We came across this site the day after losing our beloved and spoiled Basenji.
She would have been 12 on April fools day (appropriate for a Basenji). Marley was a fanconi dog who with excellent medical care and a ton of patience died from something non kidney related. We were devastated but with the help of all of your stories and pictures we were able to smile and remember.
A few days later we contacted BRAT to offer our time or money. We let them know that we were not emotionally ready to foster or adopt but would help in any way we could. Our local rep. (Sharron) contacted us and said that there was a older girl in need of a foster home. We declined. Another week passed and she called again to let us know that she had found a temporary home but since this older girl was blind she was having a tough time competing with the other dogs at the foster home. So after several long discussions we decided to suck it up and try. Just what we needed, another special needs Basenji.
Exactly one month to the day of losing Marley, a pudgy and blind Sheba fell onto our driveway and tripped into our life. It took Sheba about an hour to learn the layout of our house and to find a warm quiet spot. We knew very little about her. Could we touch her? How old is she? We shed a few tears because we missed Marley and we felt sorry for this new girl.
That night we crawled into bed wondering how she would fit in and what kind of work this was going to take. Ten minutes later Sheba found her way to the bedroom, bumped into the bed, jumped onto the bed, curled up and started to snore. At that moment we knew we had a new dog. It has been 5 months and after many doctor appointments Sheba is healthy and happy.
Today it became official. The adoption paperwork arrived and she is ours.
Thanks again to everyone and especially to Sharron for all of your help.
We have many Marley and Sheba stories but for now we will just continue to enjoy all of yours.
Shaun and Sue
PS pictures are coming soon
What a touching story…. and what a wonderful happy ending and "new" beginning... kudos to you for taking Sheba in... and letting her become part of your family....
While we all miss the ones that have passed regardless of their age... it only takes a "crack" in the door to fill your heart with another wonderful companion that needs love, care, and a warm bed to sleep in!
Marley Pictures
Sheba pictures
ok, you made me cry.. but good tears. 
I'm so happy that you have found another furbaby to melt your hearts. I'm sure Marley would have wanted it that way too. Thanks for adopting a little girl in need, and for sharing your pictures and stories. welcome.
Oh,Sheba was so very luck to fall into the loving hands of these folks.
This is what makes you want to do rescue FOREVER.
Hugs to you all.
Ten minutes later Sheba found her way to the bedroom, bumped into the bed, jumped onto the bed, curled up and started to snore. At that moment we knew we had a new dog. It has been 5 months and after many doctor appointments Sheba is healthy and happy.
Today it became official. The adoption paperwork arrived and she is ours.
Thanks again to everyone and especially to Sharron for all of your help.
We have many Marley and Sheba stories but for now we will just continue to enjoy all of yours.
Shaun and Sue
PS pictures are coming soon
OH WOW! This would've done me in too. I'm so happy for you, your family and Sheba. My feelings about rescue are the same. These living beings need help and their lives shouldn't be wasted. You are an Angel. Yes, you are Sheba's angel and she yours. So happy to hear this story. Thank you for making me happy today.
My condolences for your loss of Marley - Of course, she will always be a big part of your life. Please post pictures of both Marley and Sheba when you can. Would love to hear all about them both.
P.S. Thank you Sharron! You are an Angel in many hearts - mine included!
Rescue only works when there are folks who are kind and willing to open their homes to these dogs.
Its often not easy, but when it works, will, almost better than a lotto win!
not that I would know what THAT is like, laugh.
My friend Brenda once said, it takes a village to help a dog in need, be it with transport, fostering, evaluations of the dogs and homes…well, there is a lot
that rescue wouldn't be able to do without you.
Thank you.
Marley was a beautiful dog, and Sheba is too! Blind dogs are amazing, they enjoy life and the nose and ears take over and you hardly notice they are handicapped. Sheba helped mend your hearts, and won yours in the process. How lucky you all are to have come together!
Anne inTampa
they are both beautiful dogs. and i'm going through almost the same thing. we lost our 5 year old malinois last month and have adopted a home-needing malinois this week. i hope you're having better luck than i am saying the right name, but i can tell already that this was the right thing. i know Sheba is the right thing for you too.
Thank you to you to take care of this special dogs 
, they sure both look nice, love the last one of sheba.
Hello and welcome to you and Sheba. What a special girl she is. You brought tears to my eyes with your story!
I can see in the pictures that Marley was a very special b too.
Please share all your Marley and Sheba stories in the future!
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I am glad you found us, and that some of us helped you find Sheba.
Thanks for being so willing to open your home, and your hearts. I know it will be worth it in every way for all involved.
Made me cry too!!! I happy Sheba found you, espeically your bed!! I love it when they snuggle! I love the pictures too! Happy dog!
Oh my goodness I'm sobbing like a baby. Thanks for sharing. I'm so happy you found each other. Best Wishes for tons of cherished memories together.
What a wonderful story. I'm so sorry you lost Marley and so happy that you found Sheba.
Thank you for the warm welcome. We feel like we know you all frome the months of lurking around the forum. As avid photographers we have tons of pictures but we wont overwhelm you all just yet.
The things we have learned about Sheba are:
1. She was originally recued by BRAT in 2001 from the Modesto puppy mill.
I think Sharron posted that article here not long ago.
2. She may be blind but she is still a Basenji with a nose for trouble and ears
that can hear the microwave from across the house.
3. Having an animal that totally and completely trusts you is priceless.
4. You REALLY have to pay attention when hiking with a blind dog. Watch
out for curbs and ditches and our new enemy….. parking meters.
Thanks again and I look forward to all of your stories and pictures as well.
Oh my!! The things you never think of, curbs and parking meters. Best of luck to you. I'm sure you'll do just fine!!
Welcome and thank you for such an extraordinary story and rescue. I too was in tears. So bitter sweet.
Thank you for posting Marley pics here as well as Sheba's. Marley is now also a part of us and will be remembered by many in this community. Sheba I'm sure, will continue to charm us with her stories and antics.
Again, welcome. Dawn
The story of your Marley was so sad as I have a Fanconi affected Basenji. She is almost 3 and I will start to test her real soon, I had her DNA done and I am heartbroken that she has the gene. I will give her the best care that I can if and when she gets the disease. Marley looks alot like my B, Sahara, her pictures are in the member pictures under youngandtired, take a look. Sheba is also a great looking B, she looks sweet, and the idea that she found your bed just blows me away. I think is great that you took in this B with special needs, she needs you and you need her, what a great arrangement. Good Luck!
I am so very sorry your b is affected.
But strip testing her will give you the best chance to get this girl
on the protocal asap.
Or maybe she will be one of the few that don't spill sugar..they are out there.
So, enjoy each day of good health with your b and let us support you if this ends.
Major hugs.
