creating beneficial human-animal interactions

Reveille Pipers Bellflower

Birthday Newsletter - 2006

Dear Devon, Whistler, Vesper, Ed, and Hemingway,

Happy SIXTH Birthday!

We hope that this past year has been filled with sunny romps and lengthy slumbers.

Our big news was the arrival in late April of our bi-ped baby – her name is Brooke.  She makes a nice addition to our pack – although she can’t even crawl yet.  But she does eat frequently and this provides the basenjis with opportunities for unexpected treats – no complaints about being on the “clean up crew.”  And because basenjis are so careful and gentle, Brooke loves to watch them, reach for them and have them lick her head and hands.  If she cries, Titan will even do a basenji bowing/rearing dance as if to say “Don’t cry little girl, watch me!”

Hemi – Titan – Book – Brooke             Titan & Brooke         Brooke & Big Sis Book

Taking care of a new baby means that there is not much time to attend dog events.  Evenso, in December, Piper entered a local AKC Rally Event and took 4^th place in her novice class.  And so ends the Piper-Suzanne 12-year war to prove that Piper really could get a qualifying obedience score in her lifetime (historically, Piper went 0-14 in the CD ring after quickly learning where the ring exit was). 

We had a bit of a health scare in early October when Piper was bit by an unknown insect.  Long story – short – she was bitten under the right eye which swelled up and subsequently abcessed.  Much of the skin on that side of her face was necrotic and, with stitches and a two week stay at the emergency vet clinic, we weren’t sure if her face would heal without skin grafts and eye surgery.  True to basenji fashion, she exhibited tremendous resilience and when the scabs fell off we had lovely new pink skin.  Within two months much of the hair is growing back and she is doing well.  She took advantage of her looks and dressed as the Bride of Frankenstein for Halloween (photo below).

Hemingway enjoys running on his treadmill and chasing squirrels the length of the backyard.  He participated in the Madison Dog Fair in November – representing our basenji club at this pet expo style event.  He was a great ambassador to the public and enjoyed all the attention and petting.

Big sister Book has taken to mothering Brooke and is a constant companion.  She complains that we never made it to a lure coursing event this year as she would rather do that than anything else in the world.

If you’ve picked up a 2007 basenji calendar, you may see familiar faces.  The Pet Prints calendar features 4 shots of our family (Titan w/ balls, Titan & Hemi, Hemi in Hammock, Book w/ flowers). Also, Barron’s (http://www.barronseduc.com) published a small book, “Basenjis: A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual” that features 30 photos of our crew – including two litter shots of the pups, a lure coursing photo of Ed and Hemi and Big Sister Book on the COVER! As always, we are lucky to have photographer Cheryl Ertelt as our best friend!

Pet Prints 2007 Basenji calendar                                                         Cover Girl Book

As always, we think of you all frequently.  We are especially interested in your health (and any health problems).  For example, if you react to vaccinations, have developed allergies or problems with your vision, please let us know the specifics.  Hemingway was diagnosed this year with a class 1 heart murmur (leaky valve) – which may explain why he is only good for three 800 yard runs in lure coursing and then quits.  Mamma Piper was diagnosed at 12.5 years old with retinal degeneration but her vision continues to be functional (especially when there is food involved!)  

Some recommendations for you – when my basenjis turn six or seven, I have a complete blood panel done (usually at the same time we’re doing the spring heartworm check).  This provides a “baseline” of values for kidney and liver function should something develop later in life.  Also, you may wish to have the thyroid checked – again, just so you have a baseline number.  Some basenjis with thyroid levels in the low normal range will exhibit symptoms of thyroid disease.  Knowing their “healthy” thyroid level can thus be useful in later diagnoses.

Please find below pictures and updates for your littermates and extended family. 

Again, Happy Birthday!  And Best Wishes in the Home and in the Ring. Please watch for the mailman with a little something from Mamma Piper.  Hugs, Pats and Kisses for everyone!

-Mamma Piper (as told to Suzanne) December 16, 2006

UPDATE:  Littermates & Kin

Reveille Jingle Bells  - Devon

Devon continues as the much loved and constant companion to Katie in Eagan, Minnesota.

CH Reveille Bells and Whistles RN – Whistler

Whistler has earned his Rally Novice title, 2 legs toward his Companion Dog title and 1 leg toward his Novice Agility title!  And he’s just trying to “keep up” with his basenji packmate, who went High in Agility Trial at the 2006 BCOA National Specialty!  Kudos to Jeff and Scotti for such tremendous accomplishments!  Once Whistler achieves his CD (or RA) and his NA, he’ll be eligible to earn a BCOA Basenji Versatility award…

DC Reveille Vesper Bells SC   – Vesper

Vesper was the “early achiever” in our litter - she is a field champion in both AKC and ASFA and has her AKC Championship.  After three unsuccessful attempts at breeding, she has retired as the loving pet of Judy and companion to her much accomplished saluki packmates.

Reveille Bell Peppers JC – Ed (Pepper)

Ed enjoys his life on “the farm” (in fact, the same house where he was born!) with a retired greyhound packmate and with a young companion Michaela.  According to Marilyn, “Ed is doing well and is fat and spoiled.”  Ah! A basenji’s life!

CH Reveille The Bell Tolls JC – Hemingway

Hemingway is very laid back.  He kennels with Mamma Piper and curls up with her at night too.  His favorite pastime is having his belly rubbed by my husband, Geoff (whom he considers to be a temporary member of his part-time household staff).  At all moments of the day, Hemi can be found looking “artful” as if posing for unseen paparazzi.  He has the cleanest foot pads in the canine kingdom – grooming them (and his heels) daily.

BIF Reveille Unique Edition SC – Big Sister Book

 Book shows her true colors as a Halloween “princess.”  She also tried on her “pink bunny” costume before lending it to Baby Brooke for Halloween.  We’re not sure who will explain to Brooke that she has “doggie hand-me-downs.”

CH Reveille Pipers Bellflower JC – Mamma Piper

At left, Piper is pictured with her namesake flower – Pipers Bellflower.  Then, as you can see, her face was quite a mess following the insect wound and surgery in early October.  But Piper was resourceful - she donned a wedding veil and dressed for Halloween as the Bride of Frankenstein.