Anybody lose a basenji in SoCal?

[Basenjimamma]

First off, I am so happy you gave Lady a home..very big heart..second..give them some time, it will get better, but only if it is not rushed by humans but taken the sweet ol' time dogs sometimes need..Just be very matter of fact about it..like "lady lives here now and there is nothing you, Yoshi, can do about it..". They will come to a mutual agreement and maybe/hopefully learn to love eachother as siblings..

[nobarkus]

Dogs work things out. They may get a little growly at first which is OK as long as there's no bloody fights. The second day I had Ringo he bit Nika on the neck as he was not happy being dumped at the Basenji rescue then bouncing around from home to home, being returned, feeling ill and under weight. I had to supervise closely, get him back to health, take him out for off leash fun with Nika and everything worked fine out over time. Nika was a real trooper and did her best in the beginning. Her persistent playfulness brought him out of his feeling upset and he turned into quite a character.

[nala121498]

Congrats on the new addition. How wonderful that you took her in! Keep us posted on their progress…and pictures, please - when you can!

[Varanus]

I have no doubt that they'd work things out, and I'm not gonna make any judgments for a bit. I figure I can see how it all pans out, see if our house can handle three dogs, and see if this particular dog is a good fit. As it stands, Karen is expecting her in rescue. If she works out that's one less dog in rescue. If she really hates everyone in the house but the multiple-dog issue is fine, I'll take another dog out of rescue. If the house descends into chaos, at least Lady (must change name) is out of danger.

And can I just say that the spaying she received was positively barbaric? No wonder the poor thing's mad right now.

[nobarkus]

The spaying was barbaric? What happened?

[Varanus]

Well, when I went in to pick her up, the vet (who looked and acted remarkably like Dr. Nick from the Simpsons) led me through a maze of stinking, feces-filled cages. "Lady" was laying in one, covered in her own vomit, with her ears to the sides making little "I would scream but I just don't have the energy" sounds. I was given no aftercare instructions whatsoever, and the incision itself is none too neat. I had some painkillers left over from Yoshi's neutering, so I gave her one of those when we got home, but I wasn't even given the option to purchase any (like you normally are at shelter vets). I like low-cost vets generally, and all the dogs here have been neutered at cheap/free clinics, but none have been quite so…bloody.

[nobarkus]

Jezz! Poor thing was laying in her own vomit! That's what I was saying before about stays in these shelters can be traumatic! Besides picking up sicknesses too!

Well done on trying to help her!

[tanza]

@Varanus:

Well, when I went in to pick her up, the vet (who looked and acted remarkably like Dr. Nick from the Simpsons) led me through a maze of stinking, feces-filled cages. "Lady" was laying in one, covered in her own vomit, with her ears to the sides making little "I would scream but I just don't have the energy" sounds. I was given no aftercare instructions whatsoever, and the incision itself is none too neat. I had some painkillers left over from Yoshi's neutering, so I gave her one of those when we got home, but I wasn't even given the option to purchase any (like you normally are at shelter vets). I like low-cost vets generally, and all the dogs here have been neutered at cheap/free clinics, but none have been quite so…bloody.

That is horrible… sorry, but with those conditions, I would have to call animal control and complain.... there is no excuse for that.... and sorry, I hate 90% of the so called low cost clinics... I know of way too many that have had problems after with leaking urine (especially the bitches) that I would never use one... or if I had to, I would certain want to see the facilities and where they do surgery first... and talk to people that have used the clinic

[Varanus]

The problem was, that IS Animal Control. Animal Control insisted on spaying her right there on-site before I could take her. I have had really good luck with the "shelter vet" in West LA, who did both Yoshi and my roommate's (female) airedale mix. They were clean and efficient, and both dogs came back to me with pain medication, detailed instructions, a (working) phone number, and well-done, well-healing incisions. I completely understand about limited budgets, etc., especially in this jacked-up state, but come on! You can't even pay someone minimum wage to scoop out the #$@! cages?

[nobarkus]

@Varanus:

The problem was, that IS Animal Control. Animal Control insisted on spaying her right there on-site before I could take her. I have had really good luck with the "shelter vet" in West LA, who did both Yoshi and my roommate's (female) airedale mix. They were clean and efficient, and both dogs came back to me with pain medication, detailed instructions, a (working) phone number, and well-done, well-healing incisions. I completely understand about limited budgets, etc., especially in this jacked-up state, but come on! You can't even pay someone minimum wage to scoop out the #$@! cages?

