"The Basenji is a small, short haired hunting dog from Africa. It is short backed and lightly built, appearing high on the leg compared to its length. The wrinkled head is proudly carried on a well arched neck and the tail is set high and curled. Elegant and graceful, the whole demeanor is one of poise and inquiring alertness. The balanced structure and the smooth musculature enables it to move with ease and agility. The Basenji hunts by both sight and scent. Characteristics--The Basenji should not bark but is not mute. The wrinkled forehead, tightly curled tail and swift, effortless gait (resembling a racehorse trotting full out) are typical of the breed."

Yeah, that's my girl.

My basenji, Curie (Dark Skies Cherry Bomb) won her first points towards her championship today. Some of us were beginning to wonder about her. Not about her soundness or anything like that but about her dorky attitude in the ring. "Get this collar off me!" Her waltz around on three legs so that she could try harder to remove said collar. But a little bit of liver treat seemed to distract her.

My sister (her breeder and handler) thinks Curie's a lot like, um, me. She freezes when she's startled – mute and stockstill. She likes shiny things. She gets spooked by things ordinary basenjis ignore. (Getting her picture taken today with her ribbon, she was so surprised by the squeaky toy that the photographer wielded that she jumped backwards off the table.) She's bitchy and bossy.

I dunno. Maybe she is. Maybe we seek out those creatures who share common traits with us. People who like the same hobbies, hate the same movies, those who like the air conditioner on high or the salsa hot-hot, who laugh at the nerdy comedians we love. Maybe if we're really lucky, those creatures love us back.