I got a call from a friend with some very upsetting news about a brindle boy needing rescue.  She knew I had been wanting a brindle basenji boy for a long time and here was my chance. 

This brindle boy was in Tennessee and in a very bad situation.  He was neglected and had been left in a wire crate for 24 hours a day, without being left out to relieve himself or eat.  He ate in the crate, pooped in the crate, and he was not ever let out for anything.  The more my friend Karla told me about this boy and his sad story, the more I knew I could not turn my back on him.  

When the last puppy from my litter went to their new home, I made arrangements to bring Titus to his new home in Kennesaw, Georgia.  He was driven from Tennessee and brought to where I work since it was closer to the interstate, and easy to locate.  I had been warned that his paws were in dreadful condition.  But, nothing prepared me for what I actually saw.  How could anyone let this happen to a poor little dog, especially since it didn't have to happen at all.

Titus has developed arthritis, and is unable to walk on cold and damp days.   His feet and joints swell and become so inflamed that he is unable to put any weight on them.  He must be lifted up and down and carried outside to go relieve himself.  Fortunately, most days are sunny and warm in Georgia and he can walk, run and play.  

Savannah was still missing her puppies.  When I brought Titus in, another skinny little thing that was scarred and full of sores.  She immediately began to mother him by giving him a full bath from head to sore toes.  Sting had his reservations, but in his quiet manner accepted Titus as long as Titus obeyed the rules.  

Titus' first few days consisted of going in and out the screened drape.  It was so funny.  He would walk out to the deck stop and look all around, then turn around and walk back into the house, stop look all around and turn around and walk back outside to the deck.  

I think he was smiling the whole time going back and forth.  He just could not stop going back and forth for hours.   He decided that I was to be his personal human and he didn't want to share me with the other two.  This created a problem, since the others were there first and not to inclined to take threats as they approached their mommy.  

Titus rooted into my heart quickly every time I looked at his feet my heart melted for him, and yet he was as sweet, loving and trusting as a new born puppy.   I didn't realize at the time that I was creating a bad situation, by allowing Titus to nest beside me and treating him with special attention.  

To my surprise, a major fight broke out between Sting and Titus for leadership.  After I broke up the fight and cleaned up the blood and saw that no one was seriously injured I reflected on what happened to my happy basenji family.  

I realized that it was my fault.  I was treating Titus as the "Alpha Male", instead of Sting.  Titus went to stay with my friend Anita for a few weeks to separate the boys and give them some space.  It didn't take Titus long to figure out that he missed his mommy and wanted to come home and behave.  

When Titus was came back home, I changed by behavior towards him.  Sting  was to be reinforced as the Alpha Male.  Sting now got the first petting of the day, the first treats, and he got his bowl of food first.  

This behavior modification did two important things:  
1) Showed Sting that I approved of him as the lead dog, and 
2) Displayed to Titus the house order would not be changed. 

There was only one other confrontation after that.  This was when I had been in the hospital for surgery and away from home for two weeks.  When I came home, all 3 thought they should be the one to sit closest.  
Well, that started a fight between Sting and Titus.  Poor Titus lost again.

Peace now reigns again at Savannah's Pride.