Big Tree

65'-70' dying elm was a Big tree. The cost of removing it made it look healthier than originally thought. Waiting for a storm to blow it down seemed more patient and organic. More holistic, if you will. The tree came somewhere after the Basenjis' annual checkup as a priority. Meantime, we waited for the promised refund coming from dear Mr. Bush, which, it was hoped, would work out better than the 40 acres and a mule promised after the civil war that never materialized.

Big Tree

Mouthful.

Big Tree

Running it off.

Big Tree

Neighbor's loose dog.

Big Tree

Milla's hips.

Big Tree

Kiko quickly forgiven.

Big Tree

Biting the hand....

Big Tree

Mortality.

Big Tree

Studying.

Big Tree

Dawn's home!

Big Tree

Sorting out the pack.

Big Tree

Down the steps.

Big Tree

Morning walkie.

Big Tree

One Basenji's opinion.

Big Tree

Everybody was a critic.

Big Tree

Kiko's book review.

Outside

Basking on the well heated kitchen stoop, Kiko showed how long-legged Basenjis sat and stretched their legs. Not every Basenji learned the knack, which was shown off in warm weather and kept in the bottom drawer during the winter. Bosco, Milla, and Kiko took to warm weather like the Congo dogs from which they descended, baking their bones whenever they were outside.

Outside

In her steps.

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Milla's new girth.

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Hunting.

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The grrrrls.

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Three weenies.

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Bosco's!

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Mine, no mine!

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Stretching to grow.

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Milla, Queen of Green.

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Good stuff is always in back.

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Done posing now.

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Mom.

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Ducks too far.

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Pitching in.

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Crowded cement bunny.

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Bosco's signal to come back in. Mostly the pack wanted to stay outside where the soft winds blew, people messed around in their yards, and squirrels, rabbits, birds, and chipmunks tempted. Usually, they just wanted to see what was going on in the house, and then it was back outside again. If Basenjis worried about anything, they worried about missing out on the action. Gotta love his splayed toes.

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First ladybug.

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Bug and tussle.

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Milla and the cement bunny.

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Cooling off.

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Playing nice.

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Playing rough.

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Looking back.

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Dog trance.

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Milla framed by blooms.

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Dancing after her pee.

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Scrimmage.

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Flying Kiko.

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Pausing to smell the tulips.

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Her master's toes.

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Crows looked down.

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Milla scoped the oaks.

Mayo

Opening the gate was a big event, even if Kiko and Milla chose not to bolt. Basenjis loved to run, and resisting the urge to escape was an important goal of training. Nothing worked every time, and it was never a good idea to take Basenjis for granted. But the small blessings counted as well.