Have you looked into Basenji Rescue and Transport (BRAT)?

http://www.basenjirescue.org/postdog.asp

@Buddys:

Hi SacGirl….has yours every had any form of diarrhea?

Thanks Buddys Pal for the info…I will keep that in mind as I progress with Gizmo's diet. We haven't had any diarrhea, and I hope to get him back on solely kibble soon. I like the idea of switching to a purely raw diet, for the breeder also has her dogs on a raw diet. I am getting a second basenji pup soon, and I hope with the increased activity of playing with another dog, he will eat the kibble better. I eat a plant strong diet and I juice a lot, and I cook separate food for my husband…which means I spend an incredible amount of time preparing food. Not sure I could commit to going solely raw food yet. Maybe when I retire, I can put my fur babies on a raw diet. Or, each month I just spend the same amount of money on the frozen raw dog food as I do for the human

@tanza:

Super… let me know when you are planning to visit and if I am free, I will come too.... if you are not busy on February 9th, there is going to be lure coursing on Oakley, Ca.... not to real far for you... interested?

I will be going to go to Terri's on the 19th, @ 11am. I will let you know about lure coursing.

@QuizBasenji:

Lucky SacGirl! There are so many gorgeous puppies out there…I have a possibility of a red and white girl...

Lucky with a hefty dose of CRAZY! My first is a red and white male.

@tanza:

Trust me… he will NOT starve himself, honest... give him is food, give him 15 minutes to eat, if he doesn't take it away, do not leave it for him all day... makes them even more of a picky eater... competition helps, but not always.. My OJ (my first male that I got from Terri) was thin as a rail for his first 4 years... after that he was a piggy! Important that with a second that you crate them so they can eat separate. Are you going to get your 2nd from Terri? I know she just had a litter of 7 brindles born on Sunday night

First…and most importantly…Yes I will be getting another puppy from Terri Her litter is comprised of five boys and two girls, so I am not confident what gender I will get. Now that I have some experience under my belt, I will definitely following the suggested improvements to the feeding strategy. As Gizmo's anxiety decreases, so does mine. I slid a little backwards after he came home from surgery, but will start taking his food bowl away tonight if he doesn't eat within 15 minutes. I am looking forward to frequent visits with Terri and her litter, and will visit them for the first time on the 19th or 20th

@tanza:

When you try and "cater" to them makes it even worse (in my opinion).

I feel like I have definitely fell into that trap! Gizmo also has experienced some separation anxiety, and has been relatively thin. I tried having him focus on his food as I leave, but then he quit eating food until I came home So I started feeding the food I know he will eat whether I am home or not, but only give him that food for part of his daily serving. Any additional stress, and I can easily see his ribs. When he got neutered, he was VERY thin…so I catered to him by giving what I know he will eat. He is getting a bit better, as am I, and I hope getting a second dog will improve his eating habits.

My basenji is definitely picky! He is nearly seven months old, and goes through phases of eating well sometimes, and not so well other times. I have been using premium grain-free kibble, some canned food, and moist frozen raw dog food. He does like the frozen raw food diet, but he only likes the beef recipe. He occasionally eats the kibble, and is picky about what type of canned food he eats. I am still learning what he will eat, but have to purchase the expensive frozen raw food just to keep his weight up. When he plays all day with another dog, then he isn't picky about his food. I am going nuts trying to figure out what he will consistently eat!

We had our first puppy class yesterday, and Gizmo calmly sat while watching the hyperactive puppies in the class. He is so calm compared to many puppies, so maybe he is already moving on from the puppy stage. All of the other puppies where deemed to big and wild to allow Gizmo to interact, so now I am tasked with finding other smaller dogs to socialize him with. Our walks on the leash are getting much better, but he continues to scratch at the collar. Hopefully he will get used to it.

@ula:

He is so cute… I didn't get to experience nor enjoy Zsa Zsa at that age so enjoy the puppy breath...

Yes…I will savor the puppy breath scent as long as it lasts!

Gizmo has been living with me now for one week, and it is amazing how fast he is already changing. He seems to be a mini-adult, but the lack of training reminds me he is still a puppy. He is incredibly mellow most of the time, and only plays a little. His intelligence keeps me on my toes, and he is making me a better person! I am struggling with leash training him, but I am sure he will soon love what it means to be on the leash. I am looking forward to the bonding stage acquired through long walks.