Gizmo and the late Basil in Island Connections

Basil - A Small Dog with a Big Heart

Written by Richard Attree

Our little dog Basil just passed away. He had a massive epileptic fit / brain seizure yesterday, and it left him unable to function. We took him to the vet, and it was clear that he would never recover or have any quality of life at all, so we all agreed to put him to sleep. It was one of the most difficult things that Nikki and I have ever had to do, but it was the right decision.

The vet was great. He wasn't overly sentimental, just very kind. He looked us straight in the eye and said: "if Basil was my own dog I would put him out of his pain now".

I have so much respect for my wife Nikki and the way she coped with this. She sat there with him on her lap after he had the injection to sedate him, gently stroking his head and saying adios to him, as he gradually and peacefully went to sleep. She is an immensely strong person, and I have so much admiration and love for her.

He lived to thirteen and a half years old and had a wonderful life. Nikki has documented his life story here: The Good the Bad and the Smelly - A Dog's Life

and you can read the story of how he arrived here in Tenerife in "I Woof Therefore I am ...".

Although he was 91 years old in human terms, he was a very strong little dog and we fully expected him to be around for quite a while longer. At least we were spared the painful experience of watching him deteriorate as the dementia took hold.

I fully believe that similarly, no human should have to suffer the agony of having their brain stop functioning leaving them with no life or soul.

So, anyway, he's at peace now.

We will take our time before we look for another dog. Basil was an irreplaceable part of our little family, but we are "doggy people" and we will be adopting another pooch some time soon. Our life will be a bit emptier till then.

Snr El Baz on our local beach - La Pelada

and with his Spanish teacher

The Good the Bad and the Smelly - A Dog's Life

The post about older dogs got me thinking, I am a old pooch now. Thirteen and a half years (91 one in human years), my eye sight is not so good anymore and I don't like running for the ball or stick quite as much as I used too, and I pee in my dog bed when I am asleep apparently. Anyhow,  it got me reminiscing about my life, when I was a younger pooch . I thought I would share with you a few of the good, bad and smelly times in my life.

My first day at Puppy socialisation classes  that was fun, NOT !. We arrived at the class and I was the smallest pup, scary or what !. I had to do this game were the puppy instructor held on to me and let go when Nikki called my name, to see if I would respond by  running towards her . How stupid was that ! . What did the instructor think I would do, stand there and have a scratch and look around the room aimlessly. duh !. I was in a room full of giants, of course I would run too Nikki.  

Anyhow, eventually I become more confident and was able to socialise,  ie, sniff back side with the rest of the pups. (I suppose that was what they meant by puppy socialisation)

I have got a bit of a scowl on my face I know, but cute nonetheless..

Going on my first windsurfing trip in a camper van that was great.  I got too stay in the cosy van , while Nikki and Richard went windsurfing in the pouring rain  ( I really don't understand humans sometimes and their obsession with water). When the rain stopped Nikki and Richard took me for a long walk on the beach, then I shared some fish and chips  and  slept on their bed. Waking them up every hour or so, as I kept hearing noises  , it was probably just the wind but just incase I had to protect the van by letting out a woof at regular intervals throughout the night. Nikki and Richard looked a bit 'Ruff' in the morning I don't know why..?

 

Me and Nikki sitting in front of the camper van.

 

When I was just 4 months old I tripped over a step and apparently was quite vocal about my pain, so Nikki picked me up and rushed me to the vet, passing two speed cameras on the way . When we arrived to the vet, I was feeling much better and the vet gave me the all clear. Nikki was relieved that nothing was wrong with me, but not so happy when she got two brown envelopes asking her for money, because apparently she was driving a liitle too fast to the vet and had to pay for two speeding fines ! .  Oh well never mind I was worth it :)

Moving on to one of my best smelly times that was when we were living in the countryside in Berkshire. I used to drive Nikki and Richard crazy by rolling  in some very interesting stuff left behind by sheep, cows etc. What bliss :).
 

Tenerife also offers good smelly opportunities. When there is a high tide very stinky dead fish often get left behind.. The only problem with my smelly times, it only last a short time, as often that not, Nikki insists I have a bath to wash off the wonderful smell I have just acquired !

Me after having a bath, I smelt really bad apparently. That 's just a matter of opinion though !
 

Moving to Tenerife was exciting, a whole post was dedicated to my move if you click here you can read all about it .

