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.

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.

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.

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.