Volume XX, Issue 4, November 2016
Page 10 < previous page > <next page>
Our senior basenjis. . .
A look back to The November Wrinkler, 2001.
Age is a matter of feeling, not of years. ~ George William Curtis
Introduction by Lottie Schaeffer:
A couple of weeks ago you were asking for members to contribute their thoughts and observations on older dogs. Mikey must be heading to 9 now, but somehow he doesn't seem like an elder citizen so I really can't say much there. However, if you'd like my thoughts, here they be:
Mom and Bingo grew old. I would have thought that knowing my mom for 84 years and my first Basenji for 14 that I couldn't get any closer to them. I never expected how much deeper a relationship can go with beings already aged. It wasn't until both Mom and Bingo changed with advancing age from givers to needy recipients that our love deepened, as I moved from recipient to giver. And in their last two years of slow decline, we three formed a bond that words simply cannot define. They died within 6 months of each other -Mom at 86 and Bingo 4 days shy of 16- and the chasm of loneliness they left behind is endless, yet filled with so much love and memories.
Basenji owner alert: when your dog is ancient and seems to be losing the spark, lame and nearly blind, perhaps becoming incontinent: keep your heart open because the real lessons are only beginning.
Didn't think you could love that dog any deeper? Oh yes you can.Niner (Apu Go Joe), born December 31, 1988 (CH Apu Flash X CH Apu Days of Our Lives) - S K-M
9er is NOT getting O.L.D. So I gasp when people stop over and say, “Is that the old one?”
“Why, she just is getting a little gray,” I say, as she trots over, one of her beloved yellow tennis balls in her mouth, and plops it at the feet of the unsuspecting, or suspecting – sic, guest, and backs up, tip tap tip tap, with her donut tail a rockin,’ requesting a good ball game. She still is one of the few basenjis who can really really catch.
I see she is looking more like her pappa Flash now, as he grew grizzled, on his way to 16+. My - it was only a breath away that she was a pup.........
Fawn (Regal Fox Fawn), born November 22, 1987 (Cambria’s Regal Fox X Regal Fox Petite) - Tamara & Dennis Allen, San Diego
Batsy and Fawn
The eyesight is not as keen as it was, the ears not as receptive as before, but when you look in her crescent shaped melted chocolate eyes, you can still catch the glimmer of her spunky youth. Yesterday as I saw her wobble towards the door for her morning outing, pangs of sadness as I realize how much she has aged so quickly stabbed at me. Then a bird flew to the water fountain, and she bounced off across the grass, hopping through the blades like a rabbit, looking like the young terror Fawn of years gone by, she was in pursuit of her prey. True to her breed, she continues her quest to educate me:
Rules, even rules of aging, do not apply to a basenji.
Fawn’s quote stolen from Billie Burke ~ Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are cheese.
Batsy (Tjesems Silk in Motion), born November 24, 1990 (Ch. Cambria’s Dekaa X Regal Fox Fawn) - Tamara & Dennis Allen, San Diego
Lessons learned by Batsy D. Basenji: “Stealing and eating 10% of your body weight in peanut M&M’s is excessive. Eat in moderation, hide the evidence in the ‘other’ basenjis bed.” “Skunks have an attitude with the ammunition to match.” “If the Akita next door chews through the fence, don’t stuff your paw through the hole to poke him in the eye.“
“The left shoe tastes just as good as the right one. Waste not, want not.”
“The best lap is the warm lap – especially if Dennis has been eating. There are always fallen treats on his shorts”.
Cleo (Cleo J. Kahari), born January 5, 1989 (Minion of Satan X Spawn From Hell) - Lisa Osenni, Woodstock
Cleo didn't have the easiest life during her formative puppy months. Her first home was loving, but they couldn't keep her. Four homes and 12 years later, she is still strong and smart with her survival skills intact. Cleo has eaten lots of garbage, wood and stainless steel over the years with us...I don't think she could be happier. She still runs around the yard, picks fights with her siblings, and struts her attitude like her last name was "Soprano." Live long, Girlfriend.
Fender (Apu Fender Stratocaster), born December 31, 1988 (Apu Where the Money Was X Apu Follow That Cab) - Lisa Osenni
If Cleo is the Anti-Christ of Basenjis, Fender is the Pope. He is peace loving, calm, gentle, and he doesn't eat meat on Fridays. Fender has never been one to assume...anything. You have to tell him exactly what's going on.
