Looking for Basenji

[spkight]

Hi, I'm new to this list. I have previously had 3 basenji's - one when i was growing up. And two as recently as 2001 (male died of throat cancer) and 2002 (female died of congestive heart failure - although i think it was more of a broken heart from my males death the yr before). We have been checking regularly on the BRAT web-site, but they don't place a lot of theirs with smaller children - we have a 6 year old. We were wondering if anyone could help us with this. We live in SC, but would travel to surrounding states to pick up pup if we could find one. I really miss my babies and would love to have another one or two. Please let me know if anyone knows of any available close to my area.
Thanks, Susan

[sharronhurlbut]

BRAT will rehome b's with 6 yr old, as long as the kids are respectful of the dogs.
You do have to just through a few more hoops…but they are all very open to home where the parents decide that the kids need stucture, as well as the dogs.
The homes that don't work is where the folks think the b's are toys for the kids, or allow the children, to do "anything" they want to the dog..
Please, post to the person in your area and have a home visit.
We need more home for these rescue dogs!

[lvoss]

You can start at the Basenji Club of America's breeder directory at http://www.basenji.org/?q=node/30

You can also contact me through my website listed in my profile and I can send you some information for breeders in neighboring states.

[BasenjiByTheBay]

I'm a huge fan of BRAT and their associated rescue groups, but it is possible to find a rescue basenji through other sources as well. We have been in touch with our local (well, 4 hours away, but our closest) official basenji rescue for a long time, and try to donate to them now and then, but nothing ever quite worked out for us getting a pup from them.

We found our girl Fiji through a Pennysaver ad, placed by a woman looking for a new home for her. Our second guy we found on Petfinder - he was in a shelter a couple of states away and it took a lot of logistic maneuvering to get him home, but he was determined to be with us :p

This process is not as clear cut as using BRAT. Petfinder lists an amazing range of dogs as basenjis - pretty much anything reddish in color or with pointy ears. :rolleyes: And some that aren't even that similar. But if you're willing to check their website regularly and slog through a lot of listings, pure basenjis do turn up in shelters.

If you find a pup being privately re-homed, you can ask a lot of questions, and they may even give you truthful answers regarding health, disposition etc. Shelters have a hard time providing much info, because they generally just don't know. A visit can reveal some things about temperament. Of course, basenjis seem to be clever enough to be on their best behavior until they have time to make you fall in love…then, look out!

Unlike BRAT, where dogs are fully evaluated and you generally know a lot about what you're getting, shelter dogs may have a lot of challenges that surprise you. And that's even trickier when it comes to making sure dogs are compatible with kids, so be careful.

Our stories have had happy endings. Well, they're on their way to happy endings, anyway. Our new guy Bongo has been a little more challenging than our girl, but he's coming along. Of course, we have no idea what lies ahead health-wise for our kids since shelter dogs are not likely tested for Fanconi or other problems, or if they have been that info is not available.

The other thing you might consider is breeders near you that have adult dogs they are retiring from showing/breeding. http://khanisbasenjis.com/AvailableBasenjis.html
That would be a safer bet, since again you'd have a lot of info on the dog's temperament and health.

Good luck getting a basenji back into your family. Hard to live without them once you've gotten to know them, isn't it?

[sharronhurlbut]

Yes, breeders do sometimes have b's that either didn't work for showing, or come back to the breeder for some reason usually NOT the dogs fault.
I do suggest you find out where the b's are showing in your areas as well as the lure coursing events are happening.
The basenji world is a pretty small one, and even tho we have not met everyone we sure do hear a lots about EVERYONE! laugh.

[spkight]

Thanks Sharron. Maybe i'll try BRAT again. We were a little upset with them recently. There was a pair - Toby and Chloe - that we were interested in. Even their coordinator in PA was interested in us because we had previous B exp. They even said they would wait on us to have our home visit rather than place them with someone else who was interested. Then, about 3 days before our scheduled home visit, we get an e-mail that they had already placed them with someone else. Our local coord. Pat Dukes was even like - our SC couple thought they were high up in the running for these dogs. So, anyway, i ended up canceling the home visit because i could work and make some money that day, seeing that we were upset about them not waiting on our visit. The next day, i get an e-mail from BRAT that i've been removed from their listing - something i did not request. I've since had surgery and am around the house all the time - so i may try and do that home visit if i'll be accepted back by BRAT and not dumped again!

[sharronhurlbut]

I am so sorry this has happened to you.
I don't know about why this happened, but if you need to ask someone, I can get you an e-mail to ask questions…
We are all unpaid, and for myself, I do try to be honest and upfront with folks.
I don't know if there was a mixup or what, but do give BRAT a try.
When you re apply for BRAT, I would write a note and ask if you can have come clarification on to what happened, so it doesn't happen again.
Hugs for giving BRAT another chance.
WE do need a the good homes we can get.

[sharronhurlbut]

OH, I meant to add that BRAT just got another 10 b's into rescue.
I am not sure of the area, and I guess they are in pretty bad shape, as they have to have major vetting done.
So, if your thinking you can foster or adopt, please do try BRAT.

