Vinkel: “My mom found us on a plot just outside of Meyerton in the summertime of early 2013.”
Koljander: “She sat there for ages watching us, how many were we?”
Vinkel: “I think about 7 or 8, but I was the only girl.”
Koljander: “That’s why she observed us for so long, the entire afternoon. And I never left your side.”
Vinkel: “I think that’s why she kept watching. She wanted to be certain.”
Koljander: “Yes, she saw our bond and realised she had to make sure that nothing would ever separate us.”
Vinkel: “So we’re inseparable. We’ve been together since birth.”
Koljander: “I think we should get her to write some ‘tails’.”
Vinkel: “Yes, and reward us with treats more often.”
Koljander: “Yes… trea… Oooo a pigeon!”
Vinkel: “Wait for me!”
Umm, well I guess we’ll take a short break.
Vinkel: Koljander grounds me. I think my mom saw that I needed that. You see, some people came and took me away from him. A few days later they brought me back. They said I was vicious, aggressive and neurotic. When you get to know me, you’ll see what a blow that was to me.
Koljander: It was the best day of my life when those people brought Vinkie back. She’s none of those things, I knew I had to stay by her side and affirm that in her.
Vinkel: Okay, sometimes I get a bit overprotective around mom, especially around Pablo, that’s my gran’s Great Dane and I’ll share some stories about him on another day…
Koljander: Well you also lose the plot a bit around balloons, balls and bubbles and water and lasers. Actually, we both do…
Vinkel: Yeah, those are problem areas, but yes, so mom called us Vinkel and Koljander – “die een is soos die ander”. We’re twins, inseparable and this is a story of our adventures.
Since Koljander mentioned treats, I would like to share with my readers a simple dog biscuit recipe that’s easy and healthy to make at home.
These basic biscuits can be customised to cater to your canine’s palette.
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups whole wheat flour (substitute regular flour or oats if your dog is sensitive to wheat)
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon beef or chicken bouillon granules (can substitute beef or chicken broth/stock)
½ cup hot water
1 grated carrot
Optional: Add a few small pieces of bacon for taste (remember to keep it to small amount).
2 tablespoons peanut butter
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Dissolve bouillon in hot water.
3. Add remaining ingredients.
4. Knead dough until it forms a ball, approximately three minutes.
5. Roll dough until 1cm thick.
6. Cut into slices or bone shapes. You can purchase a bone-shaped cookie cutter to make shapes with.
7. Place dough pieces on lightly greased cookie sheet.
8. Bake for 30 minutes or until nicely cooked through.
9. Cool and serve.
Remember to always make sure whatever treat you serve your dog is dog-friendly and will not cause them harm, and to limit their portions.
Stick to food and treats you buy from the vet or the pet shop, and pet-approved recipes.
Never give your dog any of the following:
Chocolate
Caffeine
Garlic
Onions
Dairy products
Raw egg, meat or fish
Sugar or artificial sweeteners
Grapes and raisins
Avocado
We’d love to hear some of your stories too, so please send them through with some photographs, and if you have any questions simply ask and we will try to answer them for you.
Look out for next week’s story, where we’ll be sharing more of Vinkel and Koljander’s adventures as they think back fondly to last year’s winter holiday on the beach in Paternoster. We’ll also be sharing some tips for keeping your pup happy and warm during the upcoming winter months.
