Petra,
Can I just put a bit of a different slant on Otis's situation, for you to think about… Please bare with me, trying to make a long story short :)...
Reading on another dog site, where a German Shepard lived for 6 years being a loved family member. This family had 3 kids themselves, but also fostered other kids from babies to young teens. A very busy, active family, people coming and going all the time, all times of the day and night. G.S was fine till recently, when he began to display unprovoked attacks/bites, on the foster children only, not on his family members, (at least not that Im aware of). People walking through the house, etc. Was offered a lot of info from the Forum, (and I will just add, the original poster was also offered a lot of nastiness, but thats a whole different issue :mad:), which she followed up on.
Anyway, I have placed an 18 month old Cattle Dog in a home with 3 young kids, and this boy, (who has been recently castrated), was also nipping the kids friends, washing machine repair man, her friends etc, etc. NOT the children of the house though. Long story short, I emailed this lady with the G.S. to let her know I was going through the same issue with my placed boy, (thankfully this incredible dog savvy lady seems to be getting things sorted out, with Nosh, with our input, and her common sense !!).
As it turns out, I got a followup email from the G.S owner, yesterday... She got his thyroid tested, and he was normal. She had behaviorists in to help with his issues etc, etc. She did everything in her power to try to sort her boy out. Unfortunately, the behavior continued, he had a full medical workup, only to find he had multiple brain lesions, which was causing his temperament/behavior changes. He was given his wings last week, RIP Ben.
I debated whether to tell this story, but reading about the bite to the young girl this week, I decided to tell you. I feel for what you are going through, I really do. I know this is probably a very long shot, and is really quite a rare and extreme case, but...
I wish you the very best of luck with Otis, my thoughts are with you... I am hoping that Otis's story wont follow Ben's.
Saba,
Thank you for sharing Ben's story with me. I have not thought of it being something like that, but you never know. Our dog, Lou, whom crossed the bridge last year april 25th, had brain cancer and started getting a bit unsteady in his behaviour, but he was 12 yrs old..he never showed any agression or nipping but knowing that it was possibly coming and that the tumor was pushing his right eye out of its socket we decided to help him along as well, very hard decision but we felt it was the right one to make for him more importantly but also for our children. We did not want them to experience anger or nipping from the dog they grew up with.
We have spoken to one person about him and she had a basenji that just passed away last summer with very similar behaviour issues. She is coming to our home on saturday this week.
I know me finding him a different home might be totally wrong in many peoples eyes and nastiness might follow..but shame on anybody for judging anyone trying to do what is best for their family and beloved pet.
This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do..I firmly believe that you do not give up on a family member or pet and he is very much my little angel. After a lot of praying and soul searching this is what is best for him.
No dog should live in a home locked up in a crate off and on through out the day even though you are home with him.
I will talk to my vet today about the lesions and it being something potentially. I have a dachshund with allergies, sneezing all day long..so off to the vet we go.
I think that re-homing him to a home without children or more then one other dog (female) that he would enjoy is the right move to make…. And someone that is dog/Basenji savy so that they can work on his behaviors. Anyone that would judge you for doing what is best for your family and your pet is certainly out of line.
Pat,
Thank you, that is exactly how we look at it.
We all know you Petra as one who would never just give up. There's no question the love and care you have for Otis. You are thinking the best for Otis. If you kept Otis in an environment that was stressful to him that would not be in his best interest. Let us know on the vet visit.
I think that re-homing him to a home without children or more then one other dog (female) that he would enjoy is the right move to make…. And someone that is dog/Basenji savy so that they can work on his behaviors. Anyone that would judge you for doing what is best for your family and your pet is certainly out of line.
I completely agree with Pat….sometimes the most difficult decision is the one that is best for the dog and the family, but it still breaks our hearts. We had to return our little brindle girl, Ariel, to her breeder before the twins were born, because she just couldn't get along with our other dogs; and we couldn't manage running three packs...I still get sad about it to this day, but she is gloriously happy back with Jeff...she runs with a few of his other dogs, and comfortably knows her place there..something she never seemed to find here.
