Today we have sunshine
February 2, 2009
It seems like forever since we have had anything but grey skies and below-normal temperatures. The dogs definitely noticed the improvement. Tawzalt came into my office to bask herself.
Tawzalt basking in the warm sunlight
Enjoying the sun, but still still watchful.
Azawakh in Djerma
January 29, 2009
The word “Azawakh” comes from the Djerma language, but it has nothing to do with dogs.
In Djerma azawa means north. Azawagh or azawad means land of to the north. The word the Djerma use for what we call the Azawakh dog is hansi or hanso (I’ve also seen it spelled hanshee and hanshii).
The really fascinating thing is that there are three gender forms. One for dog and two for bitch. The Djerma have a different conjugation of the word dog for a bitch who has given birth and one who has not.
- hansi daŋ: dog (male)
- hansi way: bitch [has not given birth]
- hansi nya: bitch [has given birth]
A little bit of digging revealed that this is a feature of the Djerma language. For all livestock there are three gender forms: one for male, one for female-that-has-not-produced-offspring and one for female-that-has-produced-offspring.
Chicken
- goroŋgari (rooster)
- goroŋo way (hen)
- goroŋo nya (hen)
Camel
- yo mali (camel bull)
- yo way (camel cow)
- yo nya (camel cow)
This must be a culture with a deep tradition of animal breeding.
reference: http://www.djerma.nl/
Snuggle
January 21, 2009
Cassandra in jams snuggles Tawzalt
My wife insisted that Tawzalt needed an inaugural bath. If I say that Tawzalt detests being bathed it is not true only because detest is not a sufficiently negative verb. She does quite enjoy being snuggled and comforted by my daughters afteward, though.
Remain Dignified
January 20, 2009
Remain Dignified
Azelouan is working hard to retain his dignity while Theodora giggles with Tawzalt poking her ear.
Christmas
December 27, 2008
Also available as a slideshow.
Pencil!
Stickers!
Play-Doh!
Team Unwrapping
Slightly concerned.
Is it for me?
Jaw wrestling Azawakh.
Dressing Dolly
All curled up.
Cassandra raids the fridge.
Sunlight snooze
Hard Life
December 22, 2008
It’s a hard life being a city dog, sometimes.
Azelouan melted into the bed.
Lazy Morning
December 14, 2008
Good Morning, Tawzalt
Gnaw on Azelouan
Nuzzle Azelouan
Great Service
December 12, 2008
I just had a great service experience from Erin Campbell at Hound Togs. It’s getting cold here and I needed a coat for Tawzalt. She is still only 7 months, so I wanted to get a coat that is sized just big enough that she can grow into it but without being enormous.
I used the tools on the Hound Togs website to describe Tawzalt so that they could size the coat for her. Shortly thereafter I got both a call and email from Erin. She had decided that none of the prêt-à-porter sizes were quite right. She offered to customize a large whippet coat to fit Tawzalt at no additional charge.
This was above and beyond service. It was great dealing with her. The coat arrived today and it fits a bit loose with some room to grow, just like I asked.
Tawzalt playing in her new coat.
It's still cold out here, stupid.
Savage Azawakh
December 7, 2008
A typically savage moment between an Azawakh and a child.
Cassandra cuddling Azelouan
Azawakh are Tremendous Leapers
December 6, 2008
The combination of a vertical format, low body mass and powerful muscles yield tremendous jumping ability in Azawakh. In West Africa I once saw a Fulani dog leap over a 10 foot wall. It took the dog two tries.
Azelouan learning to fly @ 9 months
Azelouan leaped the stream and landed safe and dry on the other side. I was able to position myself to capture this image because he does this all the time.
