We changed his name to Zouga - from a Wilbur Smith novel - it is the name of a swiftly flowing river. It didn't take him long at all to learn to respond to this. We live at Ohope Beach in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and every morning and evening we are walking on the sands. Zouga is a familiar sight in the community, always carrying his rubber bone on the homeward stretch.
I am a school counsellor and for the first few years Zouga would accompany me to school. Our school mornings would begin with a walk around a nearby rugby park - great fun as there were always rabbits that teased him and as he approached they would dive into their rabbit holes. He never did catch one, thankfully, as I am sure I would not have known what to do if he had! He would spend the remainder of the working day lying at my feet, accompanying me for walks along the nearby riverbank during interval and lunch breaks and being the source of great comfort to many upset students.
Zouga has now "retired€ from this second occupation and likes nothing better than lying at home, snoozing in the sun with his best mate, Maddie (a 5 year old tortoiseshell cat).
It took about a year for Zouga and Maddie to become comfortable with each other - they are now the best of mates. Maddie likes nothing better than cuddling up on his bed with him in the middle of winter. Whenever she comes inside her first act is to sidle up to Zouga and lick his face and ears. He, of course, is the perfect gentleman and lies quietly letting her do this. Occasionally he chases her outside into the garden, telling her who's really the boss but usually as he walks Maddie runs in and out of his legs and will not go forward unless he comes too. Wherever Zouga is Maddie is not far away, keeping him company.
Zouga has slowed up considerably over the last year. Despite this he still has days when he decides the house is a racetrack, zooming from bedrooms to lounge to hall to outside and back again; completing several circuits. He also still loves prancing about in the shallow waves on a hot afternoon.
Zouga is very much an integral member of our small family and is loved by all.
Alison and Zouga