This afternoon we finally sent the old man over the Bridge. For about the past week or so he has been having what looked like psychomotor seizures. He has had gran mal seizures since he was 6 weeks old - a vaccine reaction we believe, but these were different. He would appear to be his usual self and then suddenly start holding up his right front leg and screaming. This would go on for 5 - 30 minutes. He would snap, pull his hair out and generally appear totally panicky. When we finally could get him calmed down, it was like nothing ever was wrong. For the past 2 days, he seemed much worse, so we took him in today. The vet had him on the exam table and manipulated every limb every which way - he didn't even flinch. Then we took him outside so she could see him walk. He tilted into a sprinkler pipe, VERY gently and suddenly began to scream, snap and thrash. Both vets agreed with us that he was in incredible pain. We could not calm him.
Dino would have been 15 years old next month. He was almost completely blind and heard only certain tones and pitches. He has been on doggie Alzheimer meds for the past year as he kept getting lost in the back yard and the family room. It was time, we know, but we will miss him so much. He was our first Basenji.
Good bye, big guy. Wait for us at the Bridge. We love you.
Dune's Velvet Illusion, SC 12/16/91 - 11/08/06