my views

Estate planning tips to ensure your pets are provided for  Our pets are a very big part of our lives. They keep us active, provide kisses and cuddles and are a source of endless smiles. And while we may not want to think about the ‘what ifs’, planning for your pets’ wellbeing if something should happen to you is crucial. It can make the transition for your pets easier, ensure that they don’t end up in a shelter (or worse) and will provide you with peace of mind that they will be cared for. Estate planning, which is part of a holistic financial plan, is crucial. Also crucial is ensuring that you have an updated Last Will and Testament in place. A Will is a legal document that states your wishes if something should happen to you. It takes your dependants, assets and liabilities into account and ensures that your loved ones are cared for when you are not able to.  “When I do an estate plan, I usually ask clients’ about their assets and liabilities, whether they have kids (minors) and pets

Hydrotherapy is a part of alternative medicine (particularly naturopathy), occupational therapy and physiotherapy that involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment.  Hydrotherapy encompasses a broad range of approaches and therapeutic methods that take advantage of the physical properties of water, such as temperature and pressure, to stimulate blood circulation and treat the symptoms of certain conditions. But it is not exclusively reserved for humans. Hydrotherapy has become a popular way to treat animals, particularly because it is a low impact exercise on the joints and great for weight loss. Think of it as water aerobics for animals.  My Rottweiler Kygo, started his hydrotherapy journey almost two years ago when he was limping. He was walking uncomfortably and was being treated by an animal physiotherapist. His exercise routine was significantly reduced while he was healing and she recommended hydrotherapy as a form of exercise and for rehabilitation.  Kygo took to hydr

One of our absolute favourite hiking spots is Cecilia Forest. It has an array of different trails you can do, depending on your mood and what you’d like to see. One that is a short (5km), steep staircase climb to a beautiful oasis is the Cecilia Waterfall trail. This hidden gem, which takes about two hours to complete, is worth exploring with your pawsome pet and easy to find if you follow the landmarks below as a guide.  From Cecilia Forest parking area (opposite Hohenort Avenue, just off Rhodes Drive), follow the Jeep Track towards the pine forest. At the fork in the road, turn right and continue on this path until you reach a water feature.  It is a small catchment area, caused by a flowing stream that runs down the mountain, where your furry friend can take a dip. This is a welcome reprieve on a hot summer’s day and one of the highlights of the trail is that there’s quite a few spots where your dog can wet his undercarriage and cool down his paws.  When they’ve had enough of a swi

In February last year, Kygo injured his leg and was limping quite badly. We took him to the Vet and they advised that we have him X-rayed, as Rottweilers are prone to hip dysplasia.  We were relieved that it wasn’t hip dysplasia, but the X-ray revealed that Kygo had some thickening of the bone on his right elbow. We suspect it was due to a previous injury where Kygo was bitten by another dog on that spot. The recommended treatment for his limp was anti-inflammatories and rest. But we could see Kygo was walking uncomfortably. We were at our local park when I chatted to a neighbour whose car is branded with Southern Edge Veterinary Physiotherapy’s details. She told me her daughter, Gill, is an animal physiotherapist. I made an appointment and Gill came to our house for a consultation. Gill giving Kygo laser therapy I was amazed at her patience as she meticulously examined Kygo’s entire body, including his toes and legs. She picked up that his back was tight because he was overcompensatin

Arniston is a magical place. For me, it’s synonymous with relaxation and that ‘holiday feeling’. For Kygo, our rottweiler, it means freedom and magnificent adventures every day.  Waleed, my husband, has been going to Arniston since he was 6 years old. So when I went there for the first time over 10 years ago, I also fell in love with the place. It’s hard not to. It is a small fishing village, about 190km outside of Cape Town, famous for its lime-washed houses with thatched roofs. It remains unspoiled and has been declared a national monument.  Arniston Harbour with the Hotel and the fishing village in the distance The town is named after a ship, The Arniston , an East Indiaman that made eight voyages for the British East India Company. She was wrecked on 30 May 1815 during a storm at Waenhuiskrans (later renamed Arniston), near Cape Agulhas (the southernmost tip of Africa). Only six people on board The Arniston survived and 372 lives were lost.  The shipwreck museum in Bredasdorp is a