A time ago there was never spam on BasenjiForums. Now it seems to be growing at a depressing rate. Curiously there are NO TurboTax supports numbers listed. And iF you know Intuit - they don't operate this way.

AND YET we still see this "Welcome back to the new and improved Basenji Forums!" - -> so what's new? The new and improved way to deliver spam?

I am not interested in seeing a new "Latest topics from Basenji Forums" email message that is spam.

Now, I place all BasenjiForums email notifications in my "spam" folder, to prevent an accidental loading of an email that could potentially have links to malware. So far the links still lead back to the forum web site. But eventually, if this not stopped or eliminated, who knows?

The forum in its principal function delivers many critical features to the Basenji community. And I hope it continues to do so.

Web site admin, on the other hand, really needs to step up and eliminate spam accounts and sources.

Hi Kai,

I too have had escaping Basenjis. And usually it was the females. Have no idea why. They could scale the fence in a flash. One could even climb a tree with low branches. I thought this is really a cat - just looks like a Basenji.

So, how did I resolve the situation? Instead of the chain link or wooden fence, I installed a vinyl fence, split spaced slat design, 60" tall, with traditional vinyl full slat lockable gates. Something similar to the picture included here. This fence type was successful for two reasons: 1) the vinyl - to slippery - their paws can't gain traction, and; 2) the space in between the slats also prevents them from gaining any type of hold. At 5 feet they can't jump it! My fence had a wide slat followed by a narrow slat in an alternating style.

Two cautions (and these hold true for any fence and a slatted fence with a space between slats): 1) the bottom of the fence must be at ground level or just slightly above ground with pavers underneath if you have a digger or soft uneven ground, and; 2) the space between the slats should not be wider than 2.5". They may get a nose through but their head won't fit. Once this fence was in they just quit trying. Instead, they would run up and down the fence line or just stare through the slats or stick a nose through on occasion. Hope this helps.

First to GinnyC: Thank you for stepping up and trying to provide a home for a rescued Basenji. I wish you the best and hope all turns out well for you and your rescue Basenji. Have heart and don't loose faith - - we are cheering for you!!

As for the rest, sometimes you need to look in the mirror, and you may not like what you see. There is NO excuse in this day and age for a lack of communication at the BRAT end. BRAT does a tremendous service in helping Basenjis find new homes. However, that service becomes questionable if it takes months, has so many stipulations, is uncommunicative, such that the applicant loses hope and seeks another path.

I also have tried BRAT, I waited for months for Sharon to schedule a visit. Multiple attempts at communication always went unanswered. She was the only BRAT coordinator in my area. My attempt at BRAT was unsuccessful simply because of a coordinator that was extremely poor at managing her end.

BRAT hopefully, will read this entire thread and re-emphasize the need to keep applicants informed and where things stand in the adoption process.

Best to all.

I have been privileged to share in the life of 5 Basenjis: 2 females and 3 males; 1 red and white, 3 tris, and 1 brindle; and 2 of them were rejects (rescues) that no one (breeder and/or family) wanted. Each one brought so much joy to the home. Each one was gracious enough to bring me a unique set of trials and tribulations to go through. And the best part of many, many, days over 25 years was getting home from the office to be greeted by howls and curled tails vainly trying to wiggle.

The hardest thing of having a Basenji is NOT their trainability, NOT whether or not crate training works, NOT being able to be off leash, NOT having special needs or diets. The absolutely hardest thing with each of my Basenjis was going through their final week(s) of life. In the beginning I fought to keep them (cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, etc.). If there was a hint of anything that might help preserve their life I took it. And here I am not talking about Fanconi or other condition that can be controlled through diet or supplements or a procedure. Here I am talking about their final days.

There comes a time when the end is just here and believe me it is very hard. Each one had given me their best throughout their life. And each one was in some way part of my soul. I've lost them from 8 years old to 18 years. And with each loss part of me died too. I still miss each one very much. And I have learned that in the end the best you can do for them (like the previous post) is to keep them comfortable and know when that time comes to help them along. Subjecting them to treatments that have no guarantee or that just prolong the inevitable is extremely hard on them (yourself too). Though I cannot let go I know I must. I must love them a bit more than ever and help them along.

I wish all of you the best with your Basenji(s) and I hope your lives together are as rich I mine was.

You do not mention how old your girl is or if she recently had a tick issue. When Basenjis are in advanced age they can be afflicted by arthritis. Lyme disease can damage joints. My females at an advanced age, around 11 - 13, have had arthritis. They would hop down from the couch and injure either a joint in the paw or leg or shoulder. I noticed because they would either : stumble on landing then limp; or they would come back to the sofa and could not hop back up. They could not pressure or weight on a joint in preparing to jump up. I would watch them hesitate and stop. Arthritis is unfortunate and difficult to treat. I would intervene and not let them hop up or down until the tenderness went away (up to a week). I would always use a new voice command of 'wait' then lift them up or set them down on sofa or bed. 'Wait' was never used at any other time. A series of steps could help if you can get them to use them. They would get better over time and the tenderness of the condition would subside, for months at a time, until they hopped down and re-injured themselves. It is hard to get a Basenji to take it easy and you can't be with them 24 hours a day. However, you may be able to change arrangements such that there is nothing to hop up to or down from when you are not with them. Eventually my girl would come up to me and wait for me to lift her up to the couch. And of course when she did feel better she would not wait at all and just proceed to hop like she always had before.

