Adopting a Feral Basenji

Because of our experience with Sana, I've been asked by a few people to try and describe what it has been like to adopt a "feral" Basenji. As many of you know, Sana was taken from the same man in Florida who just lost custody of all his dogs. In the winter of 05/06, Sana and one of her pups were turned over to BRAT. We think that she was four at that time, and that the surviving pup was from her third litter. Keiki, the pup, came to NH, and Sana was fostered by Dana Cole until we adopted her in May of 2006. It was the start of one of the greatest adventures of my life. I can honestly say that there were times that I agonized over whether or not we were doing right by her, but I don't think there were more than a very few minutes that I felt even a shred of regret that we had added her to our family. I just never dreamed how much work would be involved, or how long it would take to see her progress.

Adopting a new dog is always a challenge, especially with dogs as unique as our Basenjis. Adopting an extremely fearful dog was a different challenge from every dog I've ever met. Dana Cole was wonderfully, almost brutally honest about Sana's behaviour, and stressed that progress with her would proceed in the tiniest of baby-steps. I was confident about two things. The first was that Bill and I could offer this wild little creature a safe, fairly quiet and routine home, and the second was that we were committed to helping her discover that life really was good. Our goal for her was that she become happy - simply that - and that she be able to relax and enjoy life. Anything else would be a bonus - we already had a dog who loved us, and Sana's life now would be all about Sana. God knows she had already paid her dues, and she deserved peace.

NOTE: Because we were dealing with one feral dog in our own home, we had the luxury of allowing her to set her own schedule and develop at her own pace with as little pressure from us as possible. And it IS a luxury - one that most foster homes may not be able to offer. There are different methods that can be used, especially for dogs in transition between their rescue and their forever homes that include a shortened timetable and more intensive conditioning. In no way do I mean to imply that there are not multiple roads to success. Everything else I say is nothing more than generalities about ADULT feral dogs learned directly from Sana and from all of the research I still do on the topic. I am not an expert, except in terms of our one special dog. Each and every dog will come with its own issues and own schedule of development!

Generalities:

-- A feral dog is hyper-sensitive to everything. Every tiny movement, every change in tone of voice, every sound from another room, EVERYTHING is a potential danger. With time, this eases, but I doubt that it will ever go away because it is exactly what was needed for sheer survival. It doesn't take long at all to learn that humans produce food and supply warm, comfy beds. It does take a very long time for an adult dog to learn broader concepts - that human touch is not only non-harmful but can actually bring pleasure, that "home" is a real place that will remain constant, that gentleness exists and will not go away and (most importantly) that the good things will happen every day.

-- By "it will take time", I do not mean that after the customary 6-8 weeks of adjustment time, a feral/un-socialized dog necessarily will be comfortable in their new home. The tiniest of baby steps are things to be celebrated - eye contact, choosing to approach even when there's no food, learning any basic obedience are huge signs of progress that MIGHT very well take months - or even years - not days or weeks. Feral animals truly are the closest things to visitors from another planet that most of us will meet. Again, they lived in a totally different world where every action and sound had to be instantly noted and analyzed, because danger could return at any moment. After about a year with us, we carefully began to refer to Sana as “extra-vigilant” rather than “extremely fearful” not only because it was a more positive description but because we were finally realizing that this was something that would remain part of her character forever. This characteristic also requires extra care in terms of protection. A feral dog will react INSTANTLY to a perceived threat – usually by bolting. It might be extremely difficult to retrieve a frightened, loose dog because every one of their instincts will be telling them to run and hide, and it’s quite possible that no stranger without a net would be able to catch them. We are fortunate that Sana, from the first day we had her, is highly motivated to stay safely in the comforts of our home, and to do her best to return there as soon as possible whenever stressed. It is actually more likely that feral dogs will incline to get AWAY from whatever frightened them, and to run, dig or climb if necessary. Bolting out a door or ripping a leash out of a hand may be a constant threat, so owners will need to be as “extra-vigilant” as their dogs to keep them safe – always and forever.

-- Becoming adjusted to a human household will come in time, with gentle routine being one of the best tools. Love, however, is an art best learned when young, and it is not a natural concept for a feral animal. Food can be a major motivation in learning the extra perks of living with people – Sana’s first true breakthrough came by way of “pizza bones” – and here again time will be involved. These dogs CAN and WILL learn to love, but they’re starting very late in terms of development, and it can feel like forever. After three and a half years, Sana will now (almost always) come to me when she feels threatened, or her leash is tangled around her legs, or she’s hurt, etc. She always sleeps pressed against me, fully expects to share any meal I eat, and in the last few weeks has finally begun to come to me to ask for petting. I know that she loves me, as well as relies on me and trusts me, and it fills my heart in ways I can’t even begin to describe.

-- Time – it all comes down to time and patience, and the desire to do it both FOR and WITH the dog. These dogs will be a challenge to even the most experienced of Basenji-folk, and many households will not be a good match for them. We all want to help in this extraordinary rescue situation, but unusual care will need to be taken in matching these survivors with their forever homes. I can’t wait to see how they’ll all be in five years or so!

I would be happy to discuss the details of our experience with anyone who might be interested. I can be reached at: bcomvp@yahoo.com or laura_whitney@harvard.edu or 781-643-5497.

Laura Whitney
Arlington, MA

P.S. Other than our usual Basenji resources, there are two sources of help I would recommend VERY highly:

1) There is a Yahoo-group called “Shy-K9s” that got me through my most discouraged moments. It is a wonderful group, even if you only read the archives. Only positive methods are discussed, the support is tremendous, and reading about professionals who are willing to spend YEARS helping dogs that they still cannot touch is humbling beyond words. These people GET IT, and I cannot recommend them highly enough.

