Now to wait!
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This weekend we visited FoPaws Basenjis to look at the puppies they have right now. We wanted a red male, and one of the pups is already in our hearts. I cannot tell you how impressed we were with him, but moreso the breeding philosophies FoPaws has for their dogs and litters. Although I had initially hoped to bring pup home this weekend, I can totally understand why Therese and Kevin want "Z", to be named "Kipawa", a few more weeks. They put so much effort into training so that when each puppy goes to a new home, they are confident that the puppy goes to the home already trained in many areas of puppy life.
So, in the meantime, we are going to look at all areas of our home to make sure it is totally safe for Kipawa. Then, a few purchases (crate, litter pan, food that is currently being fed). And I'm also going to get in touch with our vet, who has a recommendation for a puppy obedience class.
The wait will be tough, but we'll get through it. Lots of puppy pictures soon! :)
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LOL I nearly didn't get Cara because I was so upset over not getting at 10 wks instead of closer to 14 wks. I truly believe that by 10 wks puppies are more than ready for new homes, usually by 8 wks. If you don't trust the new home to be up to it then, they aren't a good home. However, without a doubt Pam did a great job… but I still think a new home devoted to ONE puppy far more time and training and socializing than someone with litter. HRUMPFTH.
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When I saw the litter, Z was my pick puppy. He is a great little boy, a real eye catcher. I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy him.
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LOL I nearly didn't get Cara because I was so upset over not getting at 10 wks instead of closer to 14 wks. I truly believe that by 10 wks puppies are more than ready for new homes, usually by 8 wks. If you don't trust the new home to be up to it then, they aren't a good home. However, without a doubt Pam did a great job… but I still think a new home devoted to ONE puppy far more time and training and socializing than someone with litter. HRUMPFTH.
hi Debra, they way I look at it is that FoPaws knows their breeding dogs and the litters they will produce. They concentrate a great deal on temperament in addition to all other facets. Of course it's difficult to wait, but now there is time to look over our entire home and make it the best possible place for our new puppy, in addition to setting up obedience classes.
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Congratulations, so exciting..I know the wait is so long…I am waiting desperately for January to come around the bend...
Can't wait to see the pictures. -
When I saw the litter, Z was my pick puppy. He is a great little boy, a real eye catcher. I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy him.
We thought so too - a real eye catcher! And a love bug - he fell asleep cuddled against my arm and body. The puppies had been active when we visited, but then all conked out at the same time. :) So great to have Z conk out with me. :)
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hi Debra, they way I look at it is that FoPaws knows their breeding dogs and the litters they will produce. They concentrate a great deal on temperament in addition to all other facets. Of course it's difficult to wait, but now there is time to look over our entire home and make it the best possible place for our new puppy, in addition to setting up obedience classes.
Fran, you are absolutely right. Kevin and Therese put in a lot of effort not only in planning their litters but also in raising them. They work hard to make sure the right puppy is going to the right home and that they are going home with the skills they need to adapt easily to their new homes. I am sure you will be very pleased with Z and with your extended basenji family which is truly what you will be getting when you bring home a FoPaws puppy.
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Oh I am sure, but it still drives me wild :) Bottom line is simple… breeders have the right to place when they feel it is best and buyers have the right to go with a breeder they agree with. And when you look at such quality pups, you suck it up and wait no matter what you prefer.
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Fran,
i am so pleased for you and hope the time passes quickly untill you bring Kipawa home. -
Thanks Shelley. It IS hard to wait, but it gives me time to puppy proof our house. I'm actually finding that we have very little stuff at puppy level - I think with my hubby in a wheelchair we made sure there was not a lot of clutter on the floor. A basenji can do much less damage to a home than a man in a wheelchair. So I guess we are broken in for Kipawa munching a bit on say, a door. :) :)
Shopping for Kipawa is fun too! I'm still having a bit of trouble finding a nice 6 foot leather leash in the stores here. I may have to breakdown and buy via the internet.
And I see great cute stuffed toys, but then I start thinking what if he eats some of the stuffing. There isn't anything listing what the stuffing is made of, and if it comes from China, it concerns me.
A while back someone on here was either selling or knew of a place that made nice round leashes. Does anyone remember?
Thanks to everyone for the good wishes. We are so looking forward to having him in his new home!
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Leather leashes make great chew-toys, my Nicky (adult) can go through one in about 4 bites!
I see toy animals that don't have stuffing, just the 'fur-skin' so that should solve the 'eat the stuffing' issue.Huge congratulations on your pup, it sounds like you have picked a great one. Can't wait to see pics and hear about life with pup!
