Once again, we were happy to join in on the summer event that Kipawa's breeders host for those who own a basenji they have bred.

The weather was cooler on Saturday, which meant it was going to be great for lure coursing. We found out that Kipawa is extremely fast at lure coursing, other than accounting for the corners of a rectangular course. His turns were very wide, but to him, that's just fine because it means he gets in more running.

Another activity new this year was 'peanut balancing'. It was so neat to see how Kipawa responded to his breeder on this exercise. The attached pictures show how Kipawa built trust and his balance to eventually stand on the wobbly peanut. It was interesting to watch him feeling and understanding which muscles he needed to use to stand on the peanut.

Needless to say, I'm going to order one of these peanuts. Here is the URL I was given: http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?Product=23505&rec=PDHtop#pr-header-23505

Looks like he did wonderful! In Loki's puppy class we did the same exercise, with the peanut, regular exercise balls, and barrels placed on their side and with something underneath while upright to make it wobbly. One of the pics I posted of Loki months ago is of him on the peanut. A regular exercise ball is more challenging as you first need to make sure you have a good hold on it and then gradually loosen your hold so it wobbles however much the dog can handle at the time. And of course it is far more unstable than the peanut.

The peanut looks a good idea and I suspect is a step in the exercise on the ball. Didn't he do well? I look forward to some more photos when he's got his own peanut.

it must be great to link up with his pals and relations.

We did not try a perfectly round ball, but that will be something to try once Kipawa learns the peanut and can balance well on it. For the first time, I think he did quite well on the peanut, because he does tend to be hesitant to try new, more physical things. It's amazing how when you broaden your thoughts, you can find games and activities for our basenjis by looking at rehab therapy equipment and childrens equipment.

Patty, I can't tell you how awesome it was to visit his breeder again, and to meet the humans who own Kipawa's relatives. Kipawa was particularly attached to his Mom. When the humans were eating, we had the basenjis in their crates. Kipawa got to be in a lovely dog run with his basenji Mom. It was so adorable to watch Karma meeet/greet him, sniff him and then lay her head on his shoulder, almost saying "so good to see you again, my son." They stood like that together for a long time. Of course I didn't have my camera. I really need to get a cell phone with a decent camera in it. That way I'll be ready to take a picture of these spontaneous moments.

In the morning, the dogs were taken out in the huge grassy field and were allowed to sniff each other. Things went extremely well, even with intact male dogs sniffing each other. If any of the basenjis even growled lightly at another basenji, a human would approach the two dogs and verbalize that it was time for them to move on and go play (distracting them). It all worked out so well!

We also now understand from day 1 why Kipawa gets excited when we drive over any speed bumps where we live. There are speed bumps in the road before you get to his breeders' home.

Kipawa is cheating by sitting his butt down on the peanut!! Just kidding, Fran! It was wonderful to meet you and Darryl.

@krunzer:

Kipawa is cheating by sitting his butt down on the peanut!! Just kidding, Fran! It was wonderful to meet you and Darryl.

CHEATING? MY DOG CHEATING?

Kipawa was being inventive. He was just showing versatility to his basenji friends by sitting down on the peanut, thus demonstrating there was an array of poses possible on the peanut.

How did your pictures turn out? I would love to see them. Have you posted them anywhere?

And it was great to finally meet you guys too! I thought Tucker and Kipawa were the most handsome doggie dudes there.

@Kipawa:

CHEATING? MY DOG CHEATING?

Kipawa was being inventive. He was just showing versatility to his basenji friends by sitting down on the peanut, thus demonstrating there was an array of poses possible on the peanut.

How did your pictures turn out? I would love to see them. Have you posted them anywhere?

And it was great to finally meet you guys too! I thought Tucker and Kipawa were the most handsome doggie dudes there.

I have yet to download my pics from my camera! My computer won't connect to the internet so that is why I haven't been on in so long! Tuck and Kipawa are very handsome doggies. Once I have my internet up and working I will post some of the pics on here, most definately.

I was looking at some pictures of the basenji event yesterday, and I have quite a few of Tucker and Kipawa. They were getting along sooo well! I know we're prejudiced a little, but yes, they were the most handsome boys there!

I'll look forward to seeing your pictures. Last year I think I took more pictures, but when I saw you with your camera, far more professional than mine, I thought I could hang tough and wait to see yours. Are you going to post them on facebook? I can't even remember if I have you as a friend on facebook - sheesh! I really need another morning coffee. Seriously!

@TMartin:

Looks like he did wonderful! In Loki's puppy class we did the same exercise, with the peanut, regular exercise balls, and barrels placed on their side and with something underneath while upright to make it wobbly. One of the pics I posted of Loki months ago is of him on the peanut. A regular exercise ball is more challenging as you first need to make sure you have a good hold on it and then gradually loosen your hold so it wobbles however much the dog can handle at the time. And of course it is far more unstable than the peanut.

I haven't ordered the peanut yet, but now that you are talking about the regular exercise ball, I might go for that instead, because I can use it to stretch out my lower back.