[spkight]

Basenji by the bay: Thanks for letting me know about finding B's on petfinder. I had looked before and the only ones that ever came up were the BRAT ones. Apparently I had put in "small" under size, and once i changed that, i found a few B's. I actually found a really cute tri male in OH. Now if i can just figure out how to get him to SC!!!

[sharronhurlbut]

I am delighted any b who is in a shelter is adopted by one of these informed folks.
Fingers crossed the boy in Oh is as lucky.

[BasenjiByTheBay]

The scary thing about B's on petfinder is uninformed folks adopting them because they're "cute". But since you're a knowledgeable B owner, it'd be a great thing for you to save that pup.

There is a list you can post to of folks that can help foster til you can get there, and sometimes even help transport. We weren't able to find anyone to transport our guy so we put together a chain of family and friends. But if it hadn't been for the BRAT chat list helping us find a woman who would spring him from the shelter and keep him til we could get someone there to pick him up, we might have lost him. Let us know if you need that info.

Warning: rescue is addictive. It's a great feeling to be able to save these little guys while you add to your family.

[sharronhurlbut]

That is always my fear re b's in shelters..often shelters will try to adopt them out over and over, when they are totally messed up, guess what, they call rescue…
Gee thanks...
Sigh.
We take them, but it would be so much better for the dog not to be given the trama of a non-smart basenji home...

[dash]

@spkight:

Basenji by the bay: Thanks for letting me know about finding B's on petfinder. I had looked before and the only ones that ever came up were the BRAT ones. Apparently I had put in "small" under size, and once i changed that, i found a few B's. I actually found a really cute tri male in OH. Now if i can just figure out how to get him to SC!!!

Did you figure out how to get this dog? If you are still interested, we are in OH and can help. We are in between fosters but I think we may be getting one of the 10 BRAT recently got.davdaj@yahoo.com

[spkight]

Dash: I never heard back from his foster. We e-mailed a few times and he explained that Beau's problem coming back was an already dominant b in the household. So, i asked what the adoption fee was, was there an application to fill out,etc. etc. so if i could get my husband to drive up with me could we get him…. never heard back from his foster.

I also inquired about a smooth fox terrier at a closer pound (north augusta,SC) to us. The lady e-mailed me back to let me know that he was really good with kids and to fill out an on-line application...did it..... never heard back from her either. You would think with all these doggies at pounds or in foster care that they would be trying a little harder to get these doggies permanent homes. Maybe i'm being a little hard on them, but i'm kind of frustrated. We may just have to wait till we can just go buy a pup this year!

If i could get in touch with Beau's foster in OH, i could definitely use some help getting him transported. if we could get him just a little closer, i'm willing to drive however far to get him. Thanks, Susan

[dash]

@spkight:

Dash: I never heard back from his foster. We e-mailed a few times and he explained that Beau's problem coming back was an already dominant b in the household. So, i asked what the adoption fee was, was there an application to fill out,etc. etc. so if i could get my husband to drive up with me could we get him…. never heard back from his foster.

I also inquired about a smooth fox terrier at a closer pound (north augusta,SC) to us. The lady e-mailed me back to let me know that he was really good with kids and to fill out an on-line application...did it..... never heard back from her either. You would think with all these doggies at pounds or in foster care that they would be trying a little harder to get these doggies permanent homes. Maybe i'm being a little hard on them, but i'm kind of frustrated. We may just have to wait till we can just go buy a pup this year!

If i could get in touch with Beau's foster in OH, i could definitely use some help getting him transported. if we could get him just a little closer, i'm willing to drive however far to get him. Thanks, Susan

Bummer. Maybe they found a home already or maybe the foster parent decided to keep him. Who knows. Good Luck.

[sharronhurlbut]

I really do try to get info to folks who have posted in interest in a basenji, even if its not something they want to hear, the dog was not given to rescue, or another home is found.
I so apprecaite all the folks who work to help these b's needing homes.
Hugs.

[snorky998]

Bummer it certainly is:( , but don't you think a follow up email or a courtesy call would be nice in cases such as spkight's.

I had the same unwelcoming attitude from our local "Orphans of the Storm" and it really leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I have never called them again about a rescue, stray or feral.

It truly breaks your heart and your trust when you start to love a "maybe pet", then get shut out. I have been told from a respectable, local animal control officer that it is a common practice for some shelters to have a "walk in" want a pet that has been slated for possible adoption, then the walk in offers more $$$ to the shelter, and wham-bam-thank you-ma'am, it's a done deal, you're "maybe pet" is gone to the highest bidder regardless of home, yard, or experience.:mad:

[snorky998]

Sharon, I didn't see your post before mine (was cooking dinner in between). Just wanted to clarify, I was NOT including BRAT rescue in my post. I have only dealt with the agency on line, and not in a personal (email-phone) manner.

[sharronhurlbut]

Oh, ok, I do understand.
I have had shelters call me re getting a basenji into rescue and then not call back when I phone them.
I don't know if they are just overwhelmed or what…but they do imo need someone who calls and says we don't need you...
Laugh..what is for dinner???

[snorky998]

Oven roasted Perdue chicken, stuffing, and garden veggies (those not already pureed under the feet of the 2 residential garden marauderers-Ty & Kate).

What do you have planned? I keep running out of ideas:o . Do we need a recipe topic??