Greetings and Thanks!
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Thanks for the warm welcomes! Yes, I know a year of
reading all about all of you while I stayed quiet - that's just not right!
Our wonderful basenji came from a experienced breeder in NJ, kennel name Djakomba. We had done a ton of research, decided a B was right for us and lucked into finding the breeder within 1 1/2 hour of our home. We waited a long time - first met her and some Bs in January 07 but had to wait for the fall breeding; and finally brought our Jack home in January 08. I have bad
allergies and that's how we first found the breed, but SO many of the
qualities seemed right for us. My dh is great with dogs, and wanted a dog
for years. I held him off long enough until I felt that my kids were old
enough (ages 6 and 9 when Jack came home) and I felt I was ready for another baby! We were very very happy with our breeder. Jack comes from an excellent line, and falconi (sp?) tested, and all that. The first few
months were really better than expected, but we had done so much homework (esp thanks to all of you!) that I think we were just well prepared. He was housebroken quickly, rings a bell at the door to go out which is the coolest thing! He has bonded so much with the 4 of us, and that seems to be our real problem with him - separation anxiety. Not as bad as some others I've read here, but I don't think he'll ever go to his crate willingly. He's fine once in there, but just not happy that we are leaving. He's been well socialized, loves people and so happy around other dogs, which is why we think we'll get another. We're waiting on news of the breedings this month, so we'll know if Jack will likely have a little sister early next year. Sometimes I think we must me crazy! But as my dh says, we have 2 parents, 2 kids, seems right to have 2 Bs! Below is a photo of Jack at maybe 6-7 months, then about 10 weeks. Do not have this photo thing right yet - they are either too big or too small, but I'll keep working on it.
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Yes - he is Djakomba's Jack of Spades! I was amazed to log on and see that you figured that out already!! But what was I thinking - you guys know your Bs! It seems that Doris has a few Bs that she co-owns with various families. I don't think she's as active a breeder as she was in the past. Jack's litter was mostly intended for pet families, but I think one of his litter sisters is being shown and Doris considered showing Jack. Before we got to the point for her to see him grown a bit and decide on his qualities, we as a family decided that was just not right for us. Too much time involved for us right now with active young kids. We were lucky that Doris decided to use our call name Jack in his name. She was working on a theme for the litter and worked with Jack. So he's our pretty Jack of Spades. He does have just the littlest white on his nose and under his chin, and it does make his face striking. We each had different names for him to begin with - Captain Jack, BlackJack, Jack Black, Jack Rabbit Slim so it became just Jack :) Although Jack-Attack seems fitting now!
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Thanks again for all the welcomes!! Tanza - yes, #2 would be coming from Djakomba also. She mentioned having a few shows, but I didn't know the results. She sent us photos of her new boy, Sam, that's probably the one you are talking about that won - boy he was a stunning tri. She might have 2 of the females she co-owns bred, one might have been this weekend…we are waiting to hear.
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Thanks for that info - not something I was aware of but will keep in mind and be sure to ask. Right now we are pretty sure we'd like a second, but have some concerns as my dh has been transferred with his job to a location much further from home. When Jack was a little pup, my dh could get home at lunch to feed him and let him out of his crate for a bit, the 3 days I am at the office (work at home 1-2 days). With a little luck, he'll be back at his prior work location before Jan/Feb rolls around and we'll be ok. Fingers crossed but we'll deal with that hurdle when the time gets closer.
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Nice b…welcome.
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I just noticed this thread. Sorry to be so behind the times. My little girl Chloe is Jack's littermate and you are right, I have been showing her, today was our fourth show and our first outdoors one. What a mess. Lots of mud!! Aren't they the greatest little pups?
Karen
