@listeme:

In my experience, cats want warm bodies to sleep on/with, they want tuna, and they want your attention at the most inconvenient times – when you're in the bathroom or on hold or when someone is at the door :D. I suspect what she needs most, having just lost a feline companion, is a cuddle buddy. Can she sleep on your bed with you? That's probably the best healing she can have.

Honestly, Roxy is sleeping with me. Agatha is getting braver about hopping into bed with us, but hasn't actually slept there since Roxy's arrival. Between Sherlock's death and Roxy's arrival, Agatha cuddled with me every chance she got. This evening, Agatha started following Roxy everywhere. So, I think/hope that's progress.

YAY!!!! I found a solution! Rawhide. Given to Roxy … she goes into a back bedroom and Agatha comes to cuddle. Perfect!

I'm overly concerned about Agatha since her brother died a month ago. Having a dog is better than being by herself, but I don't "get" cats and when I took her on, I knew I had to be responsible for her and respectful of her feelings and needs.

Okay, I feel pretty reassured on the food and the jumping. But I have a bigger/broader issue. Roxy (my basenji mix) not only follows me everywhere (that's normal, right?), she also won't let my cat anywhere near me. Well, I should qualify that: My cat is not assertive enough to ask Roxy to get out of her way.

Is this a cat issue or a dog issue? Do I teach Roxy to back down when Agatha (the cat) wants affection? Roxy is accustomed to cats. Agatha is not accustomed to dogs.

Agatha hissed at Roxy once when she was "barking" under her cat tree. Roxy growled at Agatha once when Agatha tried to be petted while Roxy was asking for petting. I have never ever ever had a cat and dog under the same roof … and, overall, it seems they get along. But Agatha got less attention than brother when he was alive (b/c I actually knew he was going to have a short life), and now it looks like she is going to be subordinate again. I really need help teaching Roxy to let Agatha take her turn.

Oof. I feel a little goofy asking this question. It seems to require a psychic.:rolleyes:

My basenji mix (photograph on my profile) comes from a home that seemed to spoil her tremendously.

1. Roxy only has interest in eating if it's people food. I would like to transition her to high-end kibble. I have been able to get her to eat dehydrated lamb and potatoes. But, honestly, I will not be able to afford this on a regular basis. Any suggestions?

2. Roxy jumps on people. I know (or have read in various dog training manuals) this is her trying to be the alpha, and I am not okay with it. How do I break her of the habit? I have had all of my other basenjis and basenji mixes from puppyhood, so I am a bit overwhelmed by the thought of breaking a 2 year old dog of bad behaviors.

I have Roxy at home now. She was a rescue dog (not from Elgin). I'm not sure where she's from.

@dmey:

I think separation anxiety has a lot to do with how you handel it.. If you never make a big fuss about leaving or getting home and never take them out untill they are quiet and calm, they dont get anxious. If you get anxious, they get anxious…

I thought separation anxiety referred to their destructive nature when the owner wasn't present and they were left alone?

PHEW That bit about marking everything read helped.

I've never crated a basenji. But once Dragon's dogs Kente and La Neige died, I saw that he hated being alone. Luckily, we lived with roommates and he was rarely alone.

It is my understanding that basenjis are often destructive when they are not crated (due to the separation anxiety). Now, since I am getting a mix (and, honestly, it doesn't look much like a basenji … but it doesn't bark and does talk), I don't know if it will be mild-mannered like my Dragon ... or wilder like Kente. Kente was a little terror! hee! I am pretty sure he would have un-stuffed my mattress if ever left alone. Oh well.

Anyway, I will post pics when I get them

Thank you for responding I have a crate set up for her … I'm going to crate her when I am gone Friday. Then Saturday, we will see what unfolds when I leave her for 30 min, an hour, etc. I may crate her when I am not home for the first week. It sounds like her current owners don't crate her at all, but I only have one cat to be her buddy.

She currently lives with 3 other dogs and several cats ... so I think our first night will be a challenge. Buuuuuuuut ... I think my cat will be even more freaked out. Oh well. My cat has claws. And the ability to jump very high.

My dog is coming to me from Elgin. Their situation sounds horrific to me (but it doesn't seem to bother them): They are moving from Elgin to Round Rock and getting rid of several animals to become more city-fied! Yikes! I don't think I could part with my pets! It would make me cry a river They are extremely concerned that their dogs will end up in a shelter, as they should be. I don't think basenji mixes are in high demand (or even plentiful, based on my experiences).

My name is Mardi. I live in Austin, Texas. It is pretty much the only cool place in Texas

Anyway, I am in the market for a basenji mix with cat experience. I think I have found one … I will be driving out to get her tomorrow. I have quite a bit of experience with basenjis. Puff the Magic Dragon was the best little basenji mix evereverever. I even bought him two dogs to ease his separation anxiety.

I am really quite overwhelmed by this forum b/c there seems to be so many threads, sub-threads, etc. I am sure many of my questions have been answered, so I'm a bit afraid to ask. If you could direct me to threads maybe that would help?

I leave home at 7:30am and get home at 5:30pm. I am concerned with my (potential) basenji's separation anxiety. Should I crate, get a dog walker or both?

I am concerned with my cat, Agatha. Agatha's littermate/brother just died after 10 years of constant companionship. She is not doing well at all without him. She cries when I leave for work. She cries a lot in general, but she is also about the most verbal cat on the planet. I had promised myself that when Sherlock (her brother) passed away, I would return to basenji ownership. My (potential) new dog is quite accustomed to cats. HOWEVER, how do I get these two stinkers used to each other?