Thandoluhle Mache and Bova have been attending the Friday afternoon classes at Funda Nenja for a couple of years now.
Thandoluhle is just nine years old, but she handles sweet Bova beautifully. She says that “Bova is old now… he is five years old… Bova became alive when I was this big” as she puts her hand down to just above her knee. Indeed, we have noticed the distinguished greying moustache that Bova is sporting.
Five years old is pretty old for a township dog as most don’t survive past 4-5 years according to research by the State Veterinary Department. However, Bova is in fantastic condition and is very well cared for, so we are hopeful that he will have many years ahead of him.
Thandoluhle says that she first came to Funda Nenja “because I saw that all the children come here on Friday afternoons and that they have fun with the dogs. I told my grandmother that I want to come here with Bova”.
Thandoluhle says that Bova “can do the sit and the walk but not so much of the other training”. This young lady is a serious student who carefully listens to every word from the instructor and tries very hard to train Bova, “but sometimes Bova only likes to watch... or to lick me... or to hold hands and hug”. Indeed, Bova is a very affectionate boy who adores attention from everyone!
Thandoluhle lives with her grandparents and siblings as both her parents work far away from home. She says that the best thing about Bova is that “he is so happy” and that "he likes to play with me all the time… he is always fun”.
When this sweet young lady grows up she would like to be “a doctor to the dogs”.
News supplied by Funda Nenja.