Written by the DARG team
Professional photography Leandre Brand Photography
Tiger lived in the Imizamo Yethu informal settlement, Hout Bay, with his owner. One evening, he went to greet someone near his property, and for his innocent wish to interact with a human he received a knife wound in his neck.
His owner brought him to DARG, worried that he wouldn’t make it. After being stitched up, he was sent back to the shelter with pain medication, and the vet believed he’d heal nicely.
Tiger didn’t enjoy his stay at DARG at all. In fact, he howled constantly, and there was nothing anyone could do, as he needed to recover from his injury. The adoption manager would walk past daily and give him treats, knowing he was to go back to his owner, who planned to move from Hout Bay. Tiger waited and waited, as did his DARG humans, for the owner to come and fetch him. Eventually, he was considered a case of abandonment, as the owner didn’t respond to the numerous attempts to have him come fetch his dog.
A NEW NAME
The DARG Team figured he needed a new name and asked their supporters on Facebook for help. Marley was chosen, as he’s very much a Labrador; he loves to mouth gently, retrieve his tennis balls, plant his entire body on any lap that’s available, and shower everyone he meets with kisses, singing, and chatting with other dogs and humans – these are two of Marley’s favourite pastimes. When the adoptions manager first went into his room to meet him, he rushed over and sat on her lap. He was very vocal, and it was as if he were saying, “Here I am! I’ve been waiting patiently for someone to love.” Marley was so endearing and very much like a puppy in his behaviour.
On the subject of puppies, Marley was to play a key role during his stay at the shelter. DARG had recently taken in eight orphaned pups. They were unsure of the world and needed a mum to help build their confidence. Many adult dogs don’t have what is known in behavioural terms as “puppy license”. Some will snap at pups out of irritation, and some get overwhelmed by pups wanting to bite their ears and lick their muzzles. The problem was there wasn’t a dog at DARG at the time who was keen on being around the pups.
Well, Marley proved to be the perfect “puppy monitor”. He tolerated being jumped on and crawled on, and was completely unfazed by the little guys. The pups were very nervous at first of this big goofy boy, but he was so gentle with them, and eventually there were eight little tails wagging nonstop when he arrived at their playpen. Marley taught them such a valuable lesson – big dogs aren’t threatening – and we’re sure when they see a Marley lookalike on one of their future adventures, they’ll be so happy to say hello.
TIME TO FIND A HOME
When Marley went up for adoption, there were quite a few individuals interested in meeting him. But it was Kira Jenson who ended up being the lucky adopter. From the moment she met him, he was the one for her.
After her home check was approved, Kira couldn’t wait to collect her new boy. She had a special harness made for him with his name on it and had a lovely bed and toys ready for his arrival.
Well, needless to say, Marley slotted perfectly into her home. He decided the couch was his new bed and hasn’t looked back since. He now attends all the neighbourhood braais and gets to play with all his canine friends at the vlei.
Marley deserved this life, and his doting mum cannot imagine life without him. In one of her messages to the DARG adoption manager, she wrote, “He’s already become the most loved dog in the neighbourhood. Thank you so much for my precious baby boy.”
My Marley
Written by Kira Jenson
The day I brought Marley home was the day my life became infinitely brighter – and significantly funnier. From the moment his paws stepped into the house, he made it very clear who was in charge (him) and what his priorities were (sunbathing, belly rubs, and ensuring I was never more than five steps away from him).
At first, I thought he was just adjusting to his new home when he flopped down in the sunniest spot on the patio and refused to move. Hours passed. The sun shifted. Marley didn’t. He was fully committed to his new life as a sun-worshipper. When he did finally move, it was only to transfer himself to the sun lounger – his throne, as he quickly deemed it. That first night, I lovingly set up a cosy bed for him on the floor beside mine, only to receive the most judgmental stare I’d ever seen from a dog. The message was clear: “You expect me to sleep... there?” Fast forward a few days, and Marley had not one, not two, but three beds strategically placed around the house so he could always be near me without ever suffering the indignity of lying on the floor.
Mealtime was another revelation. Most dogs get excited about food. Marley does too, but he prefers to enjoy his meals with maximum comfort. He lies down while eating, lifting his head occasionally as if chewing is the most exhausting activity he’s ever endured. If laziness were a sport, Marley would be an Olympic champion.
Despite his commitment to relaxation, Marley has boundless enthusiasm for two things: belly rubs and beach trips. His love for belly rubs was so intense that he developed a strategy – if I ever dared to stop stroking him, he’d let out a dramatic, mournful moan and stare at me as if I’d personally shattered his dreams. If I still didn’t comply, he’d gently lift a paw and place it on me, a silent but powerful plea for justice (in the form of more pets).
Our beach adventures were a different story. The moment his paws hit the sand, the lazy sun-lounger Marley disappeared, replaced by an enthusiastic seaweed-cleaning machine. He took it upon himself to rid the beach of all seaweed, proudly gathering it into piles like an overachieving environmentalist. If I dared to stop him mid-mission, I’d get the same disappointed moan he reserved for insufficient belly rubs. And when he wasn't cleaning up the shore, he was leaping into the waves with the kind of joy that made me wonder if he had been a dolphin in a past life.
Moving to Kenridge, I worried how Marley would adjust to a new neighbourhood, but within days he’d charmed his way into the hearts of everyone around us. Just like in Flamingo Vlei, he became the most adored dog on the block. Neighbours greeted him before they greeted me, and he lapped up the attention like a true celebrity. His gentle nature and constant happiness made him impossible not to love.
Life with Marley is a daily reminder of joy. Whether he’s snoring on his sun lounger, dramatically sighing for more cuddles, or bounding through high grass with pure glee, he’s brought more laughter and warmth into my life than I ever thought possible.
And as I write this, I can feel a soft paw resting on my leg. Marley has spoken. It’s time for belly rubs.
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