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 Anubis is a basenji, one of the oldest breeds of dogs there is. Are you familiar with the pyramids in  Egypt?  The big stone pointy things?
(A truly erudite description if ever I've heard one. I believe it was spoken by  a short, psychotic bunny named Max.(of  "Sam & Max" 
created by Steve Purcell))  Basenjis were known to the civilization that built them.  Basenjis, as most people who live with one will tell you,
are dogs that are not for everyone. Although they are also known as "the African barkless dog", basenjis are NOT silent, and are not 
"quiet" in temperament. They are affectionate, curious, and mischievous . (mp4, no sound)
They howl, chortle growl, and quack.  Well, Anubis "quacks" after he eats. He likes to find me when he's finished eating, look in my face
(or lick it) and let loose with a loud belch that more times than not sounds like a "QUACK".  When he hears his name (the title on this page)
he gets excited and   howls.(mp4video)
Then sometimes, when he gets started, he gets really  loud.(mp4 video Turn down your speaker. It's LOUD!)

     I've had him about 2 weeks in this picture.                              A few years later.
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                                                                   I promise. We actually did move around some between the two pictures.
 Among those  'senji people whom I have corresponded with, I have heard stories of shredded lawn furniture, opened  kennels, 
jumped-over fences, climbed fences, and a burned-down house (the basenji was the cause of the fire. Sadly, it didn't survive.) With all of this,
WHY would someone want one? Why would someone KEEP one?  If I have to explain it to you, you'll never understand.  Basenjis are playful.
Basenjis are curious. Basenjis will get stuff when you don't expect it. I used  to have a normal love seat, which was low to the floor--about 3
inches clearance. It was old, and  I finally got rid of it. When I removed it, I found a collection of his old toys, my old socks, some  old underwear
(So that's where they are!) and myriad of other things underneath it. I have no idea  how he managed to "bury" that stuff under there.
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Here are some new pictures of Anubis, and some old guy. These were taken around 12/20/2000. Click on them to see them larger.

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August 11, 2001  I made this movie today,  because it's been a while since some people have been able to visit Anubis and myself.  Here is an image from the clip
(above) .  Click on it to see it larger. Click here to see the clip. (mp4 video)

 If you are doing something, and you are sure that you have just set something down, within reach, and it's gone,  play back your mental 
recording of the last few seconds. I am certain that in those seconds you will recall a red and white--or black and white--or tricolor--or brindle
pointy-eared, curly-tailed streak that came and went while your attention was on your task. If you are quick enough, you can perhaps catch 
that streak in possession of  your missing object.  I will suggest also, that for a few more minutes at least, you will be unable to avoid playing
with this canine who just gives you that look with those shining eyes under those furrowed brows if you even try to scold.  He or she, will just
cock their head and look at you, saying: "C'mon, what're you talkin' about? It's play time!"       
So, have fun!! After all, that IS why you got a basenji, isn't it?
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Good boy, Anubis! 

The very first time I brought Anubis anywhere-which was to my house from where he was born-he climbed up off my lap, up my back, and 
burrowed between my neck and my car seat. He rode this way for most of an hour. It would be an understatement to say that he'd stolen my
heart. If you've come to these pages because you already have a basenji, then you are familiar with the phenomenon. As I mentioned above,
they'll take stuff when you least expect it.
Click  here for some of the source video that I used to make the animated .gif of Anubis wagging his tail. (mp4video, no sound) 

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Basenji owners need a kennel. Although Anubis likes to sleep in his, he will crash just about anywhere.
His favorite place is near me, somewhere. Or, on me. I'm too active for him to sleep this way for long.
When he's tired, he'll use the futon I use for a couch. When he's really tired, he retires to his kennel, with
no prompting from me.  Anubis is actually registered with the AKC as "Ricks Most Wondrous Anubis".

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                                                             ANUBIS!
June 06, 2002  What can I say?  It's Anubis, the Wonder Dog! It's been a while since any recent visitors to rickubis.com have seen him, so I figured it was
about time for him to make an appearance (see Anubis, above) . He's been fine ( by the way,  thanks to those of you who've asked about him). He's over
ten years old, and he does have a cataract in his right eye.  I can't believe we've been together for so long.  He's been...well, he's been my friend. It would
have been really difficult to get through some parts of my life without him.
Anyway,  his eye appears to be blind right now.  However, this doesn't seem to bother him.  Believe me, I can empathize with his impaired vision.
I took two short video clips with my Olympus C-700, then did a little editing, a little format conversion, and posted them. 
Here are the links: Anubis clip one (mp4 video) ; Anubis clip two (mp4 video).

There's not really a good way to say it, so.....

                                            Anubis is gone.
                   He left this world at about 10:00 am on December 17th, 2004.
                          I've had better Fridays, that's for sure.
                          Some of you have known him in the flesh.
                          I've written some words to commemorate him.
                          It will probably sadden you, but if you'd like to remember Anubis and
                          perhaps say goodbye with your heart, you can read it here.
                          The picture below was taken August 3, 2004.
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                                How can I keep writing, going to the park, etc?
                                What choice do I have? I have to keep going. I can visit him on these pages, and in my heart.
                                I was damn lucky to know him.

 And finally, here are some important links that well certainly tell you more about basenjis:
  The Basenji Club of America
  Basenji Rescue and Transport
  The Basenji --Online     --This is the magazine for Basenji folks.  I've got a stack myself.
  The Basenji Net     ---Although this sounds like something we could use to catch one, it's more informative than that. I will be adding more information to the "Wonder Dog" page, also. 
If you haven't heard enough,  here's one more howl, as Anubis winds down.(mp4 video)
Back to  What the heck is a Rickubis?  (the home page for,  for....whatever this is.)
Or, go  See the world , clear your mind. Make it work.
All animated gifs on this page created by Richard Dashnau.