Love The Face You Wake Up Next To

My great-grandmother Rosa advised the women of my family to marry a man whose face you will enjoy waking up and seeing for the rest of your life. Not that the content of his character and other good qualities weren't important, but that the thrill of seeing that face when you open your eyes is part of what keeps the romance alive.

There is nothing thrilling about waking up next to a Basenji. It's roasting, pushy, on-the-edge-sleeping, paw-in-the-face, farting, snarking, snoring, quacking, squeaking, demanding. Yet, when Denny Basenji does sleep with me, I sleep deeply and soundly because he is my sleeping pill.

Oh, I could go on about the oxytocin release from the constant contact he insists on, the deep relaxation of listening to his breathing, or the quiet contentment in the moment he inspires. So really, the sleeping part isn't the problem.

It's the waking up part.

Neither of us are morning...er...people. I'm not civilized until coffee. He's either lazy or frantic to pee. If he wants love, I get a paw in the face to wake me up and pet him. If he wants to be left alone, he gurgles and growls under the covers while pushing at me with all four paws until I get up and leave him to donut back up into a little ball. If he wants to be walked, he jumps on top of me, walks over me and paws at me until I get up.

As soon as his needs have been attended to, the little bastard goes back to sleep. I, however, am up for good.

And yet, I still love waking up to his fuzzy little face.

 

 

New Available BRATs: Bella, Pongo, Darlene

Name: Bella
Dog state: Illinois
DOB: 6/1/2002
Gender: Female
Color: Brindle
Weight: 19.5

Bella is a sweet and very active girl. Don't let her age fool you. This little girl can wrestle just like the young pups. Her ideal home would be one that has someone that can provide lots of attention and pampering. Her personality is one of grace and joy. She loves to cuddle and has a really soft coat. She is also a bit of a fashionista and comes with a fabulous collection of toys, doggie coats, winter boots, and more so that her new person can pamper and love her as she is used to.

Click HERE to find out more about Bella!

Name: Pongo
Dog state: Illinois
DOB: 11/18/2001

Gender: Male
Color: Brindle
Weight: 31

Pongo is a lonely boy looking for a home of his own with a family that will give him lots of attention. He needs a home with lots of walks or a fenced in backyard. A playmate would be a plus. Pongo would also make a great companion for an elderly person. He is a good walker and doesn't pull, knows how to use the doggie door, and enjoys the company of a kind human guardian.

Click HERE to find out more about Pongo!

Name: Darlene
Dog state: Texas
DOB: 01/2011

Gender: Female
Color: Red and white
Weight: 20

Darlene is a petite young girl of about 20 pounds and full of energy. She loves the company of other dogs so this is a must in a new home. She is very affectionate, loves to snuggle, and is good at sharing the bed. She has not met a stranger she doesn't like, and she is good with children. She loves to run and needs an active home to keep her happy.

Click HERE to find out more about Darlene!

Looking for a rescue Basenji? Start with BRAT's directory of available dogs, and feel free to wander around the rest of the website for more information about this unique breed!

2012 BRAT Annual Convention

The tenth annual BRAT Convention and Family Reunion was held June 7- 9 in Indianapolis. Over 40 humans and about 50 dogs attended this convention. BRAT volunteers traveled from California and Connecticut, and eight other states in between. They traveled from small towns and big cities, all in a quest to celebrate their rescue mission and return home with renewed energy and conviction, renewed dedication to seek the best possible home for each small curly-tailed dog.

 This is BRAT’s 13th year of operation, and at this tenth convention we enjoyed reconnecting with some of the volunteers we’ve known since its inception in 1999. We also had the opportunity to meet some volunteers who are new to the calling of rescuing Basenjis. They come from all across the county, from diverse backgrounds and occupations, but all are dedicated to these magical little dogs. They devote a lot of time, energy, and other resources to finding forever homes for Basenjis in need of a second chance.

 

Because it is all about the dogs, the conference’s canine attendees were welcome in the meeting room. Some of the basenjis snuggled in beds under the tables, some sat on convenient laps, some sat on their own chairs beside their people.  For the most part, they were very patient, at least for basenjis. They let us know when they felt the proceedings did not meet their expectations, when they were bored, or when they felt things needed to be livened up just a bit.  There were some very personable basenji-mixes in attendance, and even a few honorary basenjis including Suzanne Sarlls-Hartwell’s Huskies and Tonya Christiansen’s Chihuahua Ellie. There were some feisty young pups less than two years old, and some grand old seniors. I believe the oldest or if you prefer, most senior, Basenji at the convention was 17.

