection in a tiny package. She is 2 years old is kept busy most days with sleeping, chasing her squeaky pig and the dream of an unlimited supply of fish- the smellier the better.

Although my pooch has various dietary loves in her life- probably because she is not allowed many of them- (I’m non negotiable in terms of her food allowance for health reasons), fish definitely tips her all time favorite!

Perhaps she craves the omega or just the ability to give me a fishy kiss- but my question is what make this one food group more appealing to her palate then say cheese or meat? Do animals sometimes crave a little something?!

Perhaps my child has my genetic make up and when she has a culinary craving she will go to extreme lengths to obtain it but I often wonder if from an animal's perspective; food is food, non- animal food is delicious and then there is the best of the best in their books- in her case fish- the richer the better !

So does your pooch crave a little something sweet after dinner or a salty treat on awakening, yip we have all seen the ears prickle at the scrunch of a crisp packet? Or am I merely anthropomorphizing my darling Lavender? Similarly a friend of mine Karisma has a Poodle who will go to extreme lengths to steal tomatoes-even so far as opening the fridge and helping himself!

I would love to hear your views- send me a mail Woodrockanimalrescue@gmail.com

Until next time
L
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