We need your support!

On May 3rd, we'll be walking to raise money to help homeless dogs find loving homes. The event is part of the Reston Pet Fiesta and is called the Tails on Trails Dog Walk. This page is for those who know the love of a dog. For those who have seen first hand what the love of a pet can do for people... Let's make a difference...Sponsor us today!!

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me. Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do. Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear. When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper. Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger. And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest--and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

They Are Your Friend, Your Partner, Your Defender, Your Dog
You Are Their Life, Their Love, Their Leader
They Will Be Yours, Faithful And True,
To The Last Beat Of Their Heart.
You Owe It To Them To Be Worthy Of Such Devotion.

Sponsoring us is simple, fast and secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts - finding dogs good homes!! (Plus you can help us win cool prizes!!) No amount is too small or large-Whether it be $5 or $500, every little bit helps.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to support us too! Our non-Dogster site will allow you to sponsor us as well as access more information about signing up for the walk for those of you who are interested in joining us! We'd love to meet up! Last year we raised nearly $2000 with your help and generosity. We hope to continue to make a difference for not only the dogs, but their people too!
Thank you again for your love and support!

http://www.firstgiving.com/bdawg

Anubis

Okay, so my parents thought long and hard about what my costume should be for my first Halloween with them. For those of you who don't know, I was rescued in February. My new pawrents are the bomb, although they can be a little crazy at times... Like for Halloween for example. Apparently they are signing me up to do a costume contest and dog walk (to help raise money for homeless doggies). I'm being totally cooperative because I know what it's like to be homeless. So... anyways, they have decided to turn me into Anubis. Anubis was the guardian of the dead in ancient Egypt (where my kin from many moons ago are from), who greeted the souls in the Underworld and protected them on their journey. Anubis was portrayed as a jackal-headed man-god. My pawrents thought it would be the perfect costume since I already look like an Egyptian hieroglyphic anyways. Stay tuned for pictures from the costume they're designing... It's gonna be great!

Pawsome Facts

1. I am an opportunist and will wait until the second you're not looking to take off with the tissue box.
2. I am a Daddy's boy!
3. I was rescued from the pound in February 2007 and was skin and bones!
4. I will do anything to sleep in the bed with my parents!
5. I am a huge Basenji!
6. My favorite thing in the world is chicken jerkey.
7. I love to do the Indianapolis 500 around the house!

My History

So now that I have been with my new family for a month and have a little more meat on my bones, Mom decided it was time to sit down and tell me my history.

So my HuMom had been really wanting to get another Basenji. She just knew Lexi wanted to have a pal in her life again. Basenji's, she told me, have same sex dominance issues so Mom knew she had to get a boy Basenji. She's part of the rescue group BRAT and had signed up to be notified of available rescues. Sadly (but maybe not so sadly), there were none in her area.

She finally found a few on the BRAT website that she thought were a good match and put in applications for adoption. But for obvious reasons, they preferred local applicants. My HuMom was beginning to wonder if she'd ever find the right dog for her family.

Mommy & Daddy discussed the possibility of getting a puppy instead of rescueing an adult. Thank God they abandoned that idea! Puppies? Everyone knows that grown Basenji's are the way to go!

So Mom decided to look on Petfinder. She used to spend lots of time searching for Basenji's who were in shelters who could be picked up by BRAT, fostered and rehomed-- but this time, her search was much more personal. And then one day, BOOM! There I was! Right on the first page!! It was like I was right there waiting for her. She called the Humane Society that was about 100 miles away and inquired about me. Of course they only had good things to say. Duh. I am a pretty great guy, you know. :) My HuMom told them that she already had a Basenji and knew about how different the breed was. She also explained that she had been searching for a while for just this type of dog: tall, dark, and ferociously handsome. Just kidding. She wanted to rescue an adult male Basenji who was red and white and who she thought would be the perfect pal for her little girl Lexi.

The Humane Society (HS) said that I had to go through temperment testing before I would be adoptable. Mom said she understood and that she'd like to be placed on the waiting list. She planned to bring Lexi for a visit and see if I'd work out for the family.

Meanwhile, since I was so far away-- Mom started thinking. She is part of a Basenji Online Forum and solicited the help of one of the members who is an avid Basenji fan. That family offered to come over and check me out while I was in the pound. They gave me rave reviews even though I was skin and bones. That family shows Basenji's so my HuMom knew she could trust their judgement. Mom was SO excited to hear the news!!

That family stayed in touch and tried to break me out of puppy prison several times before I was adoptable; however the HS would not release me. They said they had another couple in front of Mom on the waiting list. Mom said she got really sad because she knew no one in their right mind would pass me up. She thought she would lose me forever. But strangely, they chose another dog and the HS tried to call Mom. For some reason they had dialed the wrong number and weren't getting a hold of her and thought they would have to move on to the next person in line. But Mom kept calling every day to check on me (thank God!) and she found out that they had tried and couldn't reach her. She made them hang up and try calling her number again and it worked so she doesn't know what that was all about. But needless to say, my new family arranged to drive up and meet me.

When my HuMom arrived at the HS, it was PACKED! There were people everywhere! What a popular place! Mom used to volunteer for the HS when she was in high school and this was the busiest HS she had ever seen!! She waited a while until a worker was able to get me from my cage. When I came busting through the doors, Mom just knew I could not be a pure bred Basenji- I was HUGE (even though I was very skinny)!! Mom says I am the biggest Basenji she's ever seen, but sure enough I am pure bred. She knew I came from a reputable breeder because I had my dew claws removed. Mom had some treats and asked me to sit down. I did. I already knew that term. Then she asked for me to shake hands with her. Duh. I already knew that one too. I was totally winning her over with my charms. Mom was instantly smitten! I was really laid back and on my best behavior while they did their evaluation.

When it was time to meet Lexi, I totally played hard to get. I didn't want her to think I was too anxious or anything. I had to be one cool doggie. Lexi's a pretty high class bitch, you know. So we hung out some in the fenced/off leash area. I was a perfect gentleman. Mom and Dad decided I was just the man they had been looking for and took the steps to adopt me. Hurray!! No more concrete floors! No more braving the cold weather or scavaging for food! I had been saved!! All dogs should be as lucky!

Mom says I had been on the run and was picked up as a stray in a field in Pennsylvania. They still don't know how old I am. Their original guess was 8, but every day I am more rested and eat better, I get younger. Mom thinks I am now 2. hahahahah... But my skin and coat look and feel SO much better. My ears had turned black from being damaged by the cold elements. Mom has been nursing them back to health with ear solution and neosporin. You can still see some of my ribs when I move, but my hip bones are now hidden and it's easier to lie down. Mom just informed me that I'm getting my teeth cleaned this week. Hmmm... not so sure about that, but I guess whatever she thinks is best we'll do. She's taken pretty good care of me so far!! :)

I love my new family. I am such a daddy's boy. I will sit at Dad's feet and just stare up at him, ready to do his bidding. I also ADORE Lexi! She is the light of my life. I really like to pull her tail and make her chase me. Or when we come in from the rain, I like to lick her dry. She is too delicate a flower to be soaked like that. I like to curl up with Mommy and have her give me belly rubs. This new life is so perfect. I really wish every homeless dog could experience a second chance.

We're doing a doggie 4K in May to help raise money for homeless doggies. I know how much they need us. And if you could find it in your heart to sponsor us... It would mean more than you could know.

www.firstgiving.org/bdawg