2) Many people are not comfortable with the concept of using an animal-communicator (I wasn’t, at first) but I found that working with a communicator could give us a huge boost. It was very beneficial in interpreting Sana’s reactions to situations and helping her to know what changes and events (like travel) might be coming. I have worked with two (whose names I would happily pass on to anyone interested!), and both have been able to track physical and emotional changes at which I could only guess. One was amazingly helpful when Sana once got lost. Anyone interested should definitely get recommendation from someone they trust, because there are frauds out there, but there are people with astonishing gifts that can be of tremendous assistance. Again, I’d be happy to recommend the two with whom we’ve worked to anyone interested.

The New Olympic Sport

I would like to submit a new sport for consideration to the International Olympic Committee: Basenji Sleeping.

Like swimming, it would have different events. Below, I am showing some of the events and techniques. Feel free to add your own events and scores!




















Here we have the classic "paws-over-face" technique. Please note the adorable curvature of the top paw over the snout. This move does contain a complexity variation that bumps Denny's score from 8.6 to 9.0 on the 10.0 scale - which is the forward swing of the legs. The "paws-over-face" technique is most commonly performed with the legs outstretched. However, this demonstrates a high degree of flexibility and requires cute toes.




















Next, we have the "sleeping-against-object" category, and here, Denny demonstrates the ability to not only hog in on the computer (which is regarded as an evil obstacle to Mama's lap and must be stepped on), but the ability to sleep with head twisted. Additional points are given in this event for being upside down, draped over an object (similar to the balance beam event in gymnastics), and the ability to drive warmth from electronics.




















This is a classic endurance event: "sleeping while sitting up." Points are solely awarded on how long the pup can go without drooping the head, snoring or snarfling themselves awake.



















This event is focused on the mouth and nose of the Basenji. Points are awards for tongues, teeth and snoring. Tongues must be cute, pink and hanging out. If the pup is being judged by teeth, the teeth should be showing - both fangs and little teeth for additional cuteness. Snoring is judged by how long and how loud.



















Another classic endurance event: "The Donut." The pup will curl up in either donut/cinnamon bun/jelly roll position and commence sleeping until event is called for food and walk.

Next week, on the wonderful wide world of Basenji sports, long distance pooping, food scarfing sprints and speed disdaining.

Apollo

Our older basenji, Apollo, is recovering from surgery. He went under the knife last week for two reasons:
1. His teeth are in bad shape, and needed deep cleaning.
2. He has many little lumps that may be cancerous.

A few years ago, he had a lump taken off his right forepaw that came back from the lab as mast cell. Since then, we have been hyper-vigilant when it comes to little growths. Apollo must just be a cyst-y little guy, cause he has many little growths all over his body. The vet says that most of them are just little cysts, but it is good to get him checked because they may be cancerous.

Good News! We just heard from the vet that the two growths that he took from Apollo were benign fatty cysts.

February 22 update on Florida basenjis‏

Greetings from Florida!

We are in the midst of making plans to spring the seized Wimauma basenjis from the Hillsborrough County Amimal Services shelter. Thanks to all for your wonderful offers of help! We will be in touch with you soon.Kenyatta, the mother of our bottle-fed litter, has spent the weekend with the vet, is showing improvement, but is still in a very guarded condition. Her pups are gaining weight, and most are beginning to suckle a bottle, progressing from being mostly tube-fed. Keondra, our last mom-to-be, looks ready to whelp any day now. She is even following nicely on leash and seems to be enjoying her last days without pups. Initially very distrustful of humans, Koca is begining to warm up to Pam. Her two week old pups are becoming rolly polly. Attached is a photo of one of our young puppies.There are now over 50 basenjis in the pack. Transitioning these dogs from their beginnings in a five acre field with little human contact to becoming healthy, well adjusted pets with loving families is our goal. We have been receiving notes asking about donations. Our webmaster has set up a link so that donations may be made by PayPal, credit card through PayPal or by check. We are determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be tax exempt pursuant to IRS Code Section 501(c)(3). Donations are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. We would appreciate any contributions made to help these basenjis find their way into forever homes. http://basenjirescue.org/donations/FLBasenjisDonation.asp

Thanks for all your thoughts and concerns for these basenjis.

Debbi Johnson
BRAT Treasurer & Director
Germantown, TN
debbijbasenjirescue@comcast.net

and

Pam Hamilton
FL District Coordinator
Advisory Director
Basenji Rescue and Transport
flbasenji@earthlink.net

Putting My Foot Down

This has been an especially cold winter in Texas. Okay, it's been especially cold in the whole country. All Basenji people know that our lean, short-haired little African dogs suffer in this weather.

My 12-year old Basenji, Ike, has suffered the worst. Not only is he the oldest of my three, but he has the thinnest skin and coat. When he was about a year old, he won the Shortest-Haired Dog Award at the Evergreen Basenji Club yearly meet-up in Washington State. His hair is so short that his belly is nearly bald.

With that in mind, you can imagine what our walks were like on windy, 30-degree mornings. Ike was comfortable as long as we were moving, but whenever we paused, he made it very clear that he was cold. Tail-tucked, trembling, whining. I don't know how much of this was theatrics, but it broke my heart every time.

The solution: a sweater for Ike. I'm a professional hand knitter/designer by trade, so a custom sweater for Ike became a priority. I took his measurements and got to work.



Since I was designing the sweater as I was knitting it, fittings were important. Unfortunately, every time I put the unfinished sweater on Ike, he threw up. Really. A sign of things to come, perhaps? So I had to use Tippy as the fit model, since he adores being fussed over. A couple of days later, I finished knitting the sweater. It was just right. A nice fit in 100% wool. Time to try it out.

I put the sweater on Ike for the first time, and he froze like a statue. Wouldn't move. I called him, and he just stared at me. He hated the sweater. HATED IT. He looked at me with his sweet brown eyes as if to ask, "Why are you doing this to me??" Not awesome.



