Odie is a handsome and healthy 3.5 y/o tri-color purebred Basenji male. He is currently being fostered in Washington, DC, but was surrendered by an owner who hated having to give up 'her baby' but could no longer take care of him properly and decided it was best for him to find a new home. I adore this boy, but since I already have three Basenjis of my own in a small condo, I cannot keep him myself and am hoping to find him a great new family.
Odie was an only dog, and would be OK as an only dog again, but he has really enjoyed the company of his foster siblings and is a very social and playful boy so the ideal home would be one seeking a second dog, preferably looking for a companion for a non-alpha resident female.
Odie is generally well-mannered, non-destructive, and house-broken. He enjoys attention and affection. He is a playful boy, but is happy to snuggle up with you to for attention and to sleep.
Odie was originally going to be placed by BRAT but on the day of this transport he bit the transporter (male) and myself (male) on the thumb. I learned afterwards that Odie was abused in the past by the former husband of his previous owner. Nonetheless, because he bit us both, BRAT cannot risk placing him through the rescue, so I agreed to help the owner find him a new home.
Odie has been with me for 6 weeks and has not bitten or presented any other aggressive behavior since that first day. I'm quite sure he reacted out of fear and stress having been taken from the only 'mom' he had ever known and then finding himself in the custody of strange men. Once he realized I was not going to hurt him, even after he bit me, he reverted to his usual sweet demeanor. Nonetheless, he was abused in the past, and as a result he needs to be handled with positive training techniques and non-physical correction, if necessary. He now understands that not all men wish to hurt him and is happy to approach and interact with both men and women, adults and children, as well as other dogs. However, if someone were to strike him or punish him in a hurtful, aggressive manner, it could undo all the trust he has learned. Therefore I will only place Odie with a home that understands how to handle a dog without abusive behavior.
If you think you can provide Odie a good home with lots of love and affection, please contact me at: jrinlogan@gmail.com. Though I have spent money to ensure Odie is up-to-date on all vetting, I am not seeking reimbursement and there will be no fee to adopt Odie. I am most concerned with finding him a great home, so I will vet any applicant as thoroughly as possible to ensure his new adopter is basenji-savvy and I will request the adopter to sign an agreement stating that if for any reason the placement doesn't work out that Odie will be returned to me.
Unfortunately, it sounds like he and Tucker would not get along since Tuck is definately an Alpha male himself and has identical issues from apparent past abuse. While I know how to care for these guys, I doubt they would get along.
And keep us posted on little Odie. Love that name too! So cute!
