Skip to content

Our Sweet 'Pi

Basenji Talk
  • Okay first, a little video:


    Bowpi "Flirting" with Bowdu (click link for video)

    For those of you with rambunctious B's or puppies or "normal" playful dogs, this is totally ho-hum and boring, but for us, it's a big deal. It's been nine months since we adopted Bowpi (she's about 5 or 6 years old), and while she's had no trouble bonding with my partner and me, she doesn't have much to do with our Shiba, whom we've had since he was a puppy. The most they usually do is take naps on the futon together (without touching), or get really excited at the same time when it's time to go to the park or when someone comes home. But they don't really interact.

    The Shiba doesn't really "play" either. He likes to roughhouse and play tug-of-war with blankets and ropes, which is totally NOT Bowpi's game at all. So when she reached out to "bop" him on the head and he responded in a playful manner, I thought that was a big deal for BOTH of them.

    She's shaking and throwing all sorts of nervous/calming signals (like the sneeze) because I think she's usually a little afraid of our growly, vocal Shiba at the same time that she WANTS to be accepted by him. Actually, she behaves the same way, reaching out with her paws to me or my partner when we come home. She reaches out, and then we pet her, and she quivers a little with excitement with her ears pinned back. Then she turns a quick little circle and reaches out again for more attention.

    She's very demonstrative with her paws when she wants attention. In the past, I've been told by old-school trainers that this is a very "dominant" move when the dog puts their paw on TOP of you to DEMAND attention… but in Bowpi's case, while she IS clearly asking for attention, "dominant" is probably the last word I'd use to describe her. =)

    Yup, there she is, totally "dominating" my boyfriend by lying on TOP of him, oh goodness! :p

    One last random picture while I was typing out this entry… I noticed her hackles were all bristling while she was asleep next to me. Must be having a dream? We are lucky that she does not wake aggressively, though she has been known to let out a piercing, frightened scream in her sleep before.

  • Oh, how precious! I watched a couple of your other clips too…. I really smiled watching Bowdu talk to you (when your giving Bowpi affection on the futon!) :)

    A great way to start a Monday! :)

  • Lovely lovey post. And the video was adorable

  • Love it, how sweet. Thank you for sharing them with us.

  • What sweeties they are! Thanks.

  • What lovely pictures.

  • Bowpi really is so precious!
    I know that feeling of excitement you get over little things that others might see as an everyday occurrence, but for rescues it's a huge leap. I love seeing them blossom.

  • Thanks so much for sharing! I giggled like a 4 year old when she was flailing her paws - what a sweetheart. I'm gonna have to go watch some more of your clips, I think. :)

  • Had a nice walk around the lake in the hills today. This is becoming my favorite dog park, though it's a bit out of the way (still within city limits, but up some steeeep roads with lots of twists and turns).


    If I could ever get them to sit-stay at that bridge, this would be such a scenic shot. But obviously, they're not interested in staying still.


    This is not the most flattering angle of Bowpi, but I was so impressed by her sticky spider feet – I didn't know Basenjis could cling to precipices at 80-degree angles! It is not a very tall drop -- she would've landed in the water about four feet below if she lost her foothold. But she didn't.


    Lots of stuff in the trees, too.

  • What a wonderful park! And yes, basenjis can cling to anything to keep from falling into water! Thanks for sharing these great photos.

  • What a beautiful dog park!!!!

  • I just realized I called it a "dog park" when it's really just a park. Apparently in my mind, if a park is dog-friendly (specifically, if you're permitted to let them run around off leash), it's automatically for the dogs. Human enjoyment is only incidental. laugh

  • I love the pictures!!!

Suggested Topics

  • I have ''issues'' with my basenji, can you help ?

    Basenji Talk
    33
    0 Votes
    33 Posts
    21k Views
    YodelMaY
    Ladybasenji, where are you in Quebec? Montreal? We have a place in Gatineau (Aylmer sector) and one of my dogs might even be related to yours. You're experiences with your girl remind me so much of my first basenji, about 20 years ago–it gets easier, I swear! Let me know if you'd like help with Lady--they're nothing like labs and will never be "obedient" but there are tricks for training them : D
  • I have a great old film with 'Our Lady of the Congo'…

    Basenji Talk
    31
    0 Votes
    31 Posts
    21k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @eeeefarm: The digital age has somewhat muddied the waters. Once upon a time you could buy a book or a DVD and when you were finished using it you could pass it on to your friends so that they could enjoy it (you still can!), and that isn't considered stealing. Make a copy for them to view, with the same exact result (they get to see the movie or read the book), and suddenly it is illegal. The law was drafted to prevent people from making numerous copies and selling them for profit, a clear infringement to copyright. For a person to make a copy for a friend to view rather than snail mailing the original seems to be in a "shades of grey" area. I'd be surprised if most on this forum haven't at some point downloaded something for personal use that would infringe copyright if the letter of the law was applied. You make a good point Shirley.. except that even 40 yrs ago you could tape or even xerox music/books to share, but it wasn't legal. The problem is that if a person LOANS you his movie, snail mail, it goes to one person only, and it goes back to the owner… you don't get to keep a copy. If you put on a server, many can copy it. Right now musicians are in terrible financial straits over people pretty much stealing their work instead of buying it. Some music programs (I am blanking on names) pay the artists a bit every time you listen to their music, thanks to advertising. That's great. But if I want to own a song on my own computer or to burn on a disk, call me a patsy-- but yes, I buy it. I believe people who create books, music, art... they have a right to get paid as much as your plumber, mechanic or grocer. I don't sneak into movie theaters either, btw, not even if I could do it and not be caught. Many digital books can be loaned, btw. I have borrowed a few and loaned many of mine through Amazon. You could, of course, just let someone borrow your e-reader or mp3 player, lol, but that's more generous than I want to be. I don't know what the solution will be years from now... I know that cable companies tried to block recording movies and that didn't go over so well. So I do agree there are certainly conflicting and gray areas. But a cavalier approach to stealing, justifying it because the owner is rich, etc... that bothers me. And it bothers me for someone to try to pretend it is legal or for educational etc. If you are going to do something, man up. :) Thanks for the calm voice. :)
  • It's been a long time since I've been here.

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    D
    I have not been on for about a month and am trying to catch up reading all the posts I have missed! Jennifer
  • You'd think I'd have learned my lesson too!

    Basenji Talk
    45
    0 Votes
    45 Posts
    15k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    @Kona: Shaye's Mom - That's what I was worried about too with getting a second one, but since we got to do a trial run with Keoki I was able to calm my fears. He is so calm and trustworthy, but he is also 6 years old. Yes, I understand Keoki and Kona are doing really well - wish I'd been at West Park the day you went over - unfortunately, Shaye had been spayed the Friday before, so we missed you, and them. We have been talking with a woman who has a 7 year old Jack Russell female - of course we were going to get her dog almost a year ago, before we got Shaye, and it fell through because she changed her mind, so, who knows, but Shaye really really needs another dog, I think - older, more calm.:rolleyes:
  • It's raining.. it's pouring.. my lovely morning.

    Basenji Talk
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    S
    Lol, they are major heat slugs when it cold/wet aren't they!?
  • Who's Basenjis' actually howl/yodel?

    Basenji Talk
    35
    0 Votes
    35 Posts
    13k Views
    RockysWomanR
    Rocky yodels… like these dogs do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iTlEwTOzm0 Especially when we come home. Complete with the "lightswitch" tail flick and happy feet dance!