Page 37 - FWG December Issue 2025

Animals Matter

Rugby games. He has earned a seat at the
knitting club and joins the gym when in
session under the boma. I am pretty sure the
only reason he doesn’t oversee the karate
lessons is that they shut the door!

At our clubhouse markets, if you happen
to be showcasing your wares and are
packing up after a long day, please check
your boot before you drive off. He might be
inside. He has been known to make himself
comfortable in strangers’ cars. To Salta, the
clubhouse, lake, benches and jungle gym are
all his territory, and he graciously allows us to
be there. He enjoys sitting on the column to
the right of the Clubhouse stairs (or lying on
the stairs) whilst surveying his land. Asking
Belinda Varrie (our restaurant owner) about
her views on Salta, her amusing response
was as follows: “We have an arrangement.
We don’t exchange gifts”.

Most pet owners can only strive for this level
of confidence in their companion animals.
Like people, animals either have a positive
or a negative cognitive bias. They, too, can
view life as a glass half full or half empty.
Animals get stressed, become fearful,
develop noise phobia, and some are unable
to express curiosity towards activities or
objects. Salta certainly doesn’t have any of
these issues. He is a happy, curious, well-
adjusted cat with a happy home and has
lots of people who love him. Whilst I realise
some residents don’t like cats or appreciate
them hanging around, I hope this article at
least shows how important the emotional
well-being of an animal is. We can nurture
confidence in all our pets. Socialisation does
not just mean having them play with other
animals at an early age. It means exposing
them to all sorts of environments with safe
experiences. The Theodosiou family have
certainly achieved this.

I wish Salta a long and happy life. May
I continue to have the privilege of him
choosing to sit on my lap.

Jeanette Furstenburg is a Certified Animal Behaviourist. She holds a Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour (DipCABT) with
distinction, is a member of the COAPE Endorsed Association of Applied Pet Behaviourists and Trainers International (CABTi), which is
a member of the UK Dog Behaviour & Training Charter 2024. She is part of the International Companion Animal Network (ICAN). In
addition, she is a member of the South African Board for Companion Animal Professionals (SABCAP).

082 445 8422 | www.animalsmatter.co.za | jeanette@animalsmatter.co.za

Fourways Gardens • 35 • December 2025