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Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Bulls power through to semi-finals after Edinburgh threaten to rip up play-off script in Pretoria
Pretoria Bulls 42 Edinburgh 33 RETURNING home to South Africa, Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt enjoyed some dinner on Friday night with his Bulls counterpart Jake White. The pair are close friends and fired up the grill for a Braai, a traditional South African barbecue, at White's house just hours before this quarter-final clash in the United Rugby Championship. But it was Everitt and his Edinburgh players whose goose was cooked in Pretoria as the Bulls feasted on six tries to claim their place in the semi-finals. This was not the hammering that many feared it might be for Edinburgh. On the contrary, this was very much a case of what might have been. Everitt's side led 21-8 after half an hour thanks to two tries from Ross Thompson and one from Wes Goosen. They were in the process of ripping up the script. But the surroundings at Loftus Versfeld can do strange things to visiting teams. Perhaps it was the altitude of the Highveld and the thought of scaling such heights on the field, Edinburgh suffered a collective nose bleed. They collapsed midway through the game, conceding all six tries in the space of little more than half an hour, and three in little more than 10 minutes after half-time, before finding a second wind again near the end. There was a lot to like about their performance, a lot to be proud of away from home in such a testing arena, but the reality is that their season is now over. Knockout rugby offers no second chances and no pats on the back. Having been in such a commanding position after half an hour, the reality is that Edinburgh threw this one away. 'We started the game really well,' said Everitt. 'We looked really dangerous, caused the Bulls a lot of problems, and got ourselves into a lead. 'But then there was a 12-minute blitz from the Bulls where they scored three tries early in the second half to take the game away from us a little bit. 'I am really proud of the guys in terms of how they still fought back towards the end. It's been a long, tough season but we still kept going right until the end. We've improved a lot this year and we should be proud. 'Congratulations to the Bulls. They have got a home semi-final now to look forward to and they are a very hard team to stop when they have momentum.' Playing at such altitude on the Highveld, and with baking-hot sunshine beating down as the match kicked-off, this would be a test of Edinburgh's fitness and mental fortitude as much as anything. The Bulls had finished the regular season in excellent form, with six straight victories ensuring they came into the play-offs as one of the form sides in the competition. But it was Edinburgh who made the perfect start and took the lead on five minutes, just seconds after Bulls winger Sebastian de Klerk had been sin-binned for a high shot on Darcy Graham. Harry Paterson played a key role in the build-up as Edinburgh worked the ball out wide, with Hamish Watson eventually delivering the final pass for Goosen to score in the corner. The sense of shock among the home crowd when a rampant Edinburgh scored a second try on 13 minutes to race further clear. It was a brilliant finish from Thompson, with the fly-half waltzing through a gap and showing great footwork before touching down. The Bulls made a dent on the scoreboard thanks to a penalty from fly-half Keagan Johannes, before they finally clicked into gear and scored their first try on 19 minutes. It was their talismanic No 8 Cameron Hanekom who powered over from close range. Having made his international debut last year, it wasn't hard to see why 23-year-old Hanekom is viewed as the next big thing in the Springboks' back row. Credit to Edinburgh for the way in which they kept asking questions of the Bulls. Their enterprising approach was rewarded with a third try on 29 minutes. After James Lang made a good line-break, the ball was fed to Thompson and he darted over for his second try of the afternoon. Leading 21-8 after half an hour, Edinburgh were threatening a huge shock. But the Bulls came roaring back with two tries in the space of half an hour just before half-time. Veteran full-back Willie Le Roux broke through a gap and fed the prolific centre David Kriel to score, before his midfield partner Harold Vorster went over in the corner. From Edinburgh's point of view, the defending was poor. Ali Price, in particular, should have done far better to make a tackle and get Vorster into touch as he neared the try-line. But the Bulls were profligate with their kicking and another missed conversion ensured that Edinburgh still led 21-18 as the teams went in at half-time. But it was clear that the home side now had the bit between their teeth. Perhaps starting to smell blood, the Bulls took the lead just two minutes after the break when Springbok winger Canan Moodie scored after a lovely offload from Le Roux. Edinburgh were starting to wilt in the searing heat and energy-sapping altitude, with the Bulls making it a quickfire double when Johannes broke through a gap and raced away to score his team's fifth try of the day. Trailing 32-21, Edinburgh knew they really needed to find the next score if they were to claw their way back into the game. But the Bulls put the matter beyond doubt when skipper Ruan Nortje powered over from close range on 53 minutes after a period of sustained pressure. Edinburgh finally got going again when the ball was recycled quickly from a ruck and hooker Ewan Ashman crashed over on 59 minutes, with the Bulls down to 14 men again as lock JF van Heerden was yellow-carded. But Edinburgh's momentum was halted immediately when Magnus Bradbury fumbled the restart and gifted possession back to the home side, with Thompson then sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on shortly after. Another penalty from Johannes stretched the Bulls' lead to 42-28, before Edinburgh replied again when Goosen touched down in the corner after a flowing team move from the visitors. With Thompson off the pitch, it was Mark Bennett who took aim with the conversion but the ball sailed wide of the posts. A chaotic game rather fizzled out in the final 10 minutes, with the Bulls seeing it through for the victory. Having been chewed up and spat out, Edinburgh were left to ponder a missed opportunity.
