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It’s mid-rainy season here in Niger, West Africa, and the trails are beautifully green! There’s nothing to please the crew of Ishtar’s Ark as saddling up and going for a beautiful hike! As soon as Sheba knows where we’re going, she’s happy to lead the way! This time, we were heading for the healin jirgi [...]

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The rains started early this year and although we’re still only in mid-June, the millet is already growing in the fields. My ridgeback is is thrilled that all her favourite water holes (all of which except one dried out in March) replenished early this year, allowing her to once again join us for long speedy [...]

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…is a Sheba hug!! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

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Ever since Sheba was a puppy, it was impossible to find a trick that this willful ridgeback was willing to learn. You could count on her for any real-life drama (the greater the need for her assistance, the better!!!), but when it came to simple dog tricks, she could not see the point with them [...]

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On Tuesday after work, Sheba, Ronja and I joined a friend to have a look at a house she was interested in. The dogs were in a fabulous mood, being big fans of any kind of “afterwork activity”! The house turned out not to be quite what we had expected, …but everybody was happy with [...]

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I have several favourite places in the West African bush, …and the oasis of Midik is one of them. My love for Midik (in particular, the seasonal waters of Midik) is shared by horses and dogs alike. My mount Sahara was a bit upset that I was on the ground taking pictures, rather than being [...]

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It’s 8pm in Niger, West Africa and Sheba, the Rhodesian ridgeback from Sweden, is in the mood to play… SHEBA: “Who’s with me?! I feel like chewing on someone and trying out my wrestling moves!” DENNIS [comfortably snoozing in Sheba's bed]: “Count me out. I’m way too old for that kind of puppy behaviour.” SHEBA: [...]

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For more wordless, click here!

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For other skies around the world, visit Skywatch!

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For more wordless, click here!

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By the size of Esmeralda’s belly this weekend, I was thoroughly convinced that she was expecting triplets again, but thankfully, she finally (after a very long wait!) gave birth to two beautiful little baby girls! Leah and Evita were born on the 17th of January. The kidding itself went without problems, but milking was another [...]

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Warm Happy New Year wishes from all of us at Ishtar’s Ark!

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I’ve been going to Niamey (the capital of Niger) more much often these past two years and have been enjoying it a lot – the only thing that’s been missing has been Sheba. But hitching a ride to the capital (900km away from Zinder) proved next to impossible after most expats were evacuated from Zinder [...]

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ISOLDE [alerted]: “Esther, there’s something on the road!” ESTHER: “It’s ok, Isolde. Go ahead, you need not worry.” ISOLDE (to RR guard on duty): “Security check, PLEASE!  Foreign object on the road! Human rider is not taking me seriously but we cannot perceed before we know we are out of harm’s way.” SHEBA: “Sure, partner! [...]

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