Main thing is, however fast they grow, keep 'em short with regular trimming 😂
My poor boy . . .
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My prayers and healing thoughts to Skeeter and you.
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Our Vet is very caring and he said that it appeared Skeeter's pancreas had shut down completely. His glucose level had gone to over 400, even with his normal, twice daily shots of insulin. We even had to carry him in. So, we were instructed to leave him at the Vets for the day and they would get his blood sugar down through the day and he was fed intravenously, since he made no effort to eat.
The Vet called in the afternoon and explained that they did get it down some, but he felt that continuing the treatment even through the night was necessary. So, we were recommended an all-night animal hospital about 20 miles away, so we took him over there. They also seemed very caring and went over his ongoing treatment with us after being faxed everything from the Vet. We had to pick Skeeter up by 8:00 the next morning since this is only a night clinic. We brought him back to our Vet for another all day round of treatments and by the end of the second day the Vet felt he had made real progress. His blood sugar was close to normal, but he still would not eat on his own and was constantly shaking. He said we should take him back to the all night hospital again, so we did. Just as information, the two nights at the all night hospital cost over $800 and the Vet is running close to $1200, so far. We weren't prepared for the expense, but of course we never gave it a second thought. Getting Skeeter back to health is our only concern.
So, we went back to pick-up Skeeter this morning to bring him back to our Vet and the people at the hospital said something happened overnight and Skeeter took a serious turn for the worse. He was having Liver and Kidney problems now as blood tests through the night showed them and he was just lying in his bed not moving. So, they carried him out to our van and we drove back to our Vet. He wasn't in yet, but we got Skeeter in there and he just looked up at us with his sad eyes and was shaking. My wife Dana was crying and it was sad, but we went home to wait for the call. The Vet called shortly after we got home and he didn't waste any time getting to the point that Skeeter had reached a point that he was suffering and no further treatment would return him to any sort of normal life. We told him we would come right back to finalize whatever was best.
We went back and brought Heidi with us, since she hadn't seen Skeeter for a few days. The Vet said it's not an easy decision, but Skeeter had so many issues that it would be best to just say goodbye. I had always thought I could never do that, but the Vet was explaining the current condition of Skeeter and he was suffering. We asked the Vet if we could be alone with him for a while and we went into one of the exam rooms and brought Heidi in with us. When Skeeter saw Heidi, he even stood up, but just couldn't keep himself up and fell back down. She went over to him and sniffed him a bit, they were both whining. But, then she seemed to sense something was wrong and got back by us. We were in with him for about 30 minutes and it was so sad to see him trembling. So, we said our final goodbyes, apologized to Skeeter, wondering if there was anything we could have done differently and told the Vet to go ahead. After giving Skeeter the final shot he closed his eyes in about a minute . . . Thanks to all the Forum participants and I know you know how we feel right now.
Oh, one other thing . . . Skeeter's registered name was "Caesar Augustus" and he was born on July 12th 2000.
Jerry and Dana and Heidi in KC
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oh..Jerry, Dana and Heidi..my heart goes out to you all..
I am so sorry to hear of Skeeters passing. I know this is so hard to do..I am crying for you, with you.
Know that Skeeter runs again on the other side of the bridge.. -
Jerry, Dana and Heidi, i am very sorry to hear about your loss of Skeeter.
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So sorry to hear about your loss, but thank you for helping Skeeter over the Rainbow Bridge to be with all those that have gone before him… You did the right thing for him, which is never the easiest thing for us.
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My heart goes out to you. At least you know that Skeeter is no longer suffering. Your vet is very considerate in allowing Heid to say goodbye.
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Oh poor you! I am sad to read this. Skeeter has a wonderful, loved life. The right thing to do isn't always the easy thing to do. I'm so sorry.
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I have cried the whole way through this thread. My heart really goes out to you.
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I'm so sorry for your loss. Skeeter loves you for all you did for him, including his final time with you and your unconditional love that let you help him pass peacefully, and painlessly. May your happy memories soon replace your deep sorrow. My prayers to you in your time of grief.
Dawn
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I'm sorry for your loss Jerry and Dana. You tried your best to do everything you could to save Skeeter and he thanks you for that.
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I am so sorry. You did everything you possibly could to help him, including helping end his suffering. Hugs to you all.
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Dana and I are were quite surprised by the amount of replies to our ongoing thread concerning Skeeter's final days and it certainly was nice to see the support from the Forum crowd. We weren't sure if we did things the best way for poor Skeeter, but looking back now, we're not sure what we would have done any differently. We took Skeeter's last collar and framing it with his birth papers.
He's been gone a month now and we've turned all our attention to Heidi and how's she's getting along. She no longer has a mate to chase around the house and yard, so she does seem a bit sad. We're not sure what to do? Do we get her a new mate or what? She is 9 years old now and in very good health. We hate to run out to replace Skeeter, since he can't be replaced. But, we do want to do what's right for Heidi. Actually during this month see has gotten better, so things will probably be OK in the long run. We took her to Pete and Mac?s pet resort, for a couple days of doggie day care and she seemed to like that.
