Saying Goodbye

Last week marks the first anniversary of our Goodbye to Libby, our first Basenji and first BRAT. I've been thinking a lot about her these past weeks; all the lessons we learned, the joy she was to us, especially the apparent joy she took in being a part of our family.

Libby's first family gave her up at five years old because she needed an environment where kids wouldn't be coming into her backyard and bothering her while she was tied on an overhead cable. The family wanted to do more traveling and camping and a lot of places they wanted to go didn't allow dogs. They didn't want to leave her home unattended. She was posted on the BRAT website for several months in early 2000. We applied for her because she was okay with cats. No one else had applied so they shipped her from Boston to Boise, Idaho, taking a chance on a first time Basenji family, far, far away.

She changed our lives.

She loved to cuddle on the couch almost as much as she loved to go camping. The first time we took her backbacking, she just knew that the tent was intended to be her den and which we would be permitted to share. We had always heard about how a Basenji should never be let off leash but Libby proved to be the exception to that rule. When we were in town with traffic we kept her on leash for her own safety, but when we went camping, she was more interested in staying near us than parts unknown.

Because of Libby we have taken in five foster Basenjis, quite a large number for our Basenji-deficient corner of the world. One had food allergies and other was battling a thyroid imbalance. We researched and learned all we could about health issues among Basenjis. We have willingly contributed to the transport of many other dogs, only half of which were Basenjis. These efforts were only our way of balancing the blessing Libby brought to our lives. We are still very much aware of the deficit in our Libby account.

The last 2 1/2 years of Libby's stay with us, she developed IPSID, a digestive disease with no cure. We ended up cooking all her meals when she couldn't tolerate any of the commercially prepared foods. For the last year of her life she lived on salmon and potatoes, cooked fresh for each meal. It was the only combination that didn't inflame her bowels. We often joked that she ate better than we did.

At 13 years old Libby grew progressively worse. We knew the time was at hand to say goodbye although we were hesitant to make the final arrangements because we wanted to make sure. When she suffered a seizure I knew there was no more time to make our peace with her loss, we could not bear to see her suffer another so we made immediate arrangements. On our last afternoon we gathered her into our arms and committed her to Gods care in prayer before we took her to the vets office. Our Angel waits for us to join her again.

Because of Libby I can't imagine living without at least one basenji in my life. Currently, as I sit on the couch typing this post, home sick from work, I am flanked by two basenjis. One is a foster BRAT waiting for her forever home but very much a part of our hearts, it will be very hard to say goodbye to her, but we are glad to have taken part in her journey to her forever home. On my other side is our buddy that helped us through Libby's loss. Reno's the red & white in the last picture. We are so blessed to have had all these wonderful Basenjis as part of our life.

More Mia!

Many of you loved the adorable pictures of Mia that were posted yesterday, so her owner, Paul Gehring, has graciously given us some more! Here's some more basenji fun with Mia:

Mia at top speed! Crest Lake dog Park in Clearwater

We caught her tearing up our bed spread. Her look when I snapped this picture with my zoom lens was PRICELESS!

More blankets to tear up!

I want to play, but this warm sun is soooooo soothing!

A little dress up with Mia!

Mia trying to get Mom off the phone. I swear she's a toddler trapped in a dog's body.

Mia and I at Crest Lake dog park

Pleeeeeease daddy! Can I have some?

Is Mommy home?

I swear I didn't do it!

Meet Mia!

Hi, I just stumbled upon your blog this afternoon and I love it! I thought I would share a few pictures of my Basenji, Mia.


My fiance and I rescued her from the SPCA when she was only 8 weeks old.


Mia is now 1 1/2 years old and is an absolute joy (when she's not being naughty!).


(Naughty? What's naughty? Not me!)


This is Mia pictured with my best friend Elija. When we got her home from the SPCA my friend Elija came over right away to see her. After a few hours of play, she fell asleep on his chest for a few more hours. Ever since then she has had this amazing bond with him. Everytime he comes over she jumps on the back of the couch, stands on his shoulders and SMOTHERS him with kisses! The picture here is one that I took after she got done giving him a good 15 minutes worth of licks, got tired and just laid on his head.

-Paul Gehring
(pmgehring1@gmail.com)

Nurse Ellie and Doctor Taj

I’m sick. I truly don’t get sick often but when I do it’s a humdinger. Fortunately, I have my own dedicated medical crew in 13.5 year old Ellie and 6.5 year old Taj, and they have been taking good care of me for a long time.

