TAKE A BOW-WOW
SA’s newest airline, Lift, is launching dog-friendly flights — on which pooch-lovers will be able to bring their canine besties along. Sharing the news on social media this week, Lift said: “We know that your four-legged friends are a part of the family.”
It’s a first for domestic air travel, though there are caveats. First, it really only applies to tiny dogs, those that will fit into a 28cmx20cmx45cm carrier, in which they must be able to stand up‚ lie down and turn around comfortably. The carrier will be stowed under a (blocked-off) window seat, and the owner will occupy the seat next to it. The fare for the dog’s “seat” will be the same as for the human’s.
The Paw Pass is also only available on certain flights and for certain seats — towards the back of the plane — with a limited number of pooches allowed on each flight. Owners will also need to supply proof that the pet’s vaccinations are up to date.
The pass must be applied for at least 72 hours before the date of travel, though you don’t need to have a flight booked to fill out the application, which you can find — along with more details — by visiting lift.co.za and clicking on the “Lift Extras” tab.
The airline is currently only flying between Joburg and Cape Town.
If you’re a Jozi-based dog lover taking your pal off to the Cape, perhaps you’d like to throw in a special excursion to this town on the shores of False Bay, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula.
Home to the South African Navy’s largest base, this statue of a Great Dane, Able Seaman Just Nuisance, on Jubilee Square, is one of its top attractions.
Born in 1937, he lived in the town at a time when the British Royal Navy was in charge of the base, and became something of a local celebrity, befriending the sailors and often hanging about on the moored ships (he never went to sea). In fact, he got his name from his size, and his fondness for lying in the way.
He was also known for his love of riding the trains, which is really how he won his fame. Objecting to his train-hopping (for free), the railway authorities threatened to have him put down. The navy responded by having him officially enlisted in 1939 — the problem solved as “volunteers” were entitled to a free pass on the trains.
At the age of seven, suffering ill health, Just Nuisance was put to sleep at the navy hospital on April 1 1944. The following day he was buried with full military honours on top of Red Hill above the town, in a ceremony that included a firing party of Royal Marines and a bugler.
Today, visitors to the town can also stop by his grave, and learn more about his antics at the town’s eponymous museum.
● To stand a chance of winning R500, name the town where you’ll find the statue of Able Seaman Just Nuisance. E-mail travelquiz@sundaytimes.co.za before noon on Tuesday April 20. Last week’s winner is Lorraine Lombard of Bedfordview. The answer was the Ryugyong Hotel.