What do we celebrate at BRAT conventions? I’m happy to report that 275 dogs were rescued, rehabilitated and given second chances for happy forever homes in 2011.  In the first half of this year, 132 basenjis have been given this chance at a new life in a loving home.  There are 71 dogs in varying stages of the placement process. There are also numerous dogs who were able to stay in their original homes because BRAT members were able to help the owners solve problems. I’m elated that so many Basenjis got a second chance, a happy, safe home due to the efforts of a long chain of BRAT volunteers, each link playing a part to bring the Basenjis to their forever homes.

 

All along the way, BRAT volunteers have worked to bring about these happy miracles. All along the way, BRAT volunteers who juggle their BRAT duties with jobs, families, and basenjis of their own, have made this possible. They’ve worked at BRAT duties, some small, some large, to pave the way the way for these happy endings. They’ve formed a safety net, from one set of hands to another. BRAT is an all-volunteer organization, and there are volunteers across the country working for rescue Basenjis. They handle paperwork, coordinate dogs, transport, make phone calls, send emails, and do home visits. And then there are those wonderful heroes who foster and give basenjis a safe place to heal so they can go on to their forever homes.

 

There’s quite a lot to celebrate. One by one, these humans quietly, daily, make contributions that bring about happy changes for little dogs. God bless them every one.

Immunization Reactions

My cynical side could only respond to the verdict at the vet of "Both of your basenjis are the picture of health!" during our visit in May with a thought of "How long will it take for something to go wrong?"

Four days to be exact.  As I was petting Shaka after his dinner, I was shocked to discover a lump on his back that wasn't there the day before, not even there in the morning.  And it was the size of an unshelled pecan.  My logical self told me a tumor that large could not develop in less than eight hours. I remembered that he'd had a bad flip when trying to chase a pigeon on our walk that day before, but it seemed hard to believe it was an abscess or bruise, and he showed no pain when I touched it.  Common sense should have answered immediately, and when we arrived at the vet she was fairly certain of what was up before she even checked him:  reaction to immunizations.

There was good support through BRAT-CHAT, and most of it confirmed what the vet suggested:  warm compresses two to three times a day and basically just wait.  Beyond that, she suggested that for future rounds of shots, we do them sequentially and in different spots. A couple of people suggested Benadryl before the visit.

As usual, my vet outlined the worst case possibilities just in case.  If it didn't go down over the course of time, it could develop into a tumor and that she would recommend removing it if it didn't go down.  For the first few days I was convinced that we might have to face that reality.  It was still as big as a pecan for several days.  And then it went down to the size of a single almond.  And then a lentil.  And after a week and a half was completely gone.

Thanks to all of those within BRAT that helped with support and ideas. Now Shaka is back to his regular sun spot routines and chasing pigeons.

An Unexpected Guest

We all know that basenjis are funny little dogs, who always keep us on our toes and do entertaining things.  But every once in a while, they do something truly unexpected that just leaves me scratching my head in disbelief.  Last Tuesday was one of those days.

After a wonderful and too-short Memorial Day weekend, I went to work on Tuesday morning and left my 2 basenjis in their usual daytime spot:  Each dog sitting on a patio chair outside, bathing in the sunshine.   Now, before you think I'm nuts for allowing my two basenjis access to the backyard during the day, let me say that I've made my yard the doggie equivalent of Fort Knox, so that there is no possible way they can escape.  I have a 6-ft wooden stockade fence with no gaps (and not able to be climbed), with a very sturdy gate that remains padlocked 24/7 (and we live in a very safe suburban neighborhood), and to the bottom of the entire fenceline I have stapled chicken wire and dug it down 2 feet into the ground, so that there is no way a dog, rabbit, or groundhog could dig underneath the fence.  The dogs have access to the yard and most of the house during the day via a dog door in the kitchen wall, so that they can go outside as they please and sit in the sunshine all day long.  Not a bad life, right?

Anyhow, on Tuesday I went to work and left the dogs sunbathing as usual, but at the end of the day I got a very strange phone call from my husband.  He had just gotten home from work, and he was calling me to ask, "Honey, why is there a TURTLE in the living room???"

I happened to be in the checkout line at the grocery store at the time, and I was so floored by his question that I repeated it out loud, trying to make it register sense in my head.  The woman in front of me at the checkout stand overheard me, and naturally thought this was the funniest thing she'd ever heard.  And it is - if you're not the one trying to figure out how on earth a turtle would get into your living room!  Of course, I immediately knew it had to have been my mischievous basenjis, but that only raised more questions:  How on earth had they managed to fit their little mouths around that giant shell and carry it inside?  How had they managed to hold it in their mouths while they brought it in through the dog door?  Was it still alive?  And, the most vexing question of all:  How on earth did that poor turtle come to arrive inside my critter-proofed backyard?

