While I know the original poster has (sadly) left the forum I would like to say this:

1. it is an impossible situation to decide you have to rehome a beloved pet. Not everyone is responsible but at the same time not everyone looking to give up their pet is irresponsible.
2. not everyone is privy to the agreement made between a breeder and an owner or whether it’s in the best interest of a dog to return to its breeder, in many case years later. In some cases it is just not in the best interest of the dog to return to its breeder due to reasons we may not know or for those in the industry know but don’t openly speak about. Sometimes people can find out practices after the fact that you would not want your dog returned into.

Oakley is now 8 years old and as many know I have been a member of this forum since the anticipation of his birth arrival. It has been a hell of a journey...a ton of medical expenses and a lot of difficulty. Oakley has separation anxiety and confinement anxiety (legit no closed doors in my home)...he is not dog friendly despite being raised differently, he is not good with strangers to the point I cant have people in my home, and he is food possessive. I have spent upwards of 15k for his care and have literally become an island at the age of 30...so that I could manage to keep him happy. We’ve had several incidents that I’ve worried would bankrupt me if taken to court and I’ve spent thousands seeing the best behaviorist in the country to little avail...the last year I have realized a career opportunity that would make keeping him near impossible and is a career I need to do sooner rather than later due to age limitations. More than a career it’s a dream for me and a service to our country...rehoming a dog like him is highly unlikely...although he’s a Peach if he gets all his “needs” met. I have always been ‘prepared’ to live this life without the husband, kids, or career I wanted as I knew I’d be late 30’s before Oakley passed...but it’s hit me hard lately that I can’t be 80 years old sitting in a rocking chair on my porch looking back at my life and be happy with myself over having given up everything to keep him until the end. The frank reality is that his life is a small portion of my overall life but the ramifications will far outlive him. It sounds harsh and I don’t mean it to be anything other than the reality of the numbers. I’ve been bogged down in these thoughts and it’s an awful place to be. A place I could never have imagined even a year ago. It’s so easy to judge until your faced with the weight of a decision like giving up your dog (at least for me).

All of this to say that I love Oakley more than anything and strongly believe I’ve done more for him than anyone else would. I’ve given up a lot. I’ve been guilty of judging people over giving up their pets or putting them down in situations...and I very often feel judged when I speak out about my more recent thoughts and upcoming decisions. It’s hard...and no one will be less forgiving of myself than myself.
I hope that everyone takes a little more time to realize the uniquesness or ones situation and to evaluate the person making the decision; if they’re legit then likely they know the best for their dog...even if it’s not the popular outcome.

@eeeefarm

I know! With him the days are always long, but when I look back at the years they seem to pass quickly. I don’t even know what I’ll do with my freedom back once he goes! That said, knowing him..he’s going to live forever 😂

The secret to everlasting life is nightly toilet paper eating after dinner. Every. Single. Night

Hi everyone,

For those that are long time members you will remember me...for the newbies, you won’t. Life’s been crazy hectic...Oakley will be 8 the end of November (I’m shocked)...I just accepted a new job and will be relocating from MA to MD. I am hoping our great network of folks can help me out as Oakley will need in-home dog sitting care if I need to travel for work. Relocation is beginning of November and my first work trip is January. Fairly certain the only other conference I’ll have to travel to is July. I’m thinkibg I’ll land in Columbia or Ellicott City- if anyone is near there and willing to meet and see if you’re a fit, I’d be so appreciative. Oakley is a difficult boy with a lot of quirks so finding vigilant care is key. Pay isn’t a problem and we can work out the details- the person doesn’t have to stay at the house but it’d be helpful as he has to eat 3x day. This is the most stressful part of the relocation to be honest so I hope I can find someone!

Thank you all
Chealsie

Oakley will be four this year and while he generally has two sheds a year (one major, one minor).. I have found this year he has been awful all year long. This past week he too has started a big "molt"….he gets flustered or someone touches him...A MILLION white hairs fly onto his black coat....I brush him outside....I have to wash my sheets and vacuum the couches ALL the time...I itch all the time- I don't think there is anything to ease the annoyance. I do put down sheets or blankets on the couches...and I own a dyson (which is my trick for getting the hard to remove hairs). Sometimes I roll duck tape inside out, and pluck the couches...

whoever thinks Basenjis 1: dont shed and 2: are good for people with allergies LIE

@debradownsouth Thank you Debra!

Hi all,

It’s been far too long since I’ve posted. I am sure there’s been a lot of new posters in the last few years, but I’m hoping to update the OG’s!

Oakley is 10.5 (11 on Nov 30th). I cannot believe what a long and arduous a journey it’s been with my medically/behaviorally challenged boy.

I’ve been a bit nostalgic lately as he’s shown signs of aging. I won’t lie, for those who know the many struggles I’ve had, there’s a part of me that is okay with seeing him age—but it’s always tough. His face started getting white around 10. He’s sleeping more and moving ever so slightly less. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a pain in the ass and into everything!

He was sick with another big bout of gastro October-December, in which because we moved from Boston to Maryland his doctors and the local ER weren’t familiar with us like his team at home, and so it took longer to diagnose and treat him properly. Ever since he’s been a little different. Drinking a lot more water, burping something nasty, more gassy and definitely has not regained all that lost weight despite eating like a horse. I have him scheduled for a senior exam and to discuss these newer things (although I don’t have a lot of trust in this new team of his).

Enjoy some pictures of him over the last few years. Sending all of you who I’ve conversed with and sought advice from over the years, well wishes ❤️

@jengosmonkey

He has a decade of endless nicknames. I think we all probably call our dogs names other than their real names more than anything else. Some are cute, like ‘cookie bean’ and others may or may not involve the word, Menace. 😂