Monday, March 31, 2008

The Thaw


Last week looked like this. This week "she-who-must-be-obeyed" loosened her icy grip, snow melted, the pack adjusted to the changing color of their yard, and hope emerged as a commodity in which to invest again. Minnesota, like Siberia, defied prediction. People discussed the weather because there was a lot of weather to discuss. Stay warm.

The Thaw


Coming out.

The Thaw


You go that way....

The Thaw


Spring springing.

The Thaw


Where's the snow?

The Thaw


Funny move.

The Thaw


Pack basking.

The Thaw


Kiko was amazed.

The Thaw


Sunning.

The Thaw


Re-emerging bunny.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Easter Snow

It snowed from better-than-average Friday all the way through Easter Sunday. Some dogs suffered through winter, but Basenjis raced and wrestled in the snow like it was natural. Mostly, they were little love sponges. Kept warm most of the time, with lavish applications of affection, they went outside most of the time when asked politely. It helped if they could be persuaded it was their idea. A little diluted Campbell's soup, mixed with dog food made them happy campers. It took so little.

Easter Snow


Keeping warm.

Easter Snow


The Denver Reds.

Easter Snow


Kiko scoped the weather.

Easter Snow


Minnesota rain.

Easter Snow


Snow snarking.

Easter Snow


Snow bunny.

Easter Snow


Eye to eye.

Easter Snow


Warm window sun.

Easter Snow


Dog food helper.

Easter Snow


Easter morning.

Easter Snow.


Day before Easter.

Easter Snow


The Parry.

Easter Snow


The Pounce.

Easter Snow


Hogging the toy.

Easter Snow


Wearing white for Easter.

Easter Snow


Greeting Kintu.

Easter Snow


Kintu came home.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Cabin Fever


Winter dragged on. Milla, Bosco, and Kiko stood in the back door and looked out before leaving the house. They grew steadily more discriminating. Minnesota's cold was long and deep. People bragged about how cold and for how long. A few ice houses remained perched on the undependable ice of thawing lakes. People bet on the date the junk car fell through the ice. Cabin fever was the result of too many chickens in the coop for too long. Happy St. Urho's Day!

Cabin Fever


C'mon, let's play.

Cabin Fever

Kiko the bratty little brother.

Cabin Fever


Milla and Bosco.

Cabin Fever


Away they went.

Cabin Fever


Always in motion.

Cabin Fever


Three Basenji pack.

Cabin Fever


Mmmmmmm.

Cabin Fever


The Milla "look."

Cabin Fever


Kiko in the house.

Cabin Fever

Kiko in the yard.

Cabin Fever


Bosco in the house.

Cabin Fever

Bosco in the yard.

Cabin Fever


Dawn stitched up the chair.

Cabin Fever


What do you love more? Kiko? Or the chair?

Cabin Fever


Kiko's question.

Cabin Fever


Kiko.

Cabin Fever


Kiko's pace.

Cabin Fever


Bottled dog water.

Cabin Fever


Nose prints.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Period of Adjustment


Being a puppy with a spectacular set of teeth, Kiko was a trial. Sometimes it was Bosco on the receiving end. Sometimes it was Milla. It was a period of adjustment. The pack needed order, and order came from dominance and submission. It never stopped, but it was more intense in the first few months. Things got chewed up. Yelps erupted. It was all part of Basenji gracious living 101.

Period of Adjustment


Kiko surveyed his new world.