Life with my dogs

So, as many of you know -- I am in the process of applying to vet school so that I can follow my dream of working with animals for the rest of my life. Of course, I love animals.. and especially my dogs... and even more so, my basenjis.

We live in the country, so to speak.. but close enough to town to be near the major highways; and my boy dog has gotten loose a couple of times. This one time, in particular was quite humorous, so I thought I would write about it.

It was just the other day --- I was walking Julius and Cleo on leash, and this non-b puppy i adopted was trailing with us, off leash. Mom's husky was in the fenced in yard -- but of course, my b's have trained me to walk them because they refuse to go into the fenced yard with Kaiya, the husky. Normally, on walks we find all sorts of critters and smell all sorts of smells -- and the dogs get excited but, I've always managed to keep them close at hand.

This one morning, was rather early... and i was still in my pajamas --- I typically walk the dogs in the early morning with my big rubber boots, pajama shorts and a t-shirt.. which is exactly the attire i was wearing this particular morning. Well.. everything was going fine..until Julius got stubborn and wanted to smell something for a little longer. I was attempting to tug gently on him to coax him forward.. when all of a sudden.. his collar slipped off him and lurched toward me!

for an instant, I thought he didn't realize he was loose.. and would stand still to let me reach him.. but just as I got close to him.. he realized he was loose -- and did a play lunge.. and ran around me.. and then around and around the yard... and each time he went around, his diameter would increase ---

soon.. he was exploring the neighbor's field.. and then the next field after that...

Typically, my mom and I have to drive down the road and corner the dogs and tell them we're going 'bye bye' ---b ut this time was too early for my mom to be awake -- so I was on my own.

Well.. Cleo (female) was still on leash.. and Gonzo (the new pup) still trailing ... we all three decided to start tracking Julius. A bunch of weeds, a few trees, some tall grass and three fields later -- we found Julius again -- running back and forth behind a house that had a miniature horse in their backyard ----

And here I am in my pajamas and rubber boots -- what a sight I must have been to any neighbors that may have seen me that morning ---

Well.. it took a good 30 minutes, some petting of the miniature horse and some strategy to outsmart Julius.. but I finally cornered him and caught him.. safe and sound.

That was a crazy morning -- and i'm sure all of my basenji friends can relate... the panic sets in as soon as you know your B is loose and running toward the highway... I'm just glad I know most of his usual 'curiosity' points.. and now I have added the miniature horse to the list...