Saturday, September 7, 2013

Introducing Basil

It is with pleasure that I introduce you, Dear Reader, to a new member of the Darling household.  His name is Basil.  He's really rather charming.

Basil Darling

As those of you who have lost a beloved pet well know, their absence creates a sad void in one's life.  After Pompey died Boy and I missed him terribly.  We still do.

Reggie, being the pragmatist that he is, decided that the best thing for us to do would be to get a new pug puppy and to embark on a new chapter in our dog-owning lives.  I missed having a pug around the house, and it was in my power to do something about it.  So I did.

But it didn't turn out exactly how I thought it would.

About a week after we put Pompey down I telephoned his breeder to place our names on a list for a  puppy in an upcoming litter, hoping that they might have one sometime this fall.  The breeder I called, Don Ayrton of Cado Pugs, is one of the most respected pug breeders in America and is well known for producing handsome and well-formed pugs, many of which have become champions on the show circuit.  We've kept in touch with Don and his wife Carol over the years, and there was no question in our minds that if we were to get another pug it would come from them.

Don Ayrton of Cado Pugs

When I called and spoke with Don I learned that they did not have any litters on the way, but they did have a fourteen-month-old fellow who was available.  They had kept him to show, but had not been able to do so because only one of his testicles had dropped.  In order to show a dog, Dear Reader, it must be what is known as "intact," meaning complete with all its bells and whistles.  So to speak.

The Ayrtons thus found themselves with a very handsome pug that was no longer a puppy (and therefore not easy to place) and unshowable.  Unless someone was willing to take him as a young dog, he would likely spend the rest of his days as a kennel dog with the Ayrtons.  A very well-cared-for kennel dog, that is, living happily among a dozen or more other pugs in a house in rural Connecticut, which is where the Ayrtons live.

After much discussion amongst ourselves and with friends, Boy and I decided to adopt the little fellow and give him a home.  One week later we drove over to the Ayrtons and picked him up.  We've now owned him for over a month.  Although it all seemed a bit rushed to us (it had only been three weeks since Pompey died), the timing was optimal because we were leaving shortly for a two-week vacation on Nantucket that would be the perfect opportunity to bond with our new little guy.  And that's what we've been doing ever since.

Boy and Basil greet for the first time

We renamed him Basil (he was known by a different name by the Ayrtons), and he seemed almost instantly to know his new name.  He is distantly related to Pompey, whose father is Basil's great-great-grandfather.  Coincidentally Basil and Pompey share the same birthday of May 12th.

Basil is a darling little fellow, Dear Reader, and is very well mannered and easy going.  We are all still adapting to each other, and I am happy and relieved to report that it is going swimmingly.  I have to give the little guy a lot of credit for making such a radical (and for him entirely unexpected) transition in his life with what appears to be a considerable amount of grace and aplomb.

Well done, Basil!

Next: How Basil got his name, and—more important—how to pronounce it correctly

Photographs by Boy Fenwick and Reggie Darling

62 comments:

  1. Dear Reggie, Basil is a very good looking pug and could be placed in no better home. He is lucky indeed. He does not know what a fine life he will enjoy with you both! I am so very happy that you adopted him!

    Xoxo
    Karena
    2013 Artist Series

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  2. How wonderful...almost like getting a rescue dog...a practice I heartily endorse and practice. Good luck with the new little guy!

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  3. Congratulations on bringing Basil into your home! What a gift you have given to a sweet beautiful dog. I hope you have many happy years together.

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  4. Ohhh!
    How wonderful for you all.
    Welcome home, Basil!

    Manda from Eat Cake

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  5. Basil is just gorgeous and handsome! What a great choice to move forward and add to your family. Best wishes.

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  6. How wonderful for you all!

    Now a tweet my sister sent out this morning makes sense, "Bazile Lanneau would make a most excellent dog name."

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  7. Welcome Basil~ I am so delighted you have another pug to love.
    All the sadness seems happy and I know Pompey is thrilled to know there is someone to follow in his foot steps.
    pve

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  8. Basil is a beautiful pup! He looks like a sweetheart.

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  9. Thrilled beyond words for you three! xoxo

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  10. Very nice to meet you sweet Basil, hopefully pronounced as in Fawlty. You look to be an absolute perfect addition to the Darling family.

    Congratulations Reggie and Boy, and may Basil give you a lifetime of frisky frolics and laughter.

