Extra, extra! Read all about it!
21August2008
Wow, has it really been almost a year? So much has happened. Zepar has his JC title and is ASFA pointed. No more conformation points but he's not really been in many shows. He has filled out quite a bit, however. We are considering changing our focus with him to the field rather than the show ring; he loves it and right now it seems that his style of dog is just not "in".
We've lost a dear, old friend not long ago. Kuba, aka Quita's Royal Bingo Kuba, passed away at age 15 1/2. He will be sorely missed.
We had a decent showing at the 2007 Nat'l, but will be skipping it this year. Brenna got 3rd in her class, and Zep was in unofficial 5th in his. We were moved up in front of competition but missed the ribbons. Drat!
I'm entered in the CCS program at Seattle Dogs and looking to open a training studio with dear friend and co-conspirator, Linda McVay. Now I will be officially dog smart! Or something. Lots of changes, good and bad. Let's hope for more of the former.
02October2007
Almost a year later… We're back in Washington and enjoying a blustery morning. Zep's got a couple more points and one leg of his JC title. Next show on the horizon is the Nat'l, being held in Pleasanton, CA in about 2 weeks. The latest big news in Basenji-dom is the availability of the Fanconi marker test. Despite our best efforts and careful selection of healthy, long-lived breeding stock, it appears Fate has not been kind to us, if the test is accurate. We will hope to be one of the exceptions and have different results when the direct test is finally available. Luckily we have no breeding plans so there is plenty of time.
28October2006
Moore good news! Cubby is now a champion. Woohoo! It was only a 3pt major in dogs, however the specials field was such that he finished in style, not only taking Best of Breed but a 5 point major over some nationally ranked specials. Way to go Cubby! Or should I say, Champion Jamadari's Zuniga of Saorsa.
22October2006
Good news! After a lovely time at the Warwick Nat'l where Zepar wrangled a 4th place in the highly competitive (not to mention largest) BBE class and brother Cubby won Reserve Winner's Dog, we've got points. That's right, you heard me. Points! Zep got WD/BOW/BOS over limited but nice competition (including specials) and then WD the next day. So my dog is no longer point-less. In fact he has a couple points. Wee! I put his win shot on his page. When Cubby's National photo shows up, I'll post it. Well, provided it turns out, naturally.
26June2006
Much depression: I wasn't able to hit the Missoula circuit. Despite the decent entry and 5pt majors present, I couldn't make it. We're moving again and have to be out by the 30th. That along with other factors made it pretty impossible for me to go. I'm very sad. I don't get to show my dog nearly as much as I would like. He's looking pretty good too, darn it! Oh well. Next month...
16May2006
Cubby News Flash: He's got all his singles and now needs only his majors to finish. Valerie and I are so proud of him! Check out Cubby's page for a recent win shot. Cubby's exhibits, at least in my perhaps not so humble opinion, breath-taking side movement, a fabulous topline, elegance (with substance) and wonderful over-all soundness. His coat is short and bright red and he has magnificent wrinkle and eyeliner. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks he's pretty nice too. Go get 'em Cubster!
12April2006
Well, we have a baby brag. Zepar got Group 1st at the Idaho Capital City Kennel Club Spring Fun Match this past Saturday. It was a long day and I think he did pretty well. I'm very proud of him. He's come a long way, with a little more to go before we're really "there". I hope this bodes well for the coming show season.
On a down note, the Lewiston entry is very low. Zep's the only Basenji in the classes with only one special. Which means it's pretty pointless to go. (har har) I was looking forward to showing my dog. Ah well.
24October2005
Huge news here! We MOVED! All the way to Idaho! It's been quite a trip, not all of it pleasant. Since May we've moved twice and have a third slated for this spring. We've turned into gypsies. If things work out, however, we may have a nice piece of property for the dogs to run and play on. Not to mention hopefully starting a doggy daycare venture. We'll see.
Zepar started his show career. He didn't hit the show scene with quite the bang I'd been hoping, but that's okay. We've got lots of time to grow up into a good showdog. He's still got tons of promise, he just needs to mature. It'll be slow going for a while, I suspect. No rush.
22March2005
Sad news today here at Saorsa: Fancy, a.k.a. Gryphon's Flight of Fancy, passed away at age 14 from bloat. She woke us up during the night pacing and wretching a bit but this was nothing unusual for The Old Lady. She was a quirky dog who made all sorts of weird noises and was prone to walking into the backyard in the middle of the night and forgetting to come in. Especially if it was raining.
