I feel like Linda Blair from the Exorcist - my head is spinning here.<lol>
Andrea - how did we go from message #114 - where you you replied to each of my questions (which I appreciate) in such a direct and professional manner even ending with:
…. to message #119 where you replied to the subsection of the same question with what I felt was a rather critical -
Can you elaborate/give an example of the dripping with sarcasm part (apart from the sarcastic humor of course as I am terribly guilty of THAT!) as I just don't see it and feel I am being misunderstood perhaps??
Honestly? I think the Lukuru dogs are awesome additions to the gene pool as they ooze old style breed type. It will be fun to watch how they are integrated into the domestic gene pool just as I have watched the Avongaras, and I wish them all the best!
Now then, I am really not sure how there can be an 'appearance of anything' based solely on my original post to this thread.
I had no idea Jo was on this forum. How in the world could I? In 3 years she has not posted a single post, until she decided to show me (and the rest of the group) the error of my ways yesterday - in her opinion of course - to what I thought was a pretty benign post sharing my opinions about the subject of native dogs with a query at the end asking for credentials of a presumed expert.
Andrea - you are the one who talks about hot buttons, you talk about how I tend to ask questions that piss people off, and you talk about Jo and I as though we have issues known to you. How is it you know so much and I know so little?
As stated I have never met Jo face to face that I can recall. Our private email exchanges have extended to basenjis that I can recall and nothing more. At least on my end - I have no issues at all with regard to her and I am not sure how my posts could even infer I do.
You and I have maybe met once Andrea - not sure as I used to confuse you with Brenda Phillips and certainly you and I have never had any private email exchanges except re: ASP CDs or when I was hoping to do a virtual standard with Eunice. So throwing your statement back at you - - who is whispering in your ear and possibly obscuring impartiality towards me about hot buttons, issues needing to be hashed out and questions that piss them off in relations to me? I figure it is either that (someone whispering in your ear) or else you have all of these personal issues with me yourself. In which case - I would love to be able to address them head on and perhaps correct them if possible - on or off forum - your choice.</lol>
OMG…seriously??? nobody is whispering in my ear....I have no personal issues with you....really, honestly. I have met you more than twice, but I don't really care if you confuse me with Brenda, because she is one of the most awesome people I know.
I actually posted my response to your individual questions before I read the part that I identified as sarcastic. I think the part about dissecting what it is to "live" somewhere is the part that made me roll my eyes.
I have no more knowledge about this discussion than you...I just have been reading your posts on list for years. Your posts don't piss me off...but surely you recognize that you spark people's angry responses? Maybe you don't. Maybe the sarcastic humor that you were speaking of is what I sensed. I do find you rather argumentative, but that is not a character flaw in my book 
I tend to read between the lines, and maybe I read something that wasn't there...or maybe you accidentally, or intentionally like to put things inbetween the lines. I don't know, since I don't know really know you, as you pointed out.
Either way, I always am intrigued by, and respect your point of view, even if I disagree with it.
I don't know who any of you are, and you don't know me, so then I must be the EXPERT!!!!!:):):)
Sorry, couldn't resist. Expert, schmexpert.
Isn't this forum about basenjis and their awesomeness and all that entails? Or is about people constantly getting their feathers ruffled?
Like water on a ducks back, people, like water on a ducks back…..
After reading two pages…
I would much rather make dinner for my family, play with my puppies and dogs, heck, I'd rather poop scoop than read the drivvle I have seen posted on those few pages.
RM... the pups are cute. As a longtime breeder, dog owner, exhibitor and AKC judge, I respect what you are doing with the Avuvis. That doesn't mean I'd ever want to use them.. but I have no issues with thes dogs, any more than I do the DRC or Lukuru dogs.
In fact, MANY people on this forum LOVED the pictures I posted of some of your imports... of course, this was when I posted them and they had no idea they were imported from Benin.
Now, I know you are doing the testing as much as possible and doing what is being required with the Avuvi project. Kudos to you. And kudos for not breeding a dog that flat out didn't pass a major health screening. Can ALL the breeders on here say they have done the same?? Yeah, I know the answer to that already, as do MANY others.
This forum was put together by a couple that thought they were doing a good thing by bringing together Basenji owners. Unfortunately, it has become a ground for people that have nothing better to do than throw their know-it-all opinions and trash-talk of others down the throats of newbies and those inquiring about the breed.
