I so sorry for your loss. It is never easy losing one of our beloved pets. If you are on Reddit, there is a subreddit where you can request portraits of your pets that have passed on. Maybe you can have one created with both of your beloved Basenjis. https://www.reddit.com/r/RainbowBridgeBabies/comments/b21pu0/how_to_request_and_about_us/
fly high my sweet boy
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It has been a few years since I've posted on here, so I'm sure no one remembers me, but since so many of you were such a huge help to me when I first rescued Cody, I felt like I needed to return here.
On October 4th, I lost my best friend. He was 10 years old and had been with me for a little over 7 years. When I first met him, he was a scared, neglected, abused, underweight basenji, and when he looked up at me with his sad golden eyes, I fell in love. At first, life together was a struggle; I was learning about living with a basenji, and he was learning to be a well-loved family member. But we settled together well, and he somewhat mellowed with age.
He really was my best friend. We moved a lot, so sometimes he was my only friend. He had only been around a few children, so when I got pregnant last year, I wasn't sure how he would react. I realized very quickly that I didn't need to worry. He was very protective of me during my pregnancy. He became a velcro dog, following me everywhere and always sitting near me or on me, which was very out of character for him. He was also selective of who was allowed near me. The list was short, just my fiancé, my parents, and my brother. I was put on bed rest early in my first trimester because I had subchorionic hematomas and would hemorrhage. I lost my son in a late miscarriage, and almost died myself, so when I finally came home, Cody never left my side. He wasn't big on cuddling as he got older, but he let me hold him, cry on him, and use him as a pillow. After that, he never really went back to his overly-independent ways. He continued being a velcro dog that cuddled on the couch and in bed.
One night in late September, we were getting ready for bed, and I noticed that he was hesitant to jump on the bed. I thought that maybe he was just starting to feel his age, so I tried to pick him up and he screamed. I made an appointment, but the vet couldn't see him for a little over a week, and suggested giving him doggy aspirin until then. He hadn't escaped and no one had hurt him, so the only thing I can think of that happened is that he was playing too rough with the other dog and cat, both of which are much younger than him. When the vet saw him, she didn't take X-rays, but he was diagnosed with a herniated disc near his tail, and she prescribed some meds. I thought he was getting better, but then a few days later he got worse very quickly. He was in a lot of pain. He would fall when he was walking, and he started dragging one of his back legs. He lost the use of both legs within 24 hours. It was a weekend, so the vet office was closed, and we don't have an emergency vet here. Plus at that point, I didn't trust the local vet here. My aunt has a friend that is a vet about 3 hours from here, so she called him, but he wouldn't be able to make it here for another day or so, and Cody was in so much pain that I couldn't travel that far with him. He told me to keep him medicated and comfortable, and he continued to call to get updated. When Doc finally made it here, he quietly and gently ran his hands over Cody, checked a few things, and then cursed the other vet. There was an injury to Cody's spine, but it was more than just a herniated disc and it was near his neck. Within another 24 hours or so he would be completely paralyzed. His front leg was already showing signs of paralysis. There was nothing we could do. The other vet should have xrayed him, at least it would have saved him from the pain and confusion of going paralyzed. I held his face in my hands, kissed him, and told him how much I loved him as he was helped across the rainbow bridge.
Through all of his last week, especially when it got bad, I never left his side. I didn't eat or sleep for days, I just couldn't. I laid on the floor next to his bed as he slept and just watched him and prayed. He stayed with me through the hardest time in my life, and I couldn't leave him during his. It's been 2 months, and sometimes it still hurts so much that it takes my breath away.
I've never been a very religious person, but in his last few minutes as I told him how much I loved him, I also told him that he had been my best friend for 7 years, but now he would get to go be Liam's best friend until I got to see both of them again. He would probably be just as protective over him in death as he was in life. That thought has helped when the grief is overwhelming.
Fly high my sweet grumbly old man. I'll see you at the rainbow bridge.
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I am so sorry for your loss. It is always hard to say goodbye, but you certainly had a most horrific time of it. I lost my boy last April, and I am still grieving, so I feel your pain. Take care of yourself. You've been through a lot.
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Losing a baby and then your greatest support is shattering. I am terribly sorry about both. At some point, you do need to address the vet. While often my vets have been sure what they thought was up, they insisted on xrays to make sure especially since a wrong dx could end up doing irreparable harm. Serious symptoms need serious evaluation. Hopefully, if nothing else, your experience will help them to reevaluate their way of doing things and save another dog from this type of experience.
I did remember you posting so looked for Cody's pictures. You gave him as much support as he gave you.
https://basenjiforums.com/topic/11788/proud-of-who-my-dogs-are/9
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So sorry to hear of your losses. I can't imagine the loss of a child. I have lost many furbabies over the years however. It is a hard thing to go through also. Bless you for loving your Cody so much. I can only hope you are blessed to find another furbaby to love and be loved by. Basenjis are habit forming so maybe another one will rule your life again. Hope so!
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Thank you all for your kind words.
