German Shepherd Digging from South Africa to Australia to fing Dingo

I want to meet a dingo in Australia, so I decided to dig my way there - Yes all the  way from the Kromme River in South Africa to Australia. Do not underestimate us German Shepherds!

Indy

Death of Nelson Mandela - St. Cuthbert's Church, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Picture and video taken outside St. Cuthbert's Church in Port Elizabeth, South Africa - a few hours drive from where Mandela was born.

Video with singing from the Church

8 December 2013

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Death of Nelson Mandela - Hamba Kahle Madiba - Flag at half mast Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa 6 Dec 2013

As tributes for Nelson Mandela pour in from all over the world, here at home people in South Africa are calling out to Mandela the words "Hamba kahle". What do these words mean?

The words are Xhosa words from South Africa 

"Hamba kahle" 

means 

"Goodbye, farewell. go well ...."

Madiba - Hamba kahle

Nelson Mandela is also referred to as "Madiba" 

Click here to see what "Madiba" means.

Death of Nelson Mandela - Flag at Half Mast - Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape - South Africa

Nelson Mandela has died. We in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape together with the rest of South Africa and the world are in mourning. Here is a video of a huge South African Flag at half mast on a hill in Port Elizabeth.
6 December 2013.
Madiba - Rest in Peace

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Talking German Shepherd

Hi - Indy Here

Do you think I can talk? Of course I can! Oh dear - you humans have such a lot to learn!
Don't you believe I can talk? Click on the video below.

That has got you thinking!

Indy

German Sheperd Snoozing

Late afternoon sun - near the southern tip of Africa

Watch the video below

Indy 22 November 2013

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German Shepherd and Patricia's Finger

Who has got the most commanding finger in the universe? Patricia! Look what she did to the famous bull in Wall Street, New York. Stopped him in his tracks!




Posted by Indy (with great respect)

German Shepherd Club End of Year Party - 16 November 2013 - Port Elizabeth

Wow - what fun! And you know what - Pat and John did not take me.

Everyone said how well organised the party was. Lots of work done by lots of people.
John and Pat told me the food was fantastic. Roast lamb, pork, chicken and venison (Kudu). With lots of rice, baby potatoes and gravy. Salads too. The puddings were also delicious.

As you can see from the pictures the music and lights got everyone on the dance floor and kept them there - Clayton was in charge of this part of the evening. The dancing lights synchronized themselves with the beat of the music. Amazing.

Brett, our Chairperson, kept the party going with his usual efficient and amusing speeches and report back. Brett congratulated quite a few members on their successful litters during the year. My fellow German Shepherds also did very well in the different shows around the country. We are very proud of them















Indy

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German Shepherd's Labrador Pal Getting On

My pal Benjie makes it up the steps.

Indy

German Shepherd and the Mozart Concerto

A famous concert pianist sits down to play a Mozart concerto with the orchestra. The orchestra starts playing the concerto. It is not the concerto that the pianist has prepared!
What happens next?
The pianist was Pires.
All I can say is wow! What huge talent.
Pires - I salute you!

Click here. Watch the video.

Indy

German Shepherd Show Port Elizabeth 2nd and 3rd November 2013

Hi

As you know, my Club is the Algoa Bay German Shepherd Club. We had a big show on 2nd and 3rd November 2013.

The Judge was Rüdiger Mai (SV) from Germany.

Below are some pictures and two video clips taken on Sunday 3rd November. It was great. Patricia and John told me that the dinner on Saturday evening was very good with a wide variety of food and salads. Clearly the Committee did a great job - yet again.

Indy

And then below are two video clips

Putting the handlers through their paces

And...

Crunch Time......

Chairman Brett Cunningham calls out the numbers!

German Shepherd in Driving Seat

Here I am making sure I am not left behind when the family leave the holiday house at Kromme.




Below is a picture of Kromme taken over the weekend. I really love it there.




And below is a picture of me after a swim on the river.





And last: Fun in the Kromme River with Benjie.



Bye

Indy

German Shepherd and London Tube

Patricia and John were talking about the London Tube System. I had a look at the Internet and found all this information about the system.
How deep is it?
How fast do the trains go?
How many escalators are there?
Many, many more interesting questions are answered!
Have a look here.
Amazing.
Indy

German Shepherd Bored With Newspaper

I wish there was more in the newspaper about us German Shepherds. I get so bored with the paper I drop off to sleep while I am reading!



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Fast track to German Shepherd Presents

Here is a Link to try for gifts for and about us German Shepherds.

What about a long lead? Great for training. Easy for humans to use!
Indy


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The Children of the Poor

John visited the Old Bailey in London a few weeks ago. This is what he told me.