Ellie is definitely the aid, comfort, and moral support member of the pair. She doesn’t care that it’s 106 F outside, that our air conditioning is not working and that I’m running a temperature of 102 F – she has been cuddled as close as she can possibly get to me at almost all times since I first realized I was getting sick Thursday night. I remember several years back when I had surgery and first came home from the hospital. I lay down on the bed with Ellie at my side, put my hand against her warm and comforting belly, and she wrapped her body around my hand as if she were holding it.

Taj is a comfort too, but he definitely shows more interest in the clinical signs of my illness. When I cough that bone-wrenching, chest-twisting cough, Taj is there, sniffing at my mouth so I will open up for him to peer down my throat to see if anything was escaping from there. He checks my ears, cleans them briskly, gives a few licks to my forehead, and then waits to investigate my next signs of discomfort.

I hate being sick, but I sure love my in-home medical care team.

Linda S. Krajewski
Redlands, CA

Running with Basenjis

Why basenjis are my chosen breed?
Because they love to run as much as I do. And they must, as I must, otherwise, they have naughty behaviors.

Although I won’t chew the house up, nor tear up anything within reach when I haven’t run (although I’ve thought about it), this breed and I are very similar in our energy levels and need an outlet. I have 2 B’s and a terrier mix. We all run nearly every day. If they don’t, one will create a not so lovely lacey pattern in my originally, non lacey bedskirt. The other will pick fights with my other two or meet the challenge of my large 12 pound male cat who adores tormenting the dogs. I won’t go into what I do, except to state that I spaz out. Besides, those bedskirts are expensive.

The dogs, cats and I live out in the woods in Indiana, near a large state park and many fantastic hiking trails. I run the trails with my dogs, off lead (they are off lead too, as well as myself). I would never recommend this to anyone else, unless they know their dogs well, and have an established leadership relationship with them. In the 25 years I've had basenjis, they stay with me. I have many friends who could never let their labs or other breed of dog go free, but my guys can. The areas we run are more or less enclosed, safe, have well marked trails, free of cars and hunters most of the year (we stay away and run on lead in an athletic park during hunting season). Before I let them run with me off lead, however, we have gone 4 to 6 months onlead, taking the same 3 trails over and over; running a minimum of 3 miles, and usually 5 or more. The more, the better. In addition, the dogs have always been older (over 3 years). These must be the keys. Those and the treats I keep with me. I also keep the leads on me as well, should we need them. We usually do. The dogs always wait for me when I state wait (this took a while!), so I can put the leads on; they get the occasional treat for this. I don’t think I would do the same with a pup or a dog much under 3 years old. I don’t think I could.

My friends all tell me that they are the most well behaved dogs they’ve ever seen! Little do they know….

Anyway, they are the most loving, devoted, quirky, proud, athletic and energetic dog I’ve ever known. Our temperaments and energy levels seem to mix well. They meet my needs as companion and animal friend; and I hope I meet theirs as an owner, leader, friend, etc. We live well together.

Tigger in Tennessee needs a home

Tigger, aptly named after the character in Winnie the Pooh, is a bouncy, happy, and young brindle basenji puppy who is estimated to be approximately seven-months-old.

We hope to place her with a family within driving distance of Chattanooga, TN.

We picked up Tigger in Jacksboro, Tennessee three weeks ago. She had been dropped off at a boarding kennel after she was found running loose. The kennel kept her for two months and then called BRAT.

Tigger has a very sweet nature. She is good with other dogs and very loving towards her people. Although she is wary of strangers, Tigger warms up quickly and loves to lay on the couch with her people.

She has been going to doggie day care several times a week to maintain her dog socialization skills. Tigger is crate trained and almost completely house trained. We don't know how she is with cats, however she seems to have a high prey drive.

Tigger wants (needs) a home with another socialized active and playful dog playmate (preferably Basenji). Tigger can also be nippy with people she doesn't know, so will be placed only in a home with older dog-savvy children. She is physically located in the Chattanooga Tennessee area and the family that is interested in her will need to be able to meet her.

For more information about Tigger—and to apply to adopt her---go to her webpage by clicking here.

We have grown to love this very sweet girl and had hoped to keep her. However, our resident basenji, Arrow, told us that at almost eleven years of age, he wanted to remain an only dog.

