Rescued February 2026 · Maun, Botswana
As told by Jengo
My name is Jengo. And this is my story.
Born by the Thamalakane
I was born on the outskirts of Maun, in the village, near the Thamalakane River. As with most Africanis dogs in this area, once we are born, survival instinct kicks in — we are normally left to fend for ourselves. Africanis mothers are kind, compassionate, caring, and loving — the best there is — but in this area, they fall pregnant very often, are underfed, battle parasites, and are neglected by humans. For an Africanis mother in this situation, it is impossible to give all her focus and attention to her pups while being in survival mode herself.
Realising my Fate
I was only a few months old when I began to understand my fate. I am an excellent hunter, but contrary to my hunting instincts, I am not fierce. I am not a fighter. I am not aggressive. I am placid, humble, kind, and very emotional. I feel deeply.
As a young pup — and I am still a pup — I looked at the dogs around me and saw how tough and fierce they could be when needed. I am brave, but I quickly realised I did not want to live a life of constant survival, having to fight for everything. The typical life of a neglected Africanis village dog.
The Decision to Go
Still drinking from my mother, I decided to take my chances and leave. It was a rainy morning — miserable —, and I thought to myself: it cannot be much more miserable than this if I escape my current life and simply head in a direction. I did not know where I was going, but I was hoping to find something better. I was hoping to find a place where I would not have to live in survival mode. Where I don't have to sleep cold and wet.
I made my way to the thick sandy road near my mother's den and followed it into the unknown. Already, I felt a sense of relief — I was not fighting or being fought off for something to eat. I was simply following the track into the bush. It was quiet around me. The rain did not bother me. I was scared, unsure of what to expect, but I felt a kind of contentment I had never known before.
The Pickup in the Rain
I had not walked very far before the first vehicle passed me. Suddenly, the bright red lights on the back of a pickup caught my attention as it stopped very suddenly. The vehicle reversed back to where I was and stopped beside me. I fell into the tall grass, trying to hide. I had seen humans before in the village — they were not kind — so I assumed this one wanted to hurt me. Instinctively, I flattened myself to the ground. I could not help it, I peed all over myself from fear.
The human gently offered the back of his hand for me to smell, then lightly stroked my head. My entire demeanor changed. Instinctively, after that very first touch, I knew this human had no intention to harm me. The human touch felt so good — so reassuring.
The Oister Sanctuary
The human picked me up and took me inside the pickup. I had my hind legs on his lap and my front legs on the steering wheel, staring out through the windscreen at the road ahead. He told me I was going to the Oister Sanctuary, to meet the other Africanis dogs — all found, just as I had been found.
I could not believe my luck. But I remembered that before I had left my mother's den, a voice had told me: Just go. Everything will be OK. I had acted on that instinct. The universe had aligned for me.
Dogs are sentient beings. Not only do we feel immensely — both emotionally and through the emotions of those around us — but we act on our senses. This is something few humans truly understand about the Africanis, and about animals as a whole. All animals are sentient beings. We have a consciousness and do not simply react to stimuli. We feel both sensation and emotion, and humans have a very limited understanding of this, largely because of the ego.
As I arrived at the Oister Foundation Sanctuary, I was instantly welcomed by an entire pack of rescued Africanis dogs and cats. It was overwhelming — but it left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling I will never forget.
My Name
My rescuer named me Jengo. Jengo is a Swahili noun meaning building, structure, or edifice. The name represents strength, resilience, and new beginnings. For me, this was exactly that — a new beginning.
Learning to Be Africanis
I miss my mother. I really do. But I am so fortunate to have a whole pack of Africanis elders who are teaching me how to be a true Africanis. I am still a pup — I have so much to learn — and I receive daily lessons in survival, honing my instincts, discipline, and hunting.
I am the youngest in the pack, but I have already proven myself to be a formidable hunter. After all the rain Maun has received, there has been a mouse outbreak, so there is no shortage of prey — and no shortage of opportunity to further sharpen my skills. I hunt mice, squirrels, birds and creepy crawlies.
Jengo is now an ambassador for the Africanis™ brand and the Oister™ Foundation's mission to protect and preserve the Canis Africanis — Africa's aboriginal landrace dog. Every purchase from Africanis™ helps fund rescues like Jengo's.