Read about some of our recently adopted out basset hounds who are touching the lives of their new owners!  Click on the -> to see more Happy Endings.

SCOOTER 

Scooter has arrived and conquered! He plays with his new sister, ZOE, a golden retriever. Zoe is accustomed to 'going low' in play scuffles, but this proves difficult with Scooter. Scooter has displaced the cat and insists on sleeping on the bed with us, the cat has relocated to our daughter's bed and neither seem to mind. Scooter is a beggar/thief! Food is the name of the game and the nose knows! Tail high and happy Scooter investigates his large yard and contently naps on the sofa. Scooter does have a problem with his size, which he is not aware of, and will happily climb up on your chest to give kisses. We love the kisses, but we are working on better manners.

BAXTER & BAILEY

Hello to everyone at NTBHR.  It’s Bailey and Baxter writing from ournew home.  We miss everyone there,but must admit that we love it here. We have been going on walks everyday.  Attached are a couple of pictures of us on a walk.  As you can see, we usually walk as abrace, at least until we get to the park. Then we each get a separate leash or, if the ballfield is available,offleash.  It didn’t take long toget used to walking as a brace, although it is a bit different.  We have also been learning a few thingslike “sit” for treats and such. Our caretaker has a nice yard with a doggie door, so we get to roam thehouse and yard freely.  There havealso been a lot of belly rubbing and tail wagging going on.  It’s nice to have a place to callhome.  Thank you all for takingcare of us and we hope that all our fellow bassets can find good homes too likeus.  Take care.

Life is good.

Bailey & Baxter 

DASHER

To say that Dasher has completed my little family is a complete understatement.  He's brought my other hound, Diesel, back to life and has proven to be the perfect compliment to Diesel.  Dash is absolutely one of the sweetest animals I've ever met; nothing quite a like a cold nose and wet kiss when you roll over in the morning.  He's been more than receptive to training and he's finally learning how to completely trust again.  I couldn't possibly be happier with Dasher; he's a great dog.  A very big thanks is due to NTBHR for setting me up with him and making the adoption process smooth and effortless.  I've got a very good feeling that Diesel, Dasher, and I will have many, many happy days in the future.  Thanks y'all!

Branden

HONEY DOO

We weren't trying to replace our darling Bassett Hound, Simka; who was our cherished pet for 15 years; we just love the breed and their hound dog ways. When I started volunteering at the county shelter, my husand, Jim said if I found a Bassett, bring her home. That was all I needed to hear and I immediately found the Bassett Rescue. We looked on line at the beautiful dogs available for adoption and were so excited!
 
Honey Doo came to our home and it was love at first sight!  She was shy and tiny, what a sweet adorable doggie. We have two large wonderful, neutered male dogs, one Honey accepts with no problems and the other she occasionally gives a little growl to...and he runs the other way!  She is ruling the household and we love her as much as Takota and Harley Davidson. I have an entourage now as they all follow me from room to room. Our family is complete, it's a three dog night.
 
Ann & Jim Duffy
Proud and loving owners of Takota, Harley and Honey

APRIL  (AKA BELLA)

Ah, dear Bella,                                    

Don't look so sad.

I know it's rough,

The life you've had.

But, God is good

And he sees your heart,

And he's given you

A brand-new start.

So, don't you worry

And don't you fret,

You'll be so loved

That's how it works.

Love covers pain,

And gives you hope

To trust again.

Welcome to the family, Bella.

Now, turn that frown upside down.

~Melanie

GUNNER

Wanted to give yall an update on our WONDERFUL basset boy, Gunner!He is doing AWESOME!! 

And has become our 4yr old Bonnie's lil buddy! (or big buddy being the big boy he is :))  They have so much fun playing soccer together, playing fetch and chase! I of coarse cant help but to join in with them also, looks to fun to only watch! We got him some new squeaky toys that he absolutly loves, and bonnie gets the biggest kick out of him flingin them around, and also when he is wrestling or playing tug-o-war with my husband. Gunner loves our 4month old baby girl and seems to be more like a big brother to her, very gentle and makin sure to check in on her during nap time.  We have been working on the command lay down with him and he has for the most part got it down, seems to be quick to learn, but does still have that typical basset stubborness when it comes to doing things in his own time, (like getting off the couch)My husband and I can't help but laugh though, especially when he gives us that look and we just know what he is thinking.  Each day that goes by we just love this hound that much more! Our family just seems complete now that Gunner has come into our lives and we can not thank NTBHR and Gunner's foster parents enough for giving him the second chance to find us!
 
