My week with the new Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana wasn’t just another road test. It became part of a journey I’ll cherish forever, one dedicated to saying goodbye to our beloved pet, Charlie.
Charlie, our 12-year-old furry friend, had been diagnosed with cancer on 30 September. By Sunday 4 October, my girlfriend Jessyca, Charlie and I had packed our bags, climbed into the Amarok and pointed its nose towards the South Coast. The mission was simple: give Charlie one final adventure and one last taste of the ocean she loved so much.
Over the journey, back and forth between Johannesburg and Margate, we covered roughly 1,400 kilometres, and the Amarok swallowed every one of them with ease. From a handling perspective, it’s on par for the course. It felt surefooted, confident and composed; Charlie was delighted as we stopped a few times along the way for a sneaky treat, a toilet break, and to recharge with a caffeinated beverage.
Charlie always loved being in the car, and this time round she was excitable, and I’m sure her little beating heart was working extra hard to keep up with the pace. Dare say, she didn’t sleep a wink; she took in every bit of the beautiful scenery.
Shifting gears, under the hood lies Ford’s 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, producing 222kW and 452Nm of torque. I am averse to a petrol bakkie; to be fair, it just makes no sense on a longer journey. I am still team diesel. I quickly realised that when filling up the tank, the Amarok is thirsty; we managed 10L/100km, which is not too shabby.
However, diesel power suits long-distance touring better, offering stronger efficiency and the added reassurance of greater cruising range between fuel stops. Fuel prices aren’t getting any cheaper, and owning a big petrol-powered bakkie requires a fairly strong stomach at the pumps.
In terms of comfort, our furry friend had it all. Charlie was at peace nestled in the back; we relished the soft, cushy leather seats; the infotainment system was crisp, and the Harman Kardon sound system was stellar; the driver-assistance systems were plenty, with ample interior space and even an automatic roller shutter covering the load bay. The Amarok is a luxury-driven bakkie, and it ushered us in comfort.
The South Coast itself wasn’t about sightseeing. It was about slowing down. We spent our time soaking up the sea breeze, taking in the scenery and simply appreciating being together. There was a braai, which Charlie loved; I spoilt her with tasty bites here and there, and her doting mother, Jessyca, gave in, and we didn’t hold back on the strict diet Charlie had before; she was a vegan dog and was never allowed any meat due to her allergies, not by her choice. I suppose her final days of life were more important- live large, as they say. She was a queen indeed.
Our trip was followed by plenty of quiet moments, and when we returned, we were exhausted on the Tuesday evening, but the sleepless nights and stunning drive were well worth it.
Sadly, the very next day Charlie was looking ill; her cancer had gotten worse. We stretched it to Thursday to see if she would bounce back, but at that point our doctor, Conrad, who treated Charlie over the last couple of months, had given us the news that we had to put her down, as the cancer was aggressive and spreading fast. We spent the last day with her, giving her lots of biltong and love, and taking one last walk at the park before the end.
The gloomy afternoon came, and it was time to take our furry friend on one last drive and put her to rest. Charlie loved us unconditionally; she was so sweet. She eased many hard moments with her humour and incessant barking as she demanded a treat. Jessyca and I will forever miss our Charlie; may her soul rest in heaven, wagging her tail happily and saying hello to the people we lost along the way.
Don’t take life for granted. Pets seem to understand this better than humans. We spend our lives worrying about tomorrow, stressing about the future and carrying burdens from the past. But Charlie approached every day with excitement, love and gratitude- even towards the end, she remained joyful. Life is fragile, and none of us knows how much time we have. One day will be our last day too.
Until then, make the road trips. Watch the ocean. Spend time with loved ones. Give your furry friend the extra treat. The Volkswagen Amarok happened to be the vehicle that carried us on this journey, but the memories we made along the way will stay with Jessyca and me for a lifetime.
Rest peacefully, our little Grinchy; love you, sweet Charlie.
©Higher Education Media Services.