New Paper
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Paper
May 29 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis
Race 1 (1,700m) This will not take much winning, so (1) BRIGHAM need not improve much on recent form and consistency to break his duck. (4) ALAKANANI, (7) ART NOUVEAU and (8) BLUE QUARTZ also have the form and experience to play leading roles. Race 2 (1,000m) Promising (1) SYLVAN WARRIOR gave weight and a beating to older rivals on his handicap debut last time and, even under top weight, could prove hard to beat back in 2yo company. (3) CONSTELLATION is 3kg better off last-start winner (2) NYAKA NYAKA, so could give the selection most to fear. Nyaka Nyaka is improving and likely to acquit himself competitively. Recent runner-up (8) ANCHORAGE should make her presence felt too with any improvement. Race 3 (1,200m) (18) JAPANESE GARDEN built on an encouraging debut to finish second over 1,450m last time and showed enough pace that day to suggest that this shorter trip could be more to her liking. (1) DESERT CLOUD has the form and greater experience to expose any chinks in the selection's armour. Watch the betting on well-bred debutants (13) AL GREENGA and (10) DEZIRE. Race 4 (1,200m) Last-start runner-up (15) TIME WILL TELL has scope for improvement, so could have the measure of his rivals. (1) MIZZEN SWORD needs only produce a similar performance to be in the shake-up once more. Younger rival (17) WALL STREET also has plenty of upside. Keep safe. (10) OKLAHOMA SMOKESHOW would have benefited from her introductory outing and should not be underestimated. Race 5 (2,000m) It could pay to follow the progress of class-dropper (2) ALADDIN'S LAMP who caught the eye on his Highveld debut and would have benefited from that comeback. Hard-knocker (3) BANHA BRIDGE is proven at this level and likely to be in the shake-up, too. (1) THE ULTIMATE KING is progressive and unbeaten as a gelding. He won a similar race on his handicap debut and a five-point penalty is unlikely to halt his momentum. (9) COPPOLA and (6) FUTUREWOLFF are 2kg better off with their last-start conqueror, so should pose more of a threat. Race 6 (1,800m) (3) INSTANT ATTRACTION was runner-up on handicap debut at a higher level. She races off an unchanged mark and will benefit from her rider's 1.5kg allowance. (2) STORM AHEAD would not be winning out of turn after consecutive seconds but deserves another chance. Recent runner-up (9) VIVA DE JANEIRO completes the shortlist. Veterans (4) CARNELO and (5) CALL ME MASTER continue to hold their own in this grade and will likely acquit themselves competitively. Race 7 (1,600m) A slight ease in the ratings and return to this distance will suit (3) CAPE LIGHTS who could represent the value in a tricky handicap. (8) AVOONTOAST had legitimate excuses for a disappointing last start and could make amends. (6) BLIND AMBITION has thrived since relocating to the Highveld and this step-up in class is unlikely to prevent another bold showing. (12) LAST CAR TO PASS and (14) I AM REGAL are others capable of playing a role. Race 8 (1,400m) (2) KING OF NUMBERS and (3) PAUL REVERE are closely matched on the form of a recent meeting over this trip and there should not be much separating them on these terms. Last-start winner (4) DYLAN'S CHAMP is also a genuine candidate for honours. (8) NEW MEXICO did not go unnoticed last time when returning from a break and should improve to make his presence felt too. Race 9 (1,200m) (15) ALONE TIME ran well above his rating last time when third at level weights to a 108-rated 3yo rival and a repeat of that performance in this weaker company should suffice. (2) VEGAS HI RISE, (13) MICKE'S BOMB and (14) GOLDEN ASPEN will be competitive for the places if also reproducing their recent performances.
