@senjisilly just now saw your reply. Thanks for the pedigree website. I knew about it and it’s a great resource.
Soooooo disappointed…
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Well, getting back 3 is a lot… not the norm. But with experience you learn to weed out the bad owners.
Show homes are not worse than other homes-- a GOOD show home wants a pet AND show dog, not a show dog. A REAL show home is experienced and the behavior issues would probably not have come up.
I am sorry for what you have gone through-- but let me make a suggestion if you do decide to breed again. Make calls regularly. Constant contact, at least monthly the first year, helps to be on top of things so you can help new owners as things go along instead of get a dog back once the issues are at the "get the dog out of here stage." It gives you early warning of a bad placement so you can suggest rehoming instead of losing a lot of time while they put off doing what your gut tells you is coming.
And give yourself a HUGE pat on back for getting them back. However bad it is to get them back, having one go missing or finding out they dumped the dog and no way to trace is would be much worse.
DDS, a good show home can be wonderful, I agree, Im just not prepared for my babies to go to one, ever again. Once bitten twice shy ;)… Both the people that took these dogs were experienced show people, and I did grill them, and I did keep in regular contact with them, emails mostly but phonecalls as well. I still got it so wrong :mad:
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I can understand being personally wounded to have your beautiful puppies deemed "unwanted" by someone you trusted to love them for their whole life! It does sound like a lot of dogs to take back all at once, and I'm sorry for your string of bad luck. Regardless, I thank the world that there are responsible and sympathetic breeders like you who will not turn your puppies away. I hope other experienced breeders here can share their insights on how to ensure successful homes, because I'm sure there are a lot of subtle things that tried-and-true methods that I never would have thought about.
Thank you curlytails, and your post was one of the ones which made me cry :o… I think you hit the nail on the head, with the description about being wounded, that does describe it perfectly...
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Honestly, in the end it is really a crap shoot…. because sometimes people are really good at telling you what you want to hear... sometimes you go with what you think is the right home, but it turns out it is not.... I don't think there are really tried-and-tru methods unless with a prior Basenji owner (my favorite kind of home)... new owners that have not had Basenjis or maybe no dogs at all, you just never know. I don't look for show homes, if I get someone interested in showing that is super.. but it is not a requirement for me. The home is the most important.
Exactly Tanza… I thought I got it right, I really did, and the sad point is, I have NO idea how I can do it any better
... Yep an experienced B home I now think is imperative... -
As Pat says some people are good at pulling the wool over your eyes if they want to. It's very upsetting to have the dogs back but remember it could have been worse!
I don't think there is ever a fool proof way to ensure good homes but it is important I think to keep in touch with the new owners - sometimes things get too bad before you're aware.
I feel for you in having these experiences and for your beloved Basenjis.
Patty Im just gutted, and yep the wool was pulled over my eyes, well and truely. The sad thing is, its just not the breed to 'play around' with… Thankfully I wont have to worry about this anymore :(...
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I have a close friend and neighbour who is in another breed, and she says the same. Sometimes the "ideal" home doesn't work out and the one you felt was a bit "iffy" ends up to be the perfect placement. You just never know….
Completely agree…
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Exactly, all we can do is do the best we can and hope for the best. I had one puppy returned after 6 years because he didn't get along with the mix they purchased (which was more like they didn't understand the noise and rough play) and now had a toddler along with expecting twins and didn't want to spend the time watching the toddler, teach the toddler how to respect the dog or get a behavorist to help with the adjustment. Easier to call the breeder and give back the dog…. But the kicker is after they did that, they had the nerve to call and ask were the dog was placed and could they go and visit cause they missed him and the their mix bitch did too. You all can guess what my answer was..... a big fat NO!
shakes head, unbelievable, it really is… 6 years old :mad:
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Can't say much because my experience is nill, but I wanted to offer my support and hugs. I can imagine how incredibly emotional painful it is to have your pups returned to you. We are here for you!
Thank you Schouiffy, I appreciate that very much :)…
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Then last night I get an email saying that one of the girls in a pet home needs to come back to me ASAP, as the owner is seriously ill. No problems at all with her coming back, I completely understand this, Im just gutted for the owner as I know how much Gilah meant to her… Just now I have received an email from her owner, she is so upset, I read her email and its full of grief, and I just feel so sorry for her, she was a very much loved member of her family... Life can be very cruel sometimes...
QUOTE]
is there any hope of Gilah's owner recovering? How awful to be going through a severe illness AND have to give up your pup.
As to the other owners, sigh. I wish I knew what to say. Is there a chance the peeing pup is coming into season? And goodness, how hard is it to close the bedroom door?
