A few lovely dogs I met on my travels

What’s for breakfast? We’re just sitting down to a long, lazy beach side breakfast, when this curly tailed guy comes trotting along to see what’s on today’s menu. We’re at Villa n Banga, a laid back rustic spot tucked into jungle greenery right on the beach at the far end of Nyabanga village, about 20km from Bilene in southern Mozambique. I’m pretty sure he went for the peixe grelhada and frangos. Villa n Banga has spacious tents, a fabulous outdoor bar and restaurant with first class island-style kitsch. www.villanbanga.co.za

Miro from Pleasure Bay Miro the archetypal insatiable Duracell Jack Russell joins us on a sunrise walk along the beach at Pleasure Bay, near Paindane in southern Mozambique. He chases the waves, he swims, he frolics, he body surfs, he digs the sand, he chases seagulls, he pees on flotsam and jetsam, he greets the fishermen – and that’s just in the first five seconds. As we return, exhausted, hours later, Mira dashes excitedly off with the next lot of beach goers. Pleasure Bay has lovely self-catering chalets and if you really want to escape Miro go diving and check out the famous Manta Reef and Lighthouse Reef sites. www.pleasurebay.net

Say cheese, actually don't worry, just lie there Pedro lies in a sunbeam in a near comatose state of bliss at the lovely Klein Rivier Cheese place in Stanford, near Hermanus in the Western Cape. He and his brother Pancho just love their life on this beautiful farm. Almost as much as they love the cheese here which is made using age-old artisanal methods. Locally sourced, pasture fed cows, no hormones or antibiotics. Mmmm. I spend a very happy day here drinking wine, nibbling on delicious cheeses and admiring Pedro and Pancho's attitude. www.kleinrivercheese.co.za

Chocolate box cuties Both rescue dogs, Missy and Django, now live it up in total paradise on a glorious organic farm on the outskirts of Haenertsburg village in Limpopo province. Their mother is the lovely Marloe Scott-Wilson who rescues everything. Missy and Django share their paradise with other dogs, cats and two horses. Sometimes there's even room for Marloe's husband! The village of Hanertsburg and the surrounding Magoebaskloof has many dog friendly spots. www.mountaingetaways.co.za

Jock of the Bushveld Every time I visit Barberton in Mpumalanga, I go and say howzit to Jock of the Bushveld, one of the Lowveld's most famous four footers. His story is told in the classic Jock of the Bushveld by James Percy Fitzpatrick. It's the true story of his bush adventures with his Staffie, Jock, during the 1880s, when Fitzpatrick worked as a storeman, prospector's assistant, journalist and ox-wagon transport rider. It's a violent book. Jock does a lot of fighting and killing. It's also sad 'cos he gets run over in the end. But hey, Barberton is a cool place and there's loads of bars. www.barberton.co.za

Do they know it’s Krismas? I just love Krismas, this complete gentleman of a hound who looks after my lovely cousin Vanessa. They live in Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. Vanessa is famous for her daily sunrise shots on East Beach and so we get up at dawn and walk with Krismas. It’s winter and fah-reezing. But Krismas is happy. We jump and get our paws wet. Port Alfred is the friendly heart of the Sunshine Coast, famed for its wide, clean beaches and warm Indian Ocean waters. There are gorgeous self-catering beach cottages up and down this coast. www.sunshinecoasttourism.co.za

Finally I meet the famous white wire fox terrier Snowy, Tintin's faithful hound - and would you believe, it's in the middle of Khao Sok National Park, deep in the jungles of Thailand? Khao Sok is like the Amazon of Thailand. Think dense virgin jungle and surreal limestone formations, a deep lake and exotic flowers. But Tintin won't let Snowy come walking with me. www.khaosok.com

The Rockster This is Rocky. He is in his favourite place - on the lap of his mother Nina van Heerden, the creative brains behind the amazingly beautiful Sequoia Garden Retreat in Magoebaskloof. Go now for their spring spectacle as the azaleas and cherry trees burst in blossom. www.sequoiastay.com

The beast from the east Two Pack lives in Cradock in the Eastern Cape but we meet briefly this time in Port Alfred. He’s a travelling hound on the road with his owners Chris and Julie Marais. They are storytellers extraordinaire, bringing us tales of the Karoo in their books and wonderful website. I walk one wintry morning in Cradock with Two Pack and then he comes and watches me bath. www.karoospace.co.za  

Loving the licks If I remember correctly, this delightful hound gatecrashed our beach party at Praia de Peixe, a fabulous getaway in Macaneta, a short hop from Maputo. With the Indian Ocean on one side and the Incomati River on the other, the Macaneta peninsula is the charmer of Mozambique’s Maputo province. Think white sands, blue waters, friendly people and a laidback island vibe. And friendly dogs. www.praiadepeixe.com