I thought I left HS 25 years ago... apparently the crap and gossip that went on there is now here. Yet another reason why I discontinued referring my puppy buyers to this website.
Don't waste your typing skills flaming me... because those that would... are most definitely not worth the time it would take me to read through pages just to respond to you.
Well…I guess that topic is closed....
There truly is no need for either of you to be sarcastic.
There is also no need to be rude… it reflects upon you as a BREEDER.
W:)hile you may try to show people you care about the breed, you are just flat out being nasty to Rose Marie.
If you don't like her dogs, that is fine.
But, is it really necesary to treat her the way you have been on a public forum?
She was nasty before anyone else, so go chastise her.
I am not a breeder. I neither like nor dislike her dogs, but I certainly don't like someone advertising dogs as basenji, refusing to give health but indicating it's been done and will be given to buyers when a check of OFA shows NOT done, and then attacking people who question her.
And btw, breeding without testing is about as irresponsible as breeding dogs who failed imho because if you don't test, you don't know. Same lack of ethics.
Oh and thought you were done?
And sorry I wasn't being sarcastic, I was laughing at a very short to the point post.
Please - in the holiday spirit, can we lay this post to rest? There is more than enough anger in the world.
There truly is no need for either of you to be sarcastic.
There is also no need to be rude… it reflects upon you as a BREEDER.
W:)hile you may try to show people you care about the breed, you are just flat out being nasty to Rose Marie.
If you don't like her dogs, that is fine.
But, is it really necesary to treat her the way you have been on a public forum?
But I guess it is okay for you to be nasty to me? and the other breeders who post here regularly? okay…
Please - in the holiday spirit, can we lay this post to rest? There is more than enough anger in the world.
Sorry Fran 
I agree we need to be civil. Sorry too Fran.
Amen Fran,,,,,Amen Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you all
Although this thread is dying or dead … since my post two days ago seemed to spark a bit of furor, I would like to make a brief comment and then I will be silent.
First, I laughed out loud at the apt description of this exchange as feeling like Linda Blair from the Exorcist. After reading the pages of posts, my head is spinning too.
Wow, things got really twisted.
To be fair, for those who pointed out that it would have been better for me to limit my post to the facts and information without the confrontational context, I do agree.
As can happen, the information (about Manu's background) seems to have been lost in my delivery (words of frustration) and in the subsequent redirection to focus on the messenger (me).
I wrote my original note out of my annoyance at comments on other lists of which some of you do not see. That left some of you angry about the tone of my words.
I read the statement that "As far as I know [Manu] is no more of an expert then XXX - as both have been to Africa and both own Native dogs from a similar region. As always - I like to have as many facts as possible before leaping to a conclusion." as conclusive statement of alleged fact, not a question. My reaction was a knee-jerk defense of Manu.
I did not presume that anyone knew anything about me. My original post was only about Manu; it was not about me. When presenting facts about Manu's background, I did not realize that I had to qualify myself in order to make the facts acceptable or not.
It was only later that I replied on my own behalf in response to specific presumptions made about who I am.
In no instance did I address any individual dogs, any importation effort, any analysis of type or typiness of imports, nor did I make any comment about what is in the best interest for the breed, nor did I say anything about my personal background having any reflection on Manu's level of knowledge, nor did I ever label myself as the ultimate expert / guardian / ultimate decision maker for the breed, etcetera. … all things attributed to me in 'your' (generic) posts.
Again, my post was not an opinion post or my view of anything but was only a presentation of facts and information about Manu. Admittedly, the message was framed by my sentiments founded in posts outside the purview of this forum. That was my mistake.
I must say, reading the comments from the past two days has certainly been enlightening to me on many levels.
Thank you all for your candor.
Jo
Thanks for the clarification on your end Jo.
I would like to clarify one thing on my end - lest people read the following wrong:
@JoT:
I wrote my original note out of my annoyance at comments on other lists of which some of you do not see.
I have never said anything good, bad or indifferent about Manu on any other list. I do not know Manu and barely (as evidenced by my query and lack of knowledge of the extent she visited/lived in Africa) know anything about her or her interests much less her expertise on native dogs. I have since been sent another link to read http://ghana-outdoors.blogspot.com/search?q=dogs (thank you!) and find her to be quite an interesting and enjoyable read.
Okay people, wth? Has the holiday season infected you all?
TOTALLY KIDDING!
Thank you Dr Jo. My responses were reactive (defense of Linda much as you did Manu), and your post today professional and wonderful to read.
