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Things I have learned from/since getting my Basenji…

Basenji Talk
  • 1. Everyday is an occasion for a ticker tape parade, even if you have to use paper towels and tissues to make your confetti.

    2. Basenjis are not very good at helping you make the bed. They are however, great at unmaking it.

    3. Cuddling should happen at any time even when you are busy with something else…just stop and cuddle!

    4. Running is not about a hurry to get somewhere... It's about joy!

    5. If you are adorable enough, you can get away with almost anything! :D

  • Yea, your hooked…glad you joined this basenji lovin' cult!

  • Splendid thoughts about our basenjis! You have definitely been hit by basenji disease! :)

  • Wow. I can't agree more. It frightens me to say so. But honestly, they wiggle their way in your heart and what others find horrifying, I just find amusing and cute! Am I now officially hooked on Basenjis?

  • @bewler:

    Wow. I can't agree more. It frightens me to say so. But honestly, they wiggle their way in your heart and what others find horrifying, I just find amusing and cute! Am I now officially hooked on Basenjis?

    You are!!!

  • You've joined the rest of us suspended from those hooks!!

  • Yep. that about covers it… oh and:
    6. Its "mine".

  • 7. Sunlight is always more important.

    :)

  • 8. That food MUST be for me!!

  • Yep, you're hooked!
    I don't even get upset at chewed furniture anymore… I figure it will always be there to remind me of them!

  • Basenji Wish List

    Sunshine, full belly,
    toys, treats, races with my friends
    warm bed at night, bliss

  • oooooh, that's lovely eee!

  • @eeeefarm:

    Basenji Wish List

    Sunshine, full belly,
    toys, treats, races with my friends
    warm bed at night, bliss

    a haiku! yay!

  • 9- There unconditional love. :)

  • Anything that falls on the floor is mine!
    If I can take it from you-it's mine!

  • 12- Things on counter tops are there to help me keep mentally and physically fit by figuring out how to get up there and doing it.

  • LOL, btw– We have not one but 2 people wanting this dog (she opens jars of stewed tomatoes, no breaking of the jar or lid) and eats them. She came out of puppymill-- bless her heart she is making up for lost time! Opens cabinets... LOL, yes we learn a lot about the world, and how insane we must appear to others to enjoy it!

    Her foster Mom says she’s breaking records for jumping up and on things such as the kitchen table and counter, without really pushing herself too hard. She’s learning not to counter surf and hop up on tables. Apparently, she has an aversion to hydrangeas–she's twice taken hydrangeas out of a vase (without upsetting the vase) while leaving other flowers alone, even if the other flowers are right next to the hydrangeas. She's responsive to training when she is caught in the act. She’s moving along with house breaking. The new forever family will have to continue to work with her on this.

    Her behavior is mostly good when someone is home, but all bets are off when no humans are around. She's a Houdini, escaping from two different crates. She can open cabinets, jars, just about anything. Tansy is a very smart girl and needs a home that is basenji experienced and will stay one step ahead of her or at least try!!! She’s doing best in her foster home by confining her and the resident basenjis to only a couple of rooms, using two stacked baby gates across the door. This is less than ideal as there are still many things for them to get into, which they completely have done.

  • @DebraDownSouth:

    LOL, btw– We have not one but 2 people wanting this dog (she opens jars of stewed tomatoes, no breaking of the jar or lid) and eats them. She came out of puppymill-- bless her heart she is making up for lost time! Opens cabinets... LOL, yes we learn a lot about the world, and how insane we must appear to others to enjoy it!

    She sounds like little genius dog…I love dogs with smarts and opinions :D

  • Debra - she sounds like a sister or soul mate of my Bungwa - at 7 he is still the same!

  • I thought hydraneas were poisonous to dogs?

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    My Rosa wrote the "How To Be a Basenji DIVA" manuscript - as many rules there were, it was so worthy of a 'script' at the end! She, and all her offspring, had spring and fall heats, but I only bred her once in the spring. That produced one puppy, my Captain. She always ruled over her pups, except when Captain came along - she did what HE said when he was about 2 weeks old!
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    @jordandwilly - Thanks for clearing that up.... 9-5 is just fine, IMO.... I work and have always had to leave mine when I was at work, never an issue. That said, we were able to set up the house that access to the backyard (with 10 to 12' privacy fences) with a doggy door and a dog room in the house for them, Locks on the gates so there is NO access for anyone. Dogs sleep 90% of the day so being at work doesn't bother them... never have mine even when I had a litter in the house (And have been in the breed as owner/breeder for 35+ years). You can hire a dog walker to take them out mid day..which is a good solution. and give them a mid day meal depending on their age. I do not and never have used free feeding, period. Especially if you have more that one... you never know what/who is eating what. And you can set up camera's on line to watch them from "afar".... LOL. Keep in mind people that many of us need to work and have day jobs. The most important thing is the time you need to spend with them when you are home. Example would be, if you have young children and you work... when you get home you are going to spend your time with your human children... NO dog would be happy if left out... they need their time also because they are a family member and need as much time as a human child. Again in my opinion
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    @emmett Hope you're still reading our responses. I'm impressed that you're doing research and reaching out to people who have the breed of dog you're interested in. In my opinion you're doing exactly the right thing. I also like that you're considering a Basenji. I really hope you'll keep that seed of interest in the back of your mind, and that when the time is right that you'll revisit having a Basenji. As other have pointed out, and you've concluded... a Basenji may not be the best choice for where you are right now. Another thought might be to find a local dog park, go there, observe the dogs, the way that they interact with their owners and see if particular breed looks interesting. Some are laid back, some are high energy, some crave attention, some want independence, etc. Watch them. Get use to spotting the behaviors that you want in a dog. Then, when it comes time for you to choose your dog for life, you'll be better prepared to spot the personality, or temperament as we call it, that best fits where you are in life. In turn you'll be making the best choice for your new pal as well. We have great members here with decades of experience breeding, training, showing and co-existing with dogs. I hope you'll stop by anytime you have any questions at all. They don't have to be about Basenjis. Good luck and let us know if you get a pup!! :oncoming_fist: :slightly_smiling_face: :thumbs_up:
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    on the heat of the sun???? Basenji love the heat. If you had a fireplace, it will be within inches of the hot logs.
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