Well, I knew the answers to the first two questions at least - my dogs have been known for bringing an astounding assortment of objects inside through the dog door, including a 6-ft tree limb that I found waiting for me in the kitchen one day when I arrived home from work.  (I still can't figure out how they managed to drag THAT sucker in through the tiny dog door!).  But a TURTLE?  Not to be doubted, however, as soon as I arrived home Biko happily demonstrated how easily the large shell fit inside his mouth.  I could see that they had done a number on the poor thing, as there were bite marks around the edges of its shell and little bits of shell on the living room rug.  But, as I rescued the tortoise from being used as a chew toy yet again, I did see the unfortunate creature move slightly inside his shell.  Phew!  He was alive.

As I carried the coconut-sized shell through the woods surrounding my neighborhood, back to an area where I knew there was a little pond, I pondered some more on exactly how the little guy had come to arrive inside my yard.  The only possible way into the yard was via a 2" gap underneath one side of the gate where the ground was slightly uneven, under which we had placed heavy concrete paving stones so that the dogs wouldn't be able to dig under the gate if they tried.  I measured the turtle's shell with my hand, and after placing him carefully in some reeds by the pond, I used the same hand measurement to see if there was any possible way the little guy could have fit underneath the gate.  It was a very tight fit, but it looked like it could have been possible.  And given that there were no other signs of struggle anywhere around the fenceline, and the fact that it was a 90-degree day and the sprinklers had probably gone off in the backyard to water the grass, I figured that the turtle had probably come out of the woods, down the cul-de-sac of my neighborhood, and scooted under the gate in search of the cool water from the sprinklers.  Once in the backyard, however, I'm sure that my two basenjis pounced on him immediately, since they take great joy in hunting anything that moves (and sometimes things that don't).  Poor turtle!

The next day I went back to the pond, to make sure that the turtle had indeed lived through his ordeal as an afternoon chew toy for two basenjis.  He was gone from his hiding spot in the reeds, so I can only assume that he did eventually get up the courage to come out of his shell and dip into the water.  I was glad to see that he was gone, and hopefully from now on he'll have the sense to stay out of my basenjis' backyard hunting ground!

Big, Bad Guard Dog

When we learned that my husband’s work schedule was about to change and I would consequently be alone in the house at night for the first time in my life, we started thinking about getting a dog for companionship and protection.

My criteria were strict: The dog had to be an obedient sort, non-shedding, clean, odorless, and, most importantly, quiet.  A memory resurfaced of a handsome little dog my great-uncle had when I was very young; Pooch was a Basenji, and, unlike the Chihuahuas, German Shepherds, and mixed breeds my parents owned over the years, he did not bark. Yes, I decided, a Basenji was the breed we should look for. And that’s how Ruby came to live with us.

The obedience requirement quickly went by the wayside – Ruby’s reliability, it turned out, was dependent upon the quality of the bribe. 

Non-shedding? Ha! In spite of the breed’s reputation, Basenjis do shed, and some of them shed a lot! (It depends on individual genetics, the climate, and the amount of time spent outdoors.) Over the next thirteen-and-a-half years, Ruby probably shed a dozen or more dogs’ worth of fur. I got used to it. (I even saved some.)

 Although not exactly odorless, Ruby’s fragrance was like warm corn chips. Luckily, I happened to like corn chips!

But she did live up to the promise of being clean. She’d come indoors with mud up to her little elbows and butt swirls (and beyond!); yet within the hour, her white would be as white as driven snow. 

 She was a fastidious groomer. At first I bathed her whenever she got dirty, but eventually I abandoned that practice and just gave her a yearly soap-and-rinse. Basenjis are truly wash 'n' wear dogs. (Think about it: how often do you bathe your cat?)

Ironically, Ruby failed utterly in protection department. My dad used to tease me because when he came to visit, he’d enter after knocking at the door, and then hide around the corner…while Ruby came forward ever so cautiously, ready to turn her droopy tail and run if a stranger was lurking there! She had a yellow stripe down her back a mile wide, and it wasn’t the Basenji ridgie.

On our daily walks through many years, I discovered that I had to coax her past all sorts of  unexpected, frightening things...

                …like the neighbors’ Halloween displays!

                    …hubcaps lost along the roadside!

                      …scary chickens!

                     …and items neighbors wanted to give away!

It turned out that Ruby was a lover, not a fighter. In an odd twist of intentions, her job on the nights we spent alone was to get her beauty sleep. Mine was just to love her.    And I did.

