I always wanted a dog, but my stepfather was allergic. My husband grew up with basenjis in the 50's in New Bedford MA. They never showed, just had them as pets. They did everything wrong– let them run loose, bred them without planning, but he had great stories about them, particularly one girl named Congo.
His family had a rescue B named Rusty, who was a great character (also loose, but luckily a homebody) when I met him in the 70's. I liked Rusty's aloof confidence, and got my first B in 85-- Kenji. He was backyard bred-charming but turned very dominant and difficult at adolescence, but we worked with and had him until he was 13.
We got our second dog from Matahari B's, and Caddie was a tricolor sweetheart for 15 years.
Now I've got the gentlest, most outgoing B I've ever met. Sol was raised by someone else, and they did a great job-- thanks Eldorado!
I adopted him at 5, and after a few weeks of thinking about it, he decided to stay (he jumped the fence twice, but came when I called the second time). He's my best friend, and even goes to work with me in the winter. And sometimes I wonder if he's really a basenji, because he wags his tail so much-- but only for me.
Things I have learned from/since getting my Basenji…
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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!
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Yea, your hooked…glad you joined this basenji lovin' cult!
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Splendid thoughts about our basenjis! You have definitely been hit by basenji disease!
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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?
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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!!!
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You've joined the rest of us suspended from those hooks!!
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Yep. that about covers it… oh and:
6. Its "mine". -
7. Sunlight is always more important.
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8. That food MUST be for me!!
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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!
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Basenji Wish List
Sunshine, full belly,
toys, treats, races with my friends
warm bed at night, blissa haiku! yay!
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9- There unconditional love.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Debra - she sounds like a sister or soul mate of my Bungwa - at 7 he is still the same!
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I thought hydraneas were poisonous to dogs?
