Bruno's Begining

The story of my adventure begins in the summer of 1993 on a rutted, dusty road at the base of the Nyika Plateau <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyika_Plateau>, a secluded nature preserve at the northern tip of Malawi. This was the place of my birth. Actually I was born in the adjacent village that nestled in the bush along side this dusty lane. The name of that village (if there was one) however, is long forgotten. Needless to say, it was a far cry from where I ended up.

After a long weekend of hiking and game tracking on the Plateau, the two guys that eventually became my human pack (Al & Robert) were traveling in a white Land Cruiser headed back to Lilongwe. Joining then on this ride were two Peace Corps volunteers and a cook from the Lodge who needed transportation assistance down the mountain.So, with Al driving, Robert sitting shotgun, and all remaining seats full, they headed south on a road rarely traveled by less adventurous folks. The road however ended quite abruptly as do so many in this part of the world. After maneuvering through field and scrubland for the longest time, they eventually ended up in my neck of the woods and headed in the right general direction.

Barreling along in an attempt to make up time, Al spots me with all my long, luxurious, black and tan fur, playing in the road and screeches to a halt, shouting , “That’s my dog!” I was a little taken aback by the approaching huge, metal mass going warp speed and quickly sought cover in the surrounding scrub.

With Malawian cook in hand, Al walked to the village in search of my owner. As luck would have it the man of my hut was away from the village and his wife was not empowered to strike a deal with these weird muzungu’s (white strangers). Runners were quickly sent out in the bush to find him and in his absence it was decided by a growing group of onlookers, that the village elders could negotiate a deal. 45 minutes of haggling and heated negotiations ensued and the sum of 45 Malawian Kwacha, the equivalent of seven US dollars was determined to be the acceptable offer. After the money exchanged hands, we were all back in the Land Cruiser headed south, me sitting in Robert’s lap. My village family really hit the lottery with that exchange and I was bound for a lifetime of joy and adventure.

Now I’d like to say the “beginning” ended here but there’s more.

Being the cute, little fur ball I was, I got right in the car and bid the village a fond farewell. Not it at all really! Oh yeah, I got in alright, but only after being chased hither and yon by the village children, after the deal was struck. So, there in the front seat, resigned to whatever fate awaited me, I curled up in Robert’s lap.

Now there’s a funny thing about all humans, god they love to cuddle a precious puppy! Everyone wanted a turn at holding me. I eventually ended up in the back seat, passed back and forth between the Peace Corps volunteers. There is also a funny thing about puppies, frequent handling causes bodily functions to increase! I guess the passing around stimulated my bladder…whoops! After a brief stop roadside, where I was pushed out the door and requested to finish my business, the trip continued.

Dog ownership for Idiots, Lesson one – Always encourage a puppy to pee before going for a long drive, especially if the puppy has never been in or anywhere near a car before!

Stopping in the town of Rumphi , I was taken on my first official walk. Al actually did the walking and I rode, cradled in his arms. Naturally, I was a big hit with the local shoppers and merchants and caused quite the stir, enough so to get an offer of purchase! Al however, sensing that he could not turn a quick profit, declined the overture. For some reason this brought on a rounding, chorus of’ “How much is that doggie in the window” and a lot of laughs enroute to the car. I was rather puzzled by all this. I mean with all due respect, I was a 45 kwacha DOG! I really was beginning to worry about my situation now!

Shortly after leaving Rumphi, my traveling companions discovered that I had brought along a few friends of my own! Well, we all have baggage guys! I guess I had enough fleas to cover four grown men and the entire interior of a Toyota Land Cruiser! Sorry about that but how was I to know? No one ever complained about this before! Talk about a bumpy road trip. As soon as we reached Lilongwe city limits, those Peace Corps volunteers were begging to be let out of the car. By the time we got back to Area 12, House 49, Robert and Al were both covered with little, red, bumps.

Dog ownership for Idiots, Lesson Two- Dogs gather fleas, especially African village dogs!

Upon my arrival at House 49, Area 12, I was quickly introduced to two characters I would become well acquainted with, Raphael and Fletcher, our loyal housekeeper and gardener. These guys became great friends of mine. Raphael could sure cook and Fletcher was always available for a little game of ‘chase the puppy around the compound’ in between his gardening duties. Anyway these guys took control of the situation, and before long both the car and I were squeaky clean.