Otis just nipped my son…

[Basenjimamma]

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…:);)

[nobarkus]

@Basenjimamma:

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".

[AJs Human]

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.

[MacPack]

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

[Basenjimamma]

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"...

[agilebasenji]

<hugs>
i'm so sorry he didn't work better in your home. sometimes it is so hard to do the right thing.</hugs>

[Janneke]

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.

[thunderbird8588]

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.

[sharronhurlbut]

Petra, you are doing the right thing. Hugs.

[MacPack]

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.

[sharronhurlbut]

Dogs really do live in the now. I have been to classes that it takes 3 days for dogs in the shelter on average to quit looking for the old owner and get ready to pond with the new one.

[Kipawa]

Petra, you are really showing that you love Otis by letting him go. Know in your heart that you are doing the best thing for everyone involved.

[tanza]

And great if his prospective home knows the breed and understand what Otis needs… which is structure without distraction.... to redirect his attitude.

Hats off to you Petra for knowing what needs to be done and doing it...

[Basenjimamma]

Thanks guys..I am feeling more confident, meaning a little less emotional, lots of tears still though..I love this little guy.
I know he will do well, and I know his new mommy will love him.
I thank BRAT for giving him and us a second chance to a loving home, I know he will be a wonderful friend, pet and life mate for many, many years to come.

[agilebasenji]

Any updates?
Hope all is well.

[Basenjimamma]

AgileB..
Otis moved to his new family this past sunday. He is doing well, I am getting daily reports from his new mommy.
He was crying when we left but stopped after about 15 minutes and then proceeded to check the house out.
She took him for several walks sunday, outside her home, should he get out, so he knows where to go. He seems very comfortable in her home, sleeps with her on her bed, sits on the couch with her during snuggletimes and is just adjusting very well.
She took this whole week off from works, so they can have some serious bonding going on, which I really like that she did.

He has calmed down a lot over the last few weeks, I thing neutering helped him to a certain degree, but because our friends and family know him as a biter, we felt it wasn't fair for him to constantly have to have that label on him..he is a nice boy and will do very good with Nina.

She is used to basenjis, her boy Neil passed away last june.
She had him for 13 yrs, he had fanconi, so she is happy that at least Otis won't have to deal with that. Neil had agression biting issues, so she is very "comfortable" with Otis' issues and felt she can provide the strong leadship in his life that he needs.

I hope he is taking to this easier then me and my kids..lots of tears and sadness in our house right now..I know time will heal that, we did the right thing for him and for us..

Thank you for asking..

[Janneke]

I'm glad to hear Otis is doing well.. It must be so hard for you and your family to miss your beautiful and sweet boy…. I saw your signature and I felt sad immediately..
Big hugs for you all!

[agilebasenji]

sounds like a wonderful home and it's nice you're getting updates. You know, it must be nice for Otis to have so much love in his life. You love him enough to find him what he needed and his new mom loves him enough to take him in. Dogs are very adaptable creatures.

[Basenjimamma]

Thanks guys..
I feel like the biggest failure..I swore I would never give up on my animals..yet here I am. I know he will have a good life with her, I just hope he knows that too.

[Quercus]

That sounds like an ideal solution. I am so glad that all of you have some peace of mind now. It *is really hard to adjust to missing them…but as agile said...you love him enough to do the best thing for everybody. Hugs to all of you...