Hello from Wyoming… wtf yeah, I didn't studder... but I do sometimes.

[DebraDownSouth]

ROFLMAO, what a happy face.

But I have to say, the cat/basenji issue is a big one. I am sorry BRAT didn't get this guy so they could evaluate him. PLEASE, be very very careful about the dog and the cats. Some do live together just fine, but often if not almost always, the cats came first then a puppy. Sadly, like many sight hounds, basenjis are not generally cat safe.

[2baroos]

Hello and Welcome!

[DaMac]

Hey, Welcome! He looks a lot like the last one I had. These "critters" will always amaze you in the unexpected. First two would howl like a coyote, next two were silent, last one now (had her two months), will do the good old "Roo" even if I'm gone for an hour. They are all different, just like kids from the same family.
Dave

[Patty]

Welcome to you and Seng/ji

[JakeHoffman]

I'd like to think he's more of a quiet happy guy, but I won't know til he comes home hopefully next week.

I am quite worried about the cat situation indeed, but I know my cats well and know that they're amazing smart. I've got places in the house a dog just can't get to so they've got places they can feel safe. and I've got all the patience and stubbornness in the world so I'll be able to stick it through with the dog, letting him know how important the kitties are. I hope they're sleeping on top of him in a couple of months, understanding how awesome he is.

[Moth]

I hope you get your wish

We have an 8 month old basenji named Watson…he came to live with us when he was 4 months. We too have a kitty...while he knows not to hurt her he still sometimes will give chase if she runs. They are never left unsupervised. She too has places to hang out that are dog free.

The two of them will sit quietly with me in the evening for a bit before bed...but it took work getting to that point.

So while I hope you get your wish...be prepared to accept something less than perfect peace

I agree with you though...he is awesome

Please let us know how things go for you, Senji, and your kitties.

[JakeHoffman]

Yeah, that seems like the cat's relationship with the dachshund we have now. I do hope to get the cats to see the dogs as a helpful addition to the family. Trust him, they've made great strides in this with the dachshund, and keeps getting better all the time, I see them give him kitty kisses more and more.

I plan on being an active member of the community and would love to help out as a web designer with any tech questions.

[Basenjimamma]

Hi and welcome Jake and hopefully Seng/ji. He is utterly adorable..I love his happy face.

We have a cat, she hates the dogs,( oh yeah, we have 4 dogs too, one basenji, one dachshund, a podengo wonderboy and a mutt..) but they love her, go figure..so far no injuries, no fights and no huge chases. Pippin (the basenji) loves to just lick on her and it drives her batty, so she swats him, over and over again…and he keeps on licking her..needless to say it works..for both of them.
I hope you will have a fairly easy coexistance with the cat and basenji, it would make things easier. Keep us posted on the upcoming adoption, will keep all of our fingers and paws crossed all goes as planned and that Seng/ji will join you in your pack.

[Kipawa]

hi Jake and Senji and kitties - welcome!

We are a very animal happy home - we have two senior cats and an aviary with 3 parrots. Kipawa is not interested in the birds at all, but the cats do interest him. We use a spray bottle (on the 'stream' setting) when Kipawa bothers the cats. Keep a couple of spray bottles around the house - they are cheap and really effective.

We also have a cat 'tree'. It's a huge piece of driftwood that stands vertically with a number of high, carpeted sleep areas that are cats feel safe on. Something like this wouldn't be too difficult for you to make.

Keeping my fingers crossed that the adoption goes well and that your blended family lives in harmony.

[JakeHoffman]

I've got a kitty tower I call Kitty corner they lay on all the time, and all the windows have a ledge for them to sit on. They are already accustom to sleeping on both of those so it shouldn't disrupt them much, they already deal with Moose the dachshund chasing them, much slower than a Basenji can admittedly, but they're starting to get a long well. They've only known each other a few months and it gets better daily.

[sharronhurlbut]

Welcome. Your in for an exciting time with this new companion! grin.

[JakeHoffman]

Dog Run

That's where he'll be running around in a couple of days I do hope, I took him for his first walk today, still at the humane society, still working on my application but I submitted my landlord's approval note today.

SOOOO Much energy, Its gonna take a week to use up all the energy he's saved up at the shelter. I'm STOKED!

