Hi!  My name is Congo, and that’s my sister behind me, Cleo.  She’s a real brat.  Aren’t we beautiful, so majestic and strong?  That’s what all the humans say, anyway.  Most of the time, humans like to talk about how we don’t talk.  We’re Basenji’s, the bark-less breed, but don’t be fooled!  My sister may not bark, but she sure can make a racket.  She can scream like a baby when she’s startled, and when she’s happy she does what my owners call ‘yodeling,’ but I wouldn’t be so generous. 

Our ancestors hunted in Africa for many centuries.  That’s why we’re considered an ancient breed.  There are pictures of us inside the pyramids of Egypt!  Unlike more modern breeds, we can only breed once a year and we have no distinct odor.  Humans say we’re aloof, but we just think other dogs smell bad, that’s all.  Sometimes people think we act more like cats than dogs.  Whatever.  Just don’t get us near water - yuck!  Cleo and I simply love to groom ourselves and wait for dinner.   We used to love chasing squirrels and birds, but we’re getting older now, so mostly we lie in the hot Florida sun soaking up rays.

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By Karen Kong

Peaches is a mixed breed dog and the loving companion of Brad Laird.  Peaches, a girl of course, was rescued from the streets of Puerto Rico and brought to the SPCA. This is where she used some great judgment and picked Brad from all the potential parents to join his loving home in South Middle River.

Peaches enjoys fighting crime and chasing cats.  In fact, Peaches is a local celebrity as she has participated in most of the SMRCA crime walks and social gatherings at the community gardens.  She dislikes flies and fireworks very much.  If she sees a fly in the house she’ll go and hide under the bed for the rest of the day.

Peaches is now 8 years old and in her prime, sleeps with her daddy and loves life, unless it’s the fourth of July when Brad will usually find her under the bed instead of in it!