Little Calista
Many of you know that I love animals. Over the years I've had many pets. Dogs, cats, horses even a mouse.
About 12 years or so ago I decided to start showing dogs. At that time it was Great Danes. In particular I was showing harlequins. those big white dogs with torn patches of black. I was lucky enough to have owned/shown the number one Great Dane in the United States (United Kennel Club) of 2003.
As my Dane's aged, I was prepared to get another. However, my beautiful wonderful Baron, shortly before his 11th birthday, became very ill and bloated.
At the time he was immobile at home. Living alone, I was unable to lift him to take him to the vet. My best friend's husband came over and between us we were able to sling him and get into the van. I still had two Danes, but who were also aging, at home. That was when I realized I would have to 'downsize' they type of dog I would be able to care for.
I had long wanted a Basenji but the timing was never quite right when I was looking for a dog.
Basenji's are fairly rare. They hail from the Congo area of Africa. Known as the 'barkless' dog they are not soundless. They are small-compared to Great Danes anyway- weighing in at about 17-25 pounds. They also have the advantage of being odorless and clean themselves much like a cat.
They are an ancient breed and I saw drawings of them on the walls of temples and tombs in Egypt.
They are very independent and extremely intelligent.
I began my search and went to several of the larger dog shows and talked with breeders. I went to the national specialty which was held fairly close that year in Manitowoc. I narrowed my list of breeders to three. Of those only one was breeding black and white that year.
And that was how Elsa came to be. My first very own Basenji.
I knew that I would get another, but not until the last Great Dane was gone. Shiloh died not too long after Elsa came. She was nine years old. I thought Jack would go soon after as he was then 6 and had cancer. He surprised me and lived another year- perked up with Elsa and they became best friends.
I had already placed my deposit for another Basenji with the other breeder I had selected. I wanted a brindle for my second Basenji. The year that Jack died there were no brindles in the litter so I had to wait another year.
Calista was born a year ago on December 6. I picked her up in March in Kentucky.
She rapidly became the center of attention- basically because she demanded it. LOL. Such a wonderful sweet little girl.
She made her showing debut at a specialty (local clubs all Basenji) in July. She did get a fourth place. Not bad for her first time out.
She started to really get the hang of it and managed to start winning points toward her championship. Her breeder and I were cautiously hopeful that she would become one of the top dogs.
Unfortunately that all ended in October when she was stolen and killed.
Her death has caused a great hole in my heart. Many of those whose lives she touch in her short one are also grieving.
Elsa doesn't quiet know what to do without her playmate.
Cara, my neighbors pitty, who was best buds with Calista, still comes to the door looking for her playmate to go and chase around.
I continue to search for those who took her and Elsa. Police have it as an open case. I'm hopeful that whoever did this will be found, caught and prosecuted. DNA evidence will put the dogs in the thief's car for proof. There were eye witnesses.
In the meantime I grieve for Calista.
About 12 years or so ago I decided to start showing dogs. At that time it was Great Danes. In particular I was showing harlequins. those big white dogs with torn patches of black. I was lucky enough to have owned/shown the number one Great Dane in the United States (United Kennel Club) of 2003.
As my Dane's aged, I was prepared to get another. However, my beautiful wonderful Baron, shortly before his 11th birthday, became very ill and bloated.
At the time he was immobile at home. Living alone, I was unable to lift him to take him to the vet. My best friend's husband came over and between us we were able to sling him and get into the van. I still had two Danes, but who were also aging, at home. That was when I realized I would have to 'downsize' they type of dog I would be able to care for.
I had long wanted a Basenji but the timing was never quite right when I was looking for a dog.
Basenji's are fairly rare. They hail from the Congo area of Africa. Known as the 'barkless' dog they are not soundless. They are small-compared to Great Danes anyway- weighing in at about 17-25 pounds. They also have the advantage of being odorless and clean themselves much like a cat.
They are an ancient breed and I saw drawings of them on the walls of temples and tombs in Egypt.
They are very independent and extremely intelligent.
I began my search and went to several of the larger dog shows and talked with breeders. I went to the national specialty which was held fairly close that year in Manitowoc. I narrowed my list of breeders to three. Of those only one was breeding black and white that year.
And that was how Elsa came to be. My first very own Basenji.
I knew that I would get another, but not until the last Great Dane was gone. Shiloh died not too long after Elsa came. She was nine years old. I thought Jack would go soon after as he was then 6 and had cancer. He surprised me and lived another year- perked up with Elsa and they became best friends.
I had already placed my deposit for another Basenji with the other breeder I had selected. I wanted a brindle for my second Basenji. The year that Jack died there were no brindles in the litter so I had to wait another year.
Calista was born a year ago on December 6. I picked her up in March in Kentucky.
She rapidly became the center of attention- basically because she demanded it. LOL. Such a wonderful sweet little girl.
She made her showing debut at a specialty (local clubs all Basenji) in July. She did get a fourth place. Not bad for her first time out.
She started to really get the hang of it and managed to start winning points toward her championship. Her breeder and I were cautiously hopeful that she would become one of the top dogs.
Unfortunately that all ended in October when she was stolen and killed.
Her death has caused a great hole in my heart. Many of those whose lives she touch in her short one are also grieving.
Elsa doesn't quiet know what to do without her playmate.
Cara, my neighbors pitty, who was best buds with Calista, still comes to the door looking for her playmate to go and chase around.
I continue to search for those who took her and Elsa. Police have it as an open case. I'm hopeful that whoever did this will be found, caught and prosecuted. DNA evidence will put the dogs in the thief's car for proof. There were eye witnesses.
In the meantime I grieve for Calista.
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