Just looking for feedback . . . any suggestions would be appreciated. If we decided to look for a new mate, should we look at BRAT? And how old. Dana said she would rather not start with a new pup, but not sure what to do? I was going to ask if getting another Basenji is the best choice, but asking this crowd, would probably be a bit prejudice, ha. Of course that?s what we would prefer. And is getting a male the best choice? We had a good set-up before. Heidi was definitely in charge and Skeeter had no problem with that. How can we make sure a new mate and Heidi would get along?
So, that's it, can't think of any other questions. I look forward to any advice. When you become a Basenji owner, you become part of a select group of dog owners and I can't think of a better group to be part of, thanks
Jerry & Dana & Heidi . . . in KC
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If you decide to get a second b. I would suggest getting one close to Heidi's age, or just a few years younger.
BRAT does have some wonderful b's, and we would want your b to meet the new boy, to make sure SHE likes him.
I like to have 2 b's…they keep each other company when hubby and I are working. -
I vote for a partner, and BRAT certainly has some nice adults. I don't take any dog under 2 years, I love a nice adult with lots of energy, but not the puppy crazies.
You can't replace Skeeter, but you can give a good life to a dog in need, in Skeeter's honor. Good luck!
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Do let us know what you decide…we sure want good thing to happen to you.
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i also vote for getting another boy basenji. Personally I think getting a dog every 5 years works beautifully (for the dogs and for performance reasons), so I'd suggest a boy in the 4-5 year old range. give or take a little. BRAT has lots of nice dogs or you may want to call Linda E, or another good breeder, and see if they have any retired show dogs or boomarang (returned pups) that are looking for home.
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Earlier this year, my wife and I decided that Heidi seemed awful sad without a mate, since Skeeter passed away last year. So, we started looking at BRAT boys that were available. But everyone we seemed to like was turned down by BRAT, because Heidi was 10 and we were trying for boys that were 4 or 5 or 6. We had found one in the next state, but we were told "Sorry he's too young"
Then BRAT contacted us with a boy that was 9 years old down in Dallas. His name was MAX and he wasn't even listed with the normal web page on the BRAT website. That was a problem for me not actually seeing him displayed with all his information. We just got a few emails describing him and before you know it, we were driving South to meet another transporter driving up from Dallas.
So we picked up MAX and brought him home. I had assumed with MAX would be paperwork telling us more about him. What we got, told us almost nothing. A few receipts from Animal hospitals all within the last few months. So I emailed the BRAT Coordinator and asked where the information that would have been listed on the website concerning his birthdate etc. She told me they didn't have anything and finding us to take him saved her having to create something for the website. So, this was a bad start for MAX and I felt we were a convenient place to dump him.
But, we are loving people and thought we would make the best of it. He was totaling house broken, so the biggest issue in the beginning was not a problem. However, Heidi did not seem to accept him and he didn't seem to care at all. After a while Heidi tried to get closer to him, but he never seemed to respond. To make a long story short, after six month we have to keep these two dogs separated, because they were getting into daily very serious fights. and when I say serious, it?s very deep growling, blood drawing (sometimes) fights that have them apart unless we are together with them. We have a very large back yard and he never goes out on his own and basically is not the dog we were briefly described in the Coordinators emails.
So anyway, we have to change something and I really don't know what to do? We?re not people that will turn their backs on a basenji, but we certainly can't abandon Heidi, our first born. I have heard,, you give up you BRAT adoption fee and we understand that, but this poor boy has probably been bounced around all his life and he's almost 10. Please someone give us some advice . . . thanks
Jerry & Dana in Kansas City
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How sad. For everyone involved.
Have you tried contacting your BRAT co-ordinator? Or a behaviorist might help.
Sometimes dogs just don't get along even if you've done everything right.
I really wish I had some sort of magical advice and could make it all better.
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But everyone we seemed to like was turned down by BRAT, because Heidi was 10 and we were trying for boys that were 4 or 5 or 6. We had found one in the next state, but we were told "Sorry he's too young"
I really don't understand BRAT's attitude on this. In my experience it is easier to integrate two dogs with an age separation than two that are close in age. I got a two year old male (not from BRAT) to keep my nine year old girl company after I lost her 16 year old female companion. It wasn't "love at first sight", but they tolerated each other and grew to have a friendly relationship.
I agree with you that your first dog is your primary responsibility. I hope you can find something that works out for you, as it doesn't sound like the current situation is improving. Best scenario is probably to re home Max. Heidi may be so happy to see him go she won't be looking for a new companion!
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I am so sorry you had this sad issue with BRAT. I would contact the coordinator in your state. They will help you. Please, let me know if I can be of any assistance.
