Roxy Week 1

Roxy was found Dec. 19 wandering in New Orleans. As a registered foster with Basenji Rescue and Transport (www.basenjirescue.org), I decided to foster this precious girl--my first time to foster. She is greatly emaciated, weighing in at only 14.4 pounds. Normal basenji females range 18-20 pounds. She is red and white with wonderful basenji markings.

I went to New Orleans the evening of Dec. 20 to pick her up and spent the next 2 hours in traffic getting to know her. Though very weak, she displayed true basenji spirit--doing perimeter searches of the car; standing on the highest point in the car; trying to sit in my lap; and smelling everything!

On the way home, I came up with several possible names: Roz, Holly (so close to Christmas), Isabella (to call her Izzy) and Roxy. My children voted for Roxy and it's a great fit.

Unlike many fosters I have read about, Roxy is obviously just a lost basenji. The only abuse seems to be from living a long time on the street. She is approximately 5 years old. She has been spayed. She had a collar without tags. She walks obediently on a leash, is housebroken and will not jump on the couches. If only MY basenji boy behaved so well!

I hope you will follow along as Roxy regains her strength and finds a forever home. My goal is to help her feel like she is finally safe. Her eyes still reflect a sadness and fear that I hope to erase.