03/05/2026
It was during the rain, when it rained and rained and rained and I was at the shop, whilst it rained and rained and rained . . .
All of a sudden, a youngster arrived at the shop.
He is sodden and he has two drenched dogs.
I ask how I can help him and he hands me a critter.
He says that it is a tortoise and that he thinks that the right thing to do is to bring the tortoise to me so that I can return it to the right environment.
Yes!
He is right and I explain to him that it is indeed a terrapin and that I shall return it to the river area, later on.
He thrives in an aquatic environment.
I am so thrilled, that one individual is concerned about a creature's future and that he is doing the right thing for this small creature.
My faith is somewhat restored in our youth!
Anyway, the terrapin is safely in a box for release later and I turn my attention to his dogs.
I see the female has had a few litters and I ask if he wants to sterilise her and he tells me that Animal Allies did sterilise her but that her stitches are still in.
I tell him that I can remove them.
He is super impressed.
He holds her and I cut the stitches out.
She is sooooo well behaved.
I ask him if he wants to sterilise the male and he says that he must still make puppies.
Your dog.
Your choice.
I am over this conversation.
13 years in rescue has taught me this and I am just impressed that Tshepo, this youngster thinks it is important to rescue a little creature, like a terrapin.
It's a good day.
So I ask if he needs some deworming for his dogs and he says that he would appreciate it.
I see the male dog is super itchy and scratchy and I find some Simparicas too and I do a complete parasite control for both dogs, there and then.
Worms, ticks and fleas.
Tshepo then turns to me and asks if I have SNAKES.
SNAKES?
ME?
No Tshepo, I do not have SNAKES!!!!!!
Jo!
I am kak scared of SNAKES!!!!!!
I am puzzled as to why Tshepo would ask me if I have snakes and maybe that is why he brought me the terrapin.
Anyway, I ask him if he likes snakes and he replies that he does.
I ask him why he likes snakes and he replies that he likes snakes because he is HUNGRY!!!!!!!!
Haibo 😳😳😳😳😳😳
I now picture Tshepo catching a snake, chopping its head off and skinning it and eating it!
Almost like Naked and Afraid (went through my head).
And my favourable impression of this youngster rescuing a terrapin, to save its life is now rapidly changing!!!!!!
He cares to save a terrapin but eats snakes!!!!!!!!
All of a sudden, it hits me . . .
He is hungry for SNACKS!!!!!!!
He is not hungry for SNÊKS!!!!!
Phew!!!!!!!!!
The relief washes over me . . .
I explain to Tshepo that I do not have "snakes" but I do have a few grocery items, kindly donated by the Food Bank run by Sam Barale. So I pack mielie meal, soup packets and tins of jam and some other non perishables and I put it in a bag for him.
He was very thankful and off he went on his way, wetter than his dogs but thankful for the SNÊKS . . .
Askies Tshepo.
Only in this country neh!
I released the terrapin on the river bank by my shop, after Tshepo left with his snacks . . .