Above the doors of the Old Bailey Criminal Court in London are carved the following words:

"DEFEND THE CHILDREN OF THE POOR"

Makes you think. The children of the poor must be one of the most vulnerable groups in society. They really need protection.
The Old Bailey is saying:
"If you mess with the children of the poor you mess with me"
Really moving

Barking Dogs

John has written a memo about dogs barking in Port Elizabeth. Here it is:

Barking Dogs in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality
Q & A
General comments based on the Noise Control By-Law
Downloaded from the Metro’s Web Page on 10 October 2013
Caution
This Q&A is not legal advice.
Always consult a practicing professional before acting

Summary
The Metro has a by-law dealing with barking dogs. The complaining neighbor can apply to Court and ask that you be ordered to stop the dog barking. The Municipality can also write to you about the barking. Unpleasant consequences may follow if you don’t sort it out – your dog may even be impounded. The interpretation and implementation of the by-law has its challenges.

More Detail

Q:​Is there a Metro By-law dealing with barking dogs?
A:​Yes. See the “Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality: Noise Control By-Law” published in Provincial Gazette Extraordinary 2322 on 24 March 2010 (Local Authority Notice 37).
Q:​Where can I get a copy of the by-law?
A:​Go to this page on Metro’s Web site and download the by-law. Here is the link: http://www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/Documents.aspx?cmd=browse&objID=85&catID=15
Q: ​I have had a look at the by-law. It is fairly long and complex.
A:​Yes. Only a small part of it deals with barking dogs.
Q​Is the by-law on the Metro’s Web page up to date?
A:​You or your legal advisor should check with the Metro’s Legal Department.
Q:​I own a dog. My dog barks at night. Could I face a problem?
A:​There is a potential problem. The by-law says you may not allow a dog owned or controlled by you to cause a noise nuisance.
Q: ​What is a noise nuisance?
A:​Good question! There is a definition in the by-law. The definition says that a noise nuisance is “any sound which disturbs or impairs or may disturb or impair the convenience or peace of any person”.
Q: ​Do you think this covers a dog barking at night?
A:​It could. lt would depend on the loudness, duration, time of day or night etc.. The devil is in the detail!
Q: ​You say the by-law talks about a dog owned by me or controlled by me. Why owned or controlled?
A:​Perhaps the by-law wants to cover kennels where the kennel owner is looking after dogs owned by clients?
Q:​A barking dog may be a noise nuisance to one person and not to another. It may disturb or impair the convenience of one person and not another. If the barking dog case goes to court, how is the Court going to decide if the barking is a noise nuisance?
A: ​“With difficulty!” Again, the devil will be in the detail. It will not be an easy decision for the Court. The interpretation must by its nature be subjective. To complicate the interpretation further there is a section of the by-lay that reads:
“In the implementation and enforcement of this by-law, the municipality may take into consideration the realities of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan area, the different customs, cultures, circumstances, geographical areas ….”
(The section is much longer but you get the idea? The by-law will not be easy to implement and enforce.)
Q:​Let’s say my neighbor is very annoyed about my barking dog. Can my neighbor take the law into his or her own hands?
A: ​No. There is a legal process to be followed. The neighbor must go to Court and get an Order of Court telling you to deal with the barking dog.. If you don’t own the house where you keep your barking dog, the neighbor can ask for an Order against the owner of the house as well as you.
Q:​Is going to Court the only thing a neighbor can do?
A:​No. There is something else. The neighbor can complain to the Municipality. The Municipality can then write to you about the barking and if you don’t do something about it there could be unpleasant circumstances. The dog could even be impounded.
Q:​What is the bottom line?
A:​The law is there but I cannot comment on how it is or will be applied. There may be challenges facing interpretation and implementation.


John Bartels 7 Oct 2013
John Bartels 7 Oct 2013​Page 3

Venus 9 October 2013

Wow! That is a bright star next to the Moon tonight. According to the internet it is not a star! It is the planet Venus
Indy

Ask John for Advice on Anything

What is John up to now? I see he has set up a blog where people can get advice about anything. What next? Have a look at it here. I hope it works for him - people seem to go on asking him for advice on all sorts of things.

Indy

Evening Training

Patricia and Benjie with me - Training Patricia. She is a bit rusty but I will fix that. So glad they are home.
Indy



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German Shepherd and Jet Trails

Patricia and John fly home from London tonight. John sent me these pictures of jet trails over London this afternoon. When John spoke to me on the phone today I ran round and round on my bed. Hurry back Patricia and John.



