The adventures of Stompie and Caesar: a journey of a man and his best friend
The theme of Casual Day 2023 is #ShareASmile with Persons with Disabilities.
Casual Day is dedicated to celebrating persons living with disabilities and is honoured on September 1.
This year, the theme for Casual Day is #ShareASmile, which encourages creating beautiful memories with all persons living with disabilities.
“This theme aims to promote kindness, goodwill, and positivity in support of persons with disabilities in South Africa.
“A smile can trigger a positive chain reaction of wonderfully, uncontrollable proportions,” said National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) national director Therina Wentzel.
A local individual who has overcome great challenges to be where they are today is Daniel “Stompie” Oosthuizen, who has been living on the streets for nine years.
Anyone can find the 36-year-old roaming the streets on his way to and from the scrap yard with his companion and best friend Caesar. Daniel lost his leg in a motorcycle accident when he was 18.
He adopted Caesar a few years later when the dog’s mom gave birth unexpectedly while her owners were away on holiday.
“The owners told me she would give birth a week later and, as my luck would have it, she gave birth when I was house-sitting. He came out first and he reminded me of Caesar from Planet of the Apes. I looked at him and I told him your name is Caesar and you are mine,” he said.
The birth of his companion also holds a special place in his heart.
“Caesar, who is a Staffy, is very special to me because he was born a few days after my niece Simoné was born. She was a premature baby so she was in hospital for six months,” he said.
Caesar, as a pup, stayed with his mom for six months before being given to Daniel.
“The day she came home from the hospital, Caesar came home too and their bond has been unshaken since,” he said.
Daniel speaks of the adventures he and Caesar have gone through, including health scares and surviving many hardships together.
“My dog is my brother and my best friend so naturally he is very protective of me. Some say he is overprotective and I feel the same about him.
“We have survived being homeless together for nine years and that alone comes with its challenges,” said Daniel.
He recalls all the times Caesar was sick and how almost losing him terrified him.
“Caesar has been terribly sick three times in his life and all those times I got so close to losing him. I didn’t know what to do,” said Daniel.
He tearfully recalls how residents would help him by taking Caesar to a local vet in Selection Park.
“I don’t know what would become of me if I were to lose him,” he said.
When asked if Caesar has been taught to assist him in some activities, Daniel is quick to shake his head.
“Caesar is not here to work for me. He is my equal in every way and I treat him like it. I have never taught him to fetch things for me because I am very independent,” he said.
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He hopes one day to receive a prosthetic leg so that his situation might improve. Until then, he will continue living his adventures with his four-legged best friend.
• In support of Casual Day, individuals and organisations are encouraged to purchase Casual Day stickers (R20 each) and specially branded merchandise before September 1, and to wear them with pride on the day.
Visit www.casualday.co.za to find out where purchases can be made, or to order personalised stickers.
