Over the next several weeks Rico began to adjust to his new home and new people - his new world. When we went out he stayed in his travel crate. When he went outside he found no grass in his new backyard. Later when we put in a Hale Security dog door and got a large two door crate, he would dig a depression in the dirt and stay there in the afternoon; even though he could always come back into the air conditioned house. Rico liked the sun and the warmth.Rico was an escape artist. He got out under a gate, tried to go through a drainage opening, and removed a screened vent to get into the garage. We were very surprised when he came walking out of the garage as the garage door went up.
Life was not perfect because he woke up badly. He was ready to defend himself against whoever and whatever was awakening him. He would also disturb JoAnn when he lifted his leg and peed in the house. Over time we and Rico changed. Rico and Cliff began to walk every evening for 15 to 45 minutes. Sun, wind, cold, or rain - no matter - every night was time to walk. We walked in every location around our neighborhood, but walking around the soccer fields was done most often. Rico had a bum leg that had never been properly set when it had been broken in several places. He still loved his evening walk, even when arthritis began to make moving the leg more difficult.
He continued to wake badly and was always afraid he might be left. The waking badly came to a head just before Christmas 2000. He woke badly and when Cliff tried to calm Rico, he bit Cliff. The bite took a number of stitches to close, but with that bite something changed in Rico. It may be that he knew he had hurt Cliff. It may be that pent-up emotions were spent. Regardless, he became affectionate. He wanted to be near his people. His forever home was important and he acquired his cuddle bed which was on the floor next to our bed.
Rico’s days were spent following the sun around the living room floor and laying on his pillows - one on the couch and one in his crate at the dog door. He had lots of toys, but his red capped "Happy Hedgehog" was his favorite. Whenever something happened that made him happy, he would go looking for this one toy and bring it to me. In the evening, he would get a pet tab after his walk, belly rubs and pets, and sleep next to us in his cuddle bed.Rico became a good traveler. His first trip after Flagstaff was to Sacramento, CA. He did not like the sound of the car turn signal and he took a while to calm when we first left the house. We tried using a seat belt harness and found that he could get out of a harness. After a couple of attempts at other approaches, Rico traveled inside his plastic travel crate. He took many trips to Elko, NV, where he walked on snow and mud but did not go near puddles. Eventually, he traveled with the crate door open. He would go in and out and occasionally put his nose on my left shoulder to see what was happening.
This idyllic life changed suddenly in September, 2002. Our first indication that there was a problem was on Friday, September 13. Rico threw-up that evening. He seemed somewhat better by Sunday, except that he was not eating and really had no interest in food. By Monday, he was listless and slept but again did not eat. He actually lost 2 pounds before we decided we had to take him in on Tuesday morning. Dr. Mychajlonka (Dr. Myke) of Craig Road Animal Hospital immediately started treating him for pancreatitis, and after doing an ultrasound, modified the treatment for a greatly enlarged gall bladder. Rico got visibly more yellow Wednesday, and Dr. Myke received the blood work confirming elevated levels of bilirubin and liver function. Dr. Myke discussed the situation with two specialists and they agreed with what he recommended to us: Rico needed surgery. We could have delayed the surgery and had it done by a veterinary surgeon, but we decided to go ahead immediately with Dr. Myke. It was a good thing we did, because from what we know now, we do not believe Rico would have survived another 24 hours without the surgery.
On September 19, Rico was in surgery for 3 hours and 40 minutes. Dr. Myke found some pancreatic damage and removed a portion of the gall bladder. Rico also had a plugged common bile duct and a gall bladder near rupture. The bile duct appeared to have been damaged for some time with indication of adhesions. A number of tissue samples were taken and showed no signs of cancer. Rico’s liver was in good shape and his kidneys were functioning.
Needless to say this was major surgery for a little dog. By September 22, we had gone back and forth to Dr. Myke's to see Rico many times. Rico was being treated for pancreatitis and possible surgical infections which meant he was getting two types of antibiotics and a liter of fluid a day. His kidneys seemed to be working. Rico seemed glad we visited him and he responded to our voices and being petted. We brought Rico’s blanket and red cap Happy Hedgehog so he had some smells from home during each visit. He would lie down on the blanket next to me and doze. When JoAnn visited, he wanted to be close to her and have her pet him the way she did every day when she came home. Rico hurt, but he still wanted to greet her the way he did at home.
The vet techs said he was a trooper and wanted to get better and go home. He responded to affection and he did not seem to feel abandoned. Rico seemed to accept the fact that he had to stay at the hospital until he was better. He was clean and his incision was never infected.
We brought Rico home twice. The first time was for only a day and then he went back for a week of fluids and antibiotics. The second time was Thursday, October 3. He had a good night. He got to walk. He took medicine and generally tried to be Rico following sunbeams, being cuddled and being on our bed. But by Sunday, we knew he was in trouble. We took him to the vet at 7:00 am and they drew blood and gave him his antibiotic. They asked if we would leave him and we both said no. Rico was going home for at least the rest of Sunday to be loved and to be himself.
Rico Austin died in my arms at noon on Monday, October 7, 2002. We believe he was about 11 years old. He never truly recovered from his surgery. Acute Fanconi, the Basenji nemesis, set in over the weekend on top of the pancreatitis and its underlying infection. His kidneys finally failed.
Rico was with us such a short time - 3 years and 1 month. During that time he won our hearts and gave his love back. Rico always greeted us when we came home. He was such a little gentleman to JoAnn and always nuzzled her and waited for her to pet him. For me, he wanted to be held with his nose on my shoulder and then put down to get his Happy Hedgehog. He was happy to be with us, to be near us and to walk. It did not matter to Rico if it was 100 degrees outside or if it was 30 degrees with a blustery wind; the evening walk was the highlight of the day. After that came lying on the couch, belly rubs and finally the cuddle bed laying in our bedroom right next to our bed, where he could curl-up and get petted before I fell asleep. He then went downstairs to stay with JoAnn until she came to bed. This part of the routine included treats and maybe getting to sleep on the bed itself with us. Weekend mornings Rico would be up on the bed getting petted and loved or just being close while we read the paper. Rico always responded to affection and gave love back in return. He was a great traveler and companion. He rode in his crate with the door open, but occasionally he would pop-up to see what was going on and put his head on my left shoulder.Rico was a very good, brave little Basenji and loved dearly.
Rico is and will be missed.
- Cliff & JoAnn
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