Happy Mother's Day To Me!!!!

For the past couple of months, I've been contemplating, questioning, and calculating exactly how to fill the void in that part of my heart only reserved for "(wo)man's best friend". If you know anything about me, you know that I love animals of all types, but particularly with dogs! You would also know that I have a child of the four-legged kind at home that I've had since the 9th grade, Medin! He is indeed the sunlight of my life, but due to the fact that I'm living my Peace Corps Dreams, his grandparents decided that it would be best that he lives with them. In fact, he's been on an extended visit with his grandparents ever since I went away to college. Although we haven't lived together for a while, he is still my heart and no one can ever take his place.

Ever since I arrived at my permanent site, however, I've noticed that something's been missing... I said to myself, and just about everyone who would listen, "I think it's about that time to get a pet". My fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, Elayna patiently listened to me as I hummed and haaa'd about wanting to fill that void...and just how I was planning to do it. First, I thought about getting a bird...a parakeet. Birds are great, I've had one in fact, but still, something was missing. I thought about a parrot that enjoyed physical interaction...but depending on the breed, it might expect to live longer than I will...and I don't want my kids putting me in a home because I stuck them with a loud and moody bird. I finally had to do a little sit down with myself, realizing that all of the characteristics I was looking forward to in other types of pets were all wrapped up in a doggy package. So, to make a long story short, I've decided to get a dog...and English Bulldog to be specific! I've even found someone who raises them. I received a phone call on Monday morning, telling me that the puppies were born on Mother's Day! That's a good sign, right?! The puppy is the one in the middle (in the group shot). I think that he'll be coming home with me at the end of June! I'm excited! Overjoyed! I'll finally have a warm, snuggly button to keep me company! Yeah!!!!!

Just because I know you're in your respective locations, shifting in your seats to ask a few questions, I've decided to answer them for you:

Yes- I'm going to have time for a dog...all I've got is time! In fact, my supervisor said that I can even bring him into work with me. I'm taking an evening course to become a HIV pre and post-test (VCT) counselor with my organization...so in addition to growing up, he'll really fit in with my organization, because he'll be a trained counsellor as well! He'll be my best buddy, child, VCT counsellor, and co-worker all mixed into one!

Yes- I've already chosen a name: Twobob (slang for boyfriend) Karabo (Setswana for "The answer). The name "Twobob" is also slang for 20 cents, no relation to 50 cent (the rapper). I might even glue a 20 cent coin onto his dog tag. There was a really popular song that came out a couple of years ago by a group called Malika. The woman in the song is singing about a guy she really likes. I like the group, I like the song, and I think the meaning is funny. My co-workers helped me pick out the middle name.

Yes- I will be bringing him home (to the USA) with me, so if you know me personally, you'll have the chance to meet him! He might not understand your accents though, as he will not be used to other American accents (an mine is slowly shifting to be proudly South African) and I'm going to teach him Setswana: No Twobob! Go potty Twobob! Sit Twobob! Are you crazy Twobob?!

Kind of- I'm a bit nervous about having a dog in South Africa. I know that having Twobob will be a cross cultural exchange in and of itself, just based on the different ways Americans treat pets versus South Africans. In America, it's common place to see someone walking their dog down the street with a collar and leash. Dogs are on commercials. You probably wouldn't gasp when you saw a dog inside of the house, sitting on furniture, or riding down the street in a car. In my community, dogs are treated like, well, dogs... Dogs are for protection. Dogs are for little kids, but as soon as they (the kid or the dog) grow up, the dog is left to fend for itself. People in my community don't walk dogs on leashes down the street, or at least not that I've seen. One of the volunteers, Steph, often brings her dog Diesel to trainings, so it's not too strange to see around my organization. In fact, if you walk down the halls of my office, you'll see comic strips of a cat that used to hang around and became the unofficial mascot...but I think everyone in my office is a bit off kilter in the first place and should not be taken as the norm (with respect to animals).

As you can see, I'm two bob short of a Rand right now thinking of my new little friend! I'll make sure to keep you posted on how he's doing! Charlene and I have already set up play dates for Aisha and Twobob! Ish!

I never thought I would have to.....

Give THE TALK, you know, the sex talk to a dog, but I did! It seems like it's come a little too late though. But before I go any longer, I need to jog your memory a bit, so you know who I'm talking about. Do you remember that cute little face I welcomed into the family a few months ago, Aisha, My Setswana 2 Setswana Sister's dog? Yeah, her! The 9 month old little girl that was so sweet, cute, and full of energy. I guess all of those characteristics that made her so much fun to be around, also made her fun to be around other dogs as well. It turns out that, while at a mandatory Peace Corps meeting, Charlene's co-workers didn't always keep such a close eye on little Miss Aisha. Seems that she (Aisha) didn't know how to handle herself like a lady during her first time in heat. Seems like little Miss Aisha has fallen in the family way...or like they say in Setwana: Aisha o mo mmeleng!

Well, during a recent visit, I had to give her...THE TALK...more like an on-going conversation. I told Aisha that, in America, being un-wed mother doesn't necessarily present her in the best light...socially (the unfair and unfortunate burden of being female). I know that she is proudly South African, so she doesn't exactly work on the American system even though her mother is proud to be an American. I asked her if she had considered the high incidence of HIV in her community and country. Of course, she didn't. I told her to condomize or consider getting herself fixed. I told her that she might find that her friends will distance themselves from her, because the things they had in common may not be there any more...they will have different foci. She will undoubtedly have to get a job to support her litter. I asked her if she had informed the father...she was a bit tight lipped and had a confused look on her face when I asked for his name.

Aisha new of my background with Planned Parenthood and public health. She knew that if she needed to ask questions, she could always come to me. I try to maintain an open door policy with all of my two and four-legged friends. I know that sometimes it is difficult for the younger generation to come and talk about sex with older people, but I'd like think that I'm a cool aunt...open, accessible, non-judgemental.

Now that the deed is done, and all we can do at this point is wait, her mother and I, and the entire Setswana 2 Setswana crew will provide a strong support system for her to utilize in her time of need...ish! Aisha!