Our Story

Proex Photo

After being married two and a half years, and purchasing our own home in northwest Indiana, Mike and I decided we were ready for a puppy. Since Mike grew-up with Basenjis, it only seemed logical (to him) that we choose a Basenji. We adopted "our" first Basenji, Zandi (pictured below), a tri-colored girl in January of 1992. Even Mike's experience with the Breed could not prepare us for this high-energy, headstrong, and feisty girl. I was hooked!

While at an obedience fun match, Zandi and I were introduced to the "Dog Show World." We saw another Basenji competing in conformation and decided we would try that aspect of competition. While showing in conformation requires hard work and dedication to train and socialize the dog, it takes a fraction of the time required to train for obedience competition. We ditched competing in obedience as conformation afforded me more valuable time for juggling marriage, a full-time job, and nursing school.

When Zandi was two years-old, I went to Kirsten Sigrist's home, Istari Basenjis, just to "look" at the 1/8th New African puppies (See BCOA African Stock Project). Well, Hannah (pictured above on the right) stole my heart! She immediately came to me and napped in my lap. It truly was love at first sight! Hannah is our first AKC Champion. She also attended basic agility classes which she seemed to enjoy. We moved to southern Missouri and there were, unfortunately, no agility classes to be found, ending Hannah's agility career. She was bred in July of 1997, and blessed us with three red & white puppies on 9/11/97. Ringo & Jasmine (pictured below) stayed at Ankhu.

Ringo is our first home-bred Champion. Like his mother, he loves to please his humans. He's affectionately known as "Mr. Snuggles."

Jasmine is our second home-bred Champion. She's a curious "punk" who provides us with hours of entertainment. In September of 2001, she also completed the requirement for her Junior Courser Title.

Once Ringo & Jasmine had earned their Championship titles, I was coming to a "fork in the road." What should I do now? My answer came sooner than expected! My friend, Linda Ehlers, Jerlin Basenjis, just happened to have a litter in which a little black & white girl was available. Whitney (pictured below) became a Champion very quickly, and has continued her show career as a Special. In September of 2001, she too, became a Junior Courser.

In November of 2000, the entire gang moved again -- to Minnesota where the fun & adventure continues.

We bred Whitney in the fall of 2003. She delivered four gorgeous girls on 12/30/03. Shelby (pictured left) stayed with us.

In 2005/2006, we were thinking about breeding Whitney for her second litter. Then, we saw and fell in love with Conan (pictured below). Instead of breeding that year, we adopted our little man who shares the same name as another silly red-head, Conan O'Brien.

In August of 2007, Whitney had a second litter of all black and white puppies. Winston (left) and Gracie (right) stayed at Ankhu.

As if life wasn't crazy enough, we decided to breed two litters in 2007, combining pedigrees of two of our own dogs, Conan and Shelby. Shelby whelped seven happy puppies on 12/10/07. Sophie (pictured below) stayed at Ankhu.

Since 1992, Mike & I have definitely learned a lot about the Breed. Living with Basenjis can be quite an adventure and we couldn't imagine our lives without at least one. We have, and continue, to assist in Basenji rescue. Carrie is also a member of the Rochester, MN Kennel Club, Basenji Club of America, and Basenji Club of Southeastern Wisconsin, and has been elected to the Basenji Club of America's Board of Directors for 2005 through 2008.

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