Well actually as it turns out, the owner, at this stage, at least, will be keeping Gilah :)… Read the 2nd post I have done, on page 3, I think...
I doubt it, she wasnt housetrained when we got her, not sick at all, and I had tested her pee a few times... Clear...
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@debbi:
Speaking from a rescue standpoint, BRAT treasures the responsible breeders who take back dogs of their breeding.
Placing puppies with great homes can be very difficult. I placed almost all of the Wimauma Floria basenjis. There were 34 very young ones in the first group. I received over 200 applications for them. Thank goodness I was lucky enough to select good matches for them. It's been over a year since those placements were made. We try to keep in touch with each our adopters. Only one of these pups came back into rescue, and it was within the last month. I am thankful for the wonderful, loving homes these basenjis are in.
debbi j.
debbi j. I completely worship you for what you did for the Wimauma B's, I really do, and compared to what you deal with everyday, I feel like I shouldnt be complaining at all :o… What a fantastic result only having 1 returned, and I truely hope the number doesnt rise, beyond 1. Clearly a credit to you and the others who assessed the future owners... Wish I had your skill !!!
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oooh Saba, what frustrating chain of events..I am very happy, like yourself, that they all got returned to you an ddidn't get dumped. Sending my hugs and thoughst, I know you will find them all good homes, and I hope this doesn't discourage you too much.
Thank you very much Basenjimamma, they have a home here till the next perfect home comes along :)… Just hope I do it properly this time !!!
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Again I agree with all the support you have seen here… regardless if you ever breed another litter... know that you are totally respected that you care for the ones you did breed... and honestly... in the 4 litters that I bred, I got 4 pups back in total... but you know what... the ones that I placed are in homes I would die for... so to have those 4 come back are way over shadowed by that wonderful homes the rest have been placed in.... so don't as we say "throw out the baby with the bath water"... next time you know a bit more when talking to possible homes... not to say they will be perfect... but in the end, it evens out. And if you decide not to breed, then that is OK too.
Thank you Tanza, another post that sent me into a flood of tears :p… I seriously doubt I will ever breed again, though...
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My hat is off to you for taking back 3 pups all at once. I really feel for the owner who is ill, that is heartbreaking for human and dog. Hopefully they will be happy with you for awhile and you will find wonderful homes for them all.
Thank you MacPack, another teary one :o…
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It does suck, but you are doing what is right by your dogs.
Sometimes, being a breeder can be craploads of hard work and be quite sucky.
People lie to get what they want.
Unfortunately, we may not know what people want and we are looking for the good in people when placing our dogs.When my Mom was in her car accident she had recently gotten 2 dogs back… those came over to me to place, along with 3 more to place.
I already had 4 dogs of my own at the time.
I worked through it and put dogs in homes that were perfect for them, even though I did not get to show them any more. Life happens and you work around it.I had two dogs [18 month old r/w girl and 2.5yo b/w male] returned in June… within a week of each other. These families have incredible life circumstances and I thanked them dearly for bringing me the dogs. I still am looking ot place the girl in a great home. I got lucky and the boy is one that I had originally wanted to show but didn't have the space... now he gets to move overseas. It works for me and the dog. Just not my original plans.
Remember, it could have been worse had you not been notified and they been turned over to a shelter. You got VERY LUCKY. So did your dogs! Best of luck finding them their forever homes.
Again compared to you, Khanis, I really shouldnt be saying anything at all… Im very sorry about your Mum, a very hard time for everyone in your family, and I hope she is doing ok, (not sure how long ago this happened ???)...
I will be forever grateful to all 3 that they did get in contact with me. It does state so, in my contract they signed, but we all know, its hardly worth the paper its written on. As much as it hurt, I did thank them profusely that they let me know, then I have not spoken to either again :D... Thats not to the genuine 3rd pup's owner, just the first two...
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A breeder friend of mine made an emergency trip to Florida a few years ago when she found out someone was trying to give away…..or even euthanize.....one of her dogs that she had thought was doing well. The person didn't have the decency to contact her, but someone who knew both parties did. The story ended happily. She retrieved the dog and subsequently placed him with someone who treasures him, but it was a near thing!
Again why didnt she contact the breeder first, providing its in the contract ??? I guess there are reasons that they dont contact the breeder, but I still dont get it
Glad that this one had a happy ending… -
Ok now I have to apologise for dragging this thread out the way I did, I just dont know how to do it properly :o ;)… I wanted to acknowledge everyone who did send good wishes, it was very much appreciated by me, so thanks to you all