When it comes to my dogs' comfort, I like to give them choices. Tippy and Abe are both BRAT dogs who had pretty rough lives before rescue. They were left outdoors year-round, without much human contact, no soft beds, no delicious chew toys. So now, in their new lives, they get to decide. Indoors or out? Sofa or chair? Bacon flavored or peanut butter flavored?

I let Ike decide on the sweater, and he made it very clear - no sweater. I would try to put it on him, and he would run. Our morning walks continued to be miserable for him until I put my foot down.

Time for me to take the advice I always hear given to parents - that kid needs a mother, not a friend.



New Bossy Mama Staci didn't let Ike decide anymore. Like a parent insisting that a kid eats his broccoli, I made Ike wear the sweater. The first few days he groaned as put his legs through the sleeves, but as soon as I put the leash around his neck, he forgot about it. He now stays warm on our walks, and only protests a little when it's sweater time.

What else can Bossy Mama Staci make the dogs do? (Besides dishes.) Chores? Laundry? Yard work?

Ike's Collegiate Sweater is now available as a free pattern for hand knitters. I designed it to fit the unique, athletic curves of a Basenji. I promise you that most dogs won't hate it.

My Dog Eats Cantaloupe

Sometimes our basenjis inspire us to be silly.

Here's a poem, dedicated to my basenji, Bashir.

My Dog Eats Cantaloupe

by BashirsMomma

I have a handsome dog, indeed,
But he’s a little strange
To others who don’t know the breed
They all think he’s deranged

He doesn’t bark - He yodels though
And likes to say “Barooo!”
And if you really want to know
He’s quite the singer, too!

“A barkless dog?” so many say
“That’s just my kind!”
But when they see his crazy ways
They tend to change their mind

He doesn’t know how to “heel”
Or how to walk “gently”
He pulls me any way he feels
When we go walkies

This crazy barkless dog of mine
Is more than just bizarre
More than once, he’s crossed the line
And gone a bit too far

He’ll dig big holes out the back
He’ll chew holes through the wood
But my dog has quite the knack
For making bad look good

The dog destroyed my mattress too
It needed some repair
I knew just what I had to do -
Put duct tape everywhere!

He’ll never come to dinner late
When something good is cooking
He steals the food right off my plate
When I am not looking

But that’s ok, I understand
Dog food is overrated
The kibble must be very bland
And he’s food motivated

He much prefers some human food
Like chicken for his meals
That’s when he knows how to be good
But when he’s not, he steals

He steals food every night
Like he was never fed
He’s got quite the appetite
(He ate up half my bed!)

But just the other day I saw
Something very cute
The gentle lift of his paw
For some of momma’s fruit

“You don’t want a Clementine!”
I tried hard to explain
He just thought “That food is mine!”
His paw was raised again

So I give him some of mine
And he ate it up
He wolfed it down in no time
And now he likes fruit cups

“A banana? Are you kidding me?
An apple? Are you sure?
Even frozen strawberries?
You really want some more?”

“Aren’t you a carnivore?
I thought that dogs ate meat!”
I can’t predict anymore
What kinds of things he’ll eat

I know he eats everything
And anything he’s able
He ate my underwear last spring
He ate my coffee table

But when on earth did he decide
That he liked fresh berries?
When was meat and rawhide
Replaced with fresh cherries?

Darwin sure would be confused
By my dog’s predilection
How does a carnivore choose
This unnatural selection?

In Africa an antelope
Is what my dog would eat
But my dog eats a cantaloupe
As his wildest treat

Perhaps he thinks he’s people too
Or wants to be, instead
(But if that were really true
Why did he eat my bed?)

I haven’t figured him out yet
What’s in his canine brain
All I know is that this pet
Just ate my lunch again!

He’s quirky on the best of days
But that’s ok by me
I love him for his odd ball ways…

HE’S MY BASENJI!

Florida Basenjis

Greetings!

Another week has flown by. Here is a summary/review of what has happened and what we expect to happen in the near future:

Feb. 11 - Custody of the Wimauma basenjis was awarded to HCAS. The 30 day appeal period was waived by the judge. The scramble begins as we make arrangements to move dogs in a couple of weeks versus a bit more than a month. Terry and Jackie from out of town visited "the nursery" (our house, which is also a hospice...) to take pictures for posting.

Feb. 13 - Kenyatta, the heartworm positive, anemic, emaciated, hypoglycemic,very sweet and cooperative, pregnant female went into labor early in the morning. By noon, she had her last viable pup. She finally delivered the last one, a stillborn, around 8 PM, after multiple doses of Oxytocin. Surgical removal was not an option without serious risks because her condition is so poor. Her body score out of 9 is just 2 (determined prior to delivery - without pups, she, of course, appears to be even thinner, perhaps just a 1). Tube feeding of her pups every two hours begins (the only "milk" Kenyatta has is a tiny amount of mastitis - and her body condition certainly cannot support nursing). Reasonable efforts are ongoing to help Kenyatta make a recovery. She has been to our regular vet, the emergency/critical care vet (through delivery), and HCAS (they are able to provide transfusions and injections that would have continued to accrue significant expenses at the ER/critical care vet's). Kenyatta and I, along with Debbi or my folks, have spent a lot of time together in the vehicle, running from one place to the next.

Week of Feb. 15 - All basenjis currently located at HCAS are spayed/neutered/ vaccinated. They are ready to leave HCAS as soon as we have all arrangements in place. Five of the older pups who are still at HCAS that have been doing quite well with socialization activities will first go into short-term foster homes. Potential applicants are invited to submit applications through BRAT to adopt them. There are approximately 10 others that will move to Pam's Basenji Town for a chill-out/evaluation period prior to being moved to longer-term foster homes. The nine pups in our nursery visited HCAS for boosters, more deworming and weighing - they are getting chunky! It is determined that they are about 8 weeks old and big enough to be spayed and neutered. These procedures will be done soon. They will be ready to move on to their new adoptive homes before long.

