My husband and I have been looking for a dog for about 2 weeks. I would search the websites of all the nearby shelters for a suitable pick and take notes. Last week I found an adorable whippet mix at the Brooklyn Animal Care & Control. After trekking on the train to a remote area of Brooklyn we found out someone had already claimed the dog. I then got it in my head to search for any whippet mix in NYC area. 3 days later I found a whippet mix at Sean Casey Animal Rescue in Brooklyn. We walked 50 minutes to the shelter sort of thinking it wouldn't work out. We get there and ask to see the Whippet/Jack Russell terrier mix. The man brings her out and it's love at first sight.She's the sweetest dog ever, she immediately runs up to us and starts kissing us and jumping to get our attention. We take her for a walk to test run her and it's like she's known us for months. One mother and child stop us to comment on how beautiful she is. She then starts playing and showing affection with the woman's kid. So cute. The shelter thinks she's about 1 year old. She already knows the command sit and is housebroken....we're convinced...we fill out the paperwork. We decide to name her Busu, which means kiss in Swahili. The owner calls 3 of our references and 45 minutes later Busu is ours :)
If anyone in the NYC area is looking for a dog I highly recommend Sean Casey Animal Rescue. The staff know all the dogs by name and can explain their personalities in detail. Plus they have a "behavior specialist" on staff to help with any animal behavior stuff. The adoption fee covers 1 vet visit and pet insurance for the first 30 days, plus they neuter the dog and put a microchip in them.
(Pictures: Busu's first bath, drying post bath, eating food)
Busu makes my heart all melty. I'm so happy you found such a good fit!
ReplyDeleteWE rescued a dog 5 months ago and we did not know his breed, but it seems like hes a jack/whippet mix as well. The sweetest dog that loves to give kisses too. we named him Homer. He is just over 30lbs and 6 moths old, were wondering how much bigger he'll get. how big is Busu?
ReplyDeleteBusu's about a 1 year old and only 20 lbs. I don't think she will get much bigger.
ReplyDeleteJust before Christmas I went to the Southside Animal Shelter in Indianapolis, IN and fell in love with a Jack Russell/Whippet mix. He looks very much like Busu, very similar face markings. He is the sweetest dog I have ever owned, and BEAUTIFUL. He seems to have much more the Whippet nature than the JRT. My only concern at the moment is how to get him past his separation anxiety. He wants me to be with him all the time and is quite upset (in his crate) when I have to go out. I work only now and then, part time, so am no away very long at a time, but Henry (that's his name) hates my being gone and is more likely to pee and poop in his crate if I'm not here. Otherwise he's perfect and goes outside to potty with no resistance. Got any suggestions for getting him over the separation anxiety. I have read that Whippets don't take well to change or interruptions in their schedule.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately and interestingly enough, we have the same problem. Busu has extreme separation anxiety. She freaks out and cries and claws at the door whenever we leave. She also moves stuff around (ie stuff on the shelf is put on the floor/couch).
ReplyDeleteWe're tried lots of things but with no process.....we tried crating her (only made her freak out more), not lavishing attention on her right before we leave or after we return and this thing called 'Thunder Jacket' that is suppose to calm her.
The only thing we haven't tried yet is medication. Luckily our neighbors haven't complained yet. Besides that Busu is the perfect dog...everyone comments on how friendly and loving she is....If you have any success with your whippet/JRT please let me know.
Dear KCW: Henry has made a lot of progress since I last posted a comment. After consulting a dog behaviorist, I took his advice. Not only was Henry suffering extreme separation anxiety, but he hated his crate. To help him adjust to his crate, I put treats in a Kong and repeatedly would put him in the crate with the treat. When the treat was gone I would take him out, put another treat (fried hamburger or peanut butter)
ReplyDeleteinto the Kong, and repeat this process over and over several times a day. By about day three, he began to be more comfortable in the crate, and stopped peeing and pooping in it. He I can go away for a few hours, three or four (haven't tried more yet), and he is fine when I return. One thing I have learned is not to make a big deal of leaving. No big goodbyes/. And the same when returning home. He is still very excited when I return, jumping all over me and the furniture, but he isn't stressed. He even sleeps part of the time in his crate at night with the door open. I keep the crate near my bed. He likes to creep into the bed about 3 to 5 o'clock in the morning, but considering that he was sleeping with me all the time, he's doing much better. He would actually stay in his crate all night if I told him to, but I give in rather easily. If you have done any reading up on Whippets, they love close body contact and want to be near us all the time. I keep a very soft bed (not just a mat) in Henry's crate because I read that Whippets, because of their lack of hair and sensitive skin, need soft places. I also keep a soft bed on the floor in each room where he can lie near me. He gets on the furniture too, of course. Henry has the Jack/Whippet appearance, but seems to be mostly Whippet in temperament.
