My oldest at present is Jewel she was 16 on the 15 this month - I pray she has more years of healthy life. I hate to see these oldies who're really sick are dragged on and on but if they still get good quality of life its a pleasure to have them around. Jewel still loves her daily walks but doesn't want to have road walks as much as the younger two who are exercised with her. She will walk for long distances in the fields and footpaths and still gives chase to rabbits and other living things. She is a pleasure to live with and has already given us many joyful years.

The last time she was showed was at 13 plus and the experienced breed judge (Bunty Bowers of the Domewood fame) said that she showed the younger ones how a Basenji should move. She still has her beautiful true Basenji movement although rather slower now.

The oldest Basenji I had lived to 17 plus and decided herself that it was then time to leave us 7 months short of her 18th birthday. I do think age runs in lines. There are some Basnejis over the hill at 13 and indeed Spring my second oldest now seems a fairly old dog although still full of life and with a keen appetite.

@Knipper:

The oldest Basenji I knew was Sunny, he died a month away from 25. Three month before, he ran circles around Blaze (who was three).

Wow, that is one long living Basenji! I would love to think my girls would live that long, but since I'm kind of old myself, I have the fear of them outliving me, which would be awful for them.:( Better start early grooming one of my kids or grandkids or greatgrandkids to step in if they live that long….

@dcmclcm4:

My BRAT permanent foster, Annie, is 16 1/2, will be 17 in December. I am just trying to keep her comfortable since she has arthritis and neurological problems. She has eye and hearing problems also but those are common in old age. She has a good appetite but it is hard to keep weight on her and she looks thin.

My Fanconi affected girl, Missy, will be 12 in December and is doing fine. One would never know she has Fanconi by looking at her.

What kind of neurological problems is she having? Fred has seizures if he does not get has phenobarb , but does really well as long as he gets it every 12 hours . I was really lucky his first owner is a pharmacist and was able to get his does correct , given a larger does made him very lethargic . But he does great now a little stiff but the gluclosamin seems to help .
Kevin

My Yuhafta Yodel is 18 years old this month. Although she forgets where she has walked to in the house or walks under a chair and forgets how to get out, or even if she no longer remembers to go outside to potty, I wouldn't change a thing about her after living with her this long. To look at her, one would think that we are not feeding her because she looks so emaciated. But, we have to doctor her food with juices from other foods before she will take a bite, and then she eats. She paces in circles or just all over the house. She has had many a stroke, some lasting as long as 8 minutes. Some only 2 minutes. When they pass, she gets up like, Okay, Dad. Im all done now?. But then we have to corral her in a pen for about 4 hours, otherwise she could hurt herself just by bumping into things or stumbling.

Still, with all of these circumstances, she has not failed to greet me when I come home from work. Slow getting there, but she still gets there. She still wants to get in my lap and once she is there, she is as happy as a lark, lays her head down, and goes to sleep. She could still
jump on the sofa up to 6 months ago.

She is in no pain. She is not starving. She is not lacking in anything that would be detrimental to her health, so I see no reason for putting her down. My mother-in-law had all of these signs with Alzheimer and we did not ?put her down?. We tolerated all of the conditions and let her pass from natural causes. Just because 'Hafta has "Dogsheimer" doesn't mean we have to get rid of her. We will tolerate Hafta just like my mother-in-law.

Hafta is the first Basenji to hold the #1 position is ASFA all year in 1996 since Basenji's were admitted into ASFA in 1975, and she is a
dual champion.

Selfish? Maybe. Tolerable? A lot. Love and devotion to this dog? More than you know.

I read your post, I don't see selfish. I see devotion.

I do suggest you ask your vet about cyproheptadine for appetite. It is miraculous, safe– simply an antihistimine that works to make them very hungry. And cheap.

I saw a basenji on the BRAT Facebook page who just turned 19!

@yuhaftarun:

My Yuhafta Yodel is 18 years old this month. Although she forgets where she has walked to in the house or walks under a chair and forgets how to get out, or even if she no longer remembers to go outside to potty, I wouldn't change a thing about her after living with her this long. To look at her, one would think that we are not feeding her because she looks so emaciated. But, we have to doctor her food with juices from other foods before she will take a bite, and then she eats. She paces in circles or just all over the house. She has had many a stroke, some lasting as long as 8 minutes. Some only 2 minutes. When they pass, she gets up like, ?Okay, Dad. I?m all done now?. But then we have to corral her in a pen for about 4 hours, otherwise she could hurt herself just by bumping into things or stumbling.