I really would like to learn more from you, just not enough to join any other group. I hope you pop in more often and contribute. Yes, I know most of us here are pet owners, but you can help created educated pet owners.
I would like to clarify one thing on my end - lest people read the following wrong:
I have never said anything good, bad or indifferent about Manu on any other list. I do not know Manu and barely (as evidenced by my query and lack of knowledge of the extent she visited/lived in Africa) know anything about her or her interests much less her expertise on native dogs. I have since been sent another link to read http://ghana-outdoors.blogspot.com/search?q=dogs (thank you!) and find her to be quite an interesting and enjoyable read.
Considering you have been accused of this 3 times, I'd like to see the persons saying it to either clarify they didn't mean you personally or else say you are a liar and post it, because so far neither have stood up and responded to your repeated denials.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Start new year out right forgive and start over.
I wish I could get my B's to sing Merry Christmas lol..
Rita Jean
I just realized I did not give Andrea the courtesy of a reply. Sorry.
I have met you more than twice, but I don't really care if you confuse me with Brenda, because she is one of the most awesome people I know.
She is pretty cool from what I can gather. Glad it was not someone you did not like. :O) Any chance you could refresh my memory on when we have met. I feel at a disadvantage now. :O) Privately is fine.
Your posts don't piss me off…but surely you recognize that you spark people's angry responses? Maybe you don't.
Actually I don't. Not because I am obtuse (quit laughing people!) and don't recognize what anger looks like but mostly because if someone gets pissed off at another's direct question - especially a benign or mundane question - I am turning my head to the side more at the pissed off person trying to figure out what it is they did not like vs looking at the person who actually asked the direct question. IOW, I am wondering - is it a case of the truth hurts, a misunderstanding, personal baggage, one-upmanship, redirection (displaced aggression in some circles) to avoid answering, ???? I would be trying to decide if the response matched the query and if it did not, why not.
Kind of like when I used to ask breeder A and C about breeder B when I was a newbie. I was more willing to accept and believe breeder A's negative critiques of breeder B since they answered matter of fact, tempered it with positives and threw in a few negative things about their own breedings as an example of how common it might be (a balanced response) vs accepting/believing breeder C's who negative critique is all she shares (nothing positive) on the tail end of why breeder C feels she, herself, is awesome and matter of fact - according to her - she is the ONLY awesome breeder out there (believe me - I have met these people!). If that makes a lick of sense. I guess in the end, for me, it is all about trying to look at all sides and motivations et al (if possible) before coming to any conclusions. Sometimes I am right on the money, sometimes close by and sometimes out of the ballpark (and I do not mean home run!).
I do find you rather argumentative, but that is not a character flaw in my book
I would disagree with your assessment that I am argumentative. To me that means to argue just for the sake of arguing and believe me - I have better things to do then argue just for the sake of hearing my own voice or seeing my written words. I would like to think I am a truth seeker (I know - sappy - but I can not think of anything better at this time and butthead is not 100% correct either:), not caring what people do or say in the world as long as they are straight forward, honest and not overly offense (no racist/sexist/gay slurs for me) and without bullying. Only thing I dislike more than bullies are dishonest, underhanded and manipulative bullies. But I digress.
Anyways - thanks for answering my queries.
One of 2 things should happen… either the people who have pretty much flat out accused you of this apologize or they show you are lying, because to date now 3 times it has been said you did do this.
Just want to say thanks for sticking up for me Debra. Since you and I are total strangers, I do appreciate it. Your candor is jaw dropping and inspiring at the same time
.
LOL well I was evidently trying to soften my response when you quoted it.
But here's the thing… Babylon 5 writer, J Michael Straczynski once said not to attribute things to him he didn't say, that he got himself into enough trouble with his actual words. I don't mind someone taking me to task over what I have actually done, but don't make things up.
And just because you assume I meant something but there is a chance you are misinterpreting it, ask first before you say it as fact. Of course, I am guilty of the same thing... so that isn't a wag of the finger.
You got flayed. If you deserved it, that's one thing. But nothing you posted here warranted it and you got accused of I guess being at fault because you were bad other places... which you deny and they don't respond to. That bothers me.
Back to the thread. If Rose Marie had said, african dogs for sell, who could fault her?
BUT calling her dogs basenjis, when they have NOT been proven to be, is IMO. incorrect.
Also, if she is trying to create a new breed, then why is she mixing basenjis with these "unique" dogs?
