I see your post was back in Jan. so I hope you have your new basenji settled in. I also adopted a beasenji in Jan. She is my second. I adopted a 5 year old to be with my 3 yr. old, who had had 2 litters in the past and was bred for a 3rd one, but didn’t get pregnant. So the breeder, the same breeder our boy came from, decided to let her go to a forever home. I had to wait quite a while for her to be ready and I felt just like you. I couldn’t wait! I kept texting the breeder questions, request for photos, etc. When we picked her up she seemed comfortable with us right from the start. She has been a wonderful addition to our family, a good match for our 3yr. old boy. He’s a toughie but I think he’s met his match with her. He’s so much happier with his own friend. They love to be together. I hope your new pup is adjusting just as well as mine. Have fun. I think they make us laugh every day. Yes, you have to be on your toes with these guys, you have to make them a big part of your life. They can never just be a fixture. They are work but it’s worth it all. 3 years ago I was a newbie but not anymore, and I’m loving this wild ride.
Old toy new fun
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For Christmas and birthday Luny got a few new squeeky toys (typical right) - unlike my previous beastie (EL D), however, Luny doens't destroy new toys within 2 minutes but instead "plays nice". In fact he mostly sleeps (well he is 10 yrs) and doesn't attack toys at all.
Well one of the new toys had a broken squeeky and as it happened to be one that was a pretty realistic squirrel, I decided to do something different - I tied a string on it and ran it past Luny. Boy did that wake him up - I ran that thing all over the house with Luny chasing after it (of course I let him catch it a few times). Now that has become his favorite toy (I don't know if because it looks realistic or acts realistic) and I'll find him throwing it around if I'm busy and can't play "run-and-catch". He's been getting aggressive with it too - the other night it landed in the Christmas tree and yesterday it ended up on top of another live plant where he couldn't see it. For a laid back "old man", he sure is having a second childhood.
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Luny, aka Tommy, used to do a bunch of racing. I bet that toy looks an aweful lot like the squawker (lure). Well I'm sure those old days are kicking in, and he's all business.
When the weather turns nice, get a lunge whip or a fishing pole and tie that to it. Swing that thing around in the yard and boy will he have a blast! Glad you are enjoying your new boy. May you and Luny have many happy years together!
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Thanks - I'm going to look into the lure racing this summer again - he might like going to the practice sessions maybe.
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Did Luny (or I guess I should say Tommy ) used to do lure coursing or straight line/oval track racing?
I'm glad you found something fun for Luny to do.
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I think he's tried it all. Here's his awards:
AFSA Field Champion and Lure Courser of Merit, Large Gazehound Racing Champion, the first male second basenji to be Superior Gazehound Racing Champion, and was also a Junior Oval Racer. And of course an AKC show champion.(And I changed his call name partly because I don't like people-names for dogs and partly because he's a LUNATIC :))
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Pretty accomplished boy. He obviously must love running and chasing.
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WOW! that is impressive for an old man getting his second wind
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Yep, he did both and did quite well. And yeah, I would definitely take him to the race meets and let him have a little fun. I have seen quite a few dogs in their teens enjoying a romp on the field.
I don't know what lure coursing is in your area, but I do know there are races in MN, sounds like they're not too far from you? And race meets are usually a lot more accomodating as far as practices.
Have fun Luny!
