no 22. Dogust

Illustration of dogust @smarti

Dogs. Fluffy, scruffy, small, big, charming, playing, rolling, cuddling. I love 'em all. So when we arrived in Windhoek, I decided to go through volunteer training with the SPCA so I could get to visit some of the doggos. Since August is National Dog month in the US of A (aka Dogust) I thought I would share my experience and some of the SPCA pups that tug at my heart!

Illustration of wolf alpo @smarti

Let me clarify first and foremost, that I cannot adopt a dog...yet, so volunteering with the SPCA is the nest best thing. (If you are truly curious: and s much as I want to, it just wouldn't work in the short term for our nomadic expat lifestyle, which also wouldn't be fair to a dog long-term. I have to make sure that we're completely settled so that I can make proper arrangements for prolonged placement and care for my pet's life. [...] I say all that from my rational mind, but I swear, sometimes my heart just melts in my volunteering sessions.)

So, SPCA - if you don't know it - is Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. As a charity, they take in sick, injured, abandoned and abused animals. They treat and care for these animals and prepare them for adoption. The volunteer training in Windhoek took up a Saturday morning and then volunteers are welcome to join during opening hours to walk doggies, play with puppies, cuddle cats and kittens, and just generally care for the animals.

For a year now, I go in once a week to spend a couple of hours with the dogs and puppies. (Cats are...fine...just not my preference). Some times I take the dogs for a walk, sometimes I help wash dishes or set out dinner bowls. Mostly, I just enter kennels and spend time with dogs, petting and cuddling them. I've been told that spending time with the dogs makes some of these street dogs more comfortable with humans and therefore more adoptable.

Some dogs like the attention more than others, so for the tricky ones sometimes I just sit there while they tolerate my presence. Its so gratifying when they trust enough to come closer and let me pet them! Some dogs know the drill, and immediately bowl over for belly rubs and cuddles. With the puppies, It's a lot good behavior repetition - redirecting jumping behavior with lowered hands. giving chest and belly rubs, and pulling away when they start to nibble. They're cute, but sometimes I find it harder than just chilling with the older dogs.

Here's some of the SPCA doggos in Windhoek that I've been hanging out with:

Photo of tiny brown dog Talia at SPCA Windhoek.

Photo of cautious mutt Mike at SPCA windhoek.

Photo of attentive Hunter at SPCA Windhoek.

Photo of gentle Wolf Alpo at SPCA Windhoek.

photos of Talia / Mike / Hunter / Wolf Alpo from Windhoek SPCA website

Talia - she's a 10-month tiny crossbreed female dog who is perfectly kind and quiet. She is quite timid, somewhat of a chihuahua demeanour - she cowers when you get too close, but she enjoys the cuddles and is so cute. She'd probably enjoy a very chill household.

Mike - he's only 10 months but will probably be a medium sized dog. His coat is minky soft. He was a street pup (maybe shepherding mix?) so he likes coralling and running around. He's a bit nervous around people but has started to realize that humans are there to pet him and is slowly getting closer. He's very playful. I imagine he'd be happiest with kiddos around.

Hunter - 1 year old crossbreed dog - with something of a husky in him. He's a handful, playing and jumping in water to cool down, but eager for cuddles and very posessive for attention. But he's very very soft and easy to cozy down with for a snuggle.

Wolf Alpo - 4 year old German Shepherd. Easily the gentle giant, he's got a sweet and quiet soul. He seems to mix well with a lot of different dogs and brings gravitas wherever he goes. He has the kindest eyes.

Illustration of mike @smarti

My weekly visits to the SPCA are a real highlight - it feels like I have 50 dogs to myself! I appreciate how it also helps clear my head. I always go home quite satisfied even if a little heartsore to see them still waiting in their kennels for adoption. Sometimes I'm even unrightfully sad when they get adopted because I know I'll miss spending time with them.

If you are keen to have a pet, visit your local SPCA to rescue a fluffy love. Or if you are like me, see if you can volunteer at the SPCA to get a little time to walk and cuddle a doggo and get them ready for their forever homes.

wishing you a furry cuddle moment to sooth the soul,

smarti