Hello Weitzel,

I just wanted to say that before we lost Hafta recently, we also lost my Lu. My Lu was a return dog from someone whom decided after ownership of a year, they no longer wanted her. She was paired with a crappy little Chiuaua. We were told Lu was mean as hell and when we went to retrieve her, we were handed welder's gloves to handle her with. With that approach, I was not too nice in my response and I will let you use your on imagination of my response. Anyway, we took her home with us. She not only turned out to be the nicest, most loving dog I have ever seen, if my Susan was not around, my Lu was my go to "person". She was my "person". Lu later became a victim of Fanconi. That lasted for about six more years, giving her a life of about nine years with us. If my Lu were an actual human being, whatever sentences I would make, if she could speak, she would complete my sentences. If I did not speak to Lu, she would look at me and immediately know what I wanted and do it. My Lu and I were always buds. When she passed, I just couldn't bring myself to announce it. She has been gone approximately three years now and I still find myself looking around the house for her.

Susan asks me which of the four dogs do I like the best. I keep telling her each is my favorite. Each have their own personality. My Hafta almost filled the space of Lu not being around. Now we have RediTugo and Yuwillavance left. Each have their own personality. Now, I find myself looking for Hafta to greet me when I come in from work. Some people say all this will pass. Does it really? I still "see" Lu. A week after Hafta's passing, 'Willa is still looking for her mother, Hafta. It may not pass, but it gets easier.

Lamar

Hello Weitzel,

I just wanted to say that before we lost Hafta recently, we also lost my Lu. My Lu was a return dog from someone whom decided after ownership of a year, they no longer wanted her. She was paired with a crappy little Chiuaua. We were told Lu was mean as hell and when we went to retrieve her, we were handed welder's gloves to handle her with. With that approach, I was not too nice in my response and I will let you use your on imagination of my response. Anyway, we took her home with us. She not only turned out to be the nicest, most loving dog I have ever seen, if my Susan was not around, my Lu was my go to "person". She was my "person". Lu later became a victim of Fanconi. That lasted for about six more years, giving her a life of about nine years with us. If my Lu were an actual human being, whatever sentences I would make, if she could speak, she would complete my sentences. If I did not speak to Lu, she would look at me and immediately know what I wanted and do it. My Lu and I were always buds. When she passed, I just couldn't bring myself to announce it. She has been gone approximately three years now and I still find myself looking around the house for her.

Susan asks me which of the four dogs do I like the best. I keep telling her each is my favorite. Each have their own personality. My Hafta almost filled the space of Lu not being around. Now we have RediTugo and Yuwillavance left. Each have their own personality. Now, I find myself looking for Hafta to greet me when I come in from work. Some people say all this will pass. Does it really? I still "see" Lu. A week after Hafta's passing, 'Willa is still looking for her mother, Hafta. It may not pass, but it gets easier.

Lamar

Yes. I remember. I had great admiration for Merlin and I still do. These two dogs were great running dogs. Not because Hafta was mine. But removing myself from the situation and just watching, she looked so great as did Merlin. The concentration on his face was intense. Maybe they will be running together again someday.

Today we allowed our Hafta to pass. She went peacefully, but I have to add this post so that she may pass with grace and respect.

In December I had stated that she was the longest running lure coursing Basenji. That was a miss statement of which my wife, Susan is making me correct so that Hafta may pass with grace and honor. What I meant to state was Hafta was 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 was dual champion.

Now that I have corrected that statement, I hope her honor has been restored. She is to Susan and I, more than just a dog or a pet. She was our best friend, confidant and our comfort blanket.

It was so hard to let her go this evening, but we know it was in her best interest.

Thank you so much, all of you whom sent your condolences. We appreciate it more than you will know.

So long my best friend. So long.

Lamar

Tomorrow will be the last day to hear the Yodel.
Yuhafta cross the rainbow bridge sometime.
She has run her last great course.
What a great course it was.
Yuhafta Yodel gave us so much.
Now it is time for us to give back to her.
Eighteen and one-half years old she is.
I tried to squeeze as much life from her as I could.
But there is a time when one must decide
When it is time to find another place to reside.
It has been a wonderful time. Now we must let her go.
Tomorrow will be Yuhafta Yodel's last day.

@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.

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.