@organicshadows - Don't feel judged, that is not what we are doing... just as been said, just honest opinions. And many, much, all of the things we have talked about goes for all breeds, not just Basenjis. And I laid out what I have done, because I could... the main point I wanted to make is that Basenji (and Whippet also for that matter since they are both sight hounds) is that they like windows to watch the world go by. And by window, NO blinds or you will find that redecorated as so to see out. Just as a point, I have friends that had many years ago a West Highland White Terrier, they lived in an apartment and she was the best pup... then they rearranged the room and she started to eat holes in the rug... until they figured out that they blocked her view of the outside... being bored in the house she showed her displeasure by eating holes in the rug. They put the room back the way it was and that all stopped period. The pup was happy! Just something to keep in mind.
Separation anxiety…
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I completely understand as well. I've turned into such a homebody since I became a dog owner… Unfortunately I also have to travel a lot for conferences and international research (well, in an "ideal" year, when I have funding!). Tears me up, even though I know I'm leaving the dogs in the loving care of my partner... who hasn't really had the opportunity to travel with me in about eight years now!
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Thanks to all of you for reassuring me, I thought I was starting to go crazy haha!!
Since the trip was something we have wanted to go on for a while now we aren't going to back out!! Zorro's babysitter reassured me that he will send weekly updates (or more) and he will treat him well! He is one of my closes friends so I am sure I can count on him.
It may be harder than I think to separate from Zorro at first because I am not going to be working one month prior to our trip!! So we will be joint a the hip before I leave!! I am just going to make it worse haha. -
Can you Skype with your caregiver while you are gone? Maybe it would help you cope if you could at least see him and talk long distance with Skype?
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I've only been away from Oakley four days in two years and it was bc he was hospitalized…and it was traumatic for us both!! The end of the year I'm planning a two week trip to Fiji and Tahiti but idk if I'll be able to do it! His separation anxiety is worse than mine and mine is UP THERE
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@Ana:
Zorro's babysitter reassured me that he will send weekly updates (or more) and he will treat him well! He is one of my closes friends so I am sure I can count on him.
I have babysat my aunts' dogs many times before, including twice where it was the first time they had left the newest addition. Keep in mind they were always gone for less than a week, sometimes maybe only 2 or 3 days. Yet I would text 2 or 3 times a day to reassure my one aunt that everyone was ok and doing well. If I missed a morning or evening update she'd be calling asking how they were doing. So I'm sure weekly updates probably will not be enough. Heck, when I've left Loki before for a couple of days I'm texting my husband at least once a day to see how things were!
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When I am away I talk to my husband daily to check up on Perry. While vacationing with friends, I kept in touch via email, and my husband's message would often be something like "Perry had three poops today". My friends thought it was hilarious!
(you have to be a Basenji owner to understand emails like that!) -
Update!!
We are leaving next monday!! I took Zorro to the vet today to make sure he is doing great, have his nails clipped and buy enough food for six weeks! I am geting so nervous about my trip and leaving him.
I actually had a little change of plans, my friend was supposed to take care of him for the whole time but now he will only have him for three weeks and my mother will take him the rest of the time. She is retired and has a big garden so he will not be spending so much time in his crate. (also get long walks and be treated like a king haha)
I made sure I would get a few updates a week and skype dates with my Zorro!! Hope everything goes well! I'll let you know how it goes and if I survive being away from him for so long!! haha
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I was surprised that our dog still remembered their breeder a year after we had received him. It was one of the few times he would wag his tail. Dogs, are imprinted with people and I believe do not forget someone special or someone they do not like in their lives.
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Well, we came back last month… When my mother brought Zorro to us, he seemed at first to not understand what was going on... But then he understood and was very excited! He picked up a few bad habits at her place but quickly realized he was back home with us and was back to the old Zorro!
It was so hard to leave him for so long, but I got regular updates and skype aswel! (which seemed to depress him as he ran around for hours trying to find us after)... I am so glad to be back home with him!! -
How was your trip?
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It was great!!!
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glad things went well with zorro, that skype thing i think was a good idea,i can understand to, them running around the house thinking where do you go where did you go lol, sounds like the wife will be going out to wa this thanksgiving to see our daughter,only for a few days,then come back, ill take some time off from work and girl sit : ) isis loves me but im not mommy
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Glad all went well! Ah sorry skype depressed him. Mine were confused that I had my daughter trapped in that box but they were overjoyed to see her.
