Pona and Kate

Today, we officially adopted two rescued basenjis -- Pona, a two-year-old male, and Kate, a three-year-old female. It's been almost a year since our dog Silas passed on, and it sure is nice to hear the padding of paws and jingling of collars again.

Those of you who follow the Very Pink blog have probably encountered Pona before. He was found on the side of the road in north Texas after having sustained some pretty serious car-inflicted injuries. After several surgeries and heart worm treatments, Pona is now well on the road to recovery thanks to Staci's tender loving care. Kate's early story is less violent, but still, she was given up for adoption and has been in BRAT foster care for a while with Wendy (who brought Pona down to Austin, btw). It turns out these two get along well, and since basenjis do better in pairs, it's now Pona and Kate Plus Two around here.

After a mercifully tearless farewell, we've begun the process of settling in and getting used to each other. Both of them had been over for a couple of sniff-and-snacks, so things started well. It's been interesting since then. Kate warned Pona about sleeping too close to him on a blanket with a quiet growl. Pona took Jeff's warm spot on the couch when he left for a second. A neighbor's barking dog started a short-lived basenji stampede. Pona developed a short irrational fear of the back door. One of them startled the other coming around a corner too fast and earned a yip. But so far, so good.

This afternoon we went for a half-hour walk or so. One of our neighbors saw us pass by and had to come out and meet the newest additions to the block. They were both very friendly and well-behaved -- if a bit tuggy on the leads in this new un-sniffed world of theirs. So much to see and smell. Their early excitement about being in a new place has turned into a ever-so-slight wariness about every new thing they encounter. We just served them dinner -- and other than having to pick up Pona so that he didn't try to "help" Kate finish her dinner after wolfing down his, everyone seems nice and happy. The dogs are both back on the blanket by the window, and Kate has allowed their hips to touch.

Jeff and I can't say enough good things about Wendy and Staci, the two BRAT volunteers who gave these dogs second chances. Their selflessness and dedication are beyond description. We're so glad to have these animals in our lives. Thank you both so much.



Next time: knitting.