That's what makes him a "gooder lad"--his innocence. This is not to say that he didn't ingest a few major appliances during his puppyhood! (Although, he was never terribly destructive.) Fender has put a few children on this earth, and I hope his "Huh?" gene surfaces now and again to those who own his babies. So to those of you who have a Fender puppy--if you notice a faraway look and a vapid expression—don't call the vet. It's not a seizure. It's Fender letting you know that it's OK to just "be."
Selket (Mooties Alpha Centauri Selket), born December 24, 1987 (Ch. Alpha Centauri Rum Tum Tugger X Mr Ho’s Queen of Shieba) - Karen Christensen, Phillipsburg, NJ
Yesterday on the way to ApuLand from a show in Stamford, we slowed down in Bedford, NY where firemen were having a “fill the boot” fundraiser for the terrorist attack on Manhattan. I grabbed a big a handful of change from the bottom of my purse and deposited it in the boot (hope I didn’t give away any earrings – what would firemen do with them?) and the fireman said, “Wow, that’s a beautiful dog.” “Thanks,” I said with a big smile, thinking he was referring to one of my show-dog wannabe youngsters. Duh. They are in the crate, and Selket is sitting up in the back seat, waking up just in time to wonder what that chunk of human male would taste like with salt. Hmm. There certainly were days I thought of her as the most beautiful creature on the planet, and his comment made me realize I should not take her for granted.
Selket led a charmed life as a youngster, spending time on the sailboat and having two humans to spoil her. She walked, hiked, ran. She escaped from every confinement that ever confronted her, and destroyed everything in her path. She was smart, sassy, salty, beautiful, athletic, crafty, naughty, fast and, occasionally, cuddly and sweet. She and her “not-the mama” had full conversations in Baroo; I have only heard limited vocalizations from her since he sailed off into the sunset.
She has lived in eight different homes with me, in five states. As long as I have been there for her to curl up next to each night, she has not ever seemed to care where we were, which certainly made me feel the world revolved around me! She has allowed a few other humans to get close to her, but has also had stare down contests with some of my friends.
She has been a series of great lessons, and still manages to surprise me on a frequent basis.
Oh balls balls says the Queen, if I only had two, I would be King……..
(P.S. she wants me to reassure Lisa that Fender’s “Huh?” gene lives on in his and Calliope’s son. Laser says it is recessive, at least.)
Ali (Alibaba ti-n Abou Teka), born August 4, 1987 (Ch. Caleb of Windimere Wrinkles X Multi Ch. Alexia G. del Restelberg) - Uschi Grewe, Sindlefingen, Germany
Well, there is plenty to tell about my old Ali. And the only thing I can see that he is getting old now is his body. His legs are not so elastic anymore, he is a little bit slower, the eyes are not so good anymore and I am taking more care of him while going upstairs etc. BUT in his mind, he is still young.
While sitting on the couch this afternoon I had a cookie and was talking on the phone, Ali sitting beside me The moment (some seconds) I was not thinking of him beside me, he has stolen my cookie out of my hand and so quick, that I was really surprised. Ali was a great thief all of his life and still is!
And I hope we may still have him for a long time!
Tasha (CH. Akuaba's Whirlwind from Kisa), born October 28, 1991 (Ch. Akuaba's Tornado X Ch. Changa's Trialot for Gala) - Lisa Stewart, Rolla, MO
& Winston (Sir Winston Sylabub), born November 10, 1991 (Snicklefritz Jazz X Andersohn's Keisha Khur) - Lisa Stewart
Tasha is still the boss, or so Winston lets her thinks. Winston & Tasha are happily retired to Missouri, land of the squirrel and bunny. Winston is the great hunter now, frequently bringing me turtles to play with. His favorite place to sleep is on top of the hot tub cover, especially nice on cold evenings. They had an exhausting weekend supervising me planting spring bulbs along the outside of their yard. One year I planted inside the yard only to have the dogs dig up most of the bulbs and bring them back to me in a nice pile on the deck. I guess they thought I had forgotten them outside and needed to bring them back in when I was done playing with them.
Cricket (Apu Crickettina Marsicano), born January 18, 1986 (Apu Where the Money Was X Apu Follow that Cab) - Jo Lunetta, Chappaqua, NY
Cricket is holding her own - Toulouse is taking care of her. Tomatoes have been missing from our plants on the back porch. We have two big pots of cherry tomatoes. Last week Don was walking by the window and saw Toulouse carefully checking the plants. He very gently removing one and then brought it into the house to Cricket's bed. Whether he has been sharing them with Cricket is only a guess but at least we know who has been enjoying our crop. We also have green beans, parsley and sweet basil in plant boxes on the edge of the porch just outside the railing. Both Cricket and Toulouse have enjoyed nibbling on anything that is within reach, still leaving enough for Don and myself. However, the little tomato thief has not left much to share.