New Available BRATs: Brutus, Eros, and bonded pair Simon & Sphinx

Name: Brutus
Dog state: Arizona
DOB: 12/1/2005
Gender: Male
Color: Tricolor
Weight: 41


For those of you that have yearned for a Basenji in a larger size, your wait is over! Brutus is not overweight -- he is just a really big, 41 pound boy described by his foster as calm, easy-going and endearing. This guy's early years were spent outside. After time in foster care indoors he says he much prefers living indoors with a dog door to go out when he wants or needs to. He will need adequate shade outdoors to keep his keratosis in check. He prefers to be indoors, with his people, and is very happy to curl up at your feet or to join you on the couch.

Click HERE to find out more about Brutus!

Name: Eros
Dog state: California
DOB: 12/18/2003
Gender: Male
Color: Red and white
Weight: 33


Eros is a nine year old brindle boy with gorgeous, penetrating eyes. Eros' lifetime owner relocated abroad so he is looking for his new home. Eros is an exceptionally loyal boy who is ready to be loved and become part of a new family. He is very active and loves to explore the world. Eros will be an extraordinary companion for a basenji-savvy family who can appreciate his strong will. He is a great exercise companion. He hikes and runs well on leash; but he loves being off even more (in an enclosed space, of course)! On hikes he stays close at hand and returns with a whistle. At dog parks he checks back often and seems to really enjoy running with the other beasts.

Click HERE to find out more about Eros!

Name: Simon & Sphinx
Dog state: Florida
DOB: 1/10/2007 and 11/22/2006, respectively
Gender: Male (both)
Color: Tricolor (both)
Weight: 28, 24


Simon and Sphinx, while not littermates, are bonded "brothers." They have been together since they were puppies and must be placed together. They pine for each other if separated. If you are looking for two really sweet and handsome basenjis, this is the pair for you! Simon is more laid back and Sphinx is the curious lap dog—he will cuddle on the couch while Simon will stretch out on the floor nearby. The boys pull like a team of sled dogs, have a high prey drive and will go after small rodents. However, they have behaved like gentlemen in their foster home with the resident small dogs, and will continue to make good strides with training and reinforcement.

Click HERE to find out more about Simon and Sphinx!

If you're ready to adopt one or two Basenjis, or you're just looking to learn more about the breed, the main BRAT website, with frequently updated listings, has lots of information for you!

Mud Puppies

The munchkins amaze me. Just when I foolishly think I have at least an idea of what to expect, they do something unexpected.

After recent rains our backyard is damp and green, and underneath all that green grass is moist pliable dirt. Dasa has long been our little digger. New plants, thatch under the grass, general mystery patches that displease her, these must all be excavated. Sometimes she digs intently, thoroughly exploring one small spot. Sometimes, she digs furiously, dirt flying as she annihilates whatever evil lurks under that particular plant.

When I ask “Dasa, what are you doing?” She looks at me, clumps of dirt sticking to her little white feet, tail wagging, “Hi Mom.”  I scoop her up so she can’t scamper into the house, up the stairs, and onto the bed before I clean her feet.

Dasa is very patient and sits on my lap while I use paper towels and warm water to clean the mud off each little toe. I tell her how very happy we are she’s our little girl, what an amazingly good little girl she is, and how it simply won’t do to have mud on our pretty girl’s feet.
She scampers off and a few minutes later scratches at the door to go outside and continue playing in the dirt.

Ivan has long dug in corners of the house. If he’s being ignored and there’s no paper to shred, he energetically digs the carpet in a corner. He’s especially fond of digging in the corner of our walk-in closet. Don’t ask me why. He digs energetically, wildly, ignoring our requests to come out of the closet until we close the door and turn out the light. A second later we open the door and he trots out, ready to play.  He also really likes to dig behind doors, those are his favorite corners.

Until this spring, our elegant puppy boy would not dream of getting his feet dirty. Wet grass was dreadful enough without adding dirt. However, there’s something about this spring that incites wild digging by both munchkins. Is it the damp thatch under the grass?  The perfect degree of moisture in the dirt?  Hard to say. Yet they both dig little bald patches all over the back yard. These spots aren’t deep, mainly because I rush out and pour black pepper all over the dig sites. But still they persist.

As with most things, cleaning Ivan’s feet is much more complicated and fraught with difficulty. I reward both Munchkins with treats and then sit on the floor next to Ivan and pick up one front foot while Ivan grumps indignantly. I wash each toe with warm water while I offer a running commentary of praise. He harrumphs and mutters and finally leans against me, standing on three feet while I clean mud from each foot in turn, and tell him repeatedly that he is far too gorgeous to have mud on his feet. By the time I’m finished, he’s relaxed against me, receiving praise and snuggles as his due.