I have a personal close friend who lost a litter this spring when the bitch ate the entire litter in about 10 min after having them. It DOES happen, and, yes, probably more frequently than anyone will admit. I did write up a few pieces, in stages, on the whole process of selecting a stud, breeding, pregnancy, whelping and now will come the after care for the BCOA Newsletter. There are a lot of people out there who think you can just have a litter without any forthought. I also know of one person whose pup had an imperforate anus (no bumhole). So, as Pat and Lisa state, this is not all fun and games, but sometimes really hard choices to be made.

Great pics. I notice Zaire is always in the sun spot. The dogs and gardens look beautiful!! Take some time to research your new plants in the yard as well. Congratulations on the new home. And, btw, that face of your Parsons is to die for!! What a cutie–-so expressive.

So I went out and purchased two other posts for my ground lighting timer last night. So now the lights automatically come on in the morning also. I got the kids up today and put Zaire on a leash and took her out back with with me to her spot. She went right away. I let her off the leash once she was done and she stayed right with me untill I went back into the house. I then gave her breakfast and opened the back door and went outside. When she was done eating she came out to the door and saw that I was out in the yard. She cam out and did her after breakfast buisness. I am thinking that she really just wants to have a little light out in the yard to see what she is doing. I am going to try tomorrow to just take her out without a leash, but with the lights on and see if she seems more comfortable. I just want to thank you all again for your knowledge and willingness to share experiences….it is such a benefit to everyone that we have this community. :)

@Janneke: I love pictures of B's with babies!! Great pics :) Zaire has a lovely color/coat! thank you so much…I do feel like I lucked out with her brindle colour. :D

Yea I was thinking that might be the case…I should mention that the min-pin is a new addition as we are moving into a house. He is owned by a very good friend of mine who is moving with us and staying at the townhome for the next 2 weeks untill we close on the house. They have all played together at both his old place and the townhouse....It may be that she wants the boys to know who is in control. :)

She has been great…So has Charlie, he is being very gentle with her (Not that she is being gentle to herself or him) :) I am trying to remain calm through all this, but it has been 15 years since I have been through a female puppy bring fixed. SOOO much more stressfull than dealing with a boy.

@LiveWWSD: Yea, she has quite a bit of African in her Dam's bloodline. Her mother and most of her siblings all test indetermint. I was totally prepaired for the indetermint result, as that seems to be the standard test result for alot of her breeders bloodline. To date none of the Avongara Dogs have had Fanconi and only when crossed with American (include really worldwide Basenjis) has Fanconi cropped up. However there has been ISPID, hips, eye problems with the Avongara imports. Remember that in Africa, there is nature selective breeding for the most part and also remember that you need the gene from both side for Fanconi as it is recessive. If nature selection, could be that if affected they would have died before reproducing.

@tanza: Then you are fine…. worst would be a Carrier... no worries.... That's why I chose Katie. After much research into breeders in my area I was very impressed with the bloodlines she produces, and happy with how she has bred to clear any possibility of Fanconi from her bloodline. ALways good to wait longer to get a pup and know you chose the right breeder. :D

@JazzysMom: Well, yeah, but….. my concern is this: the meat that the wild dogs eat comes straight from the source, and it is a prey source that is natural to their environment -- no bacterial build-up in a dirty butcher shop or barn, you KNOW that they are eating only natural foods and no additives, or fillers {wild animals don't eat hay, oats, etc} that are perfectly matched to their dietary needs, and no dog has as its natural prey domestic cattle and chickens. Raw feeding has always intrigued me, but I'm not ready to make that leap yet. I have been thinking more and more, as I pass our local butcher shop each week, that I am leaning toward occasional treats of raw.....but am just too nervous to jump on in. May wind up being a raw feeder yet, though. :-) I think I will most likely start supplementing Roo's EVO Diet when he is completely switched over, with some Raw vegetables. Since Miranda and I are on the South Beach Diet anyway, we have a lot of fresh veges around so it just makes sense to give what I can to our pets. I do not know about anyone else, but the walks and time I now spend with my Basenji Roo, and my Boston Terrier Bonzo, have really impacted all of our life's in a healthy way. Last week I lost 6 lbs just doing our daily walk and the South Beach. Bonzo has lost the few lbs she needed to and is eating less and differently since we started the walks. Roo is achieving good muscular development and growth and is not Rolly Polly. I really think paying attention to Diet and exercise is really good for all involved. Jason

@Andrew: Its not such a funny threat anymore. Oh so he did it on purpose to teach you a lesson. ;) Isn't that the way with these little devils…...you have to be carefull what you say....they hear everything. :D

Where in Or did you go? I take my 2 b's down to Cannon Beach on the Or coast. I go in the off season, you can get 2 rooms for the price of one…and most places like dogs. My 2 b's. love it... But its the only time they get a bath, I only let them off leash in the early am before anyone with another dog is out there... BUT, of course, the dead smelly "things" are on the beach 24/7. Guess its worth it, as we take our doggie shampoo down every year!

Here are a few more pictures of the furbabbies. We had a nice sunny day here and the kids just laid around in it all day. :D [image: zaisun1.jpg] [image: charliesleep.jpg] [image: zaisun2.jpg]

@BlueBell: She has gone to the vet to receive her shots but after doing some research wonder if dogs are being over vaccinated. Here in Jackson, TN our shots are yearly. They don't offer any 3 year shots. This may be the downside of living in a smaller city. Up to this point she has not been boarded and except for spending time once a month with her basenji cousins she is not around many other dogs. We don't have a dog park. This is why I would question needing a Bordatella every 6 months. It is the same shot as the one they gave for one year, just good for three. The standard now and has been for a few years (around here at least 6 or more) that they are covered for 3yr. Do some on line reseach about the recommendations and take them to your Vet…. you can start with Dr. Dodds... I think that you will find that most Vets are up to speed with the latest research and if not, they should learn...IMO.... and it might be a battle, but it is your dog... And unless you are going to board in a kennel facility, I would not even bother with Bordatella.. only protects on like 3 to 5 stains and there are hundreds.... I show mine all over and have not used Bordatella for over 15+ yrs.

Oh what cute pictures. Yea I have actualy found that 2 dogs doesn't feel more cramped in bed than 1. With any luck if they keep choosing to sleep next to eachother we will be fine :). I can't imagine how my sister makes out with her 2 dobermans (I think she ends up on the couch most nights) :D

Awesome thank you for the clarification. I was at work today and couldn't get the link to load. It doesn't really matter for myself as I feed the dogs a BARF diet, but it just made me wonder. As always this is one of the best things about these forums, I love being able to pick all of your brains. Thanx so much. :)

Beautiful pups! Welcome!

Welcome to the fun;) …......some good folks and good information.:)