The Rip Van Wrinkler, XXI, Issue 3, August 2017 Page 14 < previous page > <next page> |
My First Basenji
Very shortly after my Opu dog (1/4 basenji), also called Apu, died, I answered an ad in the Sunday NY Times. I took "Conrail" up the Hudson from Manhattan with a portfolio of drawings I had made of my Apu. Bobby Abelson showed me around, introduced me to the mom of the litter (Bomabwas Flying Flurry), I showed off my drawings, and then wrote a check for all I had in the world: which was not much. And, as you all know, every one of my Apu Basenjis come down from Blush. I never looked back; I was lucky. Brenda Phillips' Ciara in 2003. Ciara, Ali'is Petite Syrah, was my first Basenji, born in 1996. The Stewart's Keisha "Keisha joined us in Feb of 87 at 12 weeks old. She was our first introduction to basenji and became the mother Debby Mayer & Dan Zinkus' Cooper We got Cooper from Gus and Roberta DiRoma, His name was Ginju Out of Africa. Roberta called him Junior, but Dan, sensing immediately that the pup was the strong, silent type, Cooper was Dan’s dog. If Cooper was tired enough, like at this pro-choice demo in D.C., he'd ride across Dan’s shoulders . . . they read the New York Times together . . .
they walked the beach together . . . one rainy Wrinkler Match Show (2000), Dan showed Cooper for confirmation. Cooper came in second in his obedience class, to the surprise of the trainer, Bambi and Cooper, fall of '95. Uschi Grewe's Lady "Our very first Basenji - "Lady“ After 2 years, when we nearly decided to get another dachshound, we got a call that a litter was born in Switzerland. Basenjis were a hard to get breed that time (did not know that then). Lady turned our life really upside down (!!) as we did not know anything about Basenjis. It's a very interesting line as it combines German/English/American and native stock. Until today, 30 years later, they keep us up on our toes so to say, Imani, his granny, is gone over the Rainbow Bridge beginning of May and we dearly miss her." Barb Kunze's Lucky and Mimi in 1988 "I bought Lucky (b/w) at 5 months old in 1986. I went back the next year and bought Mimi (r/w) at 7 months old in 1987. Lucky was my first Basenji and started my love for the breed. He had a great personality and was a fun dog. He would provide a distraction in another room and then slip back into the kitchen to enjoy your breakfast. He taught us to keep our food, clothes, toys, etc. picked up and out of reach. My Basenjis have enabled me to meet so many people and try lots of new activities. I can't imagine my life without a Basenji." Jackie Dering' Kippy ~ KASAI'S KIMPEMBA "Kippy was my first basenji. The one time he coursed he went Best of Breed. He could run like a dog and corner like a bitch. When we got our second basenji puppy he quickly realized she could go upstairs, but not down, so he kept leading her up to the third floor and leaving her there. I loved him and sadly he got Fanconi before the protocol. I believe he had a bucket list. In the weeks before he died he made these list items known. Fanconi management- Fanconi Protocol 2016 OFA - DIRECT TEST for Fanconi test HERE: Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Peggy Pick, "Our Firstborn Basenji |