One thing about the AF's and raising litters…. from what I know and have heard over and over, one of the most important things is early socialization with the outside world..... Early and often....
A true African Beauty
-
Last week I was looking at the website of the animal shelters.. (stupid me..) When I was looking under "hounds" I saw there was a "basenji mix". Those are pretty rare overhere, so I had to click on her name.. There was a story about a 10 month old girl. She was imported from Gambia and then placed in the shelter in Amsterdam. There was no picture, so I decided to send an email. They asked me if I wanted to call them and I did.. They told me that Fossa, that's the pup's name :), was brought to the Netherlands by 3 young women. They worked in Gambia, spotted her on the street and placed her into quarantaine. After at least 4 months they put her on a plane to Germany.. picked her up there.. and then decided they couldn't take care for her and brought her to the shelter…
Someone working at the shelter had her at home for a few weeks and since this week she's in the shelter and up for adoption. She's not housebroken yet, a bit scared of new things and strange people, but really nice with other dogs..
BF and I decided to go and have a look today.. :rolleyes: (stupid us ;)). Of course we had Tillo with us. First we saw some pictures of her. Those pics are also on the website now: http://www.dierenasiels.com/specshond.cfm?id=219260 We liked her immediately! And then someone brought her to us.. She was sooo shy.. Tillo liked her, but she thought Tillo was a bit scary.. We got her leash and took her for a looong walk. She didn't pull once.. And suddenly she felt less shy and showed us a proudly carried curled tail! Super cute!
We also let Tillo and Fossa off leash in a fenced in play area and they weren't playing, but they were sniffing together etc, they looked like a nice couple
Here some pictures we took with our iPhones:
"Oh my.. who are you?"
"My tail is telling you that I feel right at home here"
Tillo and Fossa
Tail down
Cute ears huh?
So after falling in love, we had to decide what to do… And we decided to wait until monday.. I was planning to bring home a puppy this season.. And now I don't know what to do... I wanted a basenji girl to show etc.. and BF already made clear that if we take Fossa, we won't be adding a puppy for the next 3-4 years..
So.. Help...?
-
I'm no help. I say take her and work on the BF later. No one can resist a cute Basenji puppy!
-
Fossa is beautiful, very special, and would probably do quite well in your home and with Tillo, methinks. I think you should just take her! Are your boyfriend's concerns with adding another dog about time/money/space? I agree that you should pace yourself, but I also believe that if the "right" dog presents him/herself to you on the spot, you should just go with your heart, especially if your heart says you will be able to do right by the animal.
-
oh she is very striking looking. I can see how you'd loose your heart to her. good luck in what ever you decide. I have 4 dogs, 3 doesn't really seem like too many.
-
I think she ended up in the Netherlands for a reason!
What better home could she have then with you both & Tillo.. -
She is gorgeous. I see a bit of Azawakh in her. She is tall in the leg and quite rangy looking. I don't envy you the decision, I would be heartbroken over such a lovely girl. Let us know what you decide to do.
-
Wow, she is stunning! I love the floppy-eared Basenji look! Thanks for sharing these; they made me smile. Good luck with your decision-making.
-
Take her. Puppy breath can wait another year - besides you have to work on Tillo's agility career before bringing in a pup to take up too much of your time :O) She is lovely. And as Kim says - I have five very active in every possible performance venue basenjis - three is easy breezy!
-
It would be such a shame if she misses a chance of a good home. 3 - 4 years is not such a long time to wait for a Basenji and after all BF may soon change his mind!!
It seems awfully cruel of someone to bring her from her homeland and then 'abandon' her. I just can't understand people! At least if you take her, her story could have a happy ending after all.
-
Take her. Puppy breath can wait another year - besides you have to work on Tillo's agility career before bringing in a pup to take up too much of your time :O) She is lovely. And as Kim says - I have five very active in every possible performance venue basenjis - three is easy breezy!
Agree!!! Take her…she needs an understanding, knowledgeable human like you. Puppies will always be available..this girl needs you now
-
Quite the Basenji "mix". She looks very basenji other than the perky ears, very unique in my opinion.
If Tillo likes her, I think you know the answer.
-
@sonnyboy:
I think she ended up in the Netherlands for a reason!
What better home could she have then with you both & Tillo.. I totally agree with sonnyboy…
AND I want to meet her too
-
Things happen for a reason, too many coincidences led you to her to ignore. And perhaps you will "foster" her and socialize her for someone else? The odds are that BF will fall in love with her. She is indeed very striking, and her ears may come up, who knows. If she is a mix, she is 90% basenji. And very cool that she is actually from Africa!
If you were hoping that votes from Forum will help your decision, looks like you have another dog. My "motto" is that "often the best dogs just 'happen to' you when you least expect it, be open to the call".
That said, it is hard when you have a plan, so if you stick to your plan for a puppy next year, that will be great too, I'm sure this darling girl will find a home.
-
I agree things happen for a reason she was meant for you ,enjoy her im sure if you really want to have a puppy for show what's one more ?3 basenjis are fine together
-
Thank you all for your opinions
It was a hard decision for me, because I'm the one that wants a show puppy.. BF could care less about shows, pedigrees etc, as long as it's a sweet dog, it'll do It took me two years to really convince him to get a second dog, and after meeting Fossa it only took about 30 minutes for him to say that a third will be welcome too, but not for the next 3-4 years. (money, time, space.. everything, I fully agree with him on that one.. And Fossa will need time to grow up too)Sooo.. Do I want that puppy now..? Or can I wait…? Pff.. hard one.. I already have a bunch of puppy collars.... but I think that the best thing I/we can do.. is go for Fossa.. She's already on this planet looking for a good owner.. I think we can offer her what she needs. And who knows? Maybe she will turn out to be great in agility
I will call the shelter tomorrow morning. The only problem we have is that we can't pick her up before wednesday... I hope the shelter won't mind keeping her two days longer..
-
If Fossa finds a home between now and Wednesday, then maybe it wasn't really meant to be.
If you were already on a breeder's waiting list, be sure you also call them to let them know. They may have been turning away perspective homes because their list was full and will now have to start screening for another home.
-
She is gorgeous. I see a bit of Azawakh in her. She is tall in the leg and quite rangy looking. I don't envy you the decision, I would be heartbroken over such a lovely girl. Let us know what you decide to do.
I saw the Azawakh too in the pictures.. especially in this pic: http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu230/jobammerlaan/Fossa/Fossa6.jpg
Another breed I love, so I have no problems with that.. -
Take her!!! Jaja i agree, next year who knows, you may get the puppy anyway!
-
If Fossa finds a home between now and Wednesday, then maybe it wasn't really meant to be.
If you were already on a breeder's waiting list, be sure you also call them to let them know. They may have been turning away perspective homes because their list was full and will now have to start screening for another home.
Yes, I agree and yes, will do.. after wednesday of course.. I still have a hard time letting that puppy go.. Sigh..
-
Fingers crossed you can give her a lovely home. I love Azawakhs too