Hi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this information. Luckily Busu has calmed down a bit. She doesn't scream/cry when we leave. However she still claws at the door. This doesn't really bother us since it can be fixed with fresh paint.
We sort of gave up on crate training her. Instead we just close all the doors so she only has access to the living room and kitchen.
I'm glad to hear your crate training has been more successful :)
Hi guys. I have a rescue as well. Her name is Lucy and she is so so spoiled but is the love of our lives. She is also a whippet/Jack mix. I did some research and found out that this is a highly sought after breed in the UK. they call them lurchers and there is a story behind them (hint hint use google)!
ReplyDeleteHi there; I've got the same type dog very affectionate & sweet also adopted with similar anxiety issues. She's 1 1/2 and has gotten better with it. I found that ignoring upon entering & exiting was helpful along with short frequent trips to assure her of my return :) - I was however wondering how you liked the thunder jacket?
ReplyDeleteripsilupentino, the thunder jacket didn't work. We just use it for a cold weather coat now......We've had Busu for 1.5 years now and she has calmed down a little. She no longer barks/cries when we leave. She does claw at the front door occasionally though. We don't mind it much, new paint and a little work will fix it.
ReplyDeleteWe are more concerned with the fact that she shakes when she sees us put on our coats and prepare to leave her. Luckily I can work from home some days, to limit the amount of time she's alone.
Wow Busu reminds me so much of my own JackRussell Whippett mix, Bellatrix. I got her from a rescue shelter my grandfather works at. She is such a happy dog and loves everyone. She loves giving kisses and playing. She loves kids and got pretty protectove over my 1 yr old cousin who loved to play and feed Bella, and Bella was always so calm and careful around her. She loves to come cuddle up under the blanket with me while I sleep and enjoys sleepin right behind my legs. We found that she loves the publix and kroger brand biggg bones and will carry them around with her everywhere. She looks almost exactly like Busu but with a copper red and white body and little black freckles on her nose. I wish I could post a picture of Bella on here. She hates when we leave but when we go on trips to my grandpas she loves the car rides and loves watching the cars and playing with the animals over at his house. She is a joy to have in my life and cheers me up on a bad day. I love walking her in the rain wven though she hates it, but I enjoy watching her think that if she at least has her head under a bush she isn't getting wet at all. She is now a year and 3 months old, I have had her since she was 9months. she loves hiding my shoes before I go to work and a good back rub. I hope that Busi brings you as much laughter and happiness as my Bella does for me.
ReplyDelete*Busu
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWe have a Whippet mix that I always suspected was Jack Russell. Rescue/adoption people were sure she is some sort of Terrier/Whippet. But after your photos, I am convinced Busu could be her litter mate. Our Chula is approx 2.5 years and weighs 20lbs. If we would let her she would rid the golf course we live on of all squirrels and rabbits which she sees and tries to chase all the time. She is a vigilant hunter and gets most of her exercise by "patroling" the yard for an hour or two at night while we sit and watch. I feel like this activity keeps her calm the rest of the day when we are at work. the first week or two, we tried to crate her at night and she freaked out. then we tried to close our bedroom door and she clawed at the door, ruining the molding, literally for 2 hours until I couldn't take it and let her in. We now let her sleep with us, and I was worried she wouldn't handle us leaving, but she does fine with no damage to the house or mischief apparent when we return. It has only been 3 months and she seems to be adjusting well. I have been told that she would benefit from getting involved in the speed agility trials. the intellectual and physical outlet is key in allowing them to be well adjusted the rest of the week. if you aren't into that, I would recommend a long walk and some fetch. That should calm her down.
I have a dog- which looks identical to your own. I adopted her from Mexico; she was living in a rescue shelter there. I previously didn't know her mix but now I assume she is the same. I, too, love her to bits. Thank you for this post- albeit a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteHello I wanted to inform you that we rescued Busu from the Sacramento spca on 3/18/2017! She had only been there a week! My 18 year old daughter had just recently been released from the hospital and had to drop out of college due to health issues. She had wanted a dog for quite some time and we decided now was the right time. We looked at 3 dogs including Poa! We fell in love with busu and she has been a loving addition to our family! I just thought you would want to know she is happy healthy and well loved.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for reaching out and letting us know. We're very happy to hear Busu found a good home.
DeleteWe adopted a 1 year old 3years ago. After some research i believe she is a Jack/whippet mix. She is sweet, smart, cuddly and fast as lighting. Wish i could find more pups like her
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