I wish you and Otis the very best, however it works out, and we will be here to support you 
Thanks guys, I can't tell you how much it means to me to know that I can still stay onboard here if we go through with this..one day I hope I will have a basenji in my life that works well in our family, not only for us but more importantly for the basenji.
again, Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks guys, I can't tell you how much it means to me to know that I can still stay onboard here if we go through with this..one day I hope I will have a basenji in my life that works well in our family, not only for us but more importantly for the basenji.
again, Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
We'd be upset if you left! 
Petra, contact me off forum PLEASE.
Sharron..I just sent you an email..
By the way..Gus' vet visit went fine..allergies ..like we have to pollen and other springtime wonders..so he is on benadryl and feeling much better..no more sneezing..which is kind of funny looking and sounding coming from a dachshund…:);)
By the way..Gus' vet visit went fine..allergies ..like we have to pollen and other springtime wonders..so he is on benadryl and feeling much better..no more sneezing..which is kind of funny looking and sounding coming from a dachshund…:);)
That's good news! There's a dachshund down the street that we run into on walks and he's 16 and doing really well. He' very friendly to a youngster like Buddy for an old guy, just stands there wagging his tail. The lady says he's a "pretty tough cookie". 
Ms. B-mamma: You are doing the best you can for Otis. Don't let anyone tell you anything different. And I'm gald you are staying on here…it wouldn't be the same without you.
Petra, I don't remember where I read this, but "In matters of the heart, often the right thing is the most difficult". Trust me, anyone with empathy would not judge you for trying to find the best solution for Otis.
Several years ago a member of our dog park group had a young basenji he (and wife) adored. They got another rescue German Shepherd, and had a baby. Suddenly the basenji was not the center of the world and some negative behaviors got much much worse. Separation anxiety, soiling, very stressful for everyone and he was looking at rescue. One of our group contacted a classmate who had a male basenji, and after a weekend trial they took this little girl and immediately all her issues were gone. Dog is in a home that fits her better. Did the first owners love her, heck yes, did they want the best for her , yes! Did that mean finding her a home that was abetter fit for her, and them, at that time in all their lives…yes. The story has very happy endings, basenji girl and new family are very happy together, old family is happy, and glad to know their basenji is well loved and safe.
Sometimes things don't work out in spite of much effort. If you can help Otis find a loving home, you will be doing a wonderful thing. Maybe he needs a quieter life, less stimulation, who knows, but you can't risk keeping a biting dog around kids who may trigger the behavior. We all understand that!
Hugs, fingers crossed that things work out for everyone!
Anne
Anne, Belinda..
Thank you so much for your supporting words. This is one of teh hardest things we have done as petowners, but feel confident he is a great dog that deserves a second chance at living a great life.
We met with his potential new mommy yesterday and the meeting went very well.
He was of course a little reserved but warmed up after a little while. I will take him with me to our homevisit with her and then in a week or so he will, if all works out, move to his new home. She will take a weeks vacation from work so he will have time to get used to her and his new home before he is left alone during the days.
She has had a basenji in the past that had very similar issues, so she nows how to deal with it and feels he will be a great dog in her home. more importantly, she has now children in her home and none that visits on regular basis.
I will keep you posted as how it goes, but for now I am spending as much time with him as my life permits…and I am loving it. I will miss my little boy and he makes it very clear he will miss me too, he is very much "momma's boy"...
<hugs>
i'm so sorry he didn't work better in your home. sometimes it is so hard to do the right thing.</hugs>
I'm sorry Petra that you have to make such a tough decision.. I hope Otis will have a wonderful life in his new home. I can't imagine how hard it must be to 'lose' your boy.. I already had a difficult time giving up a guest.. Big hug for you for doing the right thing for your boy.
Petra,
i hope everything works out well for Otis and yourselves. His new home and owner sound ideal. I'm sure in time you will feel so much better.
Petra, you are doing the right thing. Hugs.
This does sound like an ideal solution. He will be confused at first, but dogs are "forward looking" and he will be happy again soon.
