Happy Ending Story: Sophie
 This
past April, we adopted Sophie (formerly Cami) from BRAT. She was fostered by
Tonya Ahrens, in Missouri, and we live just west of Milwaukee, WI. Our
Basenji experience goes back 10 years, when we got our first dog, Bailey (in
the black collar in the photos). After having 2 kids (now 4 and 7), we
decided to adopt a 2nd dog. My husband wasn't too thrilled with the extra
work and expense of 2 dogs, but really liked the idea of getting a rescue.
It's a great opportunity to give a dog a second chance.
When I first read about Sophie, she sounded like a perfect
fit for our family, and we were soon chosen to adopt her. We were very
excited when Tanya was able to arrange transportation from Missouri to
Madison, about an hour away. I was very nervous how Bailey, an only dog for
10 years, would take to having a sister. We brought him along on the trip.
The weather was cold and raining, so we put Sophie right in the kennel in
our car, and they sniffed each other. They drove home quietly, and were
properly introduced in the garage. Once in the house, they had no issues
with each other. Sophie was VERY shy, and kept her distance.
Two days after we got Sophie (a Tuesday night), my worst
fear came true - Sophie escaped from the house. We searched the neighborhood
up and down, and didn't see her. The only identification on her was the BRAT
tag – I hadn't even had time to get her a tag. I sent an email out to all
the neighbors, and they helped search. There was no sign of her that night.
The next morning we were up early again searching. I handed out fliers to
people in the area, the grocery stores, and a nature center near by. Liz
Newton sent an email out for any volunteers in the area, and several people
came to help or called with suggestions. That night we got a call from
someone I had given a flier to earlier in the day saying they spotted her.
We went out, with Bailey, to search. She managed to slip away. We were
relieved she was still in the area. On Thursday, I rented an animal trap
from the humane society, and set it out where she was seen. Thursday and
Friday, there was no sign of her. I kept thinking how alone and scared she
must be. Since she was so shy, even if someone saw her, I doubted they could
catch her. We only had her for 2 days, so she really didn't even know us, or
how to get home. We felt so helpless. Tanya even considered driving up to
help. Liz Newton sent another email out, asking for volunteers to search on
Saturday morning at 10am. It was our last hope. That morning, my husband and
daughter went out early to look again. A storm was rolling in, so I knew
there wouldn't be much of a search.
 Then at about quarter to 10 on Saturday morning, the phone
rang - it was our local Humane Society (HAWS)...Sophie was there! That
morning, about 2.5 miles northeast of our home (in the complete opposite
direction of where she had been seen), Sophie finally "surrendered her
freedom" and walked right up to someone. The lady recognized she was a
Basenji, and took her over to HAWS. I had called HAWS several times earlier
in the week, so they knew Sophie's story, and knew it had to be her. I
grabbed the kids, and raced over. I was so happy to see her! I forgot how
shy she was and ran right up to her, scooped her up, and hugged and kissed
her. I was amazed at how kind the humane society was. They understood what
had happened, and did not charge us any fees. They did not charge us for the
animal trap, either. I was also truly amazed at how many people emailed,
called, and volunteered to help, from BRAT, our neighborhood, and even BCOSW
(Basenji Club of Southeastern Wisconsin). It is one experience I hope I
never have to relive.
Sophie was in great condition - hungry and exhausted. She
had a number of cuts on her legs and belly, and a tick on her neck. She was
very dirty, so she got a bath, a bowl of food, then she slept on my chest
the rest of the afternoon.
Since we got Sophie back, she's been slowly adjusting to
her new life. We immediately worked with her on waiting at the door before
going outside, and she's now very good at that. We're still working on her
shyness. She paces a lot, with her tail down, when we're cooking or cleaning
or moving around the house. Once we sit down at night on the couch, she
jumps up on the couch and is fine. But when if one of us gets up, she jumps
down. We still have trouble catching her in the house to take her outside,
or put her in the kennel. In the house, unless she's lying on the couch, she
runs when we approach her. When we head out to go on a walk, she does get
excited and will wait at the door for us to put her leash on and go out the
door. Sophie is not motivated by food at all, so enticing her with treats
does not work - it only gets Bailey to come by us, since he will do anything
for food. I think in the time we've had her, she's allowed me to walk up and
pet her only 2-3 times. When she's comfortable around us, like on the couch
or bed, she's the sweetest dog and likes to cuddle. We're not sure how to
make her feel more at ease all the time.
I
think Bailey and Sophie are a perfect match. I've been surprised that Bailey
hasn't shown one hint of jealousy. To watch the two of them play together is
hilarious. Whenever Sophie is in the mood to play, she gently swats Bailey
in the face. It doesn't take long for him to take the bait, and the two of
them will start wrestling, standing on their hind legs, chasing each other
around the house (even up and down the stairs), and having a great time.
It's the Basenji 500 times 2. At bedtime, she does the same thing to him,
and they wrestle on the bed! We have seen a whole new side of Bailey that we
haven't seen since he was young. We've watched him transform into a whole
new dog. He rarely played with toys or anything before Sophie came along.
Now he loves to play with her! They are a fun pair. It's so nice to see them
interact with each other.
 Bailey has really helped with Sophie's shyness. She sees
how confident he is, and will follow his lead. If I want to pet Sophie, I'll
bend down and pet Bailey, and she'll usually come over for attention. She
has also started sleeping in bed, which has helped a lot. She ran upstairs
one night before we had a chance to put her in the kennel, and we caved in.
Every night she sleeps up against me. Good thing we have a king bed!
In
the 2 months we've had Sophie, it's been quite an adventure (or more like a
roller coaster), but we're all getting used to each other. I have not seen
Bailey play this much since he was very young. His Basenji 500 was more like
a 125 ~ 2 laps around the house and he was done. Now he's just come to life.
I love watching the dogs play, and the way Sophie tries to instigate
trouble. I call her Sassy Sophie because she just won't leave Bailey
(pictured at right) alone sometimes, by biting his neck, pulling his tail,
or just swatting at him. They have so much fun together. With 2 red
Basenjis, it sometimes seems like we have twins. Especially when they go
racing past at top speeds. Life with 2 dogs is more work, and Sophie has
challenged us, but to see how happy they both are makes it all worth it. I
thought for sure Bailey would want to pack up and move when she came home,
but he has been great to her.
I can't forget how close we came to losing her, and how
very lucky we are to have her back, and in great condition. I am so grateful
that it was a happy ending. I often wonder what would happen if Sophie got
out of the house now, since she's more familiar with us and the neighborhood
and Bailey, but I sure don't want to find out!
Sincerely,
Liz & Kevin Carroll |