Wow! That's bad. Karen got my Buddy from a shelter I think in Highland, CA. That's where he was found. He was about 7 months (?) at the time and had no collar, no chip, nothing. They didn't neuter him, Karen had that done with her vet.

[Varanus]

I'm all for everyone spay/neutering all animals who aren't in intentional breeding programs (or need their parts for very specific reasons). I really am. But this whole "mandatory spay/neuter right now this instant!!!" thing is out of control, I think. I've seen puppies and kittens sterilized at 3 months at shelters, which just seems unhealthy to me. I think Yoshi is much healthier for having been able to develop to adulthood intact, although of course I'm glad he's neutered now. I would've done it at a year, given the choice.

[nobarkus]

@Varanus:

I'm all for everyone spay/neutering all animals who aren't in intentional breeding programs (or need their parts for very specific reasons). I really am. But this whole "mandatory spay/neuter right now this instant!!!" thing is out of control, I think. I've seen puppies and kittens sterilized at 3 months at shelters, which just seems unhealthy to me. I think Yoshi is much healthier for having been able to develop to adulthood intact, although of course I'm glad he's neutered now. I would've done it at a year, given the choice.

Can you post a picture of Yoshi?

[nala121498]

Wow…how horrible. Keep us posted on Yoshi's progress...poor baby.

[nobarkus]

@nala121498:

Wow…how horrible. Keep us posted on Yoshi's progress...poor baby.

It's Lady that's been in the shelter. She's had Yoshi.

[Varanus]

@nobarkus:

It's Lady that's been in the shelter. She's had Yoshi.

I'm Desmond. I'm a dude.

Yoshi's my basenji mix who I got in early June. He made me fall in love with basenjis, which is how I came to be trolling shelters.

Lady is the new basenji (mix? either that or quite small and stubby) who had to endure the spay-from-hell. Karen's expecting her in rescue, though I kind of want her to have a couple of days to recover without being moved around, so she's staying at my house, eating yuppie organic kibble, and laying on pillows like the queen of the Nile. If I keep her, I'm changing her name immediately. If I don't keep her, I might let Yoshi pick out a rescue basenji friend.

[Varanus]

…and I nearly forgot. Here's Yoshi:

[nobarkus]

@Varanus:

I'm Desmond. I'm a dude.

Yoshi's my basenji mix who I got in early June. He made me fall in love with basenjis, which is how I came to be trolling shelters.

Lady is the new basenji (mix? either that or quite small and stubby) who had to endure the spay-from-hell. Karen's expecting her in rescue, though I kind of want her to have a couple of days to recover without being moved around, so she's staying at my house, eating yuppie organic kibble, and laying on pillows like the queen of the Nile. If I keep her, I'm changing her name immediately. If I don't keep her, I might let Yoshi pick out a rescue basenji friend.

Sorry Desmond. Yes, too much bouncing around is very hard on the dog. I take it you have the 2 separated?

[nobarkus]

@Varanus:

…and I nearly forgot. Here's Yoshi:

What a great looking dog you have there Desmond!

[Varanus]

@nobarkus:

What a great looking dog you have there Desmond!

Thanks! He's a great little guy.

Right now I've got the two of them hanging out in the living room. Yoshi's got the couch and Lady is on the floor. She's not into doing much except sleeping and snarking at Yosh when he comes by, so I'm just letting her sleep. Obviously I'm practically on top of them in case more than just cussin' breaks out.

[Vicki]

@Varanus:

Thanks! He's a great little guy.

Right now I've got the two of them hanging out in the living room. Yoshi's got the couch and Lady is on the floor. She's not into doing much except sleeping and snarking at Yosh when he comes by, so I'm just letting her sleep. Obviously I'm practically on top of them in case more than just cussin' breaks out.

You sound like a dude, Dude. So California. How I miss it sometimes.
Hey, good deed taking in Lady. Lady has been through a lot, poor baby,
I'd be snarky, too. Keep us posted.

The spaying sounds horrid.