Still, with all of these circumstances, she has not failed to greet me when I come home from work. Slow getting there, but she still gets there. She still wants to get in my lap and once she is there, she is as happy as a lark, lays her head down, and goes to sleep.

She is in no pain. She is not starving. She is not lacking in anything that would be detrimental to her health, so I see no reason for putting her down. My mother-in-law had all of these signs with Alzheimer and we did not ?put her down?. We tolerated all of the conditions and let her pass from natural causes. Just because 'Hafta has "Dogsheimer" doesn't mean we have to get rid of her. We will tolerate Hafta just like my mother-in-law.

Besides, Hafta is the longest lure coursing Basenji since Basenji's were allowed to enter in 1978.

Selfish? Maybe. Tolerable? A lot. Love and devotion to this dog? More than you know.

OMG…. are these my old friends that I have not seen in ages???? So glad to hear that Hafta is still going... at 18.... my goodness.... that is super!!! My C-Me (Ch Klassic-Tanza Color Me Tri) goes back to Hafta!!!! Check out her pedigree at Sally Wallis site!

I treasure all the senior b's I own and count as friends those folks who do all they can to keep their companions comfortable in their golden years.

@tanza:

OMG…. are these my old friends that I have not seen in ages???? So glad to hear that Hafta is still going... at 18.... my goodness.... that is super!!! My C-Me (Ch Klassic-Tanza Color Me Tri) goes back to Hafta!!!! Check out her pedigree at Sally Wallis site!

Hellllooo Pat! Yes, it has been a long, long, time. I think 'Hafta would have been better had I not left California for work last summer. I was out of a job her so I went to Michigan for a job. I lasted 3 months and Susan called me telling me 'Hafta is about to die and I had better return home. She quit eating because she decided I left her and was not coming back. I got home and force fed her because I was not going to let her die. She was in great health before I left. Now, she is only in fair health, but at least she isn't dead. We finally lost my Lu to Fanconi about 3 or 4 years ago. It was a horrible death for her. I don't wish that on anybody. She and I were so close she now sits by my bed in a little box.

How is your other half, Ted doing? And I haven't forgotten Maggii. She was a great, beautiful little dog. My C-Me is terrific looking as well. Forgive me, but I forget your other dogs names it has been so long. Tell the Leighton's hello for us and Parry and is it Ken also? We haven't forgotten them either. We both enjoyed going up to Northern California and the hospitality. We couldn't drive fast enough to get there when we would go. I miss going up there.

When we are ready for a replacement, we know where to go. We miss all of you up there.

It is so great to hear from you, Ted is great… send me a private email at tanzab@aol.com so we don't keep "hi-jacking" this thread and I will fill you in on many details of everyone up hear. Great to hear from you and hugs to Susan!

I remember Hafta as some of our dogs coursed with her back in the day. She was an excellent courser! Perhaps lure coursers tend to live longer as our dogs were around the same age and they have just passed within the last year or two. I was thinking of Merlin, GiGi, and Glory Be.

Jennifer

@dreyer63:

He still opens the fridge and helps himself to anything left on the bottom shelf .Sence the glucosmine he is getting to the second and onto the first shelf where all the good left overs are hunted .

This is SO basenji! They are just too smart!

My Baby lived to 16 years old and if she wouldnt have a stroke I think she had a couple more years in her

Our Basenji, Nosey will be 12 on December 31st. We had a black and white boy, Bret, who passed at 14 years. And another who went far too soon at only 5 years.
It is so hard to think of life with out my baby. So I enjoy every minute of the time we have together. We are bringing in a new puppy in to the family. He needs a companion

My Basenji Cassanova turns 17th Years old .. He is ok but he barely stand up and doesn't do his needs by his own, but it's ok.. I help him with love.. I am so afraid that his time is coming so soon.. I am not ready![alt text](!

Our B girl Sophie turned 14 in Nov. People always ask if she's a puppy. She still jumps up on the back of the couch to sleep in her favourite spot. No signs of her slowing down!

@dcmclcm4

Probiotics may help her to digest her food better. Bless you for caring for both.

This thread started Dec 2011. Wondering ages now. We lost Arwen at 12. Cara is 9, looks half her age.

I lost my purebred Basenji, Tara, at age 17 1/2, which was remarkable because she had a lot of health concerns but stilled lived a long life! My other 2, I lost at age 13 (one I lost just this past Friday ).

I've lost 17 year olds, 16 year olds and have bred and sold pups which lived as long. The last two to cross the Bridge were 17.5 and 16.5. I've always said if reincarnation exists I want to come back as a Basenji owned by me !