Being the Ambassador for Tenerife dogs has been great and a very important part of my life. I have met some wonderful people online and in real life who work really hard to help  the poor doggies in Tenerife who are not as fortunate as me. I have acquired celebrity status by being a spokesmutt , but I think I have stayed grounded ( very close to the ground :)

                               Photo of me at the computer

I was very ill six months ago, I eat something nasty when out for my walkies and that was a very frightening experience. I thought I was a goner !. I had dehydrated badly and my kidneys were poorly. With the help of my vet I pulled through. I have got to mention here my mate Pete, who runs Poochie Pet Hotel and Rescue.  Pete probably saved my life, as when Nikki phoned him up to explain I was ill, Pete told her to go back to the vet immediately and not to leave it any longer even though I just visited the vet that morning.

 

I had just come out of intensive care in this photo

All round I have had mostly good experiences in my life and very few really bad experiences. So I have been a very lucky doggie. I have been loved, spoilt, fed well, and no question if I need veterinary care the credit card comes out immediately . I have been on lots of holidays and have had fabulous walkies. In the countryside and on beaches chasing sticks and balls. Which have been  kindly thrown by expert ball and stick thrower Richard.  Nikki, I have got to say is not much good at throwing, she has a bit of a girlie way of throwing balls and sticks.

I will end with the very best moment in my life which was  when Nikki and Richard decided to adopt me, I was of course the cutest and most intelligent pup of the litter so it was not surprising that they adopted me, they have such good taste.

How cute was I !

My cat chasing days are not quite over yet though, hopefully I  have a year or two left or even more who knows.  I just have to take it a bit slower now.  As the saying goes...

 "There is life in the old dog yet'

Hasta luego mis amigos and woof woof
Snr Basil

 
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Beach Bum Baz catching a few sun rays on his fur

Here is photo of me getting some heat on my fur . Nikki has applied some suncream on my parting as you can't be too careful I don't want to get sun burnt. 

A lot of people don't realise but us doggies can get sun burnt especially if they don't have thick fur, so make sure your pooch has shade if he is sitting outside and of course plenty of water.

Got to go now Nikki has just put some ice cubes in my water bowl.

I do like my water chilled..:)

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Cat Massage..!

Agree with the pup in the video not sure if I would want a cat to massage my rear end, its just not right...!

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'Love and Peace'

'Love and Peace' to all the doggy rescue shelters and animal foster carers on Tenerife..:) Just don't forget its better to make love than war..So be nice to each other, the stray doggies on Tenerife need you to be working together not against each other

Going through a bit of an identity crisis at the moment one day I am tough/bad dog next day I am peace love-ing hippy dog...

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My New Tough/Bad Dog Look..!

My new look, I'll try anything to get those cats out of my garden as you have probably read in a previous post, those felines sure cause me a great deal of angst.

Do you think I look scary ..? or maybe I look too scary I don't want to upset the cats too much. I also don't want to really have a bad dog reputation...

Life is difficult sometimes, trying to get the right balance.

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You have got to be joking...!

Video from yesterday of Nikki trying to persuade me to go out for a pee pee in the rain and wind, is she mad I could drown !, think I will keep it in for a bit longer...

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Fur Cut

Here's some footage of me having my fur-cut by Steph Tufft, Dog groomer , Vet nurse and all round doggy expert. If you would like to have your dog's fur cut by Steph ring 628 859 973

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Basil and Shaun the Sheep !

The crew at Tenerife dogs reckon I look like Shaun the sheep now, charming..!
I had to have my legs shaved for the blood tests and drip as you know.

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Basil has his woof back !

Feeling much better now its been a scary time though. Nikki and Richard thought I was a goner !. 

The photo above was taken yesterday, notice the green thing on my leg that's the catheter for the drip, its now been taken off so I much more comfortable now.

I am now doing my poo poos, I have never seen Nikki and Richard so excited about me going to the toilet before - Its like as if England won the world cup or something ! 


The toxins in my pee pee is still high so I am on a special diet, didn't like the special food at first but I am getting used to it now. I am slowly getting better, now manage a woof at the pooch next door and of course the postman !


Off to have a siesta now ... Muchas gracias for your good wishes..

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Update on Basil

Basil's went to the vet on Saturday for another blood test and the toxins levels are all much lower. Except for the ones in his urine , but the vet is hoping that will improve when he goes back for another test on Monday. So he still isn't recovered yet, but its looking really good.!