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Congrats Fran!! Kipawa sounds like a perfect puppy! The waiting is hard, but well worth it! And just remember there are more people experiencing the same.. ;)
If you have any pics… Don't forget to share them :p ;)
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Fran,
I just went on their site and saw Z Man..wow, he is so cute..You are so lucky to have him be your little guy. Can't wait to see more pictures of him.Petra
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Fran,
I just went on their site and saw Z Man..wow, he is so cute..You are so lucky to have him be your little guy. Can't wait to see more pictures of him.Petra
:eek: you've seen pics! Starts googling FoPaw's website
Edit: Oh my, what a handsome boy!!
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Well, being his future new mom, I think he is very special. I may have mentioned this, but out of the litter, he was the first to investigate us. I know that can just mean he is the pushiest, alpha dog, but his demeanor was one of curiosity, especially with my husband sitting in his wheelchair. Once his Dad Sober came into the room, he was on his best behaviour. Sober tended to 'soberize' the group of puppies, a nice trait. The best was meeting the parent dogs. I would tell people that it is absolutely necessary to meet the parent dogs, see the condition and mental state they are in for their age. Of course I realize some people get their new puppies from far away and it is not possible. But if you can do it, take some time to do it. If Kipawa turns out anything like Sober, we will be very lucky.
I puppy proofed 2 rooms yesterday - it was not difficult. Had to move a rattan basket that was on the floor of the ensuite bathroom onto the far side of the bathtub, in the corner. Our master bedroom was perfect. Nothing tempting at puppy height/imagination height. So we are doing a couple of rooms a day.
I saw a nice crate a couple of days ago and will go purchase it. The size is considered LARGE. Sizes are small, medium, large and extra large. EXLARGE was way too big, but the large one will fit a nice bed we have and will give Kipawa some room to move around in. I would rather get the right sized crate now than have to buy a bigger size later.
I am still looking for a litter 'pan' - round shaped and not too high. It's a little smaller than an outdoor garbage can lid turned upside down. But if I can't find it then I will use an existing litter pan we have that has an easy entrance to it (a cut out).
I'm finding it fun to buy toys and goodies, and will wait until Kipawa is here to buy him a little warm, waterproof coat. I have seen some that have velcro that goes under the dogs' tummy. What do you think about these?
Thanks for all of your helpful suggestions!
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Great choice.
Kevin and Therese are part of the Lukuru Basenji Conservateurs Project, and are helping Dr. Jo out a lot, so even though I have not met them yet I feel like we will be extended Basenji family. :)-Nicole
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Exciting news this morning! I spoke to Therese and we should have Kipawa in our home between Christmas and New Year's (we don't go out for New Year's eve.
And Therese has agreed with the name we are picking for Kipawa -
AKC FoPaw's Basenjis Man in Motion Kipawa. The Man in Motion part relates to a fellow very big in Canada named Rick Hansen. He did a world tour in 1986, wheeling around the world in his wheelchair to show people that those who have challenges can do whatever they dream of when they put their minds to it.Also, when we were down meeting Kipawa and his parents, we gave him a soft Gingerbread Man toy with our smells on it. We had slept with it a couple of nights. Therese says he has made that HIS toy, out of a huge selection they have there, and he has learned to squeak it.
The hole in my heart for my Barney cat will always be there, though filled with memories, but Kipawa will bring new joy to our hearts!
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How exciting!!! You will love being part of FoPaws extended Family…. that includes me.. Kobey was from a co-breeding that Kevin and Therese did with Lisa Hart. Kobey is sired by a litter brother of Sober, so Kobey is related to your baby puppy.
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Wow, Fran – you've waited so long for this. I'm so pleased to see your Basenji dreams realized!
I went to FoPaw's page and oohed and ahhed over their baby B pictures. Which one is "Z"? They are all adorable.
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Wow, Fran – you've waited so long for this. I'm so pleased to see your Basenji dreams realized!
I went to FoPaw's page and oohed and ahhed over their baby B pictures. Which one is "Z"? They are all adorable.
Z is the little man ;) I think the 3rd picture down. We are so proud to be getting a FoPaws puppy! And yes, it has been a long wait, but worth it. Things work in special ways sometimes - my dearest Barney cat became gravely ill with cancer and we had to put him down. On the other side of the border, Therese and Kevin had an early batch of puppies! Sometimes things are just meant to work out when they need to.