Mail & Guardian
23-05-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
The case of the minister and the HIV activists: Are we entering denialism 2.0?
In the leafy office park not far from Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, you'll find them just past the security boom. Dozens of vehicles, leftovers from what were once busy, purposeful operations, sitting under the Highveld sun. Engines dead and tyres flat. A few months ago, these brightly painted trucks and trailers emblazoned with Pepfar and USAid logos were on the move — part of a push to take HIV services to groups of people that government clinics often didn't reach. But that was before US President Donald Trump abruptly The rainy Jozi summer and months of doing nothing have left rust spidering from cracks and leaves piling up on windscreens. Parked in a neat row, vehicles from one such organisation, the NO MORE: Mobile clinics that the US government funded to travel to communities for HIV services are now gathering dust in a Johannesburg parking lot. (Anna-Maria van Niekerk) The parking lot is a metaphor for the crisis that has pitted the government against HIV activists and researchers, who warn we've entered another era of denialism, courtesy of the Trump administration. At a But unlike his predecessor, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who denied the link between HIV and Aids and In his first round as health minister, between But a day after the Activists warn they've They say they But Motsoaledi says activists are effectively lying because US government funding comprises only 17% of the country's HIV budget of R46 billion. 'I want to state it clearly that propagating wrong information about the start of the HIV and Aids campaign in South Africa, in the matter that it is being done, is no different from the approach adopted by AfriForum and its ilk which led Trump to trash the whole country,' Motsoaledi, who is attending the World Health Assembly in Geneva this week, lashed out at 'I am saying so because we have already been phoned by the funders we have spoken to, who are asking us, why should they put their money in the programme that is said to be collapsing. Is their money going to collapse together with the programme?' Other than an extra R1 billion from the Global fund for HIV, TB and Malaria, 'The minister is in denial that there's a crisis at all,' cautions Fatima Hassan, a lawyer who played a crucial part in the early 2000s to force the government to give people with HIV free ARVs, and who now heads the 'Once again, South Africa will have to deal with the harmful public health consequences of not just the Trump administration, but also our own government's failure to adequately plan for months now.' Sex worker Back in the parking lot, known as the Isle of Houghton, the Anova Health Institute's six mobile clinics are standing idle. Over the past three years, they've been used to test between 4 000 and 6 000 people each month for HIV in Gauteng — and to put those who tested positive onto ART treatment — in areas where government clinics are either too far from people's homes to easily walk to or to reach people, such as teenagers or gay and bisexual men, who might face snickering neighbours or dismissive health workers at state facilities when they ask for condoms or HIV tests. The US government is allowing Anova to keep only two of its mobile clinics and even those they can't use because they no longer have money for staff to run them, says one of the institute's public health specialists, Kate Rees. Since the funding cuts, Anova has had to stop almost all its work helping the government's district health services to test and treat people for HIV and to hand out anti-HIV pills to prevent infection. SIX IN A ROW: Anova Health Institute is only allowed to keep two of their US-sponsored mobile clinics after February's funding cuts. (Anna-Maria van Niekerk) The stop-work order is already being felt in the data — March 2025 health department figures show that 30% fewer people took up ART in the City of Johannesburg than in March 2024, says Rees. Johannesburg is one of the But because of population density, of 63 322 clients these clinics served, 41 996 — two-thirds — live in Johannesburg, Motsoaledi WATCH THE HEALTH MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE As all these programmes have been shut down, people who got their treatment there, collected free condoms, lubricants or anti-HIV medication, now have to go to state clinics. Motsoaledi says all the patients' files have been Bhekisisa they've been refused services — often because government nurses tell them they don't have transfer letters or they 'don't deserve to be helped'. The HIV advocacy organisation Bhekisisa and the Motsoaledi says 1 012 clinicians and 2 377 non-clinician workers at government health facilities, most of them in Gauteng, are being trained to make key populations feel more comfortable to visit state clinics for HIV services. But the health department has, in fact, been busy with such training for years, the former acting head of HIV in the health department, Thatho Chidarikire, Despite that, severe discrimination against transgender people and sex workers persists, One sex worker, who is pregnant and fearful she will transmit the virus to her child, told Bhekisisa this month: 'I have defaulted on my ART for two months now. I have tried to go to a public clinic, but I wasn't helped. 