Editorial: Just a dog mom missing her baby

by Jade Rhode

I must admit, I do not want to be here in Makhanda. Here are a few reasons why: 1. The water situation, I cannot get used to it. 2. The heat is unbearable. 3. The most important reason, I am away from my not so little baby Sabre, my 4-year-old pitbull back home in Cape Town.

Source: Jade Rhode. Captured by Jade Rhode. A recent pic of Sabre before I left for Makhanda.

They say that a dog is a man’s best friend and I never fully believed this until I met Sabre five years ago. She has a scar on her back due to her mother’s aggression, yet she remains a lovable, spoiled and definitely mischievous pup!

Due to Sabre living with my boyfriend Keeno, she is more used to being with him than she is with me, even though she stayed with me for the first few months of her life. Traitor much? She always runs to him first and greets him first. He is just number one in her eyes. Me? Well, I’m the number after one. However, before I left for Makhanda, I was surprised to see that my position changed.

I visited Keeno’s house to say my goodbyes to his mom, aunt and, of course, Sabre! As I entered through the front gate, I was greeted first (yes, first) with loving licks and scratches of excitement from Sabre. This was surprising to me. I told Keeno it was as if she knew that she would not be seeing me for a while. She knew that Jade’s belly rubs have been put on pause.

Source: Jade Rhode. Captured by Juliet De Wet. Introducing Sabre’s parents – Jade (left) and Keeno (right). As Regina George’s mom once said, “I’m not like a regular mom. I’m a cool mom.” Or at least, I think I am.

During my short time here in Makhanda, I regularly video call Keeno. We casually talk about our day, what we had for supper and how he will wait for me to return home so that we can continue watching Love Is Blind – a Netflix show that we decided to watch together. While on our call, I see Sabre relaxing in her playpen in the background. But more often than not, she is lying on top of Keeno while he searches for space on the bed.

However, he does not mind it. I usually irritate myself when I see that happen. I mean, how can you let a dog control the amount of space you have on your bed? Ridiculous right? But then again, if it were me, I would let the same thing happen. Guilty as charged! I don’t know why, but it is as if we are under Sabre’s spell. That dog just knows how to wrap us around her little paw.

Source: Jade Rhode. Captured by Jade Rhode. Sabre in her playpen with not a care in the world.

Source: Jade Rhode. Captured by Jade Rhode. Serving angles, Sabre is always ready for the camera.

I know that it looks like I am complaining about our darling Sabre. Don’t get me wrong, I am, but I love her to bits! It is safe to say that I am sorely missing my baby girl (and, of course, Keeno). I even miss the things I don’t miss, like her scratching me and her slimy licks. I miss Keeno giving her treats when I feel like she doesn’t deserve it or her just plain ignoring me when I call her. I do hope that she is missing me too. When I return home in April during the vac period, I hope that I am greeted with the same energy that I felt when I left. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but one can dream right?

So, to all the dog parents out there, enjoy every minute with your furry companion, no matter how annoying they may be. It is their way of showing their love for you.

I love you, Sabre!