Arrangements have been made with HCAS regarding vetting of the basenjis who are at Pam's nursery and no longer at the shelter. HCAS will spay/neuter/vaccinate all basenjis, including those still "in the oven" (one more mom-to-be has looked ready to pop any second for days...), so all pups will stay in the area until they are at least 8 weeks old.

This "in-house vetting" is a huge help to BRAT. Our expenses for vetting these b-kids is already high. The stress from shelter and/or bad body condition took a couple over the Rainbow Bridge. We were able to snatch the rest back from the brink. We haven't even begun to consider other vetting expenses the older basenjis will need. Amazingly, there is only one who tests heartworm positive at this time. I have begun to check what other needs they may have; for example, one of the older moms has broken/tartar-covered teeth that may need some attention. Because of the condition of the mom during pregnancy, the pups currently being tube/bottle-fed every two hours have a very uncertain future. They may need additional vetting. Donations for these basenjis is greatly appreciated. A special link will be added to our website soon.

Many people and groups have offered help throughout the past month. If you have not received a response, please accept our apologies. We have been a little busy... Given the abbreviated time that we have to get the basenjis out of HCAS, we are asking your help to reorganize more quickly. If you would like to help in some way, could you please send an email again, complying with the following:

Please label the subject line with one of the following:

a. FOSTER -
b. TRANSPORT -
c. ADOPT -
d. OTHER -

If you are able to help in multiple ways, please send multiple emails.

If you are able to help with fostering or transporting , we ask that you become a BRAT member. Please note on the "Join BRAT" form you are joining to help with the Wimauma basenjis. If you wish, you can ask to drop your membership later. There is no membership fee to join BRAT.

If you are interested in adopting one of the Wimauma basenjis, please submit an adoption application through BRAT's website. Please note on your adoption application you are interested in the Wimauma basenjis.

These basenjis are different from our "normal" rescue basenjis and are different from the puppy mill basenjis BRAT volunteers have met in the past. I have been saying this for a month to Debbi (though, to be completely honest, I've made my statements based on what I've heard about puppy mill basenjis - I've never had basenji that was an abused puppy mill breeder b). She has now had the opportunity to meet the basenjis down here - and agrees! (She confessed that she was dissin' my thoughts...). These basenjis generally need more exercise and are bigger, stronger, more energetic, more sensitive to body language, and more capable of "taking care of themselves" than most basenjis. It is neat to have the opportunity to see what their behavior is like having come from a natural, wild pack. One of the greatest benefits is that the adults seem to be almost house-broken from the first moment in a house, possibly because soiling the area near the den would attract predators. Though there may be exceptions, their desire to escape should be expected to be very high. They do like the creature comforts of a home, though, so they should accept being in a home if great care is taken to make sure that the introduction is nothing but pleasant.

We have had basenjis from this line in the past, some as pups, some as adults. We have a fair amount of experience regarding what works for these basenjis and what doesn't work for them. Adults that have come into rescue have often been relinquished from individual owners because of behavioral problems. We have been able to rehabilitate them and provide their adoptive families with handling techniques to prevent the behaviors from resurfacing. Please realize that it is necessary to follow the advice and procedures that are recommended regarding these basenjis. These are really basenjis of a different color.

Thank you again for your support!

Pam Hamilton
FL District Coordinator
Advisory Director
Basenji Rescue and Transport

and

Debbi Johnson
BRAT Treasurer & Director
Germantown, TN
brat-help@lists.basenjirescue.org

Sleeping in the Big Bed

There are studies that say dog owners have blood pressure and cholesterol lower than ordinary people. These factors reduce the chance for cardiovascular diseases and generally promote better overall health.

There are other studies that say you get a better night’s sleep if you don’t allow your dogs to sleep with you. Some may argue that sleep interrupted by dogs moving about, changing position, climbing over their humans, and pawing at the blankets leaves one less than well rested and less able to cope with the day.

Eric and I wholeheartedly agree with the first theory, and while we acknowledge the second might have some merit, we enjoy sleeping with our munchkins. We originally had a queen-sized bed that worked perfectly well for two humans and then two humans and one small dog. Our beloved Reno slept with his head on my pillow, just like a little person. I adored sleeping cuddled up with my bambino, even though the only thing that kept me from being pushed onto the floor was the side of the waterbed frame.

However, when Ivan and Dasa came along, there were two dogs in our bed, two small dogs who seemed to expand in every direction and become nearly greyhound sized, making our bed much too small. We have a king sized bed now. We figured if they push us out of a king size bed, we can walk around and climb in the other side.

It’s wonderful that we all fit in this bed, even when small dogs stretch to several times their original size. It’s nothing short of miraculous. Of course, there are times when Eric and I sleep diagonally or sideways, and times when I sleep curled in alphabetic shapes around munchkins. But we feel the benefits of sleeping with our dogs outweigh these minor issues. Ivan and Dasa give us unconditional love and affection; what can compare to that.

The oddest play date

It never fails that I get comments when I dog sit Bridget. "That's NOT a Basenji!"

"Really?" I say. "Oh, I guess she's not." Smirk!

Bridget belongs to Spring Creek Manor in Soda Springs, Idaho. Her original owner lived there and left her to the whole facility when she passed on. Bridget is the beloved lap dog of 30 +/- seniors and has filled the niche of on site therapy dog to residents who often suffer the stresses of dementia or other elder related memory issues. She has a knack of inserting herself onto the lap or just close proximity of a distressed senior and helping them regain their calm.

Rencently she has been living with us on a "Spa Retreat" because she has been offered too much people food and was in danger of sudden death over the results. Reno has taken her under his paw and is helping her play off the pounds. So far she has lost about four pounds and we are considering the end of her spa stay in the next couple of weeks. We are hoping the facility can institute stricter controls on her diet with the understanding that the seniors who are anxiously waiting her return have one last chance of taking better care of her health.

