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/
Good bye My Lady
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That's the name of a really old movie and a book about a boy and his Basenji, But it's also applicable today for me and My basenji Lady.
Lady would be 17 years old in December, but she won't make it that long. Lady hasn't eatten in two days, can no longer stand or walk very well at all and has lost alot of weight.
Lady even turned down her favorite yogart and she's just lost all spark. The vet said "I've never seen a Basenji this old before. The oldest one I've ever seen was 12 years old". The average lifespan of a Basenji is between 12-14 years of age. There was not much we could do for her, It was just her time.
I still have her two sons and they are also both over the 'average" lifespan for Basenjis and still going strong.
We had a funeral last evening for her. I took her two sons George and Ice Man out to say goodbye. My mule Shy walked away from her food (unusual in the first place) and quitely joined us (another unusual behavior for her, ususally shes pushing people around trying to be the center of attention) while we were out there in the pasture and then walked back in with us without trying to harass the two boys (also unusual for her). So I guess she knew something was up.
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Many hugs for you and my most sincere condolonces, Dunappy. May your beautiful Lady run free at the Rainbow Bridge. It's so amazing the paw prints these dogs leave on our hearts.
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My deepest sympathy - even though we know they've lived a good life - it's hard to lose the old ones.
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I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like she had a very long, wonderful life.
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All we can do is give them our best and you did. Now she is free to run again. Many hugs and thoughts are with you.
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I am so sorry for your loss. What a fitting tribute to a beautiful little Lady. I think all animals know when it's time for quiet reflection. ((Hugs)) to you during this difficult time.
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Deepest Condolences. It is amazing how deeply our pets imprint on our hearts, isn't it?
On another note, although the life expectancy for these dogs is often listed at 12 - 14 yrs, I think if you read through the posts here {see esp. one in the health forum on life expectancy}, MANY MANY of them live far longer.
It seems that 17 is not as uncommon as one may think. That always gives me hope when I look at my two B's…... Jazz is only 2.5 yrs and Keoki is only 9 mos, and I like to think I have YEARS ahead of me with them! -
so sorry for you and the rest of your clan. Our hearts go out to you all.
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What a sad time for you and your family. My heart goes out to you. The love for our dogs is only surpassed by our grief when they leave us. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
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I'm so sorry. It is something you can never really prepare yourself for.
Pat
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What a beautiful tribute. You were very lucky that you had Lady for so long and give her the love she deserved. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Laura
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I'm so sorry for your loss.
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I am so sorry to hear of your loss, 17yrs. is just great that you had her that long, shows that you took excellent care of her. She must have been a very happy dog, good that you still have her sons. I lost my cat of 18 yrs. this summer, I had to put her down. It was a first for me and even though I knew it was time for her, stopped eating, deaf, couldn't see well, it was so difficult. May Lady rest in peace and may you remember all the good times you had together. I hope and pray I have my Sahara for that long.
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I'm so sorry for your loss. Your Lady was so lucky to have you and what a wonderful tribute to her that you wrote. All our deepest sympathies..