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Patricia and John fly back from London to Benjie and me (Indy) tomorrow. Here is an autumn leaves picture taken in London of Patricia with her granddaughter and son Stephen.
Indy



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Grandaughter calls for quiet during singing of Happy Birthday

Hi

We German Shepherds know when to keep quiet. But humans! They just sing Happy Birthday when ever they feel like it - even when people are sleeping. Ask John's granddaughter. She had to stop the singing on Patricia's birthday in London.

 

 

Indy

German Shepherd and the Flower Basket

John is in London.
Here is video he sent me of a very useful flower basket.

Indy

National Gallery London

Hi
John took this picture of the National Gallery in London yesterday. Patricia and John come home next week.
Indy



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John Meets Two Friends in London

John met two old friends in London - so he says! He sent this picture to prove it!



Who are they? John gave a clue. Their initials are FDR and WSC Any ideas?
Tip: Tap on the picture to make it bigger.
Indy

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Grey High School Port Elizabeth

Hi

Patricia and John's three sons went to Grey School in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
I often take John for a walk around the outside of the School.
Here is a video of the school which John took on 2nd September 2013.

I hope you enjoy it.

Indy, the German Shepherd

German Shepherd's friend - GanGan

Hi!
GanGan is Patricia's mother. I really love GanGan. I often sit with her in the sun. It is her birthday today. She is 96.
Here is a video of her birthday party.

She had a great time..............96!    Wow!
Indy

John and the Port Elizabeth Golf Club

I am worried about the company John keeps at the Golf Club. Look at this lot!



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Benjie Cheerful But not Well

My faithful old soul mate Benjie is not well. He had a back foot toe amputated and the other foot has a bandage too, to stop him scraping it.
Indy

Benjie

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Enjoying the Winter Sun in South Africa

Indy

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German Shepherd and the Lesson from the Sterile Concrete

John has been at it again! Taking pictures of a concrete pavement! Why? Has he gone nuts?
Have a look at the video. You decide!

A peaceful morning in the City of Port Elizabeth, South Africa

26 August 2013

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John has written an Adventure story for Children

What next! John has written an adventure story for children. Perhaps he thinks he is the next Enid Blyton. The book is called Blanco Adventure. The setting is the Blanco Guest Farm in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. John and Patricia went there many times with the children. It is a very special place. The book is for sale on Amazon.
Indy

German Shepherd High Winds

Wow! Here am I trying to get inside. Why? The strong wind at Kromme. Look at the video below. Can you blame me?

Waiting to come in

High Winds at Kromme

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German Shepherd and Magic Tricks

Hi
This is getting too much! I taught John a magic handkerchief trick and now he pretends its his own trick. Here he is doing MY trick. He even calls me during the trick. What a cheek!

I am not going to tell you how I learnt it. Its a German Shepherd secret!

John just cannot help showing off! Just look at this next video. A bit much!

Big showoff! I've had enough!
Indy

German Shepherd admires wild pig

Hi - Indy here.

Here is a picture of "Pig" with Russell (John's good friend) taken on a farm in the 1950s in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimnabwe). Pig and Russell were great friends. Pig really enjoyed pushing a rugby ball around with his nose. He also enjoyed eating hats! But most of all he liked having his tummy tickled.


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German Shepherd and Microwave Fudge Recipe

Patricia made fudge today in the microwave. Wow! I really wanted some! John scraped the glass with a spoon!

 

The recipe is below - Scroll Down

 

Warning: Don't eat too much at once!

Yes - that's me looking at the fudge

Patricia cutting the fudge - I still have not had any!

The Recipe - Microwave

 

(Patricia got the basic recipe long ago from Cathy Draper - Some tips added by Patricia)

500 g. castor sugar
125 g. margarine
385 g.tin of  condensed milk
5 ml. vanilla essence
3 ml. vinegar

Melt margarine full power 1 minute uncovered in glass bowl
(Patricia tip: A deep glass bowl - otherwise it boils over)
Add castor sugar and then condensed milk (pour on top of center of margarine)
DO NOT STIR
Full power for 1 minute
Mix together with wooden spoon
Wipe sides of bowl to remove sugar
Micro on full power for 10 - 12 minutes (Patricia tip: Usually 10 minutes)
Don't stir
Once fudge turns brown add vanilla and vinegar
(Patricia tip: Do not let it get too brown. It gets brown in  patches so then quickly stir)
Beat with wooden spoon until slightly cooled. Pour into greased pan
Allow to set
Cut before completely set

NB: Call John so he can scrape the glass bowl with a spoon)

(Patricia's last tip: Keep away from German Shepherds or you may not see the fudge again)
- Cheek! Indy


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German Shepherd and Rain

Wow! What a downpour of rain today in Port Elizabeth. Here I am watching the rain.