Last night it was more serious, but I did not fully recognize this. When I awoke this morning she could not be roused and her stomach was distended. Though her body hung on until I was able to get her to the emergency clinic this morning, she passed in the company of her pack, for all intents and purposes. She was heavier than she'd ever been when I carried her to the car and she did not realize what was going on (which is good because she hated car rides). She was already in shock. She died in the exam room before the veterinary technician was even able to get in to see us, perhaps minutes.
Though I don't think earlier intervention could have saved Fancy due to her age and declining condition, quick treatment could save a younger, healthier dog. Any dog can be a victim of bloat. Please know the symptoms and if you even think your dog might have it, get to the vet immediately. I had no idea Beezers were at all prone to bloat and Fanny had never had it or any other digestive problems before.
We miss you, old gal.
Information and links regarding Bloat.
25January2005
He's here! Saorsa Zepar of Jamadari (soon to be officially) aka Zepar arrived back from Hollywood, CA last night with me. He made the 8 hour journey, complete with an hour of just sitting on the tarmack aboard our plane, like a complete champion. No complaints, whining or anything else which is a lot more than I could say for some of my fellow passengers. I spent a wonderful 5 days at Valeries with with the family and it wasn't long enough. It was very difficult for us to make our decisions as both boys are lovely (in our unbiased opinions) and have great qualities about them. I got the Evil Twin in the end and he's appropriately named (you're going to have to Google "Zepar" if you want to know why). I'll be adding a page for him soon and some new pictures of both the brothers to the puppy page.
Thank you, Valerie, Bryan and especially Gracie!
27November2004
Vexed no more: We have 2 red and white males happily nursing on mama today. This was not the easiest litter to produce what with the AI, and the multiply rescheduled and ultimately unnecessary c-section. Gracie, despite a tight stricture discovered before the insemination, was able to deliver pups the old fashioned way. Through the determined & valiant efforts of the midwife/bitch ower, the boys were born at home with mommy wide awake. I'm disappointed that I was not able to be there to lend assistance, a shoulder and see the new babes into this world but I'm delighted these little guys are here. I'll get to see them in a little less than 3wks. In the meantime, I hope Valerie goes camera crazy!
17June2004
Well, you may've noticed this sentence is not on my puppy page any more: "If all goes according to plan, pups will be on the way as of Spring 2004". That's because Gracie is a typical Basenji and being, as is her mother's namesake (at least phonetically), tricksy! She never did come into season in April as we'd expected and we are still sitting on our hands. She's vexing Valerie and me!
10March2004
It's been a while, hasn't it? Well! Shane made his way to the National this year but didn't get a ribbon. It was very close for 4th though and we almost walked away with a white ribbon. Ah well! The judge said she was very impressed with all of our "mature" boys and it was an honor just to be there.
BUT we have some bigger news - After more than 6 years, Saorsa is having puppies again! They are still just a twinkle in a tube at the moment, but the wheels are in motion. See the Puppy Page for more information.
18August2003
Well, this is LATE news but news nonetheless. Remember how on Shane's page I said I'd hoped to have him out out at the EBC show "next year"? Well the show came and went and Shane was indeed in the Jr. Vets class. He had a wonderful time, as he always does at dog shows. This boy is born to it, I swear. Oh wait a sec: He was! Ha ha! There were 3 in his class and he was the oldest of them at over 9½. I'm very proud to say that he won first place! He really used everything he has and showed like the champ that he is. He got a nice pink ribbon and a big cushy doughnut bed too. By the end of Best of Breed he started to get bored but heck, so was I. He did his usual jump and spin at the end of the final go around, just like in the old days.
Boy he's fun to show.
14July2003
*$%*&(@!!! Can I say I'm annoyed? At 5½ years of age, Brenna has been diagnosed with idiopathic hypo-thyroidism. GRR!!! I had hoped, since she'd been testing "normal" up until now that we were safe. DAMN IT! Well, I guess it's a good thing I decided not to breed her. I have been told that many bitches drop in thryroid levels after pregnancy, so it's good for her health not to be bred and obviously there is a family trend here. Still, it upsets me. Her levels are not super low, and you'd never know she was low to look at her but dagflabbit! Well, Booboo's the only one not on Soloxine in the house now. We shall see....
8June2003
Well it's been a while. I've put off updating my news because I've been wrestling with a hard decision. I post this with a heavy heart. I'd been planning this for a few years now, actually, and as you know I've crossed the country by length and breadth to meet potential beau's for my delightful little girl dog, Brenna.
I've decided against breeding her.
