Basenjis on Craigslist

[Kipawa]

Comment: Quote - …but this breed is not suited for first time dog owners.

Crystalncody, I know these are not your words, but I have to make a general statement that I disagree with this. What I will agree about is basenjis are going to be different than say an "I want to please you all of the time and love you all of the time" labrador, but I think that you have to look at the individual new basenji owner.

I think there are a number of us on this forum who are not yet basenji owners, but are spending a great deal of time familiarizing themselves with the breed prior to owning one.

That said, what IS good about this ad is that it will weed out those who are not totally serious about giving a basenji a healthy, loving home.

[Shaye's Mom]

@Kipawa:

Comment: Quote - …but this breed is not suited for first time dog owners.

Crystalncody, I know these are not your words, but I have to make a general statement that I disagree with this. What I will agree about is basenjis are going to be different than say an "I want to please you all of the time and love you all of the time" labrador, but I think that you have to look at the individual new basenji owner.

I think there are a number of us on this forum who are not yet basenji owners, but are spending a great deal of time familiarizing themselves with the breed prior to owning one.

That said, what IS good about this ad is that it will weed out those who are not totally serious about giving a basenji a healthy, loving home.

What both of those statements say is true - basenjis are different than the dogs who love you no matter what and want to please you all the time - owning a basenji does call for more attention to making sure there is a strong bond so your dog will want what you want (most of the time). Basenjis are intense little animals, and if you are spending time familiarizing yourself with the breed, please include spending actual time with them in this familiarization process, reading about them won't be enough.

[crystalncody]

I agree that while the reading and research helped, I wish I had met or spent some time with a basenji before bringing Cody home. I would have been a little more prepared for what I was getting myself into had I done so. Hindsight is 20/20. Just from my experiences, I would strongly suggest that anyone that is thinking of getting a puppy or a rescue go visit some basenjis and spend some time with them if you haven't already. Just reading that they are mischievous and prone to destruction without proper exercise and supervision is a lot different than coming home and finding that your new little friend has chewed on the legs of your chairs, pulled all of your pots and pans out of your cabinets, shredded your favorite pair of jeans, or dug a hole through your bed.

It has been a great experience though, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It has been amazing to see his personality slowly come to light. I have loved watching him grow from a scared, neglected little basenji into the beloved family member he was meant to be.

[Kipawa]

@crystalncody:

Just from my experiences, I would strongly suggest that anyone that is thinking of getting a puppy or a rescue go visit some basenjis and spend some time with them if you haven't already. Just reading that they are mischievous and prone to destruction without proper exercise and supervision is a lot different than coming home and finding that your new little friend has chewed on the legs of your chairs, pulled all of your pots and pans out of your cabinets, shredded your favorite pair of jeans, or dug a hole through your bed.

Yes, being "in touch" with the breed is a must. It's necessary for a person to get a real feel for a basenji and how it lives and plays in 'real life'. I'm fortunate enough to be going to an outdoor show with luring the first week in August. Many basenji folks and their dogs with be staying at one particular hotel, and my husand and I are going to be at the same hotel as well. I've been promised a real treat of spending some time alone with a friend's basenji. I do agree that you have to spend time up close and personal with the dogs as well.

[crystalncody]

There is a male basenji at BARC in Houston, TX. R/W approximately 2 yrs old. He's been at the shelter since April 15th.
ID# A1021224

[Patty M]

New today on Craigslist:
FOUND: Red and white male basenji stray- there are pictures.
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/pet/1716907734.html

BOLO: Lost brindle and white male- no pictures
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/pet/1714416874.html

[deschroedter]

@Shaye's:

What both of those statements say is true - basenjis are different than the dogs who love you no matter what and want to please you all the time - owning a basenji does call for more attention to making sure there is a strong bond so your dog will want what you want (most of the time). Basenjis are intense little animals, and if you are spending time familiarizing yourself with the breed, please include spending actual time with them in this familiarization process, reading about them won't be enough.

When we were breeding to show, the pups we did not keep, were very carefully placed. We had contracts, pups always to come back to us if they could not be kept, no matter what age (only had one come back). One of my favorite questions was: Do you love your furniture more than your dog. We were asked several times why we were trying to talk them out of the breed, that was not our wish at all, we just wanted to be sure they understood the breed, their differences, uniquiness, quirks and that homes would be the forever type. It was worth the time it took to educate potential "parents".

[Patty M]

There is a lost female red basenji in Worcester, Mass…. here is her picture. She's been missing since 4/30 and her parents are heartsick... she is leary of strangers and likes to run...

Call 508-735-7465 if you see her.

[Patty M]

Free 2 year old male basenji to good home… in Maine.... here is the listing:

http://maine.craigslist.org/pet/1733076864.html
He's beautiful!

[Patty M]

Here is the picture of the St Louis Basenji, red male, with a re-homing fee of $125.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/pet/1731830766.html

[Patty M]

Two female basenjis (3 yr old mom/2 yr old daughter), trying to place both together… no price listed:

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/pet/1732986535.html

[Patty M]

The reason I keep posting Craig's Lists' basenjis on here, especially the ones being sold or given away, is because I suspect that some of these dogs may have been found creatures, like this one in Oklahoma City, that people have decided to keep. If that's the case, and the people that lost their basenjis are still looking, well, the basenji world is rather small sometimes.

This dog is beautiful; the owner states she was found running (are you surprised?)…. perhaps someone is looking for this girl? They plan on returning it to the shelter, as they are getting married... if not, maybe BRAT can step in?