[Voodoo]

Never had a problem with Voodoo and the my cat. They chase each other all the time. Usually Voodoo starts chasing Miwmiw to the end of the hall, then Miwmiw starts chasing Voodoo back to me. They can play quite rough, but they allways are sleeping together at night, so they are fine with each other. But Miwmiw doesn't really knows she's a cat. She also go's for walks and such. Lot of people who look strange at you when walking with 2 dogs and a cat on a leash
Now I have my sisters cat over here while she is on vacation, and Voodoo just ignores her.
While typing this, Miwmiw is on my lap, with one paw on Voodoo's head while he is sleeping next to me.

[JakeHoffman]

Awesome, I have some very small cats but they have always been brave smart little things. They follow me around when I walk around outside and want to be part of my family, so I think they'll get used to another dog quickly.

[Voodoo]

Sure they will! A dog really knows what is part of the family and what not!

Here is my little cat with the kelpie I had (died a few months ago due to hart-faillure, Voodoo came after that). Should try to make a movie of Voodoo and Miwmiw playing together also one of these days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c89wMTqtmJU

[eeeefarm]

You do have to be careful introducing a new dog to cats, but in my experience they do differentiate between "their" cats and strange cats. My dogs always thought strangers were fair game to chase, but knew I didn't approve of any aggression towards ours. My Border Collie would allow the barn cats to eat out of his dish, but he would put any trespassing cats off the property, pronto! The Basenjis tolerated our cats, but since they were outdoor cats they didn't have a lot of interaction with them. Mostly they would ignore the cats if they wandered past the dog run, but again, a strange cat would evoke a pretty strong reaction!

[dmey]

Welcome and congratulations.. Senji looks awesome.. Nice dark rim eyes , nose and lips…

I think as long as you provide the cats with plenty of safe places to climb and possible dog free nighttime... Like if the dog sleeps in your room they can have the rest of th house.. They are asleep most of the day anyway!! You should be fine... He will chase but cats can defend and I would worry more about damage to senji by the cats!!!

[eeeefarm]

@dmey:

He will chase but cats can defend and I would worry more about damage to senji by the cats!!!

That was my theory when we first moved to the farm with two Basenjis. Farm "came with" a barn cat that was used to two large dogs. "Minnie" was sitting up on a window ledge when the girls spotted her. Lady, the older Basenji who had very much of a "live & let live" attitude, wasn't bothered about the cat, but Tamu wanted very much to go after it. I was younger then, and foolish, so I thought, "let her find out that cats can defend themselves" and let go of the leash. I expected a mad rush to the wall just below the window, and then perhaps some jumping which the cat would likely counter with a swat. Both the cat and I underestimated the Basenji. Tamu ran to the wall, all right, but didn't stop. In one smooth leap she grabbed the cat's tail and yanked. A blur of fur, and the cat went up a nearby tree, unhurt but nerves rattled somewhat. Tamu was also unscathed, and I had learned my lesson! (they went on to tolerate each other, although there was little love lost on either side.)

Moral of the story: Expect the unexpected!

[Buana]

Welcome to the forum!

We also have cats & Basenji's and the basenjis seem to accept right away the cats are a part of the family.
Our oldest cat Spaiky is a very large cat that isn't a normal one, his father is a wild cat and Spaiky has his character.
I'm the only one human that has his complete trust, he didn't like the little red and white playfull thing at first and went under the bed, but after a few hours he came to check our Buana.
The young cat, he came last year, is a Bengal cat.
A bengal character is very much like a Basenji and he is totally in love with the boys.
He can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Sleep on top of them, bite them in the neck to ask for a play etc.

I can only say, please be carefull with the introduction. Keep them in your eyes but don't tell them what to do.
Don't force it and just "let them be" if there isn't a fight you can just give them some time.

[natnatsupercat]

How are things going for you in the adoption process? I'm excited for you! We also have a cat (she came before the Basenji), and we were slow in introducing them. We had Fancy on her leash when she met Kitty for the first time. They sniffed each other and didn't seem too interested. Over time though Fancy, Albert (our other dog) and Kitty have become great friends. She follows us on our walks and sometimes naps with the dogs. It will just take a little time for Senji to learn that your cat is a friend and not a toy. : )