Narrated by Lauren Cutler
Hello world, my name is Loki. I was previously called Benji, but my parents decided to rename me after Loki, the trickster god. They had no idea how much I would live up to that name…
My story starts as many rescue animals’ stories do: I was rescued as an adult dog by the SPCA whilst wandering around in the middle of Amanzimtoti. I had not a care in the world, no owner to answer to; I was living my best life (or so I thought), scrounging for food every day along with my other stray buddies. The SPCA saved me from a life of hardship and gave me a warm bed to sleep in. I was safe from the rain with a full belly every day, and I settled in there well, awaiting my forever family.
I spent a few months in this new home, never expecting more, and grateful for the daily visits and walks. One day, a young lady came to visit me in my kennel. I was scared when she came in, but I quickly warmed up to her and soon she was the lucky winner of endless face licks. She brought her partner to come and see me, and they both fell head over heels in love with my handsome face right there and then. Off I went to my new home where, not only did I have a warm bed and a full belly every day, but endless toys, naps on the lawn in the sun, and an abundance of love I didn’t quite know what to do with.
Now, getting back to my namesake: Loki the god of mischief. I like to think I give my parents a run for their money. I keep things interesting by stealing my dad’s socks when he’s not looking. I’ve chewed up every single toy I own (thank goodness mom keeps buying me more). My favourite thing to do is, when my parents get home from work, I sit at the door as if I’m going to greet them so nicely, and then as they open the door I go zooming off into the flower beds, hiding behind plants until they chase me down and give me some tummy rubs. The humans need exercise too – I’m just taking care of them by keeping them fit!
I love my walkies, which are either to the local dog park or my favourite, the beach. I’m an only child (for now), but I love to meet new friends of all shapes and sizes at the park. Sometimes I think I’m the size of a Great Dane the way I prance around strange dogs and sniff them without any hesitation. I love digging for crabs on the beach; once, I dug one up and it wasn’t too happy about being disturbed, so it promptly pinched my nose until I shook it off and went cowering back to mom and dad, who were in hysterics watching me.
My treat schedule is going really well. Mom gives me yummy nibbles if I do things like sit, lie down, wave hello or roll over. She calls it training, but I’m not sure who’s training who here seeing as I get all the treats!
Sometimes all this activity gets me so exhausted I must just lie down and take a nap where I’m standing. Be that at mom’s feet while she’s making dinner, or wedged up against the shower door while dad is in there so he can’t get out.
My life is good here. My humans love me so much and I can’t imagine any other place I’d rather be than right here.
Until next time…
Loki.
Lauren, Loki’s mum, shares…
Getting a dog from the SPCA meant we didn’t know anything about Loki’s history. We didn’t know where he lived or what his parents looked like. We were extremely curious as to what breeds he was made up of. We took turns guessing what the results would say, from Greyhound to Africanis to some kind of terrier breed.
Loki’s Mutt Mix Results:
Level 2 American Eskimo Dog
Level 4 Poodle
Level 5 Bearded Collie
Man oh man, were we surprised with the MuttMix results! Poodle?! Loki looks nothing like any of these three dogs. It’s incredible how genetics is not always a sure thing, and the outcome can be so surprising!