I guess I'm treating this as a web-log because I will admit here for all and sundry to read that I am heart broken. Admittedly biased, I think she's a fabulous little dog. I had my keeper bitch's name picked out already and was looking forward to showing again. I am very pleased with all of the dogs in Brenna's litter and in the short term I think that any pups out of Brenna would be wonderful and healthy. Brenna herself is a delight and I really could not have asked for more. She's not perfect, but no dog is. Not only do I think her babies would be great dogs, but she'd be a great mother to them, just as her mother was to her and her brother and sister. But in the end, I cannot continue the pedigree. As a beginning breeder, this is where my line starts, the foundation upon which I would build. Yes, I could continue to breed away from the existant problems, but why if I can start with better? Logically, it wouldn't make sense.
I'm sure most of you reading this think I'm a complete no hoper. Needlessly sentimental or overly picky. Or both. But I spend a good portion of my time with &/or thinking about dogs, Basenjis, and mine in particular. I put a lot of love, time, thought and emotion into my dogs & it's very sad for me to think that "this is it" in a sense. I'm morning what will not be. I know I'll love my future dogs as deeply as I do the ones I have now and that they will be just as wonderful, but it saddens me that I will not someday, 15 years down the line, look into one of their little faces and see Delphi, or Booboo or Brenna. I know, I know - it sounds stupid. I just wish these dogs could live a lot longer than they do. *sigh*
15Feb2003
Okay, so I'm in love. In November I visited one of Brenna's possible suitors, CH Jamila Naharin Jabari, a.k.a. Barry. He was a delight, and is a fabulous dog. Certainly has tons going for him, including a fantastic front. He was sweet and wonderful and those ears are to die for.
But I just recenly returned from CA an a visit to see CH Jamadari's St. Dominic, or just "Dominic". I really got to spend a lot of time with him (thanks Valerie!) and I'm enamoured. He reminds me so much of my own dogs, especially his half brother, Feargus, that I think I've been swept off my feet. Dominic, likewise, has many wonderful features not the least of which are his little pouty lips! A wonderful rear assembly and dead level topline certainly don't hurt either.
Valerie and Julie, I hate you! Why do you both have to have such great dogs?!? Thanks for making my life difficult. Hmph!
PS - buy a Troll!
5Jan2003
Happy New Year! Merry Giftmas! Solstice, etc, etc, etc. Still not too much shakin'. Our new art site has been born and still on it's new wobbly legs - The Trolls Nest. It's been a while, but since no Saorsa dogs are being shown, and any breeding plans will not come to fruition until Fall 2003 we're pretty slow. Shane is still enjoying his swimming with Cindy, and I'm waiting for my Agility funding (read: money) to kick in before we start any classes. Go buy a troll! Help pay for Booboo's happy fun times.
Shane received his DNA profile number and now I just need to remember which stack it's in so that I can post it...
19Sept2002
Brenna's officially clear of PK. Yay! Not that I thought there was a remote chance that she wasn't. The disease is simple recessive and the DNA test 100% conclusive.
In other breaking news, Brenna, Boo and Feargus have some new "cousins" out of Etukon The Flame of Finchory by Amun's All-Starr from Cynosure. Congratulations to "Cory", "Griffy" and breeder Maripat Webber for the 4 happy, healthy bouncing baby Basenjis.
18Sept2002
The "girls" killed a huge, evil, giant rat! This heinous creature had been lurking about our wood pile and garage for a week or more. I was out most of the day (at the Puyallup Fair filling up on fried dough and greasy meat) and came back to a happy little pack. I let Fancy out of the dog run who immediately ran out and picked something up. I figured it was one of the gazillion plums that have fallen off the tree. (I hate plums.) Nope. 'T was a rat!
Eeeew! Good dogs! They've earned their meals this week.
Agent 175 is now safely rendered inoperative. Take that R.A.T.!*
*inside joke
14Sept2002
Hooray! CERF numbers have been posted for Brenna, Shane, and Delphi!
5Sept2002
Still not a lot shakin'. Took the crew to the ophthalmologist last weekend and it looks like we should have some CERF numbers to post soon. I'm also hoping to get Brenna's PK test back and Shane's DNA profile in the near future.
Anticipation...
9Aug2002
Okay, so there isn't much going on at Saorsa right now. No dogs are currently in the show ring (though Shane may make a reappearance in Summer 2003) and we don't have puppies.
Booboo is considering a life of cri...er, I mean Agility. Brenna and she are trying to get me to take them to lure coursing practice. Delphi is laying around in the late summer sun and Shane is trying not to go swimming. Fancy is currently covered in grass clippings.
I (Andrea) am currently showing two darling little Basenji pups ("Luxor", JumokeQuita African Luxor and "Qena", JumokeQuita Dream of Qena) for my friends Bill & Paul. Check out the "kids" at the EBC Futurity and Specialty show, last weekend. That's me with the red hair. Roots? What roots?