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  11. Oh how wonderful for you! He looks like a sweet little fellow. So nice to hear that you were able to give him such a good home!

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  12. Darling indeed. Best wishes for your new family member. _ JT

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  13. He's adorable. I'm so happy to hear that you've found yourself a little guy to love.

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  14. He's so cute! And how clever of you to avoid all that house training business. Welcome to the blog Basil!

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  15. I'm so glad you made him yours. Tell me its Basil like Rathbone.

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  16. Kudos to you and Boy for taking the big step, and so quickly at that. Basil is a real cutie and looks like tons of fun for your household, and yes, I'm looking forward to knowing the correct pronunciation--I never know whether to use a long "A" or must I bleat like a sheep to feel like I'm pronouncing it correctly. :-)

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  17. Lots of love to you and your new little family member. It is the greatest tribute to your Pompey that you could not wait to get another.

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  18. I am so happy for everyone, Basil will be so loved and cared for and he couldn't possibly be cuter.
    I like his name very much and I can't wait to read more about it!

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  19. Is it me...or do Basil and Boy LOOK so alike, strong profiles and well built! I think Basil was sent by Pompey...in fact, I am sure of it as Boy is already smitten and your writing about your new little pumpkin! Oh he'll have THE LIFE...Love for MANY YEARS to the 3 of you, perhaps a little sister may be on the way?

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  20. What a gorgeous boy, just like Pompey - I bet the older lady that spied the greatness in Pompey would know the fine breeding of Basil at a glance as well! I, like Lucinda, hope he is Basil as in Rathbone. Never a moment to lose in giving your love to a pet, so kudos to you both - perfect timing and all best wishes to Basil!

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  21. Dear Reggie,

    Congratulations on your new family member! He is a very handsome fellow!

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  22. You did it!!! he's adorable. Will hear all about him when I see you. I'm down here at Madame Mere's. Limited internet. Oy vey. xxoxox to all Roxy and Lucy

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  23. OH FANTASTIC!CONGRATS to both of YOU!I have to say BOY looks nothing to what I pictured!That was a fun peek too!I had an 8 pound rabbit named BASILICO.Basil but in ITALIAN!He was a GEM........he helped open the Christmas boxes every year!Enjoy your new little guy and HATS OFF TO YOU TWO for adopting him AS IS!!!BRAVO!

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  24. Wonderful news for all three of you! Looking forward to future adventures. I'm guessing it's pronounced Baaahhzil? So glad you've found a sweet Pug to love again!

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  25. Basil Darling, what a handsome mug you have.
    Looking at your sweet face , I'm going to guess and
    say your name is pronounced BAZ-el.
    Hope to see your sweet face often on The blog!

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  26. What a handsome little guy. So happy that
    you and Boy brought him to Darlington House
    for his forever home. Happy times ahead.

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  27. Yes, Basil like Rathbone or Fawlty, right?

    He's adorable! Pompey will never be replaced, of course, but I, for one, can't imagine life without a dog.

    Have fun with him, he sounds like a gem.

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  28. Basil the English way, I presume. Not a replacement for the late departed Pompey, but a successor.

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  29. Hello Reggie, Basil is adorable; we are looking forward to many future adventures revolving around him.
    --Road to Parnassus

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  30. When I think of Basil, it's always Rathbone but he always made me think of a great dane or a Russian wolfhound (like C Aubrey Smith reminds me of an Irish wolfhound - EXACTLY). Looking forward to the naming story and so happy you brought him into your house and out of a kennel. No matter how pleasant, a kennel can't ever be like a home with loving parents.

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  31. So happy for you and Basil. He was just waiting for you to come for him.

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  32. Very delighted for you and Boy. Basil, you're adorable !

    Bonnie

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  33. He is very handsome. I'm sure he will bring much joy to you and Boy. I also had the experience of calling breeders "too soon" to put my name in for a puppy, thinking it would be months. I ended up bringing home brother/sister littermates three weeks after the death of my older dog.

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  34. How wonderful, and you've never had to change his diapers! He's gorgeous!

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  35. Dear Reggie,
    I am so happy for you and Boy, and for Basil. He is a handsome little guy and I look forward to future posts featuring him.
    Cheers!
    Bitsy

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  36. Congrats to both you two and Basil. He's a lucky boy!

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  37. SO HAPPY FOR YOU ALL!!!!!From past experience, when our newly adopted dog seems like he was meant to be ours and fits perfectly into our lives , it has proven to be a perfect match! Sounds like this is true for you as well!!

