My name is Kat Mansell. I have recently moved to Robertson with my husband.
I’m 77 years old and was born in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and now a permanent resident in South Africa for 55 years.
Recently, I read with interest the article in the Breederivier Gazette of 20 September, “Rondloperhond”.
The story is about Maria Papendorf who was bitten by a stray dog. I am sorry to hear that.
I am glad Ms Papendorf got away quite easily, and that the bite wounds are healing. It is a terribly frightening and numbing experience. I understand her fear.
I would like to send Ms Papendorf this, my first written poem in Afrikaans/English. A friend helped me with the Afrikaans.
Stockenström & Riviersonderen
Ek het lank oor die twee mooi name gedink
Die twee sit in my hart
Soos blomme en boom en water
Stockenström se helder water met klein en groot klippe
Waar bome staan – groot en sterk en groen
Met blare waaronder ons kan sit om koel te bly, en
Riviersonderend waar die water loop, altyd aan en aan
Only when you want it to end
As far as you are willing to go
Your life will continue to flow
Your pain and fear will become less
FORGIVE…the dog.
Truly it is a tragedy when humans unfortunately are in the “path” of a wayward animal that attacks, because it is frightened, through being dumped/brutally abused/left to roam the streets?
Humans are responsible for having domesticated many kinds of animals over thousands of years.
Alas in the long run, animals also pay a bitter price, because they are no longer wanted, no-one cares about them, they don’t get fed and for other reasons are turfed out because they are no longer the cute little puppies kids got for a birthday or Christmas present.
(I was chairperson of the SPCA in the Free State for two years 40 years ago).