Give them some time to adjust. It may take weeks for things to settle. I introduced a rescued male to my female and she was quite standoffish. They were both the same age. When you train or play with them do so equally with both and do not favor one over the other during these sessions. If your female has a favorite spot do not let the male supplant her. However, make sure you allow both equal access to you. In other words I had to move to the middle of the couch and later on it didn't matter anymore.

In my case and after a while (about two months) they adjusted to the new makeup of the household. And sure they still had their snits from time to time but I always growl louder than they can to remind both who is the top dog in the pack. As you know they have unique personalities and hopefully with love and patience and you being the leader they will learn all is ok.

I too am sorry for not seeing this thread sooner and hopefully the poster will return. My Basenji had some teeth removed and the vet prescribed Carprofen as the follow up antibiotic. My Basenji turned out to be allergic to Carprofen which caused her liver to fail. I went through the same scenario you are describing. She gradually quit eating over the course of several days and then her water consumption started to go down. The eating had me worried since she had an excellent appetite upon return from the vet and the final purging of the anesthesia from her system. Nevertheless, her condition started to degrade. I followed her outside and watched her urinate. Her urine was a very bright yellow. I suspected then a liver issue. Once back inside she was shivering - off to the vet we went.

LIver panel blood work up showed very high on specific indicators for failing liver. Vet prescribed Denamarin (containing SAM-e and silybin). SAM-e helps protect liver cells from cell death and aids in cell repair and regeneration. The Vet also started fluid injections. Fluid injections were everyday for two weeks. My Basenji showed a remarkable response to the fluid injections becoming much more her normal self even after the first day. She hated the injections and I could hear her cry when receiving them at the vet (believe me that will tear you up). But she was doing better and she (me) were going to have to tuff this out. Also a different antibiotic was prescribed to prevent liver infection during recovery.

The Denamarin comes in dosages based on weight (medium for us). It is the size of a large human like solid oblong vitamin pill. Instructions want you to give it on an empty stomach and preferably not to cut it or place in something similar to a pill pocket however you can if necessary. My Basenji would not take that size (can't blame her). Cutting and disguising it did not work either. I was frantic and got the SAM-e in powder form. I couldn't slip her that either. All though some folks had success with peanut butter and liverwurst.

I finally after three days had to have the vet pill her along with her fluid treatments. A week later another blood sample and her liver panel indicators were coming down. The pilling would last for a month and it took two people to get the pill down her. The important part is - she fully recovered from the liver failure. She is 13 1/2 yrs old.

My experience after having 5 Basenjis is that the breed is sensitive to medications (anesthesia also). Many of the medications work just fine in most other breeds and mixes. The vet, if not that experienced with the Basenji, must be cautioned. Mine was not. Before accepting any medication have the vet go over any contraindications with you and to double check their resources for potential side effects when dealing with Basenjis. They may switch to something else if a medication has a bad track history with Basenjis.

Know what to watch for should your Basenji start to react in a non-positive manner. The poster did not indicate if there were medications in play when the dog started showing degenerating conditions.

I sincerely hopes this helps in some way and helps other Basenji owners

Hi,
I have an elderly Basenji, Peanut, who is 14 yrs old. Lately she has started exhibiting a very odd behavior. After being outside to do her business, just out and back in due to the cold, she starts walking in circles. Sometimes tight, no more than two body lengths, and sometimes just pacing the perimeter of the room. We will go back outside but she wants to come right back in. She will continue this behavior inside and I think maybe she didn't finish all her business and then I harness and coat her and back outside for a walk. She starts circling on her leash outside. I won't interfere with this behavior in order to try and see where this is leading. She stops but almost loses her ability to keep her rear legs under her - an almost stumble. Peanut at her age does stumble with her hind quarter from time to time when just let outside from waking up but not fall. Once back inside I sometimes give her a Greenie as a treat and for dental care. Usually she will toss the Greenie and play with it eventually grabbing it and running off to her corner to sit down and eat it. I observe this behavior and feel that her nerves and muscle tone for her age are still OK. At 14 she is of course slower and not as spry. Walks are slow now and rarely does she 'lead'. Overall she is in good health (I believe) for her age - eats normal, drinks normal, and bathroom business is normal. On the other hand I know her health is slipping - she does not see clearly in low light - but no eye problems, rarely runs anymore, etc.. Her liver panel from a recent checkup is normal and the vet believes she is doing well for her age. However I am concerned about this new and odd behavior. It's only happened twice and days apart but it is not normal for her. It's as if she has lost her cognitive capability. She makes odd noises now and then as she tries to find a comfortable position on the couch in her bed. These sounds don't appear to the cause of discomfort, perhaps being stiff and groaning in order to get to a more comfortable position. I know this is wordy and I apologize for it. But don't know how to give the max amount of information in order to rule this or that out. I would appreciate any response and am very grateful for the existence of a forum that let's us ask for information or tell stories. Please let me know if you have any ideas on what this behavior is or might indicate. Thank you.