Basma - 'Basma'
Imp. Syria
Born 15.1. 2003
Breeder - Sobhi Ghaname
Owner - Micaela Lehtonen

I had long dreamt of a Syrian import, as I consider their Salukis the best in the world. I loved their lithe, strong bodies, and judging by the videos and stories of Sir Terence Clark it was clear they were fabulous hunting dogs.

The promlem was logistical: how to find someone in Syria who could choose the dog, deworm and vaccinate it and then keep it for the required 30 days before it was allowed into Finland? Sir Terence offered to help in locating a good Saluki, as he hunts in Syria in the Hama area nearly every spring, and knows the people and their hounds. We set our sights on the spring of 2005 when he was planning his next Syrian excursion.

We still had to find a contact in Syria who could handle the paperwork etc., as Terence would only be in Syria for a few days. This proved very difficult, and I tried all sorts of things, including the Finnish Embassy and and UN troops, but found no one. Suudenly the import had to be pushed up a year as well, as I found out Finnish import regulations were due to chenge in July 2004. I had to find a way. This also meant that funding was a problem, as I had so much less time to gather the money. I knew I could not do it alone.

Habi's owner Kalle Rautavuori came to the rescue by suggesting a partnership. We gathered a wonderful group of people: Kalle, Katja Pellikka and Sirkku Moilanen joined in and each took on part of the expenses - this entitled them to future pups if they wish, or they can use one of my males for their bitches. Time will tell. Without them this project could not have become reality! Thanks must also go to FIME representative Sanna Aro-Valjus who escorted Basma on the flight.

Fortune continued to favour us: Anna Beckman in Sweden sent me an article on Syrian horses, in which there was a picture of Basil Jadaan, breeder of Arabian horses, together with a Saluki! I had a wild idea: I would try to reach Mr. Jadaan and ask if he had any contacts who might help with the import. Through Sir Terence among others I got mr. Jadaan's address, and also found out that it was in fact Basil who had helped the French Jeanne Menning import her beautiful Syrian Salukis in the 1990s.

Basil Jadaan phoned me and graciously offered to help, and I could not have wished for a better friend! He said he would look for a suitable bitch, and not only that, he insisted on making her a gift to me! I stuttered a milion thank you's over and over. Basil was amazing - he handled everything on the Syrian end, and found us a lovely littled bitch called Joukha. I had trouble pronouncing the name, so we changed it to Basma (Smile). And she certainly does - all the time! Although we had thought this a difficult project, even Basil was surprised at how the pieces seemed to fall in place. I will never forget his beautiful words: "Allah smiles upon you because you take such good care of His Salukis".

After many a twist the day finally arrived - Basma was coming to Finland. Basil calmed me over the phone: everything is alright, don't worry. He was right of course. On Sunday, May 23rd after 11 pm Basma arrived, having travelled for 8 hours. My mother and I were of course at the airport, as were Katja and Petri and Kalle and his father. I was so nervous I prattled loudly the whole time...

Basma immediately amazed us with her good cheer- as soon as she stepped out of the crate she went around saying hello to everyone, tail wagging constantly,curious to see all the new things around her. I had brought Hafna with me, and Basma was immediately ready to play - the girls were soon the best of friends. We were all stunned by Basma's happy attitude, and Katja took loads of pictures, even one of Basma doing her business on Finnish soil for the very first time...Basil had fun when I told him about that ;D The only thing that bothered Basma was the slippery floor in terminal - she kept trying to grab at it with her toes.

Kalle helped to transport Basma to our village. I decided to spend the night at mom's house as it was almost 3 am and dark - not the best of times to introduce a new dog to the pack. Luckily Sara was at home taking care of the other dogs, otherwise it would have been very difficult. Basma fell in love with Finnish grass and sausage, as well as sleeping in the bed with me.

She is a lovely little Saluki, only 60 cm high like my Lublub. She was born in Hama, Syria in January 2003, and as is the local custom her ears are cropped. Her breeder is Sobhi Ghaname and her parents are Guru (Wolf) and Nasmah (Breeze). She is from pure Syrian hunting lines, and hopefully she will give me beautiful puppies in the future. Basma is a joy in every sense of the word!

Basma loves people, all people, and nothing makes her happier than being petted and admired. She has a charming way of coming up to you and just standiing there, head tilted back to gaze at you with her beautiful dark eyes, just drinking in the admiration and affection.

Basma enjoys sleeping under the covers and cuddled up to me or just sitting there looking at me as though I'm the best thing ever :) She also talks in her sleep a lot and has quite the vocabulary!

Basma charms everyone she meets. She is always happy and incredibly cuddly. No one has managed to cuddled her enough in fact, and she is not shy about forcing herself into any vacant lap - from which it is exceedingly difficult to extract her ;) She is fast, agile and lovely in every way.

Basma is the dam of Qashani T-litter, born 30.5. 2006. The sire is Syrian import Barak, who lived in Switzerland. In November 2008 she had her second litter, the Qashani K-litter, sired by my other Syrian import Khattaf, who is also the sire of my S-litter. Basma's health info can be found on the page of the T-litter.