@curlytails:
I guess it never occurred to me that someone who got their dog from a reputable breeder would ever let shame or fear of judgment prevent them from returning a pet. I've always found that good breeders and rescue organizations made that point very clear, both in person and in writing.
I just figured that anyone who did not contact or even think about contacting their breeder in the first place, and is trying their luck with the Craigslist rabble probably didn't get their pet from a reputable source.
I wonder if there's a statistic about how many basenjis are purchased from "reputable breeders" with signed contracts, versus the rest of the basenji population: those from pet stores, small breeders, animal shelters, humane societies, or perhaps from friends? Or how many basenjis become family members because they show up on your doorstop, and then no one claims them?
People that place dogs on Craig's List shouldn't all be lumped together as a bunch of non-caring rabble rousers that are trying to dump their dogs. Craig's List is a free way to place an ad that has reunited many dogs with their owners, and when owners have to part with their dogs, I can understand using the same venue to try to find a new owner.
I think of the beautiful red basenji that was lost a year ago in TX, (Jose?), and how that family is still looking for their pup. With that thought in mind, I keep posting the photos of the available dogs, hoping that someone will see their lost basenji and can be happily reunited.
Here are my two Craigs List Basenjis: Halo (aka Lola) and Sophie… If I would need to find them a new home, I would probably go to BRAT, but if people don't know about BRAT, where else do you turn?
Just my two cents.