Sunday

Last night was a new first. Akua and Magick slept with Zi. Magick insisted that she was going in whatever room Akua was in when it was bed time. So we decided to let them settle down together and see how they behaved. When I checked a few minutes later they were both sound asleep on Zi's bed. So I let them spend the night that way. Dash chose Mosi's room.
Akua continues to become more of a basenji every day. She and Magick play together regularly now. There was a spat over a piece of gum that one of them found and other decided she wanted. It was all bluster, and was quickly over. They made up immediately afterwards. They run in the yard often together. Akua definitely would rather not spend time in her kennel. But she will go in if the reward is high enough. She can be destructive of the things in and around her kennel, so what is placed in the kennel with her should be carefully chosen. I have one felted blanket in there, and the rest shredded paper. She also pulled in a rug that was under her kennel. Luckily, the extra hardware kept her from escaping today. We need to step up her kennel training. Also along the training front, she definitely knows sit, shake hands, and also "high five". So we work those, sits get multiple practices every day in various situations. She doesn't appear to have a down, so we started working that tonight. We will also be working on stays starting tomorrow. She is a quick study, so I hope that these will be pretty well established before she leaves.
I also found a great deal on a leather leash at walmart today. A 5foot 1/2 inch wide leather leash on clearance for $4. Which is great. So now they all have nice leashes for their walks. The puppy leash just wasn't working for Magick, and the nylon drag leashes are a little short for my preference when we are walking. So I am really happy that I found that leash.
I had to pick up more dog food. Mine are on grain free, so Akua gets that as well. I think that I am already noticing changes in her coat. Her hair was so stiff the night I picked her up, and it is starting to feel softer. I know that it seems impossible, but the change was almost as rapid when I switched mine to grain free. I hope whoever adopts her can keep her on a grain free diet.
I also made a temporary tag for her out of some spare parts and an engraver that I had . So she has a "jingly-jangly" like the other 2. Which I really use to keep track of everyone as they move around the house. Amazingly, each basenji has a slightly different walk, and I can tell from the way each jingles who it is. When her BRAT tag arrives, the homemade one won't be as necessary, but it has been nice to have for the last 2 days, and it cost nothing because I used spare parts I already had.
Mosi and Zi have dubbed Magick and Akua "the twins" because you have to look closely to see which one is which. I did my momism this morning and yell DAkua! (A mixture of Dash and Akua). In the past I often slip and say Dagick or Mash. Zi said I should have said Dagikua (Da-ja-kua). My brain doesn't work that way so I have no way to predict what will come out as a mixture of Magick & Akua. It may just be GIRLS!

Saturday evening

Akua was obviously loved and trained in one of her previous homes. She isn't afraid of the vacuum cleaner, she obviously has been around them before. She walks well on a leash. She will sit on furniture if I am sitting down, but otherwise, she will curl up on a blanket on the floor. On beds she prefers to lay on the pillows at the top of the bed, and if it is chilly at all she will go under the covers.
She takes her pills in cheese. So far she hasn't figured out that there is anything in the middle. She loves being outside, but still keeps track of me. Each day she is becoming a little more normal for a basenji. But she is very well mannered. She hasn't gotten into any trash cans yet, and is very well mannered about food on the table. (I wish mine would take lessons from her.)
We continue to work on sit anytime we get cookies. She is very good about being housebroken, but I still reward everyone with cookies each time we go out. Tonight I had mine shake hands, and when it was Akua's turn she offered her paw right up. So either she knew how to do it before, or she is a really quick study.......
We are continuing to work on crate training, and it is coming along well. Although today we had to run out to return books to the library and a couple of other errands. Everyone was in their kennels when we left. When we returned Akua was out and free in the house. She didn't do anything bad while she had the run of the house. I assume somehow I didn't get the latches fully closed on her kennel. Or she has escape artist powers. Will add some extra backup to the normal latches just in case.
This evening our walk was cut short when it started to thunder. We made it home just as it was starting to rain. Hopefully, tomorrow we will get to take a longer walk.

Saturday morning summary

Akua definitely likes to sleep under the covers. She spent the night with Mo last night. She curled up under the covers and slept through the night with him.
She has a very good sit on command (all the basenjis have to sit to get their cookies), and also will come in out of the yard when called.
There was a 3-way basenji 500 race through the house this morning. Followed by a round of basenji wrestling between Magick and Akua.
Akua also likes to chew on things. But so far only appropriate items. She likes choo hooves, and large marrow bones with a little peanut butter spread on the inside. She also will occassionally will pick up a nylabone and chew on that. She will also play with various stuffed toys, but so far hasn't been destructive with them.

Friday afternoon in the sun

Akua had a fun afternoon in the sun. There were some basenji races. Supervising the neighbor who was cutting their grass, and helping me plant some more in my garden.

A couple of pictures of Akua on her first night home with us.

A good night's rest

Everyone thought Akua seemed quite sad last night. In actuality, she was just exhausted. We put everyone to bed early last night. Akua chose Zi's room to sleep in. She had a special bed just for her in his room, although for part of the night she actually slept with Zi in his bed. This morning she woke up, and was acting like a real basenji. Magick and Akua patrolled the yard to make sure it was safe from bunnies, then they shared a spot in the sun to relax before everyone headed off to work and school. She is definitely housebroken. She even went out in the dewy grass when my two stopped at the edge of the patio because they didn't want to get their feet wet!
She wasn't overly keen on the idea of going in her kennel box this morning. However, her breakfast was in there and after a few moments of looking at her breakfast, and the fact that the other basenjis were in their kennels, she went in on her own.
She is starting to come out of her shell, which certainly brings a smile to my face. She wouldn't stop moving long enough for me to get a good picture this morning. So hopefully today, I can catch her and get some pictures to let everyone see how beautiful she is.

Akua safe at home

Akua is safe at home with me. She is settling in nicely. She is napping on a blanket in the living room. She met the resident basenjis in the backyard, and they all immediately got along. Although Akua has not really been that interested in Dash or Magick. She seems much more interested in the people. She knew that doors lead inside. She went to the sliding glass door, and when I didn't open that , she found another door into our garage and stood by that.
Once we were in the house, she explored a little but kept me in sight all the time.
I am not sure Akua is the right name for her. But we will see over the next few days. She seems to be such a gentle soul, who really just needs some love, and rest.
My biggest problem right now is that I have 3 basenjis and only 2 hands. When everyone needs a pet, it is sort of like juggling to make sure they all get a pet and scritch.
Did I mention she is adorable?

The beginning of Akua's journey

Akua is a female basenji. She was taken in by our local Animal Control. They contacted Basenji Rescue and Transport after the required holding period.
I visited Akua on Tuesday May 26th for the time. The picture doesn't do her justice, but it was the first of what I am sure will be many pictures of her.
She seemed to be a very nice basenji. She is smallish, but very solid. She was not at all afraid of me, but she was aloof as I would expect any basenji to be.
I will be picking her up today. So I will have more to report about her soon.