StuffStuffStuffNovember11

When I went into the hospital last March, Billy was doing pretty good for an old (14 and a half) dog; when I got out in July he couldn't walk. He could stand if you helped him into a standing position, and sometimes he could pull himself into a stand, but he could not seem to be able to make his legs walk. He would struggle, and I would cry, and AJ didn't tell me any of this... and he didn't want to put Billy down when I was in hospital...

But Billy would eat (with gusto) and drink, let us know when he had to be put outside so he could poo and pee; he was not in any pain, his body just didn't work. He reminds me of me. He was content to lay in the sun, on the couch with his blanket, and very happy to snuggle in bed; how could we just put him down? We decided to let him stay until the weather got too cold for him to do his business outdoors; fortunately we've had a very nice fall.

He seems to be getting better. He can stand for a long time, his balance is much steadier, he easily stands himself up and when he tries to walk he actually gets someplace; his front and back legs are starting to work together.... and he actually yodeled the other day for the first time in months!!!

We think he had a stroke, and he's gradually recovering. I don't think we can put him down now; I'm looking for indoor doggie bathrooms.

He is getting very good care. He is rarely left alone, and if we're going out for more than 3 hours we take him with us. And can you believe it, he still holds rank over our other 2 Basenjis! This all reminds me of many years ago when I put so much effort into our Basenji, Sunny. Billy will be 15 on December 2, he could really use some of that positive B-list energy!

Here's Billy with Willow in the days when he could still hang out in the yard with the big dogs.

Thanks for reading.

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