Living Our Sunshine with Susann Deysel
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4 Mins Read

5 Cats in guest relations (aka Hospitality Cats, South Africa)

There is something about cats that I love. It may be that they have always bonded to me or that they can sit on your lap for hours without a care in the world. It might even be that they will pick the person that dislikes cats… All I know is that I love cats, I’ve always had a cat and cats love me.

I would like to introduce you to 5 cats in South Africa who entertain guests at a hotel, retreat and even restaurant. If you know of any other cats in hospitality, pop them in the comments below.

Skabenga at Oyster Box

Skabenga (which means hooligan or vagabond in Zulu) is a Tabby cat who permanently calls The Oyster Box, KwaZulu-Natal, home. He wandered onto the hotel property and was persuaded to take up the hotel-life by guests feeding him taste titbits.

This feline is a guest-favourite and he continues to receive piles of fan mail.  There is even a book about him, he has his own Facebook page and Instagram account! His favourite day of the year is his birthday = and of course they make a big thing about it with cake and guests showering him with extra attention.

Skabenga thoroughly enjoys the spoils that come with being the ‘Main Cat’ on the block! He loves regular treats of Catnip, has a favourite couch and chair and chosen spots around the hotel, which he retreats to, when not taking ‘inspection’ strolls around the property.

Skabenga has gone on a few adventures but has always managed to make his way back home.

Meet Skabenga at The Oyster Box www.oysterboxhotel.com.

Hermes, Dolce and Gabana at Graceland Eco Retreat

At Graceland Eco Retreat in Limpopo you will find 3 ginger cats. These very pampered farm cats are called Hermes, Dolce and Gabana. This little fashion trio is friendly with the resident giraffes and dogs.

Hermes is a very small cat with white legs and chest. He is very cuddly and often goes and knock on the guests’ doors as he loves to snuggle up. He is known to follow guests on hikes.

Dolce aka butternut, is the fat cat and the nickname comes from that he looks like a butternut. He loves to sleep, and eat and is a lazy Garfield type of cat.

Gabana is the old female ginger cat who loves to sleep in the office. Her favourite office bed is of course a keyboard. She is extremely social and will never turn down a cuddle.

You can also read more about them on www.gracelandeco.co.za or my previous article here.

Wallis at Mrs Simpson’s Restaurant

Wallis is a Miniature Norwegian Forest Cat and lives at Mrs Simpson’s Restaurant, Dullstroom. This feline has her own Zebra Crossing in front of the restaurant called “Wallis’ Crossing”. She has 17 official godmothers and many unofficial ones too!

This is quite a famous cat! Wallis has been featured on the Travel Channel, Pasella, Top Billing and many more. She has also appeared on the pages of Sunday Times, Country Life Mag and air travel magazines.

Wallis loves attention and knows the regular visitors. She senses when you have allergies or dislike cats and will most likely stare at you until you invite her onto your lap.

You’ll be most likely to find Wallis sleeping in a hidey hole upstairs in a box under the bar, on a pillow in front of the fireplace, or on a heated sleeping pad.

Find out more about Mrs Simpson’s on www.mrssimpsons.co.za or call 013 254 0088.

PS, the black cat in the cover image of this article is Sandton. This is my 3 year old boy cat who lives on my lap.

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2 Mins Read

Diabetes in Cats – it’s real

2 years ago I lost my beloved Genie. He was mine for 16 years. He was the most beautiful little person who loved me right back. He meant more to me than anything.

2 years before that I found him unconscious on the grass after work. He was still breathing and we immediately rushed to the vet. He was diagnosed with diabetes – and I didn’t notice that his weight loss was too rapid for the diet he was on. He was in hospital for a week and I was there from 3 to closing time every day.

He got well enough to come home – with his insulin injections. I opted to do the unthinkable, to take on the care of a cat that is insulin dependent – who would have to get his injection at the same time every day. It was Genie, for Genie I would do anything.

Today I took my kitten, Sandton to the vet for a check-up. Every single time I walk in through those doors it is like a punch in the gut. They gave Genie and I as much time together as they could, but still… I was already emotional by the time I got home and then a newsletter from Hills about cat diseases, Diabetes Mellitus.

So here it is, a link so you can know what to look for.

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2 Mins Read

My current obsessions

I go through phases where I like something a lot. I would love a shade of pink just to change my mind to a lighter shade. My obsession with looking less pale has seen me use lip stains, lip balms, lipgloss, lipstick and always looking for something that will get me the natural shade but more oomph.

This year I have really let my love of fabrics run amok. I discovered Design Team, Zana, Lichen & Leaf – and rediscovered Stuart Graham fabrics. I also learnt about making my own patterns and screenprinting – so don’t be surprised if I launch something of my own on a much smaller scale.

Love Doll fabric from Design Team

I love, love, love the Love Doll fabric print from Design Team. I have bags, a cushion and 2 pieces of material ready to become something. I think it is the most adorable print.

ZANA

This handbag in this print. I love wearing black so this will be awesome with just about everything.

My Cats

I absolutely adore my cats – all 3 of them. My 15 year old boy is the apple of my eye with his slight cookie addiction. The 2 girls are adorable and love their scratches. Each of them have a personality that makes them so unique.

Made in the RSA

I am a firm believer in supporting local. Not only are you stimulating the economy, you are supporting SA jobs. I would rather pay a little more to support my country than to buy made in China.

