ryno

Ryno

Jessica
&
Dan

Dan and I have been married for 5 years, no kids, just dogs. We live in St. Louis, MO. Dan
teaches 4th grade. I was a groomer and still am part time. I work full time now at a doctor's office,
run by yes, my mother-in-law. We have four dogs a JRT named Comet, a lab named Krypto and
our two Basenjis, Ace and Batman. Yes my husband love comics. He can name the dogs whatever
he wants as long as I can keep getting them. ; )

When I was growing up the older couple that lived behind us had this funny little dog with a curly tail
and I loved to play with him. I did not know what he was until many years later when I first moved
out on my own and started looking at and reading about different breeds. Basenjis were fascinating!
I loved everything about them but they seemed too rare and expensive for my first dog. So I got my
2nd choice a JRT. It was not until I got married that I kept telling my husband "I want a Basenji."
and he would say "A what??" Then he read about them and he looked at me and said "Why?" Well
I'm happy to report that he is a 100% Basenji slave now. I have two Basenjis. I have had one litter,
it was not planed. My girl surprised us all with a spring heat. We had three wonderful pups, that are
all still in the family.

A 2 year old is how I usually describe a basenji's personality!
Here are a few of the things I would like to tell you about our daily life with our basenjis.
Every year Dan reads "Good Bye My Lady" to his class. He never tells the kids that he has two
basenjis at home. After the story the kids are all into this odd little dog that they have never seen
before, so he has them do a research paper "What is a Basenji?' Whan they are done I show up
with our two Basenjis. The kids have to tell me a Basenji fact and then they get to come up and pet
the dogs. The kids get a big kick out of it.
You would love to read their papers too.
Also every year Batman goes to school with me for Career day, I do a grooming Demo. I know
there is not much to groom on a Basenji but he is so good. He is on my table for hours with a ton of
kids everywhere in a big gym. He shows the groups of kids over and over how he gets his nails
done and his teeth brushed. They get to brush him and give him treats.
Anything you can do and Everywhere I can take a dog I do. And I do mean everywhere. Batman
has been to a Cards game at the old Bush. Ace has been to Holiday Word, it is a theme park, in
Santa Claus IN. And did you know Santa used to have Basenjis??!! It must have been at his
summer home. He loved seeing Ace. It was too funny we took her with us to a High Dive show, in
the park. She just sat in my lap and watched the crazy people go up the ladder and down into the
water and then do it again. she thought they were nuts!

We show in conformation, do Rally, lure coursing, racing.

I joined the Show-Me Basenji Club because I wanted to meet and/or get to know better more
Basenji people and keep in better touch with some Basenjis friends that are on that side of the state.
I am Not sure how I would describe the club but the members I know are great.
Anyone who likes or would like to know more about Basenjis, dog or no dog would benefit from
being involved with the Show_Me Club