Today is Mahatma Ghandi’s (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) birthday. Ghandi who spent 21 years in South Africa, was a practice of non-violence and a vegetarian (thus super animal-friendly). He is a world icon that left a lasting impact on society.

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A Staffordshire Bull-terrier Puppy
Very Few south Africans haven’t heard of Jock of the Bushveld.
Jock of the Bushveld was a brown Staffie (English Staffordshire Bull Terrier) that belonged to a Percy Fitzpatrick in South Africa during the 1800s. As an ox-wagon transport driver, Fitzpatrick used to take his dog Jock with him on his travels. He would recount his adventures to his children on story-nights and as bedtime stories.
Some of the events in Jock’s life included:
- Jock was the runt of the litter and was saved by Fitzpatrick who adopted the puppy.
- Jock was coerced into fighting a baboon by a gambler and bcame a fighting dog
- Jock his hearing due to an injury.
- Jock was shot because he was accused of killing chickens. He was however not guilty and only defending the
chickens from an intruding canine.

Personally I think this is terrible. It would be terrible even if he did kill the chicken. Dogs have a natural hunting instinct. How selfish and hypocritical of the humans to shoot him for what humans do en masse (killing chickens).
Fitzpatrick’s friend Rudyard Kipling encouraged him to write a book about Jock’s adventures. The book, based on the true story of Jock’s life, was published in 1907 and was very well received. It was also translated into several languages.
A movie based on the book was made in 1986 but some people didn’t like it because it lacked a happy Hollywood ending. Another movie with a happier ending was made in 1995.

The is a statue in honour of Jock in from of the city hall in Baberton, Mpumalanga (South Africa), that was sculpted by Ivan Mitford-Barberton. The Kruger National park reflects on this canine hero and has paid tribute to this famous dog in the form of the The Jock Safari Lodge. Jock also has his own FaceBook fanpage
Jock of the Bushveld is definitely an interesting story. You can find the book online or at any good bookstore. You also might be able to find it at a shop that has secondhand books for sale.
source: Wikipedia
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Poetry & Literature

Just Nuisance
Just Nuisance was a famous Great Dane, born on 1 April 1937 in Rondebosch. Town. He belonged to Benjamin Chaney who moved to Simon’s Town.
Just Nuisance made friends with the sailors from the Simon’s Town Naval Base and they would feed him various human snack foods. He loved riding on trains with them. They would hide him from the conductor, but given his size this wasn’t always possible. If he was put off the train he would walk back to another station or wait for the next train. The railway finally said that they would have him put down if he continued to board the trains.
Any volunteer enlisted during the War was entitled to a free train pass, so it was decided to enlist Just into the Royal Navy in order to allow him to continue with his beloved pastime. He was enlisted on 25th August 1939 and was the only dog ever to be officially enlisted in the Royal Navy.
Just Nuisance became a celebrity figure and would often have to attend functions to promote the war effort
This canine had a conduct sheet and would be punished for any mischief, like any other sailor, but was also afforded the same benefits. His conduct sheet is on display in the Simon’s Town museum.
After an accident her suffered from thrombosis, which was slowly paralysing this Able Seaman. He was discharged from the Royal Navy on 1 January 1944. On recommendation from a veterinary surgeon he was put down on 1 April 1944. He was buried with full military honours.
Just Nuisance is an integral part of Simon’s Town’s history. A statue has been dedicated to him on Jubilee Square and his grave can be visited on Red Hill. There is as a special display dedicated to him in the Simon’s Town Museum. On 1st April 2000 the first “Just Nuisance Commemoration Day Parade” was held through the main street of Simon’s Town.
There was also a popular TV show dedicated to this famous dog, suitably titled “Just Nuisance”. I used loved this show and I’m sure some of our more aged bloggers will remember it even better than I do. Did any of you actually live in Simon’s Town between 1939 and 1944?
There was also a TV show about this famous dog, suitably titled “Just Nuisance” which was very popular in South Africa. It’s is not a good idea to buy a dog simply because you saw the breed on TV or in a movie. You should first research the breed and make sure that it would really suit you.
more info:
Time
albatroshouse.co.za
Wikipedia
Just Nuisance was a famous Great Dane, born on 1 April 1937 in Rondebosch. Town. He belonged to Benjamin Chaney who moved to Simon’s Town.
Just Nuisance made friends with the sailors from the Simon’s Town Naval Base and they would feed him various human snack foods. He loved riding on trains with them. They would hide him from the conductor, but given his size this wasn’t always possible. If he was put off the train he would walk back to another station or wait for the next train. The railway finally said that they would have him put down if he continued to board the trains.
Any volunteer enlisted during the War was entitled to a free train pass, so it was decided to enlist Just into the Royal Navy in order to allow him to continue with his beloved pastime. He was enlisted on 25th August 1939 and was the only dog ever to be officially enlisted in the Royal Navy.
Just Nuisance became a celebrity figure and would often have to attend functions to promote the war effort
This canine had a conduct sheet and would be punished for any mischief, like any other sailor, but was also afforded the same benefits. His conduct sheet is on display in the Simon’s Town museum.
After an accident her suffered from thrombosis, which was slowly paralysing this Able Seaman. He was discharged from the Royal Navy on 1 January 1944. On recommendation from a veterinary surgeon he was put down on 1 April 1944. He was buried with full military honours.
Just Nuisance is an integral part of Simon’s Town’s history. A statue has been dedicated to him on Jubilee Square and his grave can be visited on Red Hill. There is as a special display dedicated to him in the Simon’s Town Museum. On 1st April 2000 the first “Just Nuisance Commemoration Day Parade” was held through the main street of Simon’s Town.
There was also a popular TV show dedicated to this famous dog, suitably titled “Just Nuisance”. I used loved this show and I’m sure some of our more aged bloggers will remember it even better than I do. Did any of you actually live in Simon’s Town between 1939 and 1944?
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