'Sex workers are seen as dirty people who go and sleep around. We even struggle to get condoms. People like me are now forced to do business without protection because it's our only source of income and it's the way we put food on the table.' People on ART Data commissioned by the health minister himself backs up HIV activists' and scientists' fears about the potential impact of US funding cuts on South Africa's HIV programme. One such modelling study With Pepfar data, the health department calculated it needs an extra R2.82 billion to get through the financial year and the minister's own staff — including Nicholas Crisp, the deputy director general in the national health department who made the sums — But at his press conference, Motsoaledi announced that the health department has, in fact, made what HIV scientists like Ezintsha head Francois Venter describes as 'inconceivable' progress with getting people with HIV who stopped treatment, back onto their pills. According to the minister, government health workers have managed to find close to half — 520 700 — of the 1.1 million people with HIV that they've been looking for and put them on treatment. But, explains Anova's Rees, those numbers are incredibly misleading. 'The minister didn't subtract the number of people who were lost from care — those who stopped treatment or died — from the people with HIV who started or restarted treatment. If that was the number we were interested in, we would have reached our targets years ago,' Rees says. She says that's part of the reason why South Africa's total number of people on ART has been lingering between 5.7 and 5.9 million for the past two years. 'Because of people who fall off treatment, we're seeing static programme growth. So we're not seeing significant increases in the number of people on treatment overall. That means that although the 500 000 people they say they've now put onto treatment may have been added to the treatment group, another 500 000 who had already been on treatment could very well also have stopped their treatment during this time. In many cases, it's possibly the same people cycling in and out of treatment.' The health department's struggle, even with US government funding, to keep people on HIV treatment throughout their disease is also reflected in the second '95' of the country's Right now, the minister said at his press conference, South Africa is at 96-79-94, which means we're struggling to get people who know they've got HIV onto treatment, or to prevent people who are on treatment, from defaulting on drugs. Covid vs the funding crisis So how did South Africa get to a point where the health department and HIV scientists are yet again at loggerheads? Not so long ago, on 5 March 2020, to be precise, shortly after South Africa's first SARS-CoV-2 infection had been confirmed, then health minister Abdool Karim could do something Mkhize couldn't — break down the cause of Covid, and where we were headed, in language everyone could understand. People were desperate for information and the government used experts — of which there were many — to keep South Africa up to date. The important thing was that Abdool Karim wasn't working for the government. He did chair the Covid ministerial committee, but, like the other scientists who served on it, he wasn't a government employee. He and others were merely people whose skills the health department was prepared to draw on — ironically, most of these were also HIV scientists, the same people who today feel they're being snubbed by the government. 'We saw amazing leadership during Covid,' says It's not surprising Bekker feels this way. The deputy director general position for HIV and TB has been vacant for five years, empty since Information hard to get During the pandemic, there were daily press releases, vaccine dashboards and almost daily meetings with experts on the Covid ministerial committee. Now, other than the odd press conference, information that should be public, or opportunities for the government to respond to media or doctor's questions — is non-existent. We've seen that first hand at Bhekisisa. When we co-hosted a webinar on 8 May with the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society, we invited the acting deputy director general, Ramphelane Morewane, to answer clinicians' and journalists' questions. His office told us he was on leave in the days prior to it, but 'would definitely be there'. But Morewane didn't turn up, no one was sent in his place, and no one explained why the health department couldn't make it. As a journalist during Covid, I had the numbers of people like the deputy director general in charge of vaccines on speed dial. This time around, I'm struggling to get mere copies of important government circulars, like the one that HEADING: FIRST TAKE: THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S FEBRUARY CIRCULAR WITH INCORRECT GUIDELINES Eventually, I got the first I've received nothing. Why a corrected government circular that will help to clear up confusion has to be kept a secret is a mystery to me, and many of the doctors whom I've spoken with feel the same way. It's as if government decision-makers now regard the scientists and activists the health department worked with so well during Covid as enemies, rather than allies, some experts say. 'We need to all put our minds together in a room and work out what are our best buys and how do we get those out to people who need it the most,' The head of the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society, Ndiviwe Mphothulo, Transwoman: 'I couldn't even get condoms' Back in Hillbrow, close to the parking lot with the now unused mobile clinics, a young transwoman is considering buying her ART pills on the black market. By the end of May, the three-month supply of ART she got from the US-funded Wits Reproductive Health Research Institute clinic, which closed down in February, will run out. 'I'm anxious and depressed, each day,' she says. 'At the Wits clinic, I got my treatment without being made fun of and I got self-testing kits for my sexual partners. But, most importantly, I could get mental health for free. 'My friends visited the government Hillbrow clinic the other day. I couldn't even get condoms, let alone treatment.' Additional reporting by Anna-Maria van Niekerk. Graphics created by Zano Kunene and Tanya Pampalone. This story was produced by the . Sign up for the .