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German Shepherd and Drongo

I heard a Drongo calling this morning isn Port Elizabrth. Drongos are good at copying the calls of other birds
I asked John to take video. Here it is. We can't see the Drongo!

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German Shepherd Help with Training

Training! Some of us German Shepherds have owners who are very loving but struggle a bit to remember how to train us. That is ok. The good news is there is help available. Have a look at these books and try and get your owner to buy one. The books will add to the excellent training we get at our clubs.

I am lucky. I go to Club where the training is great. But what if there is no Club near you? Your owner will need help with training. Try and get your owner to buy a book on training. A much better plan than guessing what to do!


Books on training:

German shepherd training

Remember - we German Shepherds enjoy good training. I have noticed that the German Shepherds who are well trained seem to be the happiest.

German Shepherd Watching Labrador Eat

Here I am watching Benji eat. I have had my supper. Maybe I can steal a second helping!

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German Shepherd and Disillusionment

Hi from a puzzled Indy. I just met this cat called Socrakitty. A disturbing cat! Here is why.

Choker Chain for German Shepherd

I have a very nice choker chain. Bret from our Club made it. But our owners can buy them online. Make sure it is the right size. Make sure your owner knows how to use it safely. This is important. dog chocker chain

German Shepherd Agility

Agility training at the Club today. U

German Shepherd admires Agile Granny

We have agility training at our German Shepherd Club. The agility of the trainers is coming on well! Talking about agility have a look at this amazing 85 year old granny doing gymnastics. Wow!

German Shepherd Thunder Moon

Thunder Moon over the golf course where I run - early morning - Port Elizabeth - South Africa

German Shepherd thanks Russian Viewers

Спасибо более 400 человек в России, кто смотрел мой блог. Ваш интерес с благодарностью. Indy 

Example of Fantastic Training wows German Shepherd

If you have not seen this YouTube video you are in for a great surprise. We
German Shepherds know how important training is but can you imagine how much training and hard work went into producing this performance?
And what huge talent!
Wow!
Indy

German Shepherd Walks

This is where I take Patricia and John for walks. Port Elizabeth Golf Club.
Indy

German Shepherd and the Close Moon

Wow! The moon was close last night. The newspapers told us all about it. I asked John to take a picture. Here it is. Taken in Port Elizabeth on 22 June 2013.

German Shepherd and Fathers Day Presents

Indy to the rescue!

Our owners need some pampering on fathers' day!

Here are some ideas for presents.


Shop Amazon - Father's Day Gift Ideas in Sports

It's not too late!

Indy

German Shepherd and Protea

I live in South Africa. We have really beautiful flowers. Take a look at this protea. John photographed it in Cape Town.

 

 

German Shepherd Mozart Critic

What is John up to? Poor Mozart! But John did apologize!

Ok! Ok! Enough now!
Indy

German Shepherd Face Cleaner

Here I am giving Benjie a good face clean!

That is better! How do you feel Benjie?

German Shepherd - Finger Power

Never underestimate the power of Patricia's finger!

German Shepherd Mayflower Market San Francisco

Patricia and John have told me about a great market in San Francisco. It is called the Mayflower Market. The sandwiches there are quite something. Here is a video I made after talking to John.
Indy the German Shepherd

German Shepherd - Patricia on her wedding day

Wow! It's Patricia!

Indy

 

Drinking Fountain for a Lucky German Shepherd?

We German  Shepherds all know how important it is for us to have access to drinking water. Have a look at this drinking fountain. Looks good. In some homes where we live with our families it might be just right.


If you are lucky enough to get one let us have a comment.
Indy

German Shepherd Stories

I really enjoy stories about us German Shepherds.
Here is a book you might like. Have a look at the write up.

German Shepherd and the Twilight return of the Mother

Forever Faithful

Benjie, my beautiful old labrador friend,  is getting on now. He finds going for long walks difficult. So, when Patricia and I went for a walk at Kromme, Benjie did not come. Benjie faithfully waited for us to return. Semper Fidelis!Forever Faithful! The first picture is of Benjie waiting. Looking expectantly. The second picture is of Patricia returning. You can see her siloette. Look carefully. Benjie is still there, rising in the dark to meet her.

 Benjie often says:

"In the twilight of my life, you will always be with me, Patricia." 

How right he is. 

How fortunate.

Waiting faithfully

Faithfulness rewarded - The Return of the Mother

Benjie rises to greet her