Bdawg,
Very much enjoyed reading the Story of Miles and his rise from rags to riches, with all sorts of mischief thrown into the mix! My wife and I have been involved with BRAT the last 2.5 years, having fostered 15 rescues, and found wonderful families for each one of the precious pups. We just adopted the 15th rescue, and we know it was meant to be that he be with us, just as it was meant to be for Miles to be with your family.
Every time I look into the eyes of a rescued basenji, I'm reminded of a bible verse from Luke 12:6 which says: "6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?" A farthing's value can be compared to how we view the value of a penny or nickel today. Not much value at all. Something whispers to my heart that a caring Supreme Being, seeing His creatures as infinitely more valuable than the values assigned to them by humans, has guided them to us and ultimately to their forever homes.
Our own new B, named Tippy, was sold by an Amish breeder south of Cleveland, OH to a Petland store in Cleveland. He languished in that store for 4 months before he was purchased. After 1 month, the owner planned to take him to a shelter, but was convinced by his brother, who lives in Ft. Washington, MD, to allow him to take Tippy. Again, after 1 month, his brother gave him up to his friend who lives in Prince Frederick, MD, which is 15 minutes north of our home in Southern Maryland.
After 1 week, Tippy's third family in less than 3 months posted a flyer in the local vet hospital advertising a free basenji to a good home who could provide good training.
The vet called us since they knew we were involved with BRAT. We went to get Tippy, and he was the very first basenji rescue in our county ever. After a week of caring for him, my wife, daughter, and I wondered to one another how this beautiful, gentle, playful, mischevious puppy would be given up by three straight families? It was like a diamond in the rough dropped into our laps.
What are the odds that a basenji puppy would end up near our rural hometown in the middle of nowhere in such a manner? It was meant to be!