What great news - she is obviously settling well. Although Basenjis have often been house trained before leaving the breeder they do sometimes regress in a new home and I'm sure you'll find Malaika very clean.
Our Sweet 'Pi
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Okay first, a little video:
Bowpi "Flirting" with Bowdu (click link for video)For those of you with rambunctious B's or puppies or "normal" playful dogs, this is totally ho-hum and boring, but for us, it's a big deal. It's been nine months since we adopted Bowpi (she's about 5 or 6 years old), and while she's had no trouble bonding with my partner and me, she doesn't have much to do with our Shiba, whom we've had since he was a puppy. The most they usually do is take naps on the futon together (without touching), or get really excited at the same time when it's time to go to the park or when someone comes home. But they don't really interact.
The Shiba doesn't really "play" either. He likes to roughhouse and play tug-of-war with blankets and ropes, which is totally NOT Bowpi's game at all. So when she reached out to "bop" him on the head and he responded in a playful manner, I thought that was a big deal for BOTH of them.
She's shaking and throwing all sorts of nervous/calming signals (like the sneeze) because I think she's usually a little afraid of our growly, vocal Shiba at the same time that she WANTS to be accepted by him. Actually, she behaves the same way, reaching out with her paws to me or my partner when we come home. She reaches out, and then we pet her, and she quivers a little with excitement with her ears pinned back. Then she turns a quick little circle and reaches out again for more attention.
She's very demonstrative with her paws when she wants attention. In the past, I've been told by old-school trainers that this is a very "dominant" move when the dog puts their paw on TOP of you to DEMAND attention… but in Bowpi's case, while she IS clearly asking for attention, "dominant" is probably the last word I'd use to describe her.
Yup, there she is, totally "dominating" my boyfriend by lying on TOP of him, oh goodness! :p
One last random picture while I was typing out this entry… I noticed her hackles were all bristling while she was asleep next to me. Must be having a dream? We are lucky that she does not wake aggressively, though she has been known to let out a piercing, frightened scream in her sleep before.
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Oh, how precious! I watched a couple of your other clips too…. I really smiled watching Bowdu talk to you (when your giving Bowpi affection on the futon!)
A great way to start a Monday!
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Lovely lovey post. And the video was adorable
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Love it, how sweet. Thank you for sharing them with us.
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What sweeties they are! Thanks.
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What lovely pictures.
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Bowpi really is so precious!
I know that feeling of excitement you get over little things that others might see as an everyday occurrence, but for rescues it's a huge leap. I love seeing them blossom. -
Thanks so much for sharing! I giggled like a 4 year old when she was flailing her paws - what a sweetheart. I'm gonna have to go watch some more of your clips, I think.
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Had a nice walk around the lake in the hills today. This is becoming my favorite dog park, though it's a bit out of the way (still within city limits, but up some steeeep roads with lots of twists and turns).
If I could ever get them to sit-stay at that bridge, this would be such a scenic shot. But obviously, they're not interested in staying still.
This is not the most flattering angle of Bowpi, but I was so impressed by her sticky spider feet – I didn't know Basenjis could cling to precipices at 80-degree angles! It is not a very tall drop -- she would've landed in the water about four feet below if she lost her foothold. But she didn't.
Lots of stuff in the trees, too. -
What a wonderful park! And yes, basenjis can cling to anything to keep from falling into water! Thanks for sharing these great photos.
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What a beautiful dog park!!!!
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I just realized I called it a "dog park" when it's really just a park. Apparently in my mind, if a park is dog-friendly (specifically, if you're permitted to let them run around off leash), it's automatically for the dogs. Human enjoyment is only incidental. laugh
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I love the pictures!!!