New Paper
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
May 24 South Africa (Greyville) form analysis
Race 1 (1,200m) Many first-timers. Of those who have run, (4) DARK MATTER has gone close at both starts and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time. Drawn well and should go close. (6) WINTER BLESSING has come on nicely at recent outings and should be competitive. (7) CASSANDRA got a cautious thumbs-up from her in-form stable and is one to watch in the betting. (2) MS SAKURA has a blue-blood pedigree but may need further. Race 2 (1,200m) Mostly first-timers. Of those who have run, (9) HAWKSDALE found some market support on debut and finished close-up. She takes on males but looks forward enough to take this race. (8) VANAKKAM was a modest second at her second start but has been entered for the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship. (1) GOLDEN OPERATOR has the best of the draws and comes from a strong stable. (13) ZIYAN'S PRIDE has the widest draw but does have some experience. Race 3 (1,400m) (2) RUN FOREST RUN made good improvement at his second start, running on strongly. The extra furlong will suit and from a good draw, he should put in another strong showing. Visiting (6) XENOPHON found market support on debut and showed up well. That experience will count in his favour and he will be a big runner. (4) BRUH was a distant fourth on debut but should come on from that and should enjoy the extra. (9) GOOD OMEN raced green on debut and should come on from that effort. Race 4 (1,800m) (6) DESTINY OF FIRE takes on males but has good form in useful female company of late. She goes well this trip and should be in the shake-up. (2) WORLD OF OUR OWN is back over a more suitable trip and with only 52.5kg to shoulder he should be a big runner. (3) ARVERNI KING was a smart second behind the promising Regulation last time. Richard Fourie replaces the apprentice rider. (14) JOHNNY THE THIEF has the worst of the draws but has been in good form of late and can feature. Race 5 (2,400m) (7) HOLDING THUMBS was making steady progress up the handicap before putting in a below-par effort in the Grade 3 WSB 1900. However, he did not get the best of passages and this step-up in trip will be more to his liking. (8) MARAUDING HORDE has consistent Highveld form over the trip and is a borderline case for a place in the Durban July. A win here will help his cause. (2) SHOOT THE RAPIDS was making late progress in the 1900 and will much prefer this trip. He has a big weight but looks capable. (4) FUTURE SWING was probably in need of his last effort. He shoulders top weight but is not out of it. Race 6 (2,000m) (9) GIVE ME EVERYTHING caught the eye when closing fast from a wide draw and the back of the field when a two-length fourth in the Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas. It snapped a four-race winning streak but the extra could see her back on track in the Grade 2 Woolavington. (6) BEATING WINGS carries top weight but has been in good form on the Highveld and finished third in this race last year. (8) REGENERATION is lightly raced and was a close-up fifth in the recent Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas. She will enjoy the step-up in trip and handy galloping weight. (7) MOCHA BLEND was possibly just in need of her last start when beaten by (10) MASCHERINA. She found good market support that day and is better off at the weights. Race 7 (2,000m) (7) EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN is sure to start deep in the red given his record winning the Grade 1 WSB Cape Met and the Grade 1 Cape Derby and his fast-finishing effort in the recent Grade 2 WSB Guineas. He is ideally suited to this trip and is the horse to beat. Mike and Mathew de Kock have avoided the Grade 2 Woolavington 2000 looking for a Grade 1 win with the filly (4) SPUMANTE DOLCE. She has shown her best form at recent outings and this trip will suit. (1) OKAVANGO was running on late in the Grade 3 WSB 1900. He looks to be up against it in this company but is still improving. (3) CONFEDERATE has not finished further back than second in his eight starts. He won his last two including the Grade 1 SA Classic. If he is ready after a three-month break, he should be right there. Race 8 (1,200m) (10) SOHOT SOWHAT was narrowly beaten by the useful Bevies Delight on this course last time. Title-chasing Gavin Lerena has jumped ship to ride (1) BOSUM BUDDY but weight could have been the decider. Bosum Buddy has the best of the draws backed up by some solid Highveld form. (2) MALCOLM'S DREAM is always dangerous and has dropped in the handicap. (4) WINGS