Saturday's dog: Laini, the Basenji

Would you look at this pretty dog?

Laini is a 6-year old, female Basenji available for adoption in Arizona through Basenji Rescue and Transport. She's good with cats and kids. She's good with big dogs but has reportedly been snarky with small dogs. (She, like most Basenjis, apparently doesn't realize she is one.)

If you (or someone you know) have always wanted a Basenji but were afraid of the demands the breed may put upon you, Laini just might be your girl. She's described as well-mannered and of mild temperament. A true cuddle bug, she likes to lie with her head on your lap and sleep "under the covers with her human". (Can you even stand it?)

Adopting through BRAT, "adopters receive a dog that has been spayed or neutered..., fully vaccinated and tested for heartworm and strip-tested for Fanconi (negative unless otherwise noted), and temperament evaluated. In addition, BRAT provides free lifetime post-adoption counseling to help deal with behavioral issues. Finally, we provide a free lifetime identification tag connected to our "lost dog" toll free number." Pretty impressive support system there, yes?

If you're interested in adopting Laini, hop over to the B.R.A.T. website for more information about her.

Mayzie's Rescue Week: Kinja

Every day I am more and more impressed with the pet blogging community. This week there has been a tremendous outpouring of support for Mayzie's "Rescue Week" that both honors her Grampa J and supports animal rescue.

The idea is to have bloggers post pictures and profiles of animals in need of a home and next week, Mayzie will pick 5 (yes 5!!) random "winners" out of those who participate and donate $100 (that's right $100 x 5!!) to each winner's favorite rescue group.

Well, that is a mighty generous offer and I couldn't resist throwing one of "my" dogs into the ring.

But who would I choose for such a special event? Since I volunteer with a couple of different rescue groups, I was having a real hard time selecting who I wanted to write about. All of our dogs are special and Mayzie didn't specify any criteria. I was just going to have go with my heart this time and pick one. That's when I saw her and knew who I had to spotlight this time.

The Lovely Kinja.

Kinja is a 12 year old, female Basenji looking for her forever home. Isn't she pretty? And so full of character. She loves people and is a bit of a couch potato (pretty unusual for a Basenji) but she does need some exercise and daily walks.

She is sweet, shy and very curious but not especially destructive. A backyard to romp in, a little playtime and a lot of snuggles would be just what she is looking for in her new family.

If you want to learn more about her, visit her profile on the Basenji Rescue and Transport (BRAT) website.

All BRAT dogs are spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated and tested for heartworm and Fanconi (strip-tested).  "BRAT provides free lifetime post-adoption counseling to help deal with behavioral issues" as well as free lifetime identification connected to their own "lost-dog toll free number"! Yes, Basenjis are escape artists. ;)

Thank you, Mayzie for bringing attention to all these lovely animals. Grampa J would be very proud.

Woofstock 2011

Dateline October 1, 2011, Hudson, Massachusetts:

Buddy Dog Humane Society celebrates its 50th anniversary with the 1st Annual Woofstock Festival

I was attending to help represent Basenji Rescue and Transport, take some pictures for North East All Retriever Rescue and assist the almost all-volunteer Buddy Dog crew with whatever they needed. (I was hoping Save-a-Sato would be there so I could be pulled in even more directions at once. ;) The Buddy Dog crew didn't need me at all because, despite how they may have felt, it seemed to everyone attending, from vendors to guests, that everything went perfectly.

From an attendance perspective, I had a blast and the festival was a huge success. They haven't released an official count yet, but over the 5 hours of the event, I have to estimate at least 1,000 people and hundreds of dogs came through the gates. There were almost 100 vendors and everywhere you looked, people and dogs lined up to visit the booths.

There were photographers, trainers and massage therapists. There was every kind of pet supply product imaginable and various presentations in the center rings from agility to police K-9 and military search and rescue dog demonstrations. There were, of course, every variety of animal and breed rescue many with their adoptable dogs on display. A live band, raffles with an assortment of great prizes and lots of food and beverages (courtesy Papa Gino's and the Hudson Elks Club) rounded out an awesome offering. Next year, if the weather would just cooperate, this will be the perfect New England Fall festival.

The best part for us was there was plenty of space which made bringing the scared-y dog easy - Bella never had to be in too big a crowd because across the entire field there was always a place to get away from it all. Once her beau, Gus, arrived with his Greyhound sister, Molly, Bella was able to relax a little and even tried to initiate play sessions with several dogs. She had a romping good time with one Australian Shepherd and confused the heck out of a rather young Golden Retriever pup who wasn't familiar with the puppy play bow.

Just out of curiosity, is Bella supposed to grow out of that? It's a little embarrassing explaining to people that no, she's not a puppy, she's 3 and a half, she just thinks she's a puppy still... Is just us or does your dog continue to "puppy play bow" even after puppyhood has passed?