First time away from Roxy

I had to travel Wednesday and Thursday and my daughter and her fiance watched Roxy and Iggy. Roxy had no problems being "boarded" over the two days and seems to be adaptable to whatever the day brings. I have yet to see her react in a negative way to any situation she is placed in. What a sweetheart! Why isn't someone searching high and low for this beautiful girl? Why aren't there full-page newspaper ads announcing she is lost? Who could have let her just disappear without leaving a hole in their heart? I can't imagine the Roxy I know not being missed terribly by someone. I rushed home last night at 10 so I could give my babies a big hug. The joy in their eyes and the excitement in the wag of their curly tails is reward enough for doing what I do every day.

Yea!

So it's 12:20 a.m. on January 13 and I am working late on my laptop in my bed, editing documents with a couple of co-workers via email. Roxy has joined Iggy under the covers. Iggy was none too pleased at first and started in on a growling whine, but I really think he just enjoyed the sound it made. He didn't act too upset to have her share the space, but he really seemed to enjoy the noise he discovered he could make. So this is a lucky 13, because for the first time ever, Roxy has come to sleep in my bed before 4 a.m. AND she is under the covers for the first time. Granted, she's near the pillows for an easy escape, but progress is progress. I'll take every small success I'm given.

Another great weekend

Roxy must be training me for a marathon...Today she went two miles with Iggy and me. (I usually gauge our distance by how tired I think she's getting). We went a mile to a nearby school with an enclosed fence around the entire school. It sits on about 10 acres total. She and Iggy ran for 30 full minutes unabated. But in true basenji spirit, she wasn't interested in Come, when it was time to leave, so I got to track her over the entire school campus until I finally cornered her on the other end of the school. Now who's tired?!!!

Another delightful morning

Roxy continues to surprise me with her progress. This morning at 4:45 she came into my room and pranced and jingled her collar until I figured out she must want to go outside to the grass. Not at all. She went outside, but what she was really trying to tell me was that she was lonely! I put her up on my bed so I could grab another hour of sleep, and she settled down at the foot of the bed and slept atop the covers until the alarm went off. Now I know if you don't like dogs on the bed, you are probably horrified by this whole entry, but for me, it is another sign of how bonded she is becoming to a family environment. I don't know if she'll ever sleep under the covers, but on the bed with Iggy under the covers nearby is a major event!

Then after our morning walk, she and Iggy engaged in their first indoor Basenji 500. The course was rather small, but challenging nonetheless. Around the coffee table, up and across all the couches and chairs, then repeat about a bajillion times (that's Texan for "alot") It was so fun to watch.

I went to work one happy foster Mom.

Two dogs might just be more fun than one!

One basenji is a blast, but no one told me that two basenjis are double the fun! These two are really enjoying one another's company. Roxy continues to blossom and show her full personality. She is getting stronger each day and her energy level is a thousand times better than the day she arrived. It is hard for me to believe looking at her as she wrestles with Iggy, that she has heartworms. It is hard for me to believe as she runs and jumps and plays, that she has heartworms. It is hard for me to believe as she has filled out and exhibits boundless energy, that she has heartworms. Her next vet visit on Jan. 21 will tell the full story: a chest x-ray and more bloodwork will determine the next steps for this precious baby.

As our days get longer, I am making it home from work with some daylight left, so now our evening walks are much more interesting. Today was the first time we went to the lake in my neighborhood in daylight. Our last outing around the lake at 6 a.m., Roxy went full tilt into the water chasing something. She was none too pleased to get her feet wet! So today, I think she enjoyed seeing the lake and interacting with all the smells and sights to be experienced. Lots of joggers were just icing on the cake.

So my final Roxy surprise today was this morning, when she brought me a stuffed animal to throw. This is actually a first in my household on any level--Iggy has never done that. She fetched it six or seven times before Iggy figured out he could interrupt all the action. Basenjis are so easily distracted, aren't they?!!?

Roxy's weekend

It is such fun to watch Roxy blossom! Saturday I took the babies to Dick Russell's property to run. Dick Russell is a well-known trainer in Louisiana and holds Saturday "Socialization Classes" where anyone can bring their dogs to interact with other dogs. It is on about 3 acres of fenced pastureland. For me, it's a much larger dog park setting than we can go to during the week.

Roxy had a blast. She ran and walked the entire hour. She played with dogs of all sizes and temperaments. She was a perfect lady. I find that the more exercise she gets, the happier she becomes. I guess we are all that way!

Roxy has adopted one spot on one couch to relax on when she doesn't sit in her crate (which is less and less now). I will let you know that she waited to be invited to get on furniture before she started sitting on the couch. She fell asleep there last night while I watched my Colts lose to the Chargers (another time, another blog...) but I decided to leave her there to see how she would do through the night. While I did leave the door to her crate open in case she wanted to go there, she slept the entire night on the couch and woke up so energetic and frisky! She went a full mile with Iggy on our morning walk today.

Today Roxy continues to engage Iggy in play and they are sitting side by side and sharing their space together much more often. Roxy is revealing herself as a gentle, sweet, loving and playful spirit. I know her future is bright.

A breakthrough day

Roxy woke up with a real basenji demeanor this morning. Her eyes reflect total relaxation and happiness. She started doing typical basenji activities: countersurfing, digging in the bathroom trashcan (it was empty!) and even ran a bit at the dog park. SHE engaged Iggy in roughhousing in the living room, though it was short lived. I think eight years old versus nearly four is a mismatch. Iggy wore her out quickly. It is becoming apparent that she will be comfortable in almost any household, but a quieter household with less active dogs will probably be best.

At the dog park today she interacted with some older children there and did just fine. She also loved the two chihuahuas that came. I'm posting some new photos of today's outing. She is such a pleasure and I just pray she'll continue to gain her health.