WITHIN ME has not been far back at recent starts and should be competitive. Race 9 (1,200m) (5) DAPPER is a recent addition to the Duncan Howells yard. He was a well beaten third over a mile last run but does appear to be more at home over this shorter trip. (7) PHUTULICIOUS returns from a disappointing Cape trip and has a change of stable. His best recent form has been at Hollywoodbets Greyville and that past form with a drop in trip could see him make big improvement. (9) REAL WAR backed up on his maiden win with another narrow victory. He has been around the turn and can feature again. (8) HONOR OF KINGS is better than his last effort and shows some promise. Race 10 (1,200m) (2) VIRGIN RIVER has only once been out of the money in 13 starts but has been restricted to 1,000m. Greyville favours quick horses and she could handle the extra furlong. (7) GOLDEN MOMENT has consistent Highveld form and stays the trip. She should put in a good showing. (11) GETOFFOFMYCLOUD was a little disappointing on the Poly last run and can do better on the grass. (8) THERE SHE GOES has her 55th start but has been in good form of late. With a 4kg apprentice up, she has only 50kg on her back.
Daily Maverick
20-05-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
My dog, my best friend, is no more — I can't and won't pretend that I'm okay
After euthanising her beloved hound, Sukasha Singh can't help but feel like she murdered her best friend. I don't know who to blame for this indescribable pain that I'm feeling, so I'll blame my mother, because she was the one who initiated my first relationship with a dog. I was a couple of months old when my mom, Surya, would leave me in a carry cot under a tree in the back yard while she hung the clothes. Our German shepherd, Dino, would lie beside me and watch over me. He wouldn't let anyone come near me, except for my mom. She says I would fall asleep and because she didn't want to wake me up, she would go inside and watch us through the kitchen window, knowing that I was perfectly safe with Dino at my side. Dino was my first friend and like most babies growing up with dogs, I fell asleep on him, shared my food with him – whether I wanted to or not – and grew up with him as my constant companion. Fast forward many years, many dogs and lots of heartache to 2001, when we bought a house in Johannesburg north in a formerly white suburb. Voetstoots The family from whom we bought the house had a golden Labrador retriever they no longer wanted. Xena was three years old, had never been to a vet, and she wasn't spayed. We said we'd adopt her if they had her spayed. They said it was a 'voetstoots' deal – we take the dog as is, or they'll put her down. So Xena was the first of the dogs in our new house. Before we adopted her, a 10kg bag of dog food was dumped into a huge plastic bowl and she would eat whenever she wanted to, so she was quite overweight. After getting her spayed, we started to feed her one cup of food twice a day and we took her on long walks. She hated us and tried to run away many times. She calmed down after about a year and that's when we adopted Mishkey, a boerboel ridgeback pup who was terrified of storms and fireworks, and who quickly grew to be a 45kg scaredy cat. After trying about 10 different remedies to calm him down during thunderous Highveld storms, the vet said: 'Just throw a tot of whiskey down his throat, maybe that'll make him sleep.' I did, and it worked, but not for long. The vet called him Whiskey after that. My nephew, Sachin, has lived with us over the years and always talks about the adventures he had with Mishkey, and how the two of them spent endless afternoons playing together during Sachin's formative years. Then my sister did some volunteer work at an animal rescue organisation and came home with one of the pups that had been abandoned on a highway in a box. That was how the perceptive boerboel Staffie, Bella, entered our lives. My mom lives with me and we share a decently sized main house, and my sister lives in the cottage in the back yard. My mom and I fight often – the kind of fights that were louder than our famous rock star neighbour's band practice. Three days after a particularly vicious fight, my mom still hadn't apologised – I am never to blame for any of our fights, obviously – so I decided to needle her a bit. I said: 'Did you know that after you shouted at me, stormed down the passage and slammed your bedroom door, Bella was right behind you and you slammed the door on her nose?!' We were in the kitchen, and my mom was chopping veggies. She immediately turned around and walked over to Bella, who was lying