Sky and Bulla

Our Jabulani (Zulu for “Happiness” ):

Jabulani (Jabu) is our only dog and he forms a big part of our lives. He is much more than just a dog, he is our best friend and like a child in our home.
After we got Jabu from Lourens and Marietha at Sivhana our lives changed drastically. No more sleeping in and being lazy over weekends or after work. Oh no, now we have this little bundle of joy waiting for us and keeping us on our toes. What a small sacrifice for all the pleasure Jabu has brought into our lives!
Why a Stafford? After much deliberation and research, Mareli and I decided on a Stafford for the following reasons: We wanted a dog that will be good with people (especially children), loyal to its owners, tough (for the farm trips - viva Jock of the Bushveld), comfortable with small gardens, loveable and not too noisy. There was but only one dog that will meet our requirements and that was a Staffie!
Jabu went to “puppy school” since he was only 9 weeks old. This is a four week course and to everyone’s amazement he learned the basic commands like sit, lay, wait and walking on a leash in only 3 weeks and qualified top in his class. “Potty Training” took a bit longer though seeing that we got him in winter and that the grass really does not look that attractive if you have to go outside into the cold.
Jabu will go everywhere with us where possible and loves going for a drive in the car. Friends and family all know that if we visit it will be us three. Some of our family and friends will invite us over just so that they can play with Jabu. Just comes to show who your real friends areJ.
Jabu is extremely good with people, especially children and will play until no human can play anymore. He is very gentle and will never bite or snap towards anyone except other dogs (It’s in their nature). Mareli and I tend to joke about this and say that Jabu is a very bad guard dog and will invite burglars in to the house and if they are not careful he would play them so tired that they won’t be able to steal anything.
We stay in a town house and because of our small garden we go outside our yard with Jabu everyday into our green area in the estate so that he can get his exercise. Jabu’s best past time is playing ball, anything from a tennis, soccer, rugby or rubber ball. At about six in the evenings he starts following you around in great expectation of his play time coming.
Jabu is a very quite dog. Since we got him he barely barks or cries. His offbeat stillness soothes us in knowing that should he bark or cry something is genuinely wrong. He has full access into our house seeing that our door is always open for him to enter and exit as he pleases. He has never chewed, marked or damaged anything in or around the house and contrary to popular believe this is very unusual for any dog.
Jabu loves the outdoors; he is in his element when he is on the farm. He will investigate every square inch of the farm as if he was there for the first time. Although he does not like swimming, lying in the shallows of the dam is a perfect cool-down on a hot summer’s day for him. Just like any young boy, the dirtier he gets the better. After a weekend on the farm and after we bathed Jabu he goes into a depression for about four to five hours, but after that he is back to normal and waiting for you to give him hugs and kisses.
Jabu is loved by everyone seeing that he has such a pleasant, loveable personality. Should we go away and Jabu cannot go with us (when we go overseas) we leave him at the kennel where he has celebrity status. He has climbed into the hearts of the employees at the kennel and they will not let Jabu sleep anywhere except in their rooms with them.
To summarize: Jabu plays a vital role in our everyday lives and we cannot imagine not having him around! He was the best decision in a dog that anyone can make! We believe that all households should have a Staffie!
To anyone thinking of getting a Stafford: If you do have a busy schedule and do not have time to spend with your dog, DO NOT GET A STAFFORD! They strive on attention and being in your presents, the more the better!!
Raoul van der Walt
0833152125
raoulvdw@gmail.com <mailto:raoulvdw@gmail.com>

WARNING: STAFFIES ARE ADDICTVE!