(see his blood tests below)

 

 Thursday

Friday

 

Saturday

What I have learnt from this, is obviously be really careful and don't let your dog chew on any rubbish when out walking - though of course that is easier said than done, as dogs often make a bee line for any food or dead animal that is disgusting and smelly.

Never let your dogs off the lead near restaurants as often they leave poison near their rubbish to kill the rats and cats !. Saying that though, where me and Richard  walked with Basil there are no restaurants and not to much food rubbish so it was just unlucky.

If your dog keeps repeatedly vomiting and is lethargic  take him to the vet, don't wait !, poison can take a couple hours to take effect or even sooner, depending on the type of poison and amount.

Basil was lucky he almost died as all the toxin levels in his blood, urea, etc  were on the higher  limit for him to stay alive . 

I have the Vet in El Medano ( Animal Center Sur), Pete and Kate from Poochies to thank for saving Basil's life. 

The Vet in El Medano has diagnostics in house so can do a blood test and get the results in an hour if need be, which is really important. Juan and Alex who both looked after Basil were both very professional and I felt Basil was getting the best treatment.

Pete ( Poochie Pet Hotel) gave me advise ( which probably saved his life)  as when I told Pete, Basil had had his anti-vomit injection but  still wasn't getting any better and was very spaced out, Pete told me to go back to the vet immediately. I was going to leave it a few more hours before going back to the vet.!

If I had waited a few more hours Basil probably wouldn't be alive as he was dehydrating so much.  We are so lucky he is still around. The little chap really fought to live. 

Big muchas gracias to the Vets at Animal Sur and Pete and Kate, and thanks everybody who phoned, emailed and left messages on facebook sending their best wishes for Basil it was very much appreciated. 

It wasn't Basil's time to go and hopefully we'll have his company for a few years more:)

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Basil is feeling better..!

I'm back home!.  I still have a way to go but the vet said he is optimistic about my recovery.

I can't stay long on the internet because Nikki is worried about me getting too exhausted and she wants me too eat a little bit more chicken. I am getting hand fed now, could get used to this life ! 

Muchas gracias mis amigos for leaving such kind comments on facebook and The forums plus all the phone calls and emails to wish me well, I am touched !



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Basil is ill...

Our mate Basil isn't too well, he is at the Vet on a drip at the moment. Basil didn't improve  after yesterday's injection to make him stop being sick. Get well soon mate , miss you already..

Basil waking up after a Siesta

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Yorkshire terrier is world's oldest dog

A Yorkshire terrier has taken the title of the World's oldest dog he is 22 years old.! That's not me by the way I am only twelve,  a young pup in comparison.

To read more click here



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A real shame two doggy events on the same day.

This is a real shame there are two doggy events on the same day and same time .

Accion-del- sol are having their Bavarian fiesta click here and K9 are having a open day with BBQ, stalls etc  click here on the same day and time, 17th of October, it a real shame that the rescue shelters don't keep track a bit more of what each are doing so this doesn't happen.

Anyhow good luck to both shelters I hope you have a successful day.

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Bath-Time

Here's a photo of myself after having to have a bath , because apparently I smelt after having rolled on a fish, charming. I thought that fish was quite fragrant. I really don't understand humans sometimes.

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My Best mate Ricki has gone missing

My best mate Ricki has gone missing. He was staying in Las Maretas with his owners friends and went missing when out walking, he has a micro chip.

If you see Ricki please take him to a vet or the police for his micro-chip to be read.

I miss my mate going walkies and chasing the ball together..

Ricki

Ricki and me playing with a ball

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Basil at Accion Del Sol

I checked out the agility course at Accion Del Sol today - its great fun, infact I would go as far as to say Wooftastic..!

 

 

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Agility Training run by Karen Clack

Get your athletic paws on and get down to Aktiontier for some agility training, you need to be in tip top shape for the agility competition on the 20th of June at Aktiontier's Summer party, and remember to bring a human !  I won't be able to attend the training session as I am getting on a bit, but the younger pups amongst you, have no excuse...!


Directions to Aktiontier
On the TF1 going north from the airport towards Santa Cruz take the turning off for the Granadilla Industrial Port, exit A. Head towards the sea and windmills go straight across one roundabout when you reach the next roundabout veer right up towards the Ecological centre. You will stop and see a hut ( you can't go any further as their will be barrier and somebody outside the hut) Aktiontier is up a track on your right about a 100 metres...




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