Thanks for the warm welcomes! Yes, I know a year of
reading all about all of you while I stayed quiet - that's just not right!
Our wonderful basenji came from a experienced breeder in NJ, kennel name Djakomba. We had done a ton of research, decided a B was right for us and lucked into finding the breeder within 1 1/2 hour of our home. We waited a long time - first met her and some Bs in January 07 but had to wait for the fall breeding; and finally brought our Jack home in January 08. I have bad
allergies and that's how we first found the breed, but SO many of the
qualities seemed right for us. My dh is great with dogs, and wanted a dog
for years. I held him off long enough until I felt that my kids were old
enough (ages 6 and 9 when Jack came home) and I felt I was ready for another baby! We were very very happy with our breeder. Jack comes from an excellent line, and falconi (sp?) tested, and all that. The first few
months were really better than expected, but we had done so much homework (esp thanks to all of you!) that I think we were just well prepared. He was housebroken quickly, rings a bell at the door to go out which is the coolest thing! He has bonded so much with the 4 of us, and that seems to be our real problem with him - separation anxiety. Not as bad as some others I've read here, but I don't think he'll ever go to his crate willingly. He's fine once in there, but just not happy that we are leaving. He's been well socialized, loves people and so happy around other dogs, which is why we think we'll get another. We're waiting on news of the breedings this month, so we'll know if Jack will likely have a little sister early next year. Sometimes I think we must me crazy! But as my dh says, we have 2 parents, 2 kids, seems right to have 2 Bs! Below is a photo of Jack at maybe 6-7 months, then about 10 weeks. Do not have this photo thing right yet - they are either too big or too small, but I'll keep working on it.