Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery
A story of Jabari and Connor
by Rick Christensen 10/21/02

"Ironically, it has been almost exactly a year since I posted this photo and story (below)...I learned today that this wonderful old Basenji boy, Jabari, crossed the Bridge last week. Though there are many who will miss him, we can find much joy in that his last year was a very good one. After being rescued from a shelter, barely clinging to life, Jabari thrived under the love and care that he received from his rescuer, Peggy Shifflet, and his adopter, Susan Melton. Jabari was leading a happy and healthy life until very recently, when his health took a sudden turn... the times of his life when he wasn't well cared for had finally caught up to him. We will always remember Jabari and his last very special year."
- Rick Christensen 10/25/03

This is a photo that I took a week ago yesterday (Sunday) of Jabari (left) and Connor (right). It was our Connor's first birthday, so we took him along to our Hi-Country Basenji Club meeting that day. As it turns out, Jabari was there at the meeting also, and the youngster Connor was very taken with the old and wise Jabari. Connor stayed as close to Jabari as he could.

Jabari was rescued only weeks before from a shelter in Denver, and our Basenji Rescue Coordinator here in Colorado, Peggy Shifflet, feared that Jabari didn't have long to live. You see, Jabari was on the verge of starvation and his dusty red coat did little to hide the ribs and flesh that were painfully visible just below the surface.

Peggy, who is an inspiration to all of us who know about the work that she does with Rescue, decided that Jabari would be loved and taken care of for whatever was left of his life and brought him home from the shelter. Jabari flourished under Peggy's care and has been adopted by a wonderful lady who has given him a happy and loving home. We know that Jabari is at least 13 years old because he was previously adopted from the Dumb Friends League in 1991 before turning up in the shelter again.

And about Connor. A week after this photo was taken, Connor found himself with a new title—"Champion!" Little did we know when we left home last Thursday and headed for Rapid City, SD, that Connor would win a 4 point major and two 5 point majors at the Rapid City dog show.

Makes me wonder if there is something magical about that old dog, Jabari.

"I wish Jabari could have lived longer with Susan, but it helps me to know that he was so well-loved for the last year of his life. I had just groomed him a few weeks ago and he looked great then...the end came quickly, which is a blessing." - Peggy Shifflet 10/25/03

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