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
 Miller Family

AUGIE (aka DURANGO)

LILLY

Hi, everyone!  Mike and I just wanted to update you guys on the status of beautiful Lilly (we now call her Sedona).  She is just the most perfect addition to our family.  She and Laika, our other Bassett Hound, get along great - bickering, playing, snuggling and loving like sisters should! I have attached a couple of pictures of them both.  Sedona loves her new home and we love having her as part of our family.  She is growing so fast!  Her favorite things are ice cubes, her squeaky squirrel and the special frozen peanut butter snacks they get after our walks.  She's doing great and we thank you for bringing her to us!  Thank you so much for doing what you do.  You guys are "pawfully" special.  :) 

Mike and Liz Freeman
Cedar Hill, TX

HARLEY (aka LUCKY)

RUBY (aka ROXIE)

I wanted to tell you we love Roxie so much.  She is easy going and perfect for our family.  We actually renamed her Ruby, but it's all worked out just fine.  She and Ben get along great. We groom her every two weeks usually, she's in great health and we walk a couple times a day in the neighborhood.  Between she and Ben, I have someone on or under my heels whenever I am home.  We could not be happier.  She's learned to ring the bell when she wants to go outside and has no more accidents (knock on wood) in the house.  The only problem we have not broken is she'll chew up a small toy of Ben's from time to time, but nothing major.

Just wanted to send you an update and a picture of Ruby and Ben in his little tent we set up in his room.  She snuck in one morning and Ben thought he'd join her.

Thanks again!

Chris, Cort, Ben and Ruby

A BASSET’S TAIL TALE

by: WILLIAM SHAEKSPEARE

(NOTE: This previously unpublished scene by the great bard William Shakespeare [1564-1616] came to light early in 2010 during a regular inventory of the Bodleian Library, the main research library of the University of Oxford in England. It was found written on a scrap of paper tucked into a book on dog breeding dating to the mid-sixteenth century, a book now believed to have been part of the Bard’s personal collection. The scene reprinted here, according to some of the world’s leading Shakespearean scholars, seems to have been the starting point for a play never completed, and thus provides an essential insight into Shakespeare’s creative process.)

(Enter NAOMI, stage center, a basset of high degree and great renown)

Forsooth, I prithee, hearken now anon.
I come before you, simple, as you see me:
A four-footed friend who frets in fits and frolics freely
Upon this fabled stage that we call Earth.
Canis Familiarus, by formal name,
But widely known and heartily heralded as the fair Naomi,
A Basset born, of high degree and great renown.
Come I now from parts unknown,
A traveler of many leagues whose feet have known the whims
And various vicissitudes of circumnavigation most expansive.
My paws have trod the myriad and countless paths
That flesh less full and sinew less supple
Would break and cleave for but the thousandth part,
Exerting strength that would fair tax the strongest heart.
But here I am, blessed and content, upon the cusp of life renewed,
A life of leisure and the million natural pleasures that my flesh is heir to.
‘Tis a consummation for which I have devoutly wished.

Of my former life, I say but little,
As shadows of the past are best forgot
Lest they do intrude again and renew the pain of errant memory,
Like wisps of smoke that do small burning embers still contain,
Flung aloft their mischief yet to cause:
Aye, and of such things are tragedies new created,
When man - or dog – doth flaunt the patience and forbearance of the gods of chance.
And so we leave the past where it can do no harm,
And move to pleasanter topics and delights,
In which I find myself in pastures new,
To frolic and delight and eat my fill
Till I be sated and can sleep apace.
If this be “A dog’s life,” as the ballads and the prophets say,
Then happily I’ll take it in great measure,
And gladly revel in the breast of hearth and newfound home
‘Til end of days, delighting in the sun and warmth and food –
Ah yes, I say, such food as mortal dog hath never known,
Delivered to me daily by handmaidens of exceptional beauty and exceeding joy
Whose merest glance doth cause my heart to swell and tail to wag
Belike the puppy I feel myself to be  –
Never again to live the life of wandering and privation
That was my lot in former times.
And so you see me as I am,
Canis Familiarus, most fortunately now Naomi,
Whose days upon the lengthy and unknowable road are happily ended.
Delivered now from days and nights of bleak uncertainty and blackest fear,
I now enjoy the blessings of a house and home most fair,
Which kindles in my breast a soaring and eternal love
That bursts upon my heart like lightning in the vaulted roof of night,
Illuminating all my heart’s desire, granted now to me by fortune’s smile.
I could not ask for more.

And now, gentles, for your kind attention, I give thanks,
And beg you bear me softly in your minds in times to come.
Now I, Naomi, bid you all adieu, my friends,
And give you blessings, as the curtain now descends.

(NAOMI exeunt, stage right)

Levi (formerly Zippy) is a delight to have in our home.  He has filled out, looks good, and is just about housebroken.  Levi is no longer afraid of everyone and everything.  He enjoys greeting friends and family, but he also has begun to claim the house as his, barking to let us know if anyone is approaching the house.  He loves to play and to run through the house carrying one of his favorite toys.  Levi is sweet, curious, comical, loving, and friendly.  He likes to snuggle and to have his belly and ears rubbed.  What a joy he is!

Ann