So I met an old friend today!

[Jakob]

My mom used to breed dogs before she had a stroke and had to give it up.
She used to breed Basenji. For those who don't know are african hunting dogs.
She imported the first dog of this species to Iceland back in 1999 from Finland, from one of the best Basenji breeders in the world, Tiina Taavitsainen.

We named him Kiljan. He was without a doubt the best dog I have met, and he meant a lot to the whole family, especially me.
My mom entered Kiljan to dog shows, and he has the titles of Icelandic and International Master. And has won all titles he can win in Iceland.


In 2004, my mom had a stroke, and my grandparents had to find homes for the dogs. Some went to my moms friends, but Kiljan went to a rather old lady who we didn't know.

Yesterday, we went to visit her and Kiljan. First time I see him in 8 years. He is turns 14 years old in november. It felt really good seeing him.

Pic from today:

And pics from 2001:

Does anyone on MFK keep Basenjis?

 

[Ang]

thats really neet. i wish i could find some of my old pets i had to give up.

i bet he remembered you too.

 

[Jakob]

thats really neet. i wish i could find some of my old pets i had to give up.

i bet he remembered you too.

It was really nice. And yes he remembered me, he went crazy when he saw me, the owner hadn't seen him like this ever.

 

[bbortko]

Nice. I always liked the breed but never kept them and probably never will. Except for my current basset hounds I've always had larger dogs and will probably go back to them, to lazy to bend over to pet the little ones.

 

[MaddMaxx]

That's awesome man! I once had a Retriever (raised him for the Seeing Eye program, but he failed due to a heart murmur), who I had to give up. Several year later I babysat him for a weekend, he remembered right away that he wasn't allowed in the living room (at his new home he had free run of the house)!

 

[Zion and Cichlids is all]

nice... do you think you might pick up what your mom have started? that would be cool and i bet she/your moms would be happy and have a big smile on her face as well.

 

[kevinfleming21]

cool story

 

[Jakob]

That's awesome man! I once had a Retriever (raised him for the Seeing Eye program, but he failed due to a heart murmur), who I had to give up. Several year later I babysat him for a weekend, he remembered right away that he wasn't allowed in the living room (at his new home he had free run of the house)!

Haha that's very cool!

nice... do you think you might pick up what your mom have started? that would be cool and i bet she/your moms would be happy and have a big smile on her face as well.

I most likely will someday, as there are no Basenji breeders in Iceland now. There are around 35 Basenjis in Iceland now and Kiljan is father/grandfather to 29 of them. I will be getting a Basenji in a couple of years, but I doubt I will start breeding until im 30 years old+

cool story

Thanks!

 

[Red Devil]

this is a beautiful story.. so wonderful to see the dog after all these years and to know it has lived a good life.. and looks so well loved... i hope your mom recovered .. she certainly has wonderful taste in dogs.. this breed is so handsome.. and dignified looking... and she was a great breeder even if she did not get to enjoy the pups.. beautiful dog..

 

[Jakob]

this is a beautiful story.. so wonderful to see the dog after all these years and to know it has lived a good life.. and looks so well loved... i hope your mom recovered .. she certainly has wonderful taste in dogs.. this breed is so handsome.. and dignified looking... and she was a great breeder even if she did not get to enjoy the pups.. beautiful dog..

She recovered unbelievably, the doctors her a medical miracle, and she is. After a 2 week coma she woke up. Doctors said she would never have anything back, not her vocal chords, so she wouldn't be able to talk, they said she would never have her sight back, and that she could never use her left leg or arm, therefore never walk again.
After 6 years, her sight is almost completely back, her memory is coming more and more everyday, she is walking and she can talk normally. She is my hero.

And she bred them for 5 years. And got to enjoy over 25 puppies in that period of time.

These dogs are the most wonderful breed of dogs I have kept (out of many).