Controversial posts made by YodelMa

@tanza Yes, she could be. Then again, she could also be part basenji. The OP wasn't looking for your Holy Basenji-Breeder Annointment of her dog as a purebred! She merely asked if, based on her dog's appearance and behaviour, she might have basenji blood. Is your self-image as a basenji breeder so fragile that you have to shoot down every newbie who wants info? This is a basenji forum--I thought all basenji lovers were welcome. You, ma'am, are a basenji snob!

Ok, dial it back a little, here: Are you aware that rescue staffers are VOLUNTEERS? People with full-time jobs, families, pets of their own plus foster dogs? These aren't corporations You're dealing with, they're non-profits! Don't you feel just a tiny bit self-absorbed and arrogant complaining, because that's the vibe I'm getting!

@debradownsouth I apologize, but as a rescue advocate I've never once met a breeder who didn't treat "poor-bred' rescues and mixes with polite but palpable disdain. In my old age, I'm becoming less willing to watch breeders be curt and dismissive to newcomers. @ Tanza's comment says it all: She doesn't "see" basenji. Basenjis--and this forum--are about a lot more than looks.

Antigone, I've heard many comments regarding rescues (or coordinators/fosters) who 'keep dogs for themselves' and would like to address that issue. I live across a provincial border from the 'puppy mill capitol of Canada,' and have become an unwilling expert in rehabbing & rehoming PM dogs. I don't think you--or anyone else--would make that comment if you'd actually cared for one of these dogs. Moreover, it's difficult to find appropriate forever homes for many of them, since they come with behavioural or health problems that adopters either aren't equipped or willing to deal with.
I've adopted two of my own fosters: one so incredibly timid that I've never been able to pick him up or put both arms around him unless he's tranquilized, otherwise he bites; Another I received as an 8 week old foster with cranio-facial trauma--he's visually impaired and is mostly incontinent, although he's improved somewhat over the years. I didn't 'want' to adopt either dog--I wanted to continue fostering--but the fact remains that they--and a number of PM dogs--were and are 'undesirable' to the average adopter, and often remain with the foster parent.
Also, even PM dogs less impacted by their experience awaken a protective instinct within their foster parents, who then--not surprisingly--become unwilling to give them up. I can vouch that it's very, very difficult to nurture a broken creature who comes to you encrusted with feces and mange, who stinks to high heaven despite repeated baths but still needs the warmth and security of curling against you at night--then 'betray' them by handing them over to a stranger.
The thing to keep in mind is that rescues are about keeping the dogs safe and happy, first and foremost. Often the best home for them is where they feel safe and loved, which is sometimes their foster home. Anyone who gets mad at THAT probably isn't the most ideal applicant. If someone really, really wants a rescue, maybe they should become a volunteer first, just to see what's really involved with caring for a rescue. Contrary to popular belief, young, unaffected rescue basenjis are few and far between.

She's adorable! Her behaviour/movement sure sounds basenji, her weight Isn't that far off either...she also has white on all 4 legs, and her color is right--I'd say mix! Don't listen to Tanza, She's a breeder so she can't admit a mix can be the best of both worlds : D