As a young child, I wanted a dog; not a cat, not a pony, a DOG. However, I was born with allergies and asthma, and received weekly allergy shots and was on constant medication. Through the weekly injections, my dream never faded – I would someday have a dog, even though the allergist was adamant against it. As I matured, my allergies weren’t as severe, and the glorious day came when the doctor agreed I could have a dog – though her stipulation was that it had to be a small, short-haired dog. I researched all the breeds, and being the type of person that always wants something a little unique, I chose the Basenji.
My parents gave me my first Basenji as a Christmas present when I was 16 years old. Cindy (Bazimba’s Cinnamon Lady) taught all of us many things about the breed, and I remember her fondly. She was with me through high school, my undergraduate studies and my graduate work. Bless her heart, she stuck with me all the way through the long hours of my dissertation. It was a difficult time for both of us, but together we did it.
A few years after Cindy’s passing, I ventured back into the joy of having a Basenji, this time with Floyd (Akuaba’s No Holds Barred, JC, CGC). Floyd and I had many adventures together, and he had some adventures without me. But it was Floyd, and his wonderful personality, calm demeanor, and loving attitude that brought me back to Basenjis, and encouraged me to follow my expanded dream – to have my own kennel and kennel name.
Floyd lived to see the first Basenjis come into the house carrying the Marjani name. I can’t say he was thrilled with puppies, but he tolerated them. The puppies grew, and today they are the foundation of my own breeding stock.