We recently did a blog post about all of the dogs at Ant’s Hill, so now it’s time to introduce you to the pooches who rule the roost down at Ant’s Nest!
RALPH – 4-year-old black Labrador
Ralph is Ant’s dog and goes everywhere with Ant. He is a pedigree retriever born in Cape Town from a champion bloodline and loves driving with Ant in his jeep, and even on the motorbike with Ant. He is also a great retriever and loves swimming but most of all he is a great companion to Ant.
NUMA – 3-year-old chocolate Labrador
Numa is a very loving well-mannered dog that is adored by everyone. He spends hours trying to entertain guests by bringing them anything to throw for him.
We always say that he is crossed with a seal as he loves swimming so much, he even dives to the bottom of the deep end to fetch his toys. Numa is definitely a show dog and loves pleasing people. He can do tricks such as High-5, High-10 and gives paw. His ultimate trick is to climb up the two rocks by the pool just as guests arrive to launch himself off into the water showing himself off.
LILY – 2-year-old petite Jack Russel terrier (we think crossed with a whippet, white with brown spots)
Lily belongs to Lee-Ann and Wiehahn and was 7 weeks old when she arrived at the Nest, weighing only 900 grams. She now lives with Numa, who has taught her how to swim and was very patient with her as a puppy, letting her bite his tail and sleep on the same dog bed.
Lily is very shy and nervous of new people but quickly warms up to anyone with a ball or stick. She even sleeps with it in her mouth. Once she is comfortable with new people she is a very sweet dog who loves fuss and attention, she is a big hit with all guests, especially children.
JACKIE – 4-year-old wire haired Jack Russel (white with brown spots – pictured with Lily)
Jackie came from another game reserve on the other side of Vaalwater and is owned by Diana, former stable manager at Ant’s Nest. Diana now works long months down in the Cape, so Jackie stays here and is looked after by our accountant, Michelle, whilst Diana is away.
He’s a very sweet little dog with a lovely gentle temperament and you’ll often find him wondering to the lodge to get belly rubs from the guests. However, he has his cheeky moments and can sometimes be seen chasing the mongoose and cats around the lodge and back of the house, and it’s a guarantee that every night when everyone has gone back to their rooms, you will hear him barking back at the jackals calling to each other in the distance.
These are just a few of the characters that you can expect to meet while staying at Ant’s Nest. Good dogs, good horses, good people![:]
Tequila a little black and white Jack Russell who belongs to Craig, the general manager at Ant’s Hill. She was given to Craig by his brother when he moved to Zambia. Although she may be small, she’s a fiery little creature with quite the queen bee attitude. Small dog, big heart. Before moving to Ants, she used to herd up to 60 beef cattle all by herself. She’s been on death’s door more than once though. The worst was when she was attacked by a German Shepard. You can still feel the indentation on her side where her ribs where crushed. She is a little fighter though and is going 16 this year. Harry is Jess’s childhood dog and the oldest here at 17 years old. He is mostly deaf now but still takes his little missions up and down from the house to the office and vice versa. Then we have Tess, a timid little daschund, who belongs to Poppet. She is very particular about who she lets give her rubs or attention and is usually found trailing loyally behind Poppet.
Keep an eye out for our next blog article which will feature the dogs at Ant’s Nest![:]