Apu Cricketina Marsicano was a wonderful gift to us and particularly to James at a time when he definitely needed a basenji family member. At the time of her arrival into our home, our daughter, Celeste, also brought a new puppy home - mixed heritage - Jammin'. The year was 1986 and today September 2001 both Cricket and Jammin' are still running around - Cricket in Chappaqua and Jammin' with our daughter and her family in New Hampshire. Cricket is the softest, cuddliest and the best mom. She has a quiet calm way about her but knows how to get what she wants and needs. Here is one example of how she, for several years, keeps James in line. One afternoon when she was around three or four both she and James were very happily gnawing on rawhide bones. I left them to run an errand. When I returned I heard whining. Only to find James cleaning and kissing Cricket who's right front leg was bleeding and limp. Apparently, after James finished his bone he tried to take Cricket's, a fight ensued and this was the result. Upon returning from the vet with a cast that Cricket had for a few weeks, James slunk around looking very guilty. For the first few days, any time James came near her Cricket hit him on the nose with the cast. After a few days she let him clean, kiss and cuddle but at the slightest provocation - bop on the nose. Until the last couple years of James life anytime she wanted to keep him in line all she had to do was lift her paw, let it go limp and look at him, and he was in the palm of her hand (or should I say paw). Cricket loves children. Anytime a baby or small child entered the house, she would get all excited and wiggly. Having her own baby - our granddaughter Meiko - was very special for her. Cricket invented her own game that she played with her. Meiko would be on the floor not even yet sitting up. Cricket would get on the couch or other higher point with one of her tennis balls and gently toss it to Meiko. Cricket would then go to Meiko and gently take it back to throw it again. This game was played over and over and as Meiko got older and was able to throw it back. A more conventional retrieval game ensued.
Cooper (Ginju’s Out of Africa), born June 27, 1986 (Ch. Arubmec’s the Conquerer X Ch. Hilaria’s M’Lish of Jarushan) - Debby Mayer & Dan Zincus, Hollowville, NY
Cooper is our prince. He’s named for Gary Cooper because we could tell at first sight that he was the strong, silent type—even though he peed in Debby’s lap on the way home from Roberta and Gus DiRoma’s house, where he was born. Like a lot of older folks, Cooper takes daily meds, but as a result his thyroid levels are good, his seizures are minimal, and he does everything, however slowly, in his weekly agility class. At 15, he enjoys his walks, though he is more energetic on the way home, and he continues to get exercise on car rides by jumping back and forth between the back and front seats. His garbage instincts are still strong, even after major surgery in the Tampon Caper of 1999. He’s patient with Lulu (Apu Louise Brooks), letting her pester him for a few seconds before he bites her head off, but he’s more demanding with Dan and Deb, yowling or even barking for his dinner or Dentabone. Moving to the country was not his idea, and nothing pleases him more than a weekend in the New York City.
There his favorite activities are going to an outdoor café, sitting on the steps of the Museum of Natural History, or just hanging out at the corner deli, and—elegant, princely—watching the world go by.
Henry Veldman (a Wire Fox Terrible), born July 22, 1987 ~ Annelies Kamen, Sudbury, MA
Henry is probably the happiest elder-dog I know. Even when his sight went he was smiling. Henry frequently bumps into doors and such but there is always a wagging tail following him. I wish I could have that kind of outlook on life!
Luna, born Dec. 24, 1991~ Susan Reiter, Ballston Spa NY
She is almost 10 years old. The Bay State basenji Club rescued her and we adopted her in June 1994. She was our first baby! She trained us well for the arrival of Marcie, our first human baby girl born in October 1995.
Together they have had quite a few adventures and now it’s Marcie’s job to feed, water, and walk Luna (with some help from 2 year baby brother Conley, of course!) Even though Luna-tic is almost 10, she is still training the children. Just a few months ago she showed Conley how to TP the entire upstairs of our new house.
Together they make quite a team with Conley dutifully handing Luna the end of the TP and then squealing with laughter as she runs to other bathroom dragging a TP train in her mouth. Husband is not as amused!
