Newest Animals Blogs (472)

I should learn to keep my trap shut but there are things that can annoy me so much that I have to speak. A dog on a chain is one of those things.

Ever since I moved here – while taking my morning walk - I have been noticing this dog in the front yard a few blocks down the road. I don’t know the English name of the breed but in my language we call it a skaaphond which translates to a sheep dog. I suspect it may be of English origins. It is a black and white dog with hair of medium length. We keep them on our sheep farms as they are very good with sheep.

I would not really have bothered as it not a spectacular dog. It was well fed with water within his reach and enough shade. But it was tied to a stake in the ground by means of a 2-meter chain.

This morning, for the first time, I saw the owner in the garden. I introduced myself and we shook hands in true South African style.

“Nice dog”, I commented.

Yes”, he replied. “A well tended dog”.

“You mean a well fed dog”, I said. It slipped out before I could catch it.

“So what is the difference?” he asked. I did not fail to notice the annoyance in his eyes.

“He’s on a chain”, I said.

“Yes, so he is. Otherwise he ruins my garden”, he replied, now clearly irritated.

“That is easy to explain”, I said. “These dogs need plenty of space. He belongs on a farm”.

“Why don’t you mind your own business”, he exploded.

Well, he was right, it was none of my business, and I proceeded with my walk. I normally come back up the next street but my inquisitiveness forced be back the same way and when I passed the house he pretended not to notice me while attaching a steel ring to a tree.

Can it be that he plans to put the dog on a cable? I surely hope so. It will not satisfy me but it will certainly make me happier.


Have a good day out there and let sleeping dogs lie.

He is a Liger, a cross between a Lion and a Tiger. He is currently one of the largest cats on Earth.



He is a very gentle animal and has not been taught how to hunt. He likes having his belly scratched, drinking milk from a baby bottle and playing with beach balls in the water. Like most tigers he does not fear water and like a big brown bear can even hold his breath and swim underwater whenever they so desire. Bet you thought going into the pool would create a safety zone, didn't you? Hercules and the other big cats never watched a Tarzan movie so he and they don't know Hollywood says they can't swim, play or hunt underwater.





Some people can rock the boat. Hercules can rock the bus. LoL, he can probably roll the bus like a ball if he wanted to.