~ Our Dogs ~

I like to think that the pets we have are the pets we were meant to have. In keeping with this, we try not to force our dogs to be something they are not, to be more like we would want them to be. We love them for what they are. It is a valuable lesson to have learned in life, and to pass on to our children; to have realistic expectations of ourselves and everything that we share this world with, to accept adversity and dissapointment, to love unconditionally, and to remember that happiness matters most,(everyone's, not just your own), next to peace with God.

We are the proud owners of five African Basenjis, one Saint Bernard, and Daisy, a cute black and tan rescued mix who belongs to my two daughters. I have owned, trained, and shown dogs all of my life. I am so pleased that I now can give my children the chance to love and care for animals as I had the opportunity to do as a child. The dogs themselves, with their selflessness and sometimes it seems, a kind of humanity, have shared their peace with us, especially on dark days, and increased the joy of living every day.

Our Saint Bernard, named, "Missy", was the first dog that came into our life after my first child was born. I am so fortunate to have her as she was a rescue fo sorts. My little girl, Megan, was one year old and I deperately wanted a good pet for us. I researched and decided that a Saint Bernard would be perfect. I had owned and trained many large dogs, including Rottweilers over 100 pounds, with a lot of success, so I knew a Saint Bernard's size and training requirements wouldn't be a problem, but the cost of a new puppy was a daunting obstacle. With a new baby, and a new house, there was just no way. I had an idea though.. I placed a no cost, items wanted ad in our local free ad paper asking for a "free" young Saint Bernard that we could offer a good home with plenty of time for her, and a fenced-in yard. In just a few days, I received the phone call that brought us to Missy. She was purchased as a $500.00 puppy by a couple whith two very yioung children, and no fenced in yard for her. After Missy, (Then Samantha), got to be about 4 months old, she was just too much work in a house already busy with other priorities. She was given to a brother-in-law and sister who owned a fenced-in 100 acre tract of land where Missy was supposed to ber able to run free. (Not my idea of a safe place either, but read on...) Unfortunately, there was no front gate on the property, and it was on a four lane highway!!! Of course, the first thing that Missy did was wander downhill to the road. Thankfully Missy wasn't hurt in the incident, but she was quickly chained to her dog house out behind the barn for the duration of her 8 month stay with the family. It was then, when Missy was one year of age, that her original owner called me, and she was given to our family. We love Missy so very much. She is so wonderful with my now three children, my husband, me, and the other dogs. She guards our home, but barks only when necessary and stops if we tell her it's ok. She cares for the Basenjis by putting a quick stop to their "differences of opinion" :-), and watches that they don't make gluttons of themselves at the feeders. Missy is such a great dog, I'm thankful we were able to give her a home.

Our Basenjis have been the best choice for small pets imaginable. Our first Basenji, Maya, came to us in 1997, later in the same year that we were given Missy. Maya has been a wonderful dog, sweet, kind, affectionate, and tolerant of the childrens' attention. Maya is the mother of our brindle boy Basenji "Pongo", and his older sister "Zena". We are also blessed to have added to our family our tri color Basenji "Raja", and our brindle girl Basenji, "Isis". Basenjis are neat dogs. We enjoy their free spirits, much like those of cats, also their quiet, and in our experience, amiable nature. They play well with each other, and our children. We could ask nothing better from our crew than the joy that they give us seeing their zest for life and love for our family.

Daisy is still a very little puppy. She came to our family this summer, July 27th, 2002. She is a tiny black and tan little mix puppy. We have no idea what she is, as my two daughters, Megan, 6, and Katie, 4, were given Daisy by a woman, while at our local open air flea market. What we do know is that Daisy is a sweet, pretty, little dog, that seems to be growing up to be a wonderful pet. The girls both love Daisy, and would do anything for her. Sounds like a lesson in love and commitment to me, wonderful return from a tiny puppy that just needed a home....

 

Midi by Bruce DeBoer