Hello!
I'm Fia - stay at home mom of Elizabeth (6) and Collin (2). DaVinci, an abandoned basenji mix?, joined our family yesterday afternoon. He's sweet and loving and has taken me as his own… he's not so sure about the rest of the family! 
It is now after 1:30 in the morning, thunderstorms outside and DaVinci just won't let me sleep. He's panting and pacing. As I've not been around him more than a few hours - I've not yet mastered his language, but he seems agitated. He climbed up on my bed and the whole thing began to vibrate.
Hmmm…. seems he just went to sleep peacefully at my feet after attempting to get into my computer chair a few times.
Will someone kindly share some Basenji translations with me? He was panting (a common thing, I know), pacing and basically "in my face" with his ears laid back. It seemed he was trying to explain to me … and was frustrated by the language gap.
Since he's sleeping now… I think I'll sneak off to bed.
Fia
Hello!
I'm Fia - stay at home mom of Elizabeth (6) and Collin (2). DaVinci, an abandoned basenji mix?, joined our family yesterday afternoon. He's sweet and loving and has taken me as his own… he's not so sure about the rest of the family!
It is now after 1:30 in the morning, thunderstorms outside and DaVinci just won't let me sleep. He's panting and pacing. As I've not been around him more than a few hours - I've not yet mastered his language, but he seems agitated. He climbed up on my bed and the whole thing began to vibrate.
Hmmm…. seems he just went to sleep peacefully at my feet after attempting to get into my computer chair a few times.
Will someone kindly share some Basenji translations with me? He was panting (a common thing, I know), pacing and basically "in my face" with his ears laid back. It seemed he was trying to explain to me … and was frustrated by the language gap.
Since he's sleeping now… I think I'll sneak off to bed.
Fia
First off…...Welcome and we look forward to seeing pictures!
About the "language gap": What DaVinci is trying to tell you with the pacing and panting is that he is afraid of thunderstorms! We had a lab before we got our basenji and the lab was terrified of thunderstorms, fireworks, etc, etc. I am all too acquainted with the pacing and the panting (and drooling along with it). The good news is that DaVinci settled down at your feet during the storm. That may mean that he just needs some reassurance and will settle down once he gets it. Also, since he did settle down, it may also mean that the thunderstorm only bothered him because he is new to your family and your home. With some good luck, you may find that thunder doesnt' bother him once he settles in to the family. But….if it does continue to bother him, you can try herbal remedies or get medication from your Vet to give him when you see a storm coming up. (Our lab was so destructive during a storm that I would keep an eye on the weather channel so I could medicate her before the storm got here.)
Also, if he is only a little bit afraid of thunder, there are others here that are more knowledgeable about HOW to reassure him without reinforcing his fear of thunder - especially if he is still young.
Good luck and welcome!
Pat
Thanks for the info. I'd pretty much guessed that was the problem. Luckily, the storm passed quickly and I was finally able to get some sleep.
DaVinci seems to be about 2-3 years old. He knows how to sit, shake and lay down - but he also likes to push his boundries as much as my 6 yr old! 
I'm open to any suggestions on helping us to cooperate with each other - say when walking with a leash or having him leave my 2 yr old alone when he's cranky.
Thanks!
Fia
Thanks for the info. I'd pretty much guessed that was the problem. Luckily, the storm passed quickly and I was finally able to get some sleep.
DaVinci seems to be about 2-3 years old. He knows how to sit, shake and lay down - but he also likes to push his boundries as much as my 6 yr old!
I'm open to any suggestions on helping us to cooperate with each other - say when walking with a leash or having him leave my 2 yr old alone when he's cranky.
Thanks!
Fia
Has DaVinci gotten better about storms? As for leaving the 2 yr old alone….good luck. Our Basenji loves to follow our 2 yr old grandson around in hopes that she'll end up with a good toy to chew on or will be able to steal a snack. I can't tell you how many "sippy cups" Cory has chewed the spout off of. Our 4 y/o grandson is a little more savvy. I keep a spray bottle of water near me and it is a good deterrent because she hates the spray. Now all I have to do is call her name and show her the spray bottle and then she backs off.
You need to post a picture of DaVinci.....we enjoy the pictures and it is fun with the mixes to try and figure out what else is in there. One thing for sure, trying to push his boundaries is a basenji trait. How big is he and what color is he?
Pat
Good luck with the storms…. I am very lucky that 1. we have very few thunderstorms here... (earthquakes instead...ggg).. but my B's couldn't care less, thunder, fireworks, earthquakes... they don't turn a hair.... never did....