Reno has not just been effective as her spa partner, he's also been trying to teach her about crating and the blessings of creating a mutual warm spot on the bed. Since Reno is a retired show dog, who traveled the circuit with a multi-breed handler for years, he's had a lot of experience with other dogs and has never seemed to suffer from some of the prejudices that I have encountered in my years of fostering other Basenjis. He loves to go to work with me as well to visit all of the seniors who live on the campus. His problem is that he is so much more athletic than little dogs like Bridget that unstable seniors with walkers can too easily be upset by him, even when he just "leans."

The one real difficulty we have struggled with during this month long spa play date is going for walks. Reno just walks at a pace that poor Bridget cannot manage! That says nothing about his interaction with his environment during the walks; Bridget stays right next to me, walking with a loose lead the entire time, not so Reno! He's forging ahead, lagging behind to get in an extra sniff, prancing and dancing when we meet strangers (human & canine) and generally involving himself in each and every thing with confidence, curiousity and a peculiarly Basenji kind of charisma. Now a lot of the dog loving world would say that Bridget is all that a well trained dog should be when walking on lead. Reno can walk like that, when I remind him and hold his leash with the intent that he really needs to pay attention to me... just like he was trained for the show ring... but for the most part, walks are for, well walking joyfully in the brisk morning air, celebrating life.

As I have come to appreciate the sweetness of Bridget I have also had the chance to re-evaluate my commitment to all that Basenjis are, just because they are Basenjis. I have decided, again, that Basenjis are what truely suits me and that I will do what ever it takes to assist them wherever and however I find them. Commitment to the health and welfare of the breed in general and assistance to any individual dog wherever they cross my path. 

Basenjis and Toe Nail Clipping: Get a Grip

I've noticed on many pictures of Basenjis the length or lack of length of the dog's toenails. Some toe nails are clipped so close it looks like there are no toenails at all. Long nails that are sharp and sometimes show neglect, but often times it is just a Basenji that grows nails fast and refuses to have them clipped.

The quick on some dogs' toe nails does not seem to recede when the nails are clipped frequently. With other dogs you can continue to clip shorter and shorter as the blood of the quick recedes with each clipping.

Toe nails on the Basenji can really do a lot of damage if the sweetheart is into digging on the couch, at the door, or out in the yard. Heck, even those rare Basenjis that jump up on their owners and other people can do some major damage! Some Bs grow very long nails if you allow it and it can be painful for them to walk, with nails curling under. The ideal nail should just be slightly off the ground when the dog is standing.

So, clipping or filing nails is a good thing. Some Bs are fine with clipping and filing their nails and will sit patiently while you clip away. Others won't allow it, not one bit.

The easy Basenjis are few I think. Most Bs like their nails long and sharp. Possibly Basenjis used their nails to rip apart their prey and for digging burrows and nests in earlier times. The long nails also make it easier for the Basenji to use their paws as hands. They also use them to keep from slipping on surfaces and in quick turns. If their nails are too long or too short they are hindered from doing so.

I am no wimp at nail clipping, and have been doing it on all my Manx cats for years and years. I use treats on my cats and have tried giving treats to Sanji after each nail is clipped. He will do pretty well with it, but not our Gumbo. Gumbo will not go for this bribe. He will have nothing to do with anything that resembles a nail clipper or a dremel, at least from me.

I have at long last decided it is better for a groomer to do my dogs' nails than for me to try and wrestle with it.

My first Basenji would scream at the site of the clippers. I clipped one nail too close one time when he was young and that was it. He never forgot. The groomer could clip his nails in 2 or 3 minutes and he was fine with it. I believe my apprehension is obvious to my B.

Breeders have told me that some of their pups have no problem with having their nails done, while other wiggle and scream from the start.

You would think that with all the walking and running my boys do they would keep their nails trim, but it doesn't seem to work like that. Some Bs just seem to grow long nails quickly no matter what. Other Bs rarely need their nails cut at all, even if they are couch potatoes. The hind feet nails are usually naturally kept shorter than the front nails since the dog launches off with its hind feet, wearing the nails down more quickly.

Some people use nail clippers and some use dremels. In either case it is good to have the nails finished off with a file to make sure there are not any sharp edges. I bought the often TV advertised PediPaws hoping it would save me some money, but neither dog would let me near them with THAT THING! I watched some videos which showed B owners sitting on the floor with Basenji laying on its back between the owners' legs, and the owner clipping or filing away each nail without any complaint from the B. Well, that isn't going to happen here anytime soon so I'm off to the groomer with my two boys tomorrow- again.

Marj Baker
manxy2@comcast.net

Another Update on Florida Basenjis

It is so heartwarming to see the Basenji community pull together for these Basenjis. It may be towards the end of the week before I am able to start replying to the wonderful offers of help. We anticipated having 30 days after the court hearing on February 11 before the dogs could be released to Basenji Rescue and Transport (BRAT). The Appeals period was waived at the hearing, and ownership of the dogs is being transferred to BRAT. The Hillsborough County Animal Services (HCAS) will vet these dogs this week and possibly into the next week. So we need time to get our ducks in a row.

I spent the last week with in Florida working with the dogs and attending the court hearing. Pam Hamilton, our Florida District Coordinator, is physically working with the dogs along with the help of local volunteers who have been helping to socialize them. I am fielding the offers of help.

The Basenji Club of America (BCOA) has generously offered to provide crates. Carrie Jones is the liaison person for BCOA. I think it is wonderful that the Club and Rescue are cooperating to help the Basenjis. As you may know, BCOA is not a "hands-on" rescue organization, and does not actively participate in rescue. BCOA does, however, understand that every Basenji deserves a loving home and is in the midst of donating funds to help with the transition from rescue Basenji to beloved, well-adjusted pets. This transition is our goal. We are appreciate the help of BCOA.

We have been receiving notes asking about donations. BRAT has already incurred significant vet expenses as we have had the mothers, mothers-to-be, and their pups in our possession for a while. The pups range from 2 days old to 5 or 6 weeks. We still have one mother who has not whelped. The mother who whelped on Saturday spent several days at the Emergency Hospital. We almost lost her.

