Happy Ending Story for Tahzu
 It was divine intervention when Tahzu came into
our lives in May 2005. My husband and I were taking some time off work, so
we were at home when I received an email from Arlene Robbins, one of the
most active BRAT leaders and volunteers in Texas. She asked if we could
foster Tahzu for no more than a week. We've adopted from BRAT before and
we've helped with rescues and transports, so we were happy to assist.
Arlene already had a couple of prospective "parents" for Tahzu but had
yet to complete home visits. In the meantime, Arlene was trying to get Tahzu
out of a local shelter, where the previous foster left him when he "had a
family emergency" -- problem is, the foster never came back to pick up Tahzu.
Not sure what happened there.... but it wasn't cool to leave the little guy
like that.
Mitch and I picked up Tahzu from the kennel, and we could tell he was
stressed from being there. He was having digestive problems; he was grumpy
and unhappy. He wasn't too friendly with us, understandably so. But within
an hour of arriving at our home, he warmed up immediately. We already had
two rescue Basenjis, a male and female, so Tahzu knew we were suckers for a
beguiling face and personality! Within just a few hours, Mitch said, "I
think we should keep him."
I suggested that having three Basenjis would be too much, with vet bills,
boarding when we travel... plus the fights that could ensue with the other
two dogs. And, since Arlene had told me that there were two potential
adopters for Tahzu, I figured he was already spoken for.
 But I emailed Arlene immediately and to our delight, she was equally
delighted that we wanted to keep Tahzu! Turns out, Tahzu is the most
affectionate little guy -- I call him the "Reluctant Basenji" because at
times he doesn't behave like a Basenji. He's smaller, stockier, less aloof,
cuddlier, and so sweet. His previous "parents" must have loved him very much
at one time, because he shows no signs of being neglected and he does
tricks! He shakes paw, sits, lies down and hops up on command. He LOVES
sleeping with me in bed -- head on pillow and little body under the covers,
just like a human!
We are so grateful Tahzu came into our lives. He gets into the occasional
scuffle with our 12-year-old male, named Bagel, but for the most part all
three dogs have learned to co-exist peacefully.
We love our relationship with BRAT. We have met so many great people like
Arlene who love dogs as much as we do. We've experienced the joy of helping
many great little Basenjis like ours travel to their own forever homes.
Update: Since we first wrote you about Tahzu, our first BRAT
rescue, Bagel passed away. Shortly after that, we discovered that Tahzu has
Fanconi. However, we caught it early. He is on the Gonto protocol --
sort-of! He is the most finicky eater ever, so getting him to take meds is a
challenge. But so far, it's been two years since we discovered it and he's
doing well. To look at him, you'd never know anything is going on inside.
He's healthy, coat is shiny -- he's lovable and terrorizing at the same
time!
Robin and Mitch McCasland Dallas, TX |