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  38. So happy for you all!!!! From past experience, when our newly adopted dog,fits into our lives perfectly and seems to be the perfect match for us it has proven to be a Wonderful and rewarding relationship. He is so handsome! Plus his house training was taken care of!Looking forward to hearing more about him and your experiences together!

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  39. Having been away from the blogs for a bit I'm so sorry to read about Pompey's passing. You and boy were wonderful parents to him, and I know you will be to handsome young Basil as well.

    I hope the three of you enjoy this first family vacation getting to know one another.

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  40. Basil is one lucky boy. You are not replacing Pompey, you are simply loving more. I wish that I had brought home a puppy right after my rottie died; it took me 5 years to acquired Jones. Blessings.
    Mary

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  41. What a beautiful Pug !!! He has stunning color and markings.
    Know you and Boy are proud parents. I lost a beloved Jack Russel terrier last summer and my new "puppy" is a year old..
    What luck that Basil was waiting in the wings for you and past the puppy stage. Always enjoy reading about life at Darlington House.
    Becky in Georgia

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  42. He is very handsome! What a love! Congratulations to the three of you. I know you must still miss your other buddy, but I know he'd be pleased to know you'd taken in a new friend.

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  43. The Elegant EconomistSeptember 9, 2013 at 11:35 AM

    What excellent news! and a delightful addition to your family. Wishing you happy times ahead.

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  44. I share a birthday with Pompey and Basil, but am not nearly as cute!

    Congratulations!

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  45. Basil is gorgeous ..do you say Basil with a short a or am I one post too early with this

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  46. Basil Darling, of course! He's a beauty and with the same birthday as Pompey? If there is ever a sign ...

    I will live vicariously as you give us updates. I still miss our Bo terribly even after 10 years.

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  47. This makes me a little teary - particularly the photo of Boy and Basil. Such a lovely little pooch. And how, by the way, do Reggie and Boy pronounce Basil? (Much hinges on this but please don't let that make you nervous.)

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  48. I've just glanced through other comments that pertain to the pronunciation of Basil. Where are all of you when I'm in the grocery line where the metabolism pronunciation is favored? I hold fast to the correct pronunciation. So, Reggie, I await with prejudice your response.

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  49. Congratulations to you and Boy and Basil!

    It is difficult to be without a little canine companion after one has had one for a long time.
    I saw the cutest wheat faced ridge-back today and wanted to call the breeder instantly but with the two little ones (Havanese and Italian Greyhound) we have now, held myself in check.
    Maybe in the future.

    Again, congratulations!

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  50. A beautiful name for a beautiful pup. Congratulations.

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  51. Good lord. That dog just won the lottery. He will be spoiled beyond belief in no time.

    Happy for all three of you.

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  52. Congratulations on your new family member! He looks absolutely wonderful. My own dog is excruciatingly special to me, so I understand. I'm glad Basil has a new home with you!

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  53. Hello Basil, I'm pleased to meet you. Welcome home.
    BarbaraG

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  54. How wonderful that you have a new Pug boy. Basil looks charming, just as Pompey did. I certainly wouldn't be without my two cats, Theodora and Figaro; though I love dogs, too, my life at this point is more conducive to cats as pets. Anyway, by my reckoning, in addition to sharing their Taurus birthday, Pompey and Basil are first cousins three times removed. Congratulations! Elisabeth

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  55. I am delighted for you and for Basil! I can't wait to read about this new addition to your family. I had been so sad about you losing Pompey that this was a very happy read for me. All the best to you and your new little Pug who is a little doll!

    Elizabeth

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  56. I am so happy for you and Boy, and for your precious new baby, Basil! I am a believer in rescue animals - I have three rescue dogs. I know he was in a good home but I believe you were meant to be a family. Congratulations!

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  57. That is absolutely the cutest dog ever and I adore his name!

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  58. I lost my golden last month and it has been quite an adjustment. I'm glad that you have found Basil and given him a good home. I love the name as well!

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  59. Oh how wonderful, congratulations! I just recently saw Pompey's sweet picture in the Martha Stewart Christmas mag and was wondering how he was, so sorry to hear about your losing him, but it's so nice to know that your found another pup to share your life with so soon. Our dear Miss. Ginger is 17 and we're dreading the day that we know I coming soon when we must part, hopefully there will be a little one as wonderful as Basil in our future as well.
    xo J~

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