Sheba

by Esther Garvi
(Zinder, Niger, West Africa)

Sheba is young, but she is always trying, working her mind as to what her contribution can be. If she thinks I need help getting the newborn filly Kalahari to move forward, she comes to help. When Kalahari is on her own, Sheba comes to watch over her, licks her on the mouth and invites her to play. When I'm in stress, she pops her head into my lap and gives me a hug - letting me know that all is well. When we're on a ride in the bush, Sheba constantly looks up at me, her face shining with joy and pride - as if to say "everything all right up here? I've got the ground covered!". When the boys on the street wouldn't stop playing with their ball when we were crossing the road and the horses got scared, Sheba took matters in her own hand and simply took control over the ball (no aggression, just a solid state-of-mind) until the horses were safe on the other side.
She is my constant companion, my helper, my friend. She makes me laugh whether I'm up or down, and gives hugs and kisses like no other dog I've ever known. I could not ask for a better companion, and of course that is why I say that in my mind, Sheba is the winner, forever.

And seeing that a possible prize was a toy, I just wanted to let you know that Sheba adores squeaky toys above all things. She can keep a concert going until late at night, when she will fall asleep with them in her arms!

Warm greetings from West Africa,
Esther & Sheba