down and watching us. She patted Bella gently on the head and examined her nose. She said: 'I'm sorry I was so angry, Bella, but if you had a pup like Sukasha, you would've eaten her a long time ago.' Character There's a meme in the dating world about how you can judge your date's character by how they treat the service staff in a restaurant, but in our house there's a belief that you can judge a person's character by how they treat their pets. We are all incredibly wary of people who have never loved a dog (or any pet, for that matter). The FBI agrees with us, and a few years ago it started to keep track of people who have been convicted of animal cruelty, since the link between animal abuse and human violence has been well documented. A few years later, another rescue pup, Yoda, arrived, and then 10 years ago, we adopted Ripley, a rottweiler staffie rescue (whom we named after the Sigourney Weaver character in Aliens). Xena, Mishkey, Bella and Yoda filled our lives with the kind of inexplicable love that only dogs are capable of, and our hearts broke when the time came to put each of them down. But none of them loved us and filled our lives with joy the way Ripley did. Bella had to be put down just before Covid and since then it's just been Ripley. When Covid hit and we started to work from home, Ripley inadvertently became our emotional support dog. We unknowingly relied on her to cheer us up every day as she divided her time and love between the three of us. Best friend When my mom had Covid and had to isolate in her bedroom, Ripley would sleep in the passage outside her bedroom door. When my sister, Sandy, was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after Covid, Ripley wouldn't leave her side, especially after chemo sessions. When I almost died two years ago, Ripley somehow reminded me of the importance of being grateful for every moment and helped me find a way through the darkness, anger and confusion that engulfed me at that point. When I tried to meditate in the morning, she would lie across my bed, snoring and farting through the dulcet commentaries. Years passed as we'd fight for the sunny spots on my bed during winter, play in the back yard, share my food, have deep conversations about the meaning of life and go for walks in the park. Her tail would waggle from dawn to dusk. Even when her vet administered that lethal injection two weeks ago and she was in excruciating pain, her tail waggled as I cradled her in my arms and told her how much she was loved as she took her last breaths and her heart stopped beating. She looked like a fierce dog, but she was the gentlest soul and never showed any aggression to other dogs or people. Everyone who spent time with her has been affected by her death. Even our domestic cleaner, Precious, cried and asked if she could have one of Ripley's toys as a keepsake. She said: 'It's like the child in the house has died.' I know most people who think that dogs are just animals won't understand why we're feeling so bereft and lost without her, but we are. And no, we're not getting another dog, because none of us wants to endure this heartache again. I feel like I murdered my best friend – the one being in my life who was always happy to see me, who loved me unconditionally, who cheered me up when I felt sad and who somehow made me a better person is gone and I can't and won't pretend that I'm okay. Adopt, don't shop All our dogs were rescues. We're firm believers in adopting because we know that the breeding industry is filled with many unscrupulous and heartless people who lie about the conditions in which allegedly thoroughbred dogs are bred. Even accredited breeders have been found to be fronts for puppy mills where dogs are kept in appalling environments, so we've never bought a dog. And we always sterilised our dogs when they were six months old because the old wives' tale of letting dogs have one litter to ensure they stay healthy through their lives is absolute twaddle. Any good vet will tell you that there are hundreds of thousands of strays in this country and there's no need for your dogs to have puppies. Despite the fact that all our other dogs were cremated, we decided to bury Ripley, in accordance with municipal bylaws and under the vet's advice. And so, on an entirely unremarkable morning, with the humdrum of traffic in the background and the sun poking through the tall palm trees, we laid my best friend to rest with a few of her favourite toys in the front garden, as we continually struggle to find meaning in her death – as if death ever has any meaning. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
