Kanibaru Palatial Jewel

Dam Aust Ch Helios Final Fling - Sire Aust Ch Wildela Star Lord CD


'Elsa'
27 June 2002 - 16 January 2003

Elsa age 5 weeks

The 16th January 2003 was one of the darkest days of our lives when we found our 6 month old puppy Elsa laying dead on her bed.  She looked so beautiful and perfect as if she was sleeping, her body warm and soft but her spirit had left us, she did not wake.  We were utterly distraught and desperate to know how such a healthy young pup could die so suddenly.  Nearby we found a piece of snake skin.  A very good friend came and collected Elsa's body so that a vet could inspect her and he confirmed that she had died from snake bite.  We laid little Elsa to rest under a lovely tree in the garden where she would always be close to us.   The following day we found alive but wounded the snake that killed our girl.  We knew it was the snake because the skin we'd found matched one of the wounds and the pattern perfectly.  We mourned for Elsa for sometime blaming ourselves ' if only we had done this, if only we'd done that' but nothing was going to bring her back to us.  In our minds we could only resolve to never take our basenjis for granted and enjoy every minute we have with them.  Also we learned not to be complacent when it comes to their safety.  The most important reason for doing this page is so that we can honour Elsa's memory as although she only had 6 short months of life, she was a special basenji with the most biddable, easy going temperament, never questioning what we asked of her.  She was an angel without exaggeration.  Below are some words we wrote for her memorial page in The Western Yodel.

In loving memory of our little Elsa
27th June 2002-16th January 2003

How can something so beautiful and innocent be taken from us so young?

Elsa or Elseeee as we so often called her was only 6 months old and just beginning life. The baby of the family she brought playful joy to our lives. She always greeted us with a wagging bum, front paws flying through the air and belly up love. Elsa was a true companion, always following us closely, watching with puppy curiosity. Yet she had such a great sense of self and was wise beyond her age. A naturally obedient puppy, like her dad in so many ways, she would sit patiently at the pantry door waiting for clicker training treats or curl up patiently waiting for dinner. Toilet training was a breeze, two wees in the house and she was completely house trained. Like all our basenjis we took Elsa in the swimming pool to ensure she learned where the steps were in case she ever fell in. With complete confidence she quietly surveyed her surroundings as I swished her gently side to side and when I let her go she swam directly to the steps and hopped out as if to say ‘okay learned that, what’s next?’ As a pup Elsa had an unusual way of holding your arm gently in her mouth and barooing into it making this funny muffled sound against fabric. Elsa loved to run and play with her mates, she would grab an old dressing gown rope and run with it like the wind, twirling and whirling until she was wrapped up in a knot. She’d chase the others around the garden as hard as she could trying to keep up with her gangly puppy legs.

Elsa was a promising showgirl her name was - Kanibaru Palatial Jewel
Sire Aust Ch Wildela Star Lord CD ~ Dam Helios Final Fling

Elsa was blossoming and showing great promise. First place in Baby bitch class at the Royal, we only entered her in a few shows as a baby for some experience. We had no expectations at such a tender age but her gazelle like grace, effortless movement, square profile and rich red coat attracted the judges and at the last four shows Elsa won her class in group on each occasion. The New Year was to be the start of Elsa’s true show career with her age making her eligible to enter Challenges towards becoming a Champion.

Elsa’s death has left us with a large whole in our hearts, which can never be replaced. It is so very hard to accept that we won’t see our little Elsa’s pretty face again. Elsa we love you, we miss you, if only we could have you back.- your human mum, dad, grandma, grandad, Aunt Tammy, Dean & Thomas, canines daddy Khyber, mummy Celeste, litter brothers Congo & Scooby, playmates Chloe, Asti, Fula, Honey and all of the above.


Photo taken a couple of days before her death

Sadly Elsa was killed by snake bite. Thank you to everyone who sent condolences.


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