He Moves in Mysterious Ways

I'm sure that cat owners have this experience all the time, but there comes a moment when you own a Basenji that you leave them in the bedroom, snuggled up on your bed, and then you turn around in the living room, and there they are, sitting right behind you so that you almost trip over them. There is no sound of them moving from one room to another. There is no indication of any exertion. They are perfectly still. It's like they materialized out of thin air.

I have this experience all the time with Denny. One minute, he'll be sitting into the window and looking out over his domain (the alley behind our building), the next moment, he's behind me in the kitchen, sitting on the rug and staring expectantly at the stove.

Even more unsettling is when I see him curled up in his "doughnut" formation on one spot of the bed, looking like he's never going to move again, I turn to put something away in my dresser, and when I look back, he is still in a "doughnut" but on a different part of the bed. Maybe two or three seconds have passed, and there was no noise at all. My little Houdini.

Perhaps what is the eeriest part of it is the look that they give you when you turn around and see them. Like they know something you don't. And maybe they do. And maybe it has to do with the fact that they know you're going to give them a treat before you even think to do it yourself.

Ah, but that will the topic for next month: Basenji telepathy and their power of subliminal suggestion.

Dr. Asta and Mr. Shiba Inu

We like to think of our BRAT rescue, Asta, as two dogs in one: sleek and beautiful in summer and insanely fluffy with thick fur in the winter. When we first got him, it was November. He was a bit of a wreck – traumatized, dirty, and not the prettiest basenji in the world. His fur was thick and rough. As winter turned into spring, his thick fur came out in great tufts and he looked for a while like he had mange. By the time summer came, his winter coat was gone, and he was stunningly beautiful. He has black dots on his skin, so when his winter coat disappeared he looked like he was wearing an ermine collar. We knew he was from a pet store, and we wondered if his breeder had accidentally bred a basenji with a shiba inu. During our first summer with Asta, we thought his fur had improved because he was healthier, but by the time winter came again, so did the thick fur. Spring in our house involves a weekly vacuuming of an unfathomable amount of fur. Last spring I was walking with Apollo and Asta in Central Park once and a man pointed at the dogs and say “Those are the dogs that don’t shed”. “Oh yes they do”, I quickly replied.

This year Asta’s winter coat is coming in early. It started a month ago. It’s not even cold yet! I wonder what triggers the thickening of the fur. I’m noticing a grumpiness and aggressiveness along with the coat change. It’s like poor Asta has to go through adolescence annually, and spend the winter as an ugly duckling. When he emerges from his thick coat in the spring, though, we are always breath taken by just how beautiful he is.

Bionic Basenji

I had a very silly post planned for today, but instead I'd like to tell you about the new foster boy I took into my home on September 9th. I've already blogged a bit about him on my website...you can get up to date and read his story by visiting here.

Yesterday Pona went back to the vet to have another surgery, which included removing his cast and installing an external fixator. My vet, Dr. Blatt, didn't think that the pin and cast combination was enough to really stabilize the bone. (Stabilizing a dog femur is tricky...the cast can never really go high enough.) My vet is so awesome. He is sympathetic to the fact that Pona is a rescue and funds are limited, so he did this surgery at no cost to BRAT. (Feather & Fur Animal Hospital in Austin, Texas!) This is Pona's new xray, fixator installed. Bionic Dog!

I picked up Pona after his surgery at about 5:30 in the afternoon. We got home, and I put him straight into his crate to sleep. If you've never seen a dog on morphine, you've never heard this sad song...

He's really okay. It's the morphine that makes him moan like that. Here's a very sweet photo...my alpha, Ike, normally hates the crate. But last night he insisted on staying in there with Pona. He cleaned Pona's eyes and ears and stayed close to him.

Here's the story from last night, as real-time as I can type it out...

At about 7pm, after only being home for a short time, Pona started to get very restless in the crate. He was so drugged and stumbling around, so I tried to calm him down and encourage him to fall asleep. I left the room for a quick moment, then came back to find him pooping in the crate, and then I knew exactly why he was so restless. Ugh! I should have known! So I open the crate door to get him out of there so I can clean it up, but he was busy peeing at that time. Like, a gallon. I finally get him out, and realize that he has stepped in the poop and is now trying out his new bionic leg while stumbling around and tracking poop all over the house.

I scooped him up and took him to the bathroom to clean his feet, then I grab a dog bed from my office and use my foot to scoot it into the front room (while I'm still carrying Pona), so that I can set Pona down and watch him while I clean things up. I pick up what mess I can with a plastic bag, take out the blanket and throw it into the garage for a wash, then I grab a rag and get down on my hands and knees to clean the floor. Poor Pona is moaning in his bed the whole time.

While I was cleaning (and not to be outdone), Tippy freaks out and pees on the dog bed in the spare bedroom. Really, Tippy? I picked up that dog bed and threw it into the garage with the rest of it.

Once everything was clean, I picked up the moaning Pona. His body relaxed in my arms, and he was quiet for the first time all evening. After a couple of minutes of cuddles, he fell asleep. We sat that way until about 10pm. I was able to set him on the sofa, where he continued sleeping. I poured myself a glass of wine, because I deserved it.

Here he is this morning. He's a little nervous about trying out his bionic leg, but it isn't painful when he does. The vet says that there is no need for me to restrict his movements anymore - it's going to be a good day!

I'm sure I'll have another update on Pona in my post next month. In the meantime, you can follow Pona on my website as well as my fickr page.

The Rainbow Bridge

When I volunteered to write for the BRAT Blog, I had a long list of quirky things I wanted to talk about – My desires to open a demolition company run exclusively by Basenjis. Bashir eating my mattress. My dog looking like a bag lady in her hand-knitted cat. Light-hearted, my style as a blogger tends to leave people smiling.

Yet today, I look at my 18 year old basenji, Mr. Calvin. And he is all I want to talk about.

Seven years ago, a bonded pair came into BRAT’s care. Calvin and Rosalyn were over 10 years old, so they were considered difficult to place. My husband and I drove to Cape Cod to meet these two, and instantly knew they would be ours, and good friends for our Bashir. We realized that because they were already over 10 years old, they would not be with us for that long. But were prepared.

Or so we thought.

Momma Roz, our Alpha-female, passed over to the Rainbow Bridge two years ago. She was suffering from old age, with lost vision and bladder control. When she finally passed, we were heartbroken. Mr. Calvin, in particular, was visibly distraught. For months he wandered around the house, looking for his life-long friend. They had lived together for more than 15 years! They made it through a shelter and a rescue together, and for the first time, they were apart. But at least we were grateful that Calvin, now 16 years old, still had a basenji companion in our then six year old Bashir.




Two years later, we realize that Mr. Calvin is now at the end of his long life. I try to console myself. He is, at 18 years old, really 126 in dog years! Yet between his loss of vision, hearing, and bladder control, we wonder about his quality of life. Sometimes I am not sure he knows who I am, or where he is. He gets lost in the house, and stuck under the furniture. Sometimes he tried to crawl into the baby’s toys or car carrier.

It breaks my heart every time I see him like that. There are days when he does nothing but sleep, and we wonder if he will wake up in the morning. Then there are days when he somehow musters up the energy to climb the stairs to our bedroom.

Every day I wonder if it’s ok to let him just be the old dog that he is. We all get old, and that’s just a part of life. I take care of him as best I can. And then there are the days when it gets so hard on all of us that I wonder if I should help him cross over to the Rainbow Bridge. We all know that poem that reminds up that there is a place – a Rainbow Bridge - where our pets that have already gone on wait patiently for us. They wait to be reunited with us. I wonder when Mr. Calvin’s journey will be, and if I should help bring him there.

The Rainbow Bridge looms largely in my mind and my heart. At my wits end, I ask advice from BRAT volunteers and supporters. They fill my e-mail box with stories, advice and support. I am grateful for all their help and their open hearts. There are so many, I can’t even thank them all. But that’s what they are there for, as I will be for them when their furbabies’ time comes.

I know that Rosalyn is waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge. But I know she’s probably waiting for Mr. Calvin too. And somehow, that’s a little reassuring, to know that they will be together, soon.

Remembering Ursa

Our first BRAT rescue, a little 13 lb.4 year old girl named Ursa. We applied when we saw her picture on the BRAT Rescue site but unfortunately there was someone else on the list ahead of us and she was already adopted. I checked in to see how she was doing about a week later and wonder of wonders she was back to be adopted again. Would we like her? You bet! So after 5 years without a Basenji or any other dog Ursa came to live at our house.

She had some health issues with her feet and later she turned out to be hypothyroid. We considered ourselves lucky, it isn't everyone who is graced with such a sweet Basenji.

She went everywhere with us and was a good companion and visitor to the late Mallory Hotel in Portland Oregon where we stayed several times. She loved people but was not wild about the dog park. Sitting on a bench with anyone who would accommodate her was her idea of a people park. She became a favorite of the Basenjipix site as I put up many pictures of her.

As the years went by, much too swiftly Ursa became upset and would not tolerate the cats moving into her space. She became growly and snapped and her weight increased. We thought she might be in pain as her feet troubled her more and walking long distances was out of the question. After suggestions that we should have her thyroid tested we did so and lab work showed low values of thyroid. Inexpensive thyroid tablets turned her around and she was back to her old sweet self. All of a sudden she was 13 and this time she pleaded with us to carry her, her feet had finally taken their toll and she was having a hard time getting around.

Our last trip to the vet was sad but we had promised ourselves when we first adopted Ursa that there would be a time, maybe too early when we would have to let her go.

Another BRAT rescue came to us about a year before Ursa left our house and I will tell you about him next time.

I think of Ursa often and am so glad we were blessed with her for many years. If you are thinking of adopting a Basenji that may have health problems or who is a bit older do it and consider yourselves so fortunate to share in the life of one of these wonderful creatures.

-Marj Baker

Life With Basenjis and a Schipperke

Jazzie, Dixie & Flippie

Flippie

Benny

Jazzie & Dixie

When you live with several dogs, the phrase "never a dull moment" takes on profound meaning. Especially with the breeds I have unwittingly chosen. Oh sure, they look innocent enough. But I never know what to expect when I enter a room or come home.

Dixie cleans the crumbs off the table after dinner.

I was done with that magazine anyway...

We now have a doggie door. Thanks, Jazzie!



And I thought I had outsmarted them, putting the stools against the wall.
They weren't going to get up on the counter while I went to the store!

This is a small sampling of what life is like at my house. Thankfully, these are not every day occurrences.

Jazzie is the ringleader; sleeping with one eye open and waiting for someone to make a lapse in judgement. The others willingly follow along. Jazzie is the reason we have baby locks on the kitchen cabinets and drawers.

Flippie is the huntress supreme, keeping us free of chipmunks and snakes. She is also the best watchdog, sounding her alarm at the least little noise. Perhaps she is compensating for the "barkless" ones in the house.

Dixie, my first "failed" foster, really isn't very destructive. She will steal a napkin left too close to the edge of the table or raid the trash, if given the opportunity.

Benny, my second "failed" foster does his own thing. He's not overly destructive either. But he's right there when a "party" is going on and trash-snacks to be shared.

Yes, my dogs drive me crazy sometimes. So do my kids! But I love them nonetheless.

Happiness Is Snuggling Your Basenji

As I sit at my computer with a small dog on my lap, I feel very grateful that my precious boy is here, snuggling and sighing contentedly. In June he had emergency surgery to remove a section of twisted bowel. The subsequent weeks of recovery left all of us perpetually exhausted, but also grateful that Ivan survived this major surgery.

He was in the hospital several days. After he was finally able to come home we began feeding him bland mini meals every 6 hours for over a week and then progressed to feeding him slightly bigger bland meals three times a day. After several weeks, Eric stopped sleeping in his clothes, and I actually began sleeping again because things seem to be continuing in a positive direction. (The attached photo of Eric and Ivan was taken a week after the surgery when Ivan was still wearing a tube collar to keep him from chewing his stitches.)

Have you ever noticed it’s the little things, the everyday, hardly think of them things that are so important, precisely because you don’t think of them? Ivan’s recovery has been full of those things. Our world revolved around waiting for a small dog to poop.

We celebrate each victory on the long road to recovery. (The first time his poop was normal, we broke out the champagne.) Ivan’s digestive system is still on the mend, and we occasionally suffer set-backs. However, despite these occasional complications, he has slowly gained a bit of weight, and while still thin, he is no longer appears frail or ill.

Overall, our puppy boy is doing well. His appetite is good and his energy is usually good. The last battery of tests indicated that his B12 was low, so he is in the midst of four weekly B12 shots, to be followed by three monthly B12 shots. Then we’ll retest. Ivan’s enthusiasm for food has continued throughout the entire ordeal. If part of the formula for success is eating more often, he’s happy to oblige. He has to eat a bland diet, with no regular treats. We keep boiled chicken for treats at home and dehydrated chicken for portable treats. These are both well received. Dasa also approves of them.

Dasa has been quite patient with all the changes in routine. We are so blessed with our sweet little girl. We can once again sit with two small dogs snuggled against us, and it is heaven.

Vote for BRAT in the Petfinder Shelter + Challenge

We would greatly appreciate if you could vote for BRAT every day in the Petfinder Shelter Challenge.

We have a chance to win thousands of dollars in grants. But, to win we will need everyone to vote every day. Here is the link to vote.


When you get to the voting site, search for "basenji" in the state of Texas. We will be the only shelter to come up. Bookmark this site and register to get a daily reminder.

We won $2000 earlier in the year and hope to do even better this time. This is an easy way to help raise money for basenji rescue. So far, we are #4 in the entire country thanks to your votes.

Thank you for your support!

Mike Swan, President
www.BasenjiRescue.Org

ps. We have included a direct link to the website site on the right hand side of this blog. If you lose this link, you can always find it on the BRAT blog or on the main BRAT webpage.

BRAT Fundraiser a Success!

Calvin sporting his goth tee shirt. You can't see it, but his shirt says "I Vant to Bite Your Butt". Dare I say more?

One of my happy customers (who I am betting ate the tee shirt before he got home).

Calvin and Toni safe in doggie jail, er, I mean their crate.

On Sunday I had a BRAT booth at the Shelburne Museum Goes to the Dogs Event up here in Vermont. It is a really cool event where the historical Shelburne Museum works with the locally owned and run Pet Food Warehouse to throw what is considered "The biggest dog party of the year". This year 2,600 people and 870 dogs attended. That is A LOT of dogs in one place at one time! There were dozens upon dozens of booths from dog and animal rescue groups and other dog related businesses like groomers, trainers, and doggie day care. There was a doggie fashion show, a HUGE doggie costume contest, agility and police dog demonstrations, dancing dogs, dog games like bobbing for hot dogs, and so much more!

In addition to having a table set up for BRAT I also had my own booth for my art business Happy Fantastic Designs. Happy Fantastic Designs is a collection of silk-screened apparel and accessories for women, children, and dogs. At this event I primarily sold tees for dogs and dog themed baby onesies and tote bags. Actually, I sold all of the pug and dachshund bags I brought! I still have some basenji totes left if anyone is interested. ;) I donated 50% of my profit to BRAT and raised $122.86. Plus, Pet Food Warehouse had a drawing to win gift certificates to their store, I entered BRAT, and lo and behold BRAT won a $250 gift card! Barooodle roo!!!!

I brought all 3 of the basenjis. Calvin was a model in the fashion show. Toni ate every single piece of cookie, food, and kettle corn as she could find on the ground, and Happy (who is almost 18!) spent the afternoon snoozing under a shady tree. The best part was that ALL 3 dogs behaved and there were no fights! And they were good and tired when we got home.

One thing is for certain, people in Vermont sure do love their dogs! :)

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

When I was a child, my grandmother used to tell me to let sleeping dogs lie. I had no idea what she meant - so I always took that in the most literal sense and never, ever bothered a sleeping dog.

This is Kirby, my 1st dog, my first basenji, and the original 4-legged love of my life. He came into my life when he was a puppy. He loves to sleep and so do I - we are a match made in sleeping heaven.

Since everything I knew about basenjis I learned from my Kirby, I thought every basenji slept in a tight little basenji-ball. - which is the only way Kirby sleeps. Until. . .

This is Saana. She is my 2nd dog, my second basenji, and is the 4-legged love of my husband's life. Course Kirby & I love her just as much, so she is a lucky girl. She is a BRAT girl who found us last November when her foster dad brought her to OUR dog park.

Much to my initial suprise. . .she NEVER sleeps in a basenji-ball. Until then, Kirby was my only basenji-teacher. But you can wake her up and the first things she does is stretch and wag her little tail at at you - and your heart flutters too.

This is Bogey. He is one of Kirby's best doggy friends who rules the house where my friend Jenn lives. Kirby and Bogey have sleepovers, like all best friends do, and Bogey sleeps anywhere and any way he can find! But unlike Kirby or Saana, Bogey does not wake up and wag his tail. In fact, if you touch Bogey's backside anywhere while he's sleeping - you will be the unlucky recipient of a Bogey snark. He does not like to be woken up with touching. Who knew? A dog as grumpy as I am in the mornings.

And finally, this is Luey. He's not even a basenji. He's a Vizsla, and he is Kirby's other best doggy friend in the world. They are the same age and have grown up together since puppies.

And why am I showing you Luey? Because I think Luey really, really wants to be a basenji. . .

All I can really tell Luey is to just let sleeping basenjis lie!

(Even if they are on top of each other)