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/pet/1733292519.html

[curlytails]

One in the San Francisco Bay Area, no pictures, minimal info:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pet/1736241861.html

I e-mailed and gave her the info for BRAT as an option if she's really interested in finding a forever home for her pup. I told her they won't purchase but they'll help.

[tanza]

And I always wonder if these people have contact the breeder as their first course of action…. granted some may have been purchased over the "INTERNET" and be "non returnable...." but always people should contact the breeder. Many times they do not because they are ashamed that their situation might have changed and they have to take steps to just get safe housing for themselves... Breeders understand... stuff happens...

[curlytails]

I guess it never occurred to me that someone who got their dog from a reputable breeder would ever let shame or fear of judgment prevent them from returning a pet. I've always found that good breeders and rescue organizations made that point very clear, both in person and in writing.

I just figured that anyone who did not contact or even think about contacting their breeder in the first place, and is trying their luck with the Craigslist rabble probably didn't get their pet from a reputable source. Back when I used to actually work adoption events with rescue organizations in Taiwan, a lot of folks acted surprised to hear that reputable breeders agree to take back their own dogs at ANY time, because their concern for their lines don't have an "expiration date" – unlike the one-year "health guarantees" that pet store and online puppies sometimes come with, and that kind of thing. One of the most common responses was "But that doesn't make economic sense!" Well, exactly. It's not about the money, after all...

[basenji_fan]

@Patty:

The reason I keep posting Craig's Lists' basenjis on here, especially the ones being sold or given away, is because I suspect that some of these dogs may have been found creatures, like this one in Oklahoma City, that people have decided to keep. If that's the case, and the people that lost their basenjis are still looking, well, the basenji world is rather small sometimes.

This dog is beautiful; the owner states she was found running (are you surprised?)…. perhaps someone is looking for this girl? They plan on returning it to the shelter, as they are getting married... if not, maybe BRAT can step in?

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/pet/1733292519.html

I don't know if it is the same dog, but I got a call from a lady in reference to a basenji mix from a Craigs-List add. As I was heading into class for my finals at college I was not able to talk to her but for a brief moment. I did however point her to the BRAT website. I also told her to post all her info there and if she does not hear anything back with in a few days to call me back. I have taken a bit of a step back because of college but I still can get get things channels out there if she does not get a response.

[Patty M]

@curlytails:

I guess it never occurred to me that someone who got their dog from a reputable breeder would ever let shame or fear of judgment prevent them from returning a pet. I've always found that good breeders and rescue organizations made that point very clear, both in person and in writing.

I just figured that anyone who did not contact or even think about contacting their breeder in the first place, and is trying their luck with the Craigslist rabble probably didn't get their pet from a reputable source.

I wonder if there's a statistic about how many basenjis are purchased from "reputable breeders" with signed contracts, versus the rest of the basenji population: those from pet stores, small breeders, animal shelters, humane societies, or perhaps from friends? Or how many basenjis become family members because they show up on your doorstop, and then no one claims them?

People that place dogs on Craig's List shouldn't all be lumped together as a bunch of non-caring rabble rousers that are trying to dump their dogs. Craig's List is a free way to place an ad that has reunited many dogs with their owners, and when owners have to part with their dogs, I can understand using the same venue to try to find a new owner.

I think of the beautiful red basenji that was lost a year ago in TX, (Jose?), and how that family is still looking for their pup. With that thought in mind, I keep posting the photos of the available dogs, hoping that someone will see their lost basenji and can be happily reunited.

Here are my two Craigs List Basenjis: Halo (aka Lola) and Sophie… If I would need to find them a new home, I would probably go to BRAT, but if people don't know about BRAT, where else do you turn?

Just my two cents.

[Patty M]

@basenji_fan:

I don't know if it is the same dog, but I got a call from a lady in reference to a basenji mix from a Craigs-List add. As I was heading into class for my finals at college I was not able to talk to her but for a brief moment. I did however point her to the BRAT website. I also told her to post all her info there and if she does not hear anything back with in a few days to call me back. I have taken a bit of a step back because of college but I still can get get things channels out there if she does not get a response.

I will often send a personal email to suggest the BRAT website, as well as to put their ads on this website, where people with basenji experience may be looking for additional children.

[curlytails]

@Patty:

People that place dogs on Craig's List shouldn't all be lumped together as a bunch of non-caring rabble rousers that are trying to dump their dogs. Craig's List is a free way to place an ad that has reunited many dogs with their owners, and when owners have to part with their dogs, I can understand using the same venue to try to find a new owner.

You're right. I was actually using the term 'rabble' in a tongue-in-cheek manner, as I count myself amongst them. I have something of a love-hate relationship with Craigslist, and much of the latter sentiment unfortunately comes from the pet listings. But fact is, it IS well-trafficked. Of course someone who is honestly trying to find the best home for their dog, especially if they're working on their own, should use it if they're trying to cast a wide net amongst potential adopters. It's just disconcerting to me how often "free" also means "effortless" to some people who don't bother to screen potential families. I'm sure you would, and I'm always happy to see ads that make it clear that there will be a screening process. When the ad contains barely any information and only dollar signs, I get a little skeptical and revert back to more cynical thoughts…

[curlytails]

@curlytails:

One in the San Francisco Bay Area, no pictures, minimal info:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pet/1736241861.html

I e-mailed and gave her the info for BRAT as an option if she's really interested in finding a forever home for her pup. I told her they won't purchase but they'll help.

She said she's gotten in touch with BRAT but no response yet. She has until the end of next week… I suggested getting in touch with her breeder too. Hopefully this pup won't have to end up in a shelter!