Thank you. It definitely has been tough. Coming home from work, not seeing him and knowing that I won’t be seeing him anymore is rough. He’s been very good to me. A handful, but very good. I’d definitely get another Basenji one day

My buddy, Kenji, just passed today. He was just a tad over 17.5 years old.

@Pepper:

Hi,
I have an elderly Basenji, Peanut, who is 14 yrs old. Lately she has started exhibiting a very odd behavior. After being outside to do her business, just out and back in due to the cold, she starts walking in circles. Sometimes tight, no more than two body lengths, and sometimes just pacing the perimeter of the room. We will go back outside but she wants to come right back in. She will continue this behavior inside and I think maybe she didn't finish all her business and then I harness and coat her and back outside for a walk. She starts circling on her leash outside. I won't interfere with this behavior in order to try and see where this is leading. She stops but almost loses her ability to keep her rear legs under her - an almost stumble. Peanut at her age does stumble with her hind quarter from time to time when just let outside from waking up but not fall. Once back inside I sometimes give her a Greenie as a treat and for dental care. Usually she will toss the Greenie and play with it eventually grabbing it and running off to her corner to sit down and eat it. I observe this behavior and feel that her nerves and muscle tone for her age are still OK. At 14 she is of course slower and not as spry. Walks are slow now and rarely does she 'lead'. Overall she is in good health (I believe) for her age - eats normal, drinks normal, and bathroom business is normal. On the other hand I know her health is slipping - she does not see clearly in low light - but no eye problems, rarely runs anymore, etc.. Her liver panel from a recent checkup is normal and the vet believes she is doing well for her age. However I am concerned about this new and odd behavior. It's only happened twice and days apart but it is not normal for her. It's as if she has lost her cognitive capability. She makes odd noises now and then as she tries to find a comfortable position on the couch in her bed. These sounds don't appear to the cause of discomfort, perhaps being stiff and groaning in order to get to a more comfortable position. I know this is wordy and I apologize for it. But don't know how to give the max amount of information in order to rule this or that out. I would appreciate any response and am very grateful for the existence of a forum that let's us ask for information or tell stories. Please let me know if you have any ideas on what this behavior is or might indicate. Thank you.

I know that this original post is several months old, but have you received any information on what was going on with your Basenji? Yesterday my Basenji started exhibiting the same actions as what you had written and he is currently 14 years old. We took him to the vet but nothing could be determined while there. The vet suspected a possible brain tumor, but until he receives an MRI and x-rays of various parts of his body, we won't know. We'll receive information from his blood work tomorrow, but not sure if that'll reveal what's really wrong.

I know that this original post is years old, but have you received any information on what was going on with your Basenji? Yesterday my Basenji started exhibiting the same actions as what you had written and he is currently 14 years old. We took him to the vet but nothing could be determined while there. The vet suspected a possible brain tumor, but until he receives an MRI and x-rays of various parts of his body, we won't know. We'll receive information from his blood work tomorrow, but not sure if that'll reveal what's really wrong.