Billy
Eddie saw a sign at his work that said free basset so he immediately called me. I told him to tell the lady we would pick him up that night. He took to us and rolled over for some tummy rubs. We asked the lady why she would give away such a beautiful Basset. She said they had found him starving on the street. He became her husband’s dogs, but when they got a divorce she couldn’t handle all the dogs so she chose him to go. My heart immediately went out to the poