Reno Bambino, our Crown Prince and First-Born Basenji, was born on January 1, 1992. We adopted him, a pre-BRAT local rescue, on December 19, 1993. Our lives have never been the same.

Reno was the center of our lives and home until January 13, 2003 when he died suddenly and unexpectedly from what was most likely a stroke. Again, our lives have never been the same. We have never stopped loving Reno. When you lose someone so beloved and central to your very existence, the cost for such love is great.

If God had said, "You can have him for nine years, one month, and six days, and then I'll take him home," would we have even heard, so enchanted were we with Reno.

In the years since we lost Reno, the shattered bits of my broken heart have slowly settled into a kaleidoscope of memories. Since this is Reno's birthday I'd like to share just a very few of these memories.

Reno filled our hearts and lives with laughter and joy, sheer absolute joy simply because he was Reno. As Reno's birthday was January first, we began our tradition of staying home on New Year's Eve because I didn't want Reno's birthday to start while we were out. I didn't want my baby to be alone or with a baby-sitter when his birthday began.

He gave us paw waves when we came home, shook hands, gave me hugs and kisses, and signed cards by biting off a corner. Reno slept with his head on my pillow, just like a little person.

We went to obedience classes with a wonderful instructor who was very patient with us, Reno's doting but inexperienced parents. We went to agility classes with the same instructor. These were indoors, on leash, and Reno had a great time. (Our boy did not get along with other dogs because of some bad experiences before we adopted him that caused him to lose the sight in his right eye). I crawled through the tunnel to show Reno it was OK, and I ran along side him, jumping all the jumps. When we got to the tire jump, Eric stood on one side and I stood on the other, encouraging him through. Eric and I walked on each side of elevated dog walk, ready to catch Reno, but he never faltered.

The children in our neighborhood greeted me in the grocery store with "Hi Weno's mom." We logged a lot of miles on our walks with Reno. At the park, we'd pull out his long leash and let him chase squirrels. I'm very grateful Reno was energetic and happy right up to the day he died.

Reno taught us so much and gave us even more. If not for Reno, we wouldn't be part of BRAT, we wouldn't have met so many dedicated people and wonderful dogs. If not for Reno, our lives would not be as rich or joyful. Think of all we would have missed if not for Reno Bambino.

People told us Reno was lucky we found him, but as everyone with a rescued dog knows, we're the lucky ones.