Calypso Oshambe
'Ridley'
| Ridley is the foxy daughter of
our resident 1/2 African, Reveille Calypso Trapper, and specialty
winning Am/Can CH. Calypso Grand Fantasy, JC. Ridley is a body double
for her gorgeous mother, Tasha. Of course, she was sold into a pet
home! And the neighbor children teased her unmercifully through the
fence, and soon a call came asking that Ridley be allowed to return
home.. and we have not had trouble with her here but she can be difficult with
those persons she does not respect. For a time, she lived with a
military family. She respected her new dad, the active-duty military
family member, but new mom was a really nice person, and an Alpha
basenji bitch will roll right over someone like that...and Ridley did.
Despite some extra training, Ridley just would not change her mind
about new mom, and so it was home to Calypso she came. We have no
problems with her whatsoever, but then there are two Alpha humans
who make it clear there is no more room at the top of this heap!
That doesn't stop the 'natives' from jockeying for position 'down
below', but only the nutcases initiate foolhardy and shortlived coup
attempts. Ridley is certainly not stupid enough to be one of those ! Miss Roo-Roo inherited Trapper's plush winter wear, a coat so soft and silky that the hairs feel like bunny fur. We call them 'downy feathers'. If you've ever had the pleasure of cuddling a Gund brand stuffed animal, you'll know EXACTLY how she feels! She is a talker,too. She will start with her trademark,"Roo-roo-ROO"s, and then try to wrap her mouth around varying sounds. She is very vocal and has a lovely timbre and tonality to her vocalizing. We love when Ridley roos, and we love Ridley, too! Ridley keeps company with her 1/2 brother, Nitro, also out of Trapper, and another of our 'fuzzy' winter 'senjis. He was another 'tuff nut' who came home and who quickly proved he wasn't all that tough once you called his bluff. These two love to entertain visitors up close & personal. It's too bad they could not find a retirement home together, but only an exceptional basenji-experienced home could even faintly be considered, and first I'd have to ask someone to slap me and bring me to my senses. I just would hate to take the chance that these two would bond to someone new who would then throw them back at the first sign of a "test" by the dogs. Alpha, well-adjusted basenjis like their pack leaders (us!!) to keep proving that we are worthy of the position and title and respect. That is all part of pack life. We understand this, and have no intention of laying down on the job. The dogs need to know that they can count on a continuity of leadership which takes a major stressor out of their day-to-day lives. Susan and Kevin "Rrrrruuuuuule" :) |
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