@DebraDownSouth the vet was definitely addressed. There are several in that particular office, but the one that owns the practice ( or however that works) called me a week after our appointment to check on Cody, and I had to tell him that I had lost Cody a few days before. He asked for details and said that he would address the issue with the vet that saw Cody. I believe he even got in touch with Doc, the vet that came to my house, for more information. He seemed to be sincere.
@vasmith26 As for getting another dog, I know I'm not ready yet. Eventually I would like to adopt another basenji or possibly a "golden opportunity", but I can't yet. I spend time with my parents' dog, and my old roommate's dog, and I am about to start volunteering at a shelter, but it just isn't time yet. I think when I finally do, it'll probably be like it happened with Cody, who just happened to fall into my lap at just the right time.
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@crystalncody I haven't been in this forum long myself but I am truly sorry to hear of your loss, of both of them. Bless your heart for taking Cody to begin with & changing him into the little guy he was meant to be! You had a strong connection with each other & I believe that one day, you'll be with him again & maybe another 1 or 2!! I just lost my 2nd girl this past Aug. & I don't seem to be able to get past it. Those of us that have been owned by a Basenji, know a love that so many others do not. I think that we're more lucky than most because of it. Take care & hopefully, we'll see you in the forum again ~ showing us pics of your new one!
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So sorry to hear about Cody. He had a great life with a loving dog mom, and that's something to cherish.
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So sorry to hear about both lossses. Hope you find some comfort from all your basenji friends here.
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Very sorry for your loss. Our hearts and thoughts are with you.
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I don't come on here a lot either the last few years so I was so sorry to come on and see you post about losing Cody...just like Debra, I remember your posts. I'm so sorry for your loss and the tragedy surrounding his passing. I don't have words to offer as I couldn't imagine losing Oakley. All the best, and please keep us updated on your journey
-Chealsid and Oakley -
So sorry for your loss, I lost my first buddy four years ago in March and I still miss him. I got a new buddy a month after he died despite reservations over whether it was too soon\the right thing to do. So glad I did, just as my first wriggled his basenji way into our hearts, my new buddy has done the same. I still miss my first and always will, but another basenji knows just how to help you heal, the really are a special breed.
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I am so sorry for your loss. My boy Cafu is only one year old, but I sometimes wonder how am I possibly going to cope when his time arrives. I had dogs before when I was growing up, but I have never established a bond with an animal like I have with him. I have now realized that this is the norm, since previous Basenji owners often approach me and they tell me how VERY special in their life their Basenji was. It has been great and he is my constant companion, but to be honest I had no idea how strong this bond would become. I really feel that there is something very unique about how this breed relates to us.
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Today marks 6 months since I lost Cody. I still miss him so much. Since then, we also lost Moe, my parents' dog, Cody's very best friend, and partner in crime. He passed from old age, just shy of 14 years old. Sometimes, when I visit my parents, I could almost swear I hear them playing in the back rooms.
My boyfriend was working out of the country when Cody died. When he got back in January, we moved in with his grandmother. She is in recovery from breast cancer, but the treatment caused her to go into heart failure, so she needs someone with her. Since I used to be a home health aid, and she didn't want a stranger living with her, we decided that this was the best option. She also lost her dog a few months ago.
Two weeks ago, my boyfriend came home with a dog. He was our old roommates' dog, and Cody's other best friend. Our friends had been working so much that Bucky was spending most of his time in his kennel, so they had been thinking about rehoming him. One day, out of the blue, my boyfriend went over to their house, but no one was home, so he went in and got Bucky (he still has a key in case they go out of town or there is an emergency) and brought him home. Of course, I texted them right away so they wouldn't worry. Grandma quickly fell in love. Bucky is a lovable little ball of energy. We talked about it, and decided that since they were going to rehome him, if they still wanted to, we'd take him. They were fine with it, so we went and got his stuff. The best part is that when we go visit, we take Bucky so they can still spend time with him. Plus, sometimes when they are both off, they will come get him for a day. So now he has two families that love him.
Bucky isn't a basenji. He's some kind of mix, but I guess living with Cody rubbed off on him. He picked up some of the basenji mannerisms, like the way he plays, and other little quirks. Sometimes, when he does those things, I get a little lump in my throat. And he seems to be thriving here. His kennel is still his safe place, but he rarely has to spend his days in it. When we go to work, Bucky spends his days in bed with grandma, or she will let him outside and just watch him run. I've even caught them playing tug a few times. They have been good for each other. She gives him the attention he craves when we aren't home, and he gives her a reason to get out of bed, and brimgs her so much joy. He's been good for me too. And while I wish that Cody was still here, I'm happy that we could take in his best friend. I think he'd be happy about that too.
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gosh, lots of loses and changes. Glad you have rescued Bucky from a lonely life and are helping with your bf grandmother.
The idea of time healing all is a lie... we always have pain, we just learn to live with it.
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@DebraDownSouth I agree with Deb. that time doesn't heal all but I feel like we put those memories in a closet so we always have them but sometimes we have to close that door to stop some of the pain until we can. deal with it some more.
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@crystalncody I'm so Sorry for all your many loss's. At least Bucky is there now. & he's helping you in the same way that you're helping him. Life is full of so many twists & turns. I'm just glad you all are together!
