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Basenji on cover of essays on poet John Tranter

Basenji Talk
  • curlytailsC

    An Australian friend sent me this link to a recently published book about John Tranter, an Australian poet. Gracing the cover is a photo of the poet and his Basenji:

    "Book cover photo, above and right, by Elizabeth Gillam: John Tranter with his basenji dog ?Biscuit?, Stanmore, Sydney, late 1989. Basenjis are African barkless dogs, though they are known to yodel and howl when they think they are alone. Owning a basenji is not like having a canine companion; it?s more like having an antelope as an occasional acquaintance. The Pygmies of Africa used basenjis to hunt small game, and often carried them on their shoulders, which the dogs seemed to like. Look up "basenji" on Google and in Wikipedia."

    … I'm afraid I don't know anything about the poet, but I'm more inclined to keep an eye out for his work, knowing his preference in dogs.

    M.C. w/ Bowdu (shiba inu) and Bowpi (basenji)

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  • P

    Although a poetry fan I'd not read John Tranter but am now going to find out more and try to get hold of his books.

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  • MacPackM

    How delightful, I love the description of life with a basenji.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • ArwenA

    This is very cool. Thank you for sharing!

    Mom to B.R.A.T rescue, Nayru. 4 yrs in 2010\. Tail-waggin' is her middle name.![](images/smilies/smile.png "Smile") And failed foster, Batman, the chiweenie(?) boy.

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  • agilebasenjiA

    Interesting. I know Roy Blount Jr wrote a poem about basenjis; I wonder if Tranter did as well.

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  • ArwenA

    BASENJI: "A small dog having a short
    Smooth coat, and not uttering the barking sound
    characteristic of most dogs"
    So what does it do? Snort?
    Utter the croaking sound characteristic of most frogs?
    Make an occasional snappy remark?
    Can it bark,
    And just demurs?
    You aren't going to tell me it purrs.

    From Webster's Ark by Roy T. Blount, Jr.

    I never heard of that one. Thanks for mentioning it!

    Mom to B.R.A.T rescue, Nayru. 4 yrs in 2010\. Tail-waggin' is her middle name.![](images/smilies/smile.png "Smile") And failed foster, Batman, the chiweenie(?) boy.

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  • MDSPHOTOM

    OMG, I love his description of owning a B it is describes Dolce to a "T".

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  • curlytailsC

    I'm pretty certain Bowpi would purr if she could…

    M.C. w/ Bowdu (shiba inu) and Bowpi (basenji)

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Wow Arwen was going to look up the poem but you did it for me! Thanks.

    Debra

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