I have asked our webmaster to set up a link on our website so that donations may be made by PayPal, credit card through PayPal or by check. I hope to have that link up soon. Our web site is www.basenjirescue.org . Until we get the PayPal link set up, donations may be made by mail using a personal check or money order. Donations are tax-deductible. Our donation form includes the mailing address for BRAT and be found at http://www.basenjirescue.org/DonationForm.htm

Thanks for all your thoughts and concerns for these basenjis.

Debbi Johnson
BRAT Treasurer & Director
Germantown, TN
debbijbasenjirescue@comcast.net

More Basenjis come into Rescue

Recently, 5 rescue forms were submitted to BRAT from a single home. All the dogs are tri-colored and related. Four BRAT volunteers met at the home to evaluate the dogs and take them into BRAT custody. There were eight basenjis in the home; two had new homes to go to, one they were definitely keeping, maybe two (which the owners did do.) So BRAT left the home taking four females, all but one needing to be spayed.

They are:

Peaches, the mom of them all; wearing a pinkish/mauve colored collar. Lola is wearing a blue collar. Dorine is in green and Leia in red.
Click on the following links (or copy/paste them into your browser) to see videos of the dogs the day they were picked up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwelJS3uMoM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4U2COcv8xQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVPo28Bx_2k

Now more than ever, BRAT needs your help! Especially with the Florida dogs, vet care and foster homes are in high demand. Donations will most graciously be accepted.

Peaches and Lola are ready to be adopted. They are two very sweet girls; easy keepers who are housetrained, non-destructive, very friendly and outgoing. Look for them on the website!


Peaches (now wearing a green collar) and Lola

Update on Florida Basenjis

(If you're not familiar with the story of the Florida basenjis confiscated in January from a private property in Wimauma, you can catch up on the story here).

Greetings from not-so-sunny-or-warm Florida!

As many of you are probably aware, the hearing was held Thursday, Feb. 11, to determine the custody of the basenjis confiscated by HCAS (Hillsborough County Animal Services). The owner did not show up for the custody hearing. The judge heard a brief review of the case, promptly awarded custody to HCAS, waived the 30 day appeal period and enjoined Mr. Holland from owning any animals in Hillsborough County. It will take a bit of time to finalize paperwork. It is currently the intention of HCAS to have BRAT take the basenjis and rehome them. More details on that process will follow soon. It will take time, money and manpower to get this unique batch of basenjis onto their new lives in real homes. Donations will be gratefully appreciated for this significant endeavor.

Debbi has spent the week running around with Pam, taking care of basenjis young and old. Mr. Holland's basenjis have gone without vetting for so long that getting all of his basenjis parasite free and healthy has taken some time. Debbi's now had the chance to experience a bit of the nursemaid duties.

I will provide a description of the characteristics and personalities that this line has. Adopters and fosters must be able to demonstrate that they will be able to meet the needs of these intense and high-level basenjis. They have neat personalities, but they are a bit like "Jolt" - a high-caffeine, high-sugar soda - lots of kick and energy.

It has been a pleasure to work so closely with a shelter to help basenjis. I hope that more shelters will work with us in this fashion in the future.

We have not yet had any news from the SPCA in Pinellas County.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Pam & Debbi

Animal Planet "DOGS 101" -- Ideas Needed!

The television network Animal Planet is currently in production on and seeking stories for Season Three of their television series DOGS 101. DOGS 101 is the television encyclopedia of dog breeds. Each episode explores the history, purpose, temperament, amazing accomplishments, and curious facts about the most popular dog breeds in the world. A crucial theme of the series is the powerful love and intense emotional bond that forms between dogs and their humans.

They are looking for an uplifting and unique human-interest story to be featured on the upcoming season of DOGS 101 about the Basenji. The story they are looking for goes beyond the basic show dog, breeder, or general therapy dog stories, and focuses instead on the amazing feats, talents, strengths, or the special relationships between a Basenji and its owner. The biggest challenge of the show is finding stories that are VISUALLY stimulating. "Newspaper stories" are great but they want to show the dogs in action!

To find out more information about DOGS 101 and CATS 101, you can go to the Animal Planet website at:
• http://animal.discovery.com/tv/dogs-101/
• http://animal.discovery.com/tv/cats-101/

Any stories or ideas you would have for the upcoming "Basenji" edition of DOGS 101 would be greatly appreciated. The more ideas the merrier, as the show will be filming very soon! Anyone interested can contact BRAT Coordinator JR Key (jrinlogan@gmail.com) directly and he'll pass their info on to Animal Planet. The BRAT Board agrees this could be a great opportunity to educate about the breed (and maybe promote BRAT), but we need YOUR ideas and suggestions!

Changing Colors

When we first adopted Kenya in April 2009, other than the dry course condition of her coat she looked like a typical tri with red/white/black markings on her face and black torso. It was interesting when we would take her for a walk. When the sun hit her body, little golden flecks would appear. It looked like a fairy sprinkled gold dust on her. Once she was out of the sun they weren't visible. With improved nutrition her coat got softer but a wierd thing started to happen. Around July/August, we started noticing small streaks of red/tan on her torso, hocks and behind her ears.

As time went on the red/tan streaks and patches kept spreading. We started joking that she heard us considering getting a 3rd basenji...a brindle and that she decided that she would turn into a trindle so her and Phoenix didn't have to share us with another dog. By October we couldn't believe how much the streaks/and patches had taken over her black coat.

Since then it seems like everyday it spreads more and more to different parts of her body.

The only pure black, other than her face is a streak down her back. Another thing that is happening is the red streaks and patches are getting lighter tan to cream and in some areas white is starting to spread.

Has anyone experienced anything like this with their B's? Any input, thoughts on why this would be happening would be welcomed!