Finding the perfect foundation

…because suddenly the lightest foundation colour is beige and my skin is a few shades lighter than that.

Finding the perfect beach

I am obsessed with finding amazing beaches and getting passport stamps.

My worst obsession

…is, was and always will be my weight. I was always skinny until I had the infertility diagnoses. I am 20kg overweight and always have good intentions (and diets) but then I get bad news and that goes out the door.

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5 Mins Read

Save Kitty & Puppy Haven

There are many animal charities that do amazing work and all of them need our support. Today however I am asking that you open your purse for Kitty and Puppy Haven.

Kitty and Puppy Haven is a pro-life sanctuary started in 2000 with the sole purpose of rescuing neglected, abused and abandoned animals. Most of our cases originate from veterinary practices, low income areas, other welfare organizations (that work in the townships and squatter-camps) or from emergency rescues. While animal rescue and rehabilitation is a priority, educating people on correct animal care is critical.

KPH is a pro-life organisation – they will not euthanase any animals if they can be healed and have a healthy, pain free, happy life.

Earn extra 2 entries to our competition each time you share the Kitty & Puppy Haven post from our Facebook wall.

If you would like to get involved in any way, donate, attend one of their events – here are all the details:

A DESPERATE PLEA FROM SAMANTHA BERGER, FOUNDER OF KITTY & PUPPY HAVEN

This month has been the most emotional draining month of my life. I have sat back and thought about the past, present and future of my sanctuary and life’s mission. I started Kitty & Puppy Haven 15 years ago in December 2000. I started it because I believed that injured, abused and neglected mommies and babies deserved more than being put to sleep. I believed that somehow I could help and make others see that those precious souls had so much to give if they were given a chance at a new life. Hence my motto “we change their destiny”. I wanted each and every animal I took under my wing to have their lives changed for the better.

As a tiny home grown welfare, slowly but surely KPH grew. From taking in 2 litters at a time, to now being responsible for over 200 animals monthly. From having myself and 2 staff members, to now having a staff compliment of 19 working at Kph.

Things have been going from strength to strength over the years even though the sanctuary has survived being closed down twice already. This is the third time that the sanctuary is under threat of going under, and I am both terrified and devastated. Rand Water arrived in July and totally destroyed all our dog runs, they destroy our entrance therefore people couldn’t even access the property to adopt. The last 4 months that they have been working on our property has been an absolute nightmare both financially and emotionally. The noise, dust and stress has made our animals sick, increasing our vet bills drastically. The amount of animals being homed has dropped by 70% therefore the amount of animals being rescued has also dropped substantially due to lack of space.

Money that had been raised to build our new puppy areas has had to be reallocated towards running costs, which total R190 000 monthly therefore our building of puppy haven is at a standstill and we have nowhere to house our puppies.

Last week the car sponsorship was revoked with 24 hour notice, although we had been promised a two year sponsorship among many other amazing offers from the company. Fundraisers that were made by them on our behalf, have never been paid.

Our vet gave 24 hour notice and abandoned the sanctuary causing our clinic to be closed and all our medicines taken, leaving us in a spin as our hands are now tied until we find a suitable vet to employ.
We have hit rock bottom emotionally and financially.

I ask myself why it is so hard, why we have been hit so badly by outside influences when all we do is give our lives, our hearts and literally our souls to keep it going. If KPH closed, I don’t know of any other sanctuary that would be able to take over the role we play. We literally live and breathe for our rescues, never actually leaving “work”, as this lifestyle is not one that you can turn off when you leave the sanctuary. You are constantly worrying, planning and arranging rescues, funding and every other emergency possible, never switching off. You don’t have a personal life, you don’t have time out, you are constantly stressed however, it is all worth it when you make that difference in a rescue animals life. To all those that have supported me personally by standing by me, thank you because you have really made me realize that it’s worth fighting for! To all those that want to see both me and KPH fall, I wish you all the heartache and pain that I am currently going through one day. Tomorrow is another day, and my fight to save my beautiful sanctuary will continue. I will not let my staff or animals down, I will once again triumph and will laugh at where we were, when we have climbed over the hill that we are facing. Thank you to all my amazing friends who have been there for me and KPH, you have no idea how much I appreciate your love and support!

 

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2 Mins Read

A new hobby – and I’m surprisingly good at it

I have been really quiet the last few days, I know. I have packed the bull by the horns and started painting the walls in our Joburg house. My wrist, back and shoulder really need oil. I can however say that I have finished the livingroom that has the longest wall ever. Next up, the rest of the downstairs house…

I’ve also decided that I need a new hobby that isn’t too messy (yeah right) and that I would be able to use for the greater good of mankind (just joking). I now do screenprinting – and I absolutely love it. I attended a workshop with ZANA in Joburg on Sunday and learnt all about it.

At the ZANA screenprinting workshop we learnt about paints, fabrics and how to make your own stencil. My initial thought on a stencil was to make starfish but cutting little cirlces…too much work for me, so I reverted to my other great love, cats.

I created these lovely critters – what do you think of my kittens?

I printed 6 scatter cushions and a tea towel. My husband seems to like them, so our house now has 3 live cats and soon cushions with cats that remind visitors who actually runs the house.

I do have a little surprise of a new project that I have always wanted to do, I have the website domain, I just need to start it. I am making a last ditch effort to do something amazing with this year.

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