Snickers My Angel

[BasenjiPharaohMum]

Snickers was my very first dog ALL mine no one elses she was also my first Basenji. I was 14 when I got Snickers my mum and dad already owned one Basenji a 10 year old male named Boie he was a black tricolor. I knew I wanted a Basenji of my own and so we went and bought Snickers from the same people who sold us Boie.

Snickers was a beautiful tan and white with a white stomach and chest, paws, and small narrow blaze on her muzzle, and tip to her curled tail. I was in love at first sight with her small honey brown body and deep almond eyes. We took her home at 9 weeks of age little did i know what work she would be.

She was show quality but I wasent that interested in showing or breeding but my parents convinced me to not have her spayed until we had her health tested in the future and if she was healthy enough she could some day have puppies. I wasent interested in that I was just interested in my new puppy. My parents made sure i knew I would have now help whatsoever with her and she was my responsiblity. And boy was it tough she gave me every problem a Basenji pup could she tore apart quite a few articles of clothing or homework assigments (yes the dog actually ate my homework ) she also chewed up alot of my old stuffed animals and my little brothers action figures. I complained about how hard she was to train only once and my mum sat down looked me square in the eye and told me " You cannot treat her like you would any other dog you meet on the street she is bred to smart you have to outthink her you wanted her you will figure it out in time". After that i never complained again I knew what i had to do.

In time I gained her respect I watched her and Boie interact watched how they played their energy. I got to the point where I could tell what Snickers was going to do before she did it. And so we started our training together when I would notice her about to chew or i could just see in her eyes she was ready to get into something I would just look at her and before she did it and say NO Snickers. She would look at me like "wow your a smart one" and lay back down like a kid out smarted.

Years passed i grew up Snickers grew up and Boie passed away of old age. Snickers also got me into coursing and agility and I trained her in it my first Basenji in either of those events. Eventually I grew old enough to leave home and Snickers came along with me. She brought attention everywhere we went she was a celebrity in my new neigborhood. My neighbors absolutly loved Snickers. I trusted my neighbors with Snickers I never thought twice about her being a rare breed or anyone wanting to steal her. But thats surely what happened when I was 23 I lost my dog. I left for work and left Snickers to own at the house with the doors locked. When I got home she was gone no one ever said anything no one would answer my questions. My windows were large and did not lock anyone could have taken her.

I spent three long years in agony over losing my dear sweet Snickers three years in that neigborhood I now did not trust. One day the young man came knocking on my door holding an older dirtier definatly once pregnant Snickers in his arms!!!!!!! He told me he was very sorry that his brother (who i actually was friends with but stopped being friends when SNickers dissapeared and would not speak with me) had stolen her years ago for his mum and to make a quick buck breeding her. The man was in tears apologizing telling me ne never knew she belonged to me until his mum has recently passed away and his brother said to return Snickers to me. I could'nt beleive it was her but it surely was!!! She had riped her paw pad badly when in a coursing event and had a forever scar across the large part of her pad and she still had it when she was returned.

She was now a ripe old age of 13 old for a Basenji (they usually only live to be 12). I was so happy to have her back I did'nt press any charges. I was engaged by then to my husband who had a passion for Pharaoh Hounds (funny how things work out). Snickers lived until she was 14 living out her year back with me in rest and peace with good food and love.

I will never forget Snickers and i think about her everyday living with my 5 Basenjis today especially Kiya who resembles her quite a bit in the face. She taught me everything i know about Basenjis (yeas growing up with them helped too) and life in fact. In thankful everyday I think of Snickers and her being returned she was a gift and my angel and my everything.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

What a wonderful story and loving tribute. Your passion and love shines so brightly for Snickers throughout, she was lucky to have you and vice versa.

[FurryAngel33]

What a good story thansk so much for sharing

[Carrie]

Oh, that IS a wonderful story. I can see how much you love and appreciate all your animals. And this one was special, being your first. That was a nice remembrance of her. Bless.

[BasenjiPharaohMum]

thank you she was truly a special girl