Patience pays off

Patience pays off. Roxy, my BRAT, has been with me 14 months--first as a foster, then as mine forever. She was so reserved, scared of her own shadow, when she first came to my home. She trusted no one. She has made amazing progress. So now I relish in how "basenji" she becomes each passing day.

I love to make fires and though Louisiana will never compare to the cold of true north, they are nonstop in my home when it hits 50 degrees. Roxy loves the fires. She has now trained me to make her a fire each morning before I leave for work. Should I forget, she sits on her pillow in front of the fireplace and stares up at me with that basenji stare that says, Well...what are you waiting for? (Don't worry; there are other humans at home all day; the fire is attended.)

She has also started counter surfing and nipping at my shin when she wants my attention. And of course, the obligatory tissue paper attacks and B-500s...

You may think I'm horrible for letting Roxy get away with all of this. You may think I should temper her behavior. I make no apologies. I know nothing of her life before me, but I do know what she was when she came to me. And with each passing day, she opens up and lets me see her true personality. She trusts me now; she knows she's safe.

How do I know this? For only the third time since I've had her, she barooed this week when I came home from work. She did her little wiggle dance. I live for these moments. Patience pays off.

"T" Is for Transport

Being a "basenji dad", I have come to believe, is a bit like being the parent of a gifted and talented child. You know other parents love their little ones no more nor less than you do your own, but sometimes it's hard for them to relate to life on a daily life in your household. "It's just a dog, after all," many will say.

It's easy to feel isolated in your basenji parenthood, and BRAT has been a wonderful resource during my year and a half in the land of the curly tailed wonders. Support has come from as far away as Vermont, Florida and Texas. It has been a great community, but I've only been around other basenjis and their owners for just a few minutes at a time. I feel that BRAT has given so much to me, and I have really wanted to do more to give back.
So when an opportunity to be part of the "Basenji Underground Railroad" (BUR) to be a part of the transport chain of a basenji girl from Las Vegas to Seattle, I leaped to the chance to join in. On a scale of difficulty, my first foster was a 9.5 on a 1-10 scale, and I would say my adopted basenji ranks around 4.5.

So I was prepared for anything when I agreed to transport Gracie, the 13-year-old puppy mill rescue, but I was pleased to read from her profile that she was a real sweetheart. Nothing prepared me for just how sweet and easy she was when Jerry, the South Bay volunteer met me at the Walgreens parking lot around the corner from my house. (We agreed that meeting my girl would not be good for either of them.) She was immediately friendly, and after a bit of sniffing around the car immediately settled into the front seat.
Although there was a good profile about her on the BRAT website, I knew it was impossible to know exactly what she would be like and how she would react to me. I was pleased that she was so immediately trusting and calm.

When we stopped a couple of times for tolls or as I maneuvered the S-curve on the East Bay Bridge, she would stir a bit, only to lean in to my leg, sometimes letting out a relaxed sigh. She seemed to behave as if we were old friends. In less than two hours we were already at the Sacramento dog park where I scheduled to turn her over to Jan, the volunteer scheduled to take her for the next leg of the trip to Chico before her new forever family arrived from Seattle.
By that evening, there was this photo of Gracie with her new basenji brother, Tyco, who had a similarly difficult start in life. I was thrilled to hear that they fell in love upon first sight. I love the way Gracie is looking heavenward, as if to thank her lucky stars.

Since fostering is not an immediately viable option for me because of my basenji girl's protectiveness, I hope I have the chance to do another transport soon. It was a great way to meet other basenjis and other basenji owners. I felt I got much more out of it than my small contribution of getting Gracie on her way to a new home.

A Tale (Tail?) of Two Basenjis

When asked what a basenji is like, there are some common characteristics that are relatively easy use in an explanation. BUT as most basenji owners know, like snowflakes, no two basenjis are really alike. My two fur-kids provide me endless entertainment because they are so different. My red boy Kirby has been with me since he was 5 months old and he is now 4 ½ . My tri-girl Saana has been with me only a little over a year and she is 6 years old. I thought I knew everything there was about what basenjis were “like” since I had spent so much time with Kirby. But Saana gave me a little perspective. She is a rescue, and I have very little information about her life before coming to me via BRAT. So I figured I’d share my top 10 ‘Tale of the Tape’:

1. Kirby loves mommy best – Saana loves daddy best.

2. Kirby hates (hates, hates, hates) water – Saana jumps in the neighborhood pond after ducks without a moment hesitation.

3. Kirby is a meat and cheese kinda guy – Saana prefers to eat a salad with lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, green/red peppers, broccoli, olives, and croutons (with lite ranch dressing is her favorite!) A girl must watch her figure.

4. Kirby loves children of all ages – Saana thinks pre-teen boys all need a good snark (or a snap if they come close enough!).

5. Kirby enjoys going to agility class – Saana cannot figure out why in the world any dog would want to jump over something that you could just walk around.

6. Kirby wants to snuggle in your lap and lay all over you for hours – Saana prefers to be near you, but never on you at all.

7. Kirby has a tight curly tail and sharp pointy ears that never relax – Saana has a loose fluffy curled tail and ears that go back any time you show her attention.

8. Kirby will ‘give you his belly’ to rub even if he met you 3 minutes ago (attention hound!) – Saana will not roll on her back willingly for anyone (no touching the belly!)

9. Kirby loves to play with his stuffed animals and wouldn’t dream of destroying them – Saana, well, if it’s stuffed, it must be defuzzed, desqueaked, and any arms and legs must be removed IMMEDIATELY!

10. Kirby absolutely adores his sister Saana – Saana thinks Kirby is much better behaved now that she has had a year to train him how to behave around a lady.

So next time someone asks what basenjis are “like,” good luck answering that question!

Happy to be Basenji Parents

One of the many joys of basenji parenthood is the greeting we receive when we come home. When Eric comes home, there are mad dashes around the house and ecstatic greetings at the door. Daddy’s Home! Yippee!! Ivan and Dasa leap in the air and cavort happily around Eric, a greeting enthusiastic enough for an appearance by a favorite movie star or visiting royalty who just happen to be in the neighborhood and decide to stop by.

