Samke Lozondi leads his dog, Rocky, on to the sports field of Mpophomeni township school, 20km from Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. He has trouble restraining the three-year-old Rocky from going over to sniff the white Jack Russell that is barking to their left.
”I got him as a puppy, but he just keeps on growing,” says the young owner as he strokes his black and bristle-haired companion that already stands level with his chest. Rocky wags his tail, lets out a pleased sort of rumble and looks eagerly at the dog treats lying on the table where Lozondi’s details are filled out on a form.
Lozondi and Rocky are participating in the Hill’s Township Dog Show. Held for the third time this year on June 18 and hosted by the regional uMngeni Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Mpophomeni Tourism Experience, the event promotes responsible pet ownership.
Lozondi and Rocky and their entourage of friends are given a numbered card at the registration table. The two previous years they were also here. This time they arrived extra early; they are number four. With the card pinned on to one of the boys’ shirts, the group moves to the next table where the ragged rope around the dog’s neck is replaced with a proper nylon collar and leash.
Next stop is the vet stall, where Rocky gets dewormed and vaccinated against rabies. Sterilised dogs also get another five-in-one vaccination — a reward for responsible pet owners.
After a dunk in the dip tank to rid Rocky of ticks and fleas, Lozondi gets a rosette ribbon, like every participant does.
”Nobody will leave the dog show empty-handed,” says Rae Botha, chairperson of the uMngeni SPCA.
”People think the most important aspect of our work at the SPCA is picking up animals off the street, but it actually is education,” Botha continues as she looks around the grounds where hundreds of people have now gathered. ”Today is about reaching out to say, ‘Look, dogs are your friends and protectors, and they need your love and care.”’
The SPCA runs a programme in schools to teach pupils about animal welfare. The fruits of a drawing competition — kids were asked to depict a typical township dog — can be admired on the township school’s wall, next to the field.
The most typical aspect of township dogs, apparently, is not that they are alarmingly thin, nor that they are dirty or vicious. Most typical is that these dogs are kept on chains. In nine out of 10 drawings, a rope or chain is clearly visible. As more and more dogs are led on to the field for the dog show, the bin bag with discarded ropes and rusty chains gets fuller and fuller. One dog is kept on a navy belt taken off one of mom’s old dresses, but that too is replaced with a new cord.
Most dogs in Mpophomeni township are cross-breeds. One can tell there’s a bit of mastiff in one, and a touch of Rottweiler in another. A few are on the skinny side, but mostly the dogs look healthy.
While adults take up seats on a hill outside the sports-field fence, hundreds of children squat down along a white perimeter tape. The tape marks the boundaries of the competition area where professional dog handlers perform tricks with their pooches.
The township children, some with bare feet and torn clothes, chuckle as one dog refuses to jump over a barrier and triumphantly passes underneath. They roll on the ground laughing when the same dog will only master the bridge when given ample treats, and when, halfway along a tunnel made of cotton, it decides to turn around, tangling itself in the red fabric.
Aside from the educational aspect, it is meant to be a fun day for dogs, their owners and spectators alike. It is not about winning. Categories vary from ”happiest dog” to ”best handler”.
Thamdi Mdladla’s face glistens as her Vanessa scoops up the first prize in the ”best condition” category. When her only son moved out four years ago, she decided to get a furry companion. ”I picked Vanessa out myself from the litter,” the proud woman says. ”I paid R10 for her. I let her sleep inside when it gets cold. She is my baby.”
Vanessa, a healthy, beige dog, also seems pleased with her prize. She barks and happily extends a paw to any passers-by.
The Hill’s Township Dog Show is SPCA staffer Adrienne Olivier’s brainchild. She has seen it grow over the past years and even managed to get sponsors to help out with funding and prizes. Pet-food company Hill’s provides snacks for all participating dogs, and rewards winners with giant bags of dog chow; South African Breweries provides music and beer.
Olivier has also had requests from other parts of the country. ”Graaff-Reinet and Cape Town have shown interest,” she says. ”A similar show is planned for Khayelitsha before the year ends.”
The Mpophomeni dog show is a success, again. It is especially good that so many children attend, says Olivier. ”They are the next generation. If they take the knowledge on animal welfare into their adulthood, there is hope for the future.”