by Bryony Van Niekerk Hello, my name is Bryony and I suffer from dog mom guilt. I feel guilty if we don’t go on a walk everyday (even if there is a literal flood). I feel guilty for leaving my dogs alone when I need to go out. I feel guilty for feeding them ‘junk food’ on occasion. I feel guilty for not being able to provide equal attention to everyone in my multi-pet household. I feel guilty for sitting here in my office writing this article while my dogs lie at my feet. Honestly the list could go on and on. Mom guilt is the term used to describe the feelings one gets for not living up to, or ..read more

Grasshoppers and Locust belong to the order Orthoptera, which also includes crickets and katydids. Locusts are actually species of short-horned grasshoppers. Grasshoppers existed long before dinosaurs. Fossils date back to the Carboniferous period, which shows that the primitive grasshoppers first appeared more than 320 million years ago. Grasshoppers sometimes “spit” brown liquid to defend themselves from predators. Some people say grasshopper’s spit “tobacco juice,” probably because grasshoppers have been associated with tobacco crops in the past. Grasshoppers cause billions of dollars in da ..read more

BY BRIAN BERKMAN Luxury travel writer, brian berkman, searches out the fabulous and often affordable options available to you and your pets. Julie, his rescued mixed-breed doggie-daughter, insists on joining them. Belmond Mount Nelson now welcomes dogs & cats Brian Berkman says you can now take your best friend to one of Cape Town’s best hotels Afternoon Tea at Cape Town’s gracious pink lady, Belmond Mount Nelson, began like it should, with cucumber sandwiches. Julie had already been served a large bowl of water on an elegant cork mat with ice cubes added to help keep it cool on a warm ..read more

Healthy Options and Homemade Delights Training your dog is a rewarding experience, and using the right treats can make all the difference. Choosing healthy and delicious treats not only motivates your furry friend but also ensures their overall well-being. In this article, we’ll explore the best training treats for your dog, emphasizing the importance of health and providing you with some simple and nutritious homemade options. The Importance of Healthy Treats Before diving into specific treats, it’s crucial to understand why choosing healthy options matters. Just like with our diets, the trea ..read more

Depending on where you are situated in the country, you are either still stuck in perpetual winter, just stepping into spring or gone straight into full blown summer (us Gauteng-a-lengs are melting!). Regardless, this is the time of year where you start to try and turn your brown crispy grass into a luscious green lawn and plant some beautiful seasonal flowers. Unfortunately though, what is good for your garden is often times not good for your pets. If you actually stop to think about it, our gardens are a treasure trove of hidden hazards from swimming pools, chemicals and pesticides to pote ..read more

Sea slugs are marine invertebrates that have no shells or very reduced shells. Sea slugs belong to the class Gastropoda, the same group as snails, slugs, and limpets. The scientific name of a sea slug is Nudibranchia. Sea slugs are also known as nudibranchs, which means “naked gills” in Latin. They are incredibly diverse, with about 3,000 known species. Sea slugs can be found in all oceans and at various depths, from warm shallow reefs to freezing temperatures in deep-sea vents. Sea slugs have a variety of different body shapes, sizes, and colours and intricate patterns. They range in sizes ..read more

As you all know, our annual cover model competition is the most popular of all competitions we host during the year. To be crowned the winner is truly something to be excited about. The 2024 title has been awarded to Chai, a very charismatic cat with a story that has the very best ending. Chai’s triumph is not merely a victory for him but a celebration of the countless rescue animals around the world. It serves as a reminder that every animal, regardless of their start in life, has the potential to bring immense joy and inspiration to those who open their hearts and homes. It serves as a rem ..read more

In the world of social media, there are countless influencers and content creators, each with their unique niche and passion. One such individual is Elle Franco, the creative force behind the Instagram account @diywithelle. What makes Elle’s content truly stand out is her wonderful blend of DIY projects and her life with her two beloved Morkies, Jimmy and Sid. In a candid Q&A session, Elle shared her journey, insights, and the heartwarming experiences of life with her dogs, offering a glimpse into the unique harmony of DIY and pet ownership. Advice for building a loving connection with ..read more

BY BRIAN BERKMAN Luxury travel writer, brian berkman, searches out the fabulous and often affordable options available to you and your pets. Julie, his rescued mixed-breed doggie-daughter, insists on joining them. For the final issue of 2023, luxury travel writer and now also travelling-with-pets expert, Brian Berkman selects his Best of the Best. PENDENNIS There are a number of accommodation options available on this Villiersdorp in the Western Cape farm which are in converted and updated cottages but the Container House at Pendennis Farm, is newly built from repurposed refrigerated contai ..read more

The scientific name for killer whales is Orcinus orca. “Orcas” and “killer whales” both refer to the same species of marine mammals. “Orcas” is a more commonly used term, while “killer whales” is another common name for the same species. Orcas were given the name ‘killer whale” by ancient sailors’ observations of groups of orcas hunting and feeding on other animals, such as whales and seals. The Latin name of the Orca, Orcinus orca, also reflects this observation of orcas feeding on large whales. In modern times, many conservationists and scientists prefer to use the name “Orca” to refer to th ..read more