Among his many talents is Ivan’s ability to tell time. On evenings when I work until eight, Ivan starts pestering Eric precisely at the hour, as if demanding him to make me appear. He knows what our cars sound like, and starts racing circles through the house when he hears me coming down the street. It’s a wonderful feeling to be so heralded when I come home in the evening.

The munchkins get along very well. However, they have the usual sibling rivalry, each trying to get sit closer to Mom or Dad, staking their claim. If Dasa claims a prime spot by one of the parents, Ivan grumps, irritated that she took his spot, because every ideal spot next to Mom or Dad should be his, ready when he wants it. He huffs indignantly and turns his head, making the traitorous parent wait for his affections, even if he only holds out a minute or two.

Dasa was afraid of Eric when we adopted her several years ago. Now, she has Eric wrapped around one dainty white paw, and she has become very adept at getting her favorite spot on his lap. Dasa talks to Eric in her funny little voice that sounds as though she’s a baby seal, and delicately puts one petite paw on his knee when he returns her greeting. She has gone from perching stiffly near us to melting contentedly into a doggy noodle draped across a lap. Ivan is determined that Eric should snuggle him, and gets somewhat disgruntled when his sister slips onto Eric’s lap, claiming her share of his daddy’s attention.

Dasa is not as prone to dramatics or pouting. If Ivan gets Dasa’s chosen spot, she whirls about on the floor, bouncing into a play bow, inviting him to join her. It took Ivan a while, but he eventually learned that when he jumped eagerly off the couch, ready to play, Dasa leaped into his spot and settled in with a satisfied expression. Life with the munchkins is so much fun.

Kip's Favorite Things

Here is a song my basenji Kip wrote for you guys today:
(to the tune of My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music)


Licking raindrops off roses and chewing the whiskers off kittens,
Ripping up mum's coat and her fuzzy wool mittens,
Brown paper treat bags tied up with strings,
These are a few of my favorite things!

Playing with ponies and eating strudels,
My stuffed pig, possum, and pink poodle,
Birds that soar above my head, flapping their wings,
These are a few of my favorite things!

Looking out the window and the fireplace's ashes,
Snowflakes that fall onto my nose and eyelashes,
Summer, fall, winter, and spring,
These are a few of my favorite things!

When that golden retriever bites,
When the bee stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad!


It's remarkable how he described his everyday life, while still using the same rhyming scheme as My Favorite Things! I have one very talented doggie ;)

Lock your Car Windows!

My husband thinks I'm paranoid. I'm constantly thinking about the "what-if's" of what the dogs could get into, what they could do while I'm out of the house, and what they might even try to do right under my nose. I don't leave the windows open when I leave the house unless they're high windows, in case the dogs see a squirrel outside and decide to try to bust through the screen to hunt it. I insist that the dogs ALWAYS walk with their harnesses on, because I'm afraid they might slip their collars on a walk (even though they've never shown a propensity to do so). I don't leave rawhides out when I'm gone, for fear that the dogs may fight and/or choke on them. When we went house-hunting, I insisted on having a porch with a railing so we can install a swing-gate, so that I don't have to worry about the dogs bolting out the front door. Plus, of course, there's the usual basenji stuff: Don't leave items too close to the edges of tables or countertops that you wouldn't want to part with. Keep the lid on the trash can at all times. Put the fluffy pillows up on top of the TV before you leave the house unless you want to come home to an indoor "snow shower" in your living room. You know, the usual stuff. But, as prepared as I am, somehow my basenjis still manage to surprise me sometimes.

Case in point: Three summers ago when I got my first basenji, Reef, we used to always take her up to the beach to go walking after hours. Every time we'd get in the car and head in the direction of the beach, she'd go completely bananas and start bouncing off the walls inside the car. One summer Saturday afternoon I put Reef in the car with me to go to the dog park (since dogs aren't allowed on the beach during peak hours), but I had to stop by the beach on my way there. As I'm sitting in bumper to bumper traffic inching along next to the boardwalk, Reef is going nuts inside the car. In her frenzy, she inadvertently steps on the power window button on the passenger's side door, and before I even knew what was going on the window was halfway down and my dog leaped out of the moving car!

Panic doesn't even begin to describe what I felt in that moment. Thankfully the traffic was only inching along in both directions, so the leap out of the car didn't hurt her and the car coming in the opposite direction saw what had happened. I wrenched my car over into the emergency fire lane next to the boardwalk, yelled to the guy in the car behind me to keep traffic stopped for a minute or two, and took off running down the street after my dog.

It's a good thing that my dog has a one-track mind, because on that Saturday all she wanted to do was just go to the beach (and who wouldn't?). As soon as she found a ramp up to the raised boardwalk, she was on it and over it and down onto the sand. Once there, she ran around like mad for a few minutes, but there were enough people there to sniff that soon she succumbed to her curiosity. Once she stopped to sniff, I pounced on her in an instant!

As I headed back to the car with a naughty little dog under my arm, of course the always-friendly NJ beach staff had to make a point to tell me that dogs are not allowed on the beach. I thought: Did my mad chase look like I was trying to just waltz onto the beach with my dog? What I said instead was that I was very sorry for the trouble; my dog had just escaped my car by putting the window down herself. The beach attendant scoffed and told me that was ridiculous; no dog can do that! I showed him my car in the fire lane, with the door still standing open and the passenger window halfway down, and as I walked away I told him that he needed to read up on basenjis.

So, am I paranoid? I think not! Add "keep car windows locked" to the basenji precautions list, and keep on your toes for the next thing they'll surprise you with!

It's Cold Out There!

Rufus and Pippin know exactly where to be on a cold morning.
The needle stood exactly at zero a few minutes ago.

Joanna Garrett
(in Ohio)