Today is a very sad day at the Mission. We had to put Tia down. Tia was the Prawius' dog, a Rhodesian Ridge back. The dogs, 4 from the same litter, came from Kenya in about 2000. Tony Curto had 2 and Dr. Prawius had the other 2, Tia and Tusker. Tusker died in the spring of 2004 and one of the littermates in Mbale died shortly after.

Tia and Tusker were two very ferocious guard dogs and most of the Karamajon feared them greatly. They were very loyal and loving dogs to all who they liked. We have heard many stories about the Prawius Children and the dogs sleeping in the girls' bedroom and the dogs having a night time "odor" problem. And how they (dogs) feared the thunder and lightening storms and gunshot sounds. They would scratch at the doors wanting in and then you could not get them to go back out!!

Tia loved to go for walks with Pastor Dave and occasionally a few others. But Tia loved to play and he would love to scare people. A group of K'jon would be walking down the road and Tia would race towards them and skid to a stop right in front of them, barking, then he would stand there wagging his tail!! It was like he was asking "did I scare you?" If the K'jon ran or screamed he barked even louder!!!!

Tia was a big baby! If you let him he would climb up into you lap so you could pet him!!! All 150 lbs of him!!!! He liked to come to our Sat. morning pray meetings in the bonda and during the prayers he would most often put his big cold, wet nose right into Chrissie's face and lick her. That always got him petted!!!!

Tia, your bark was so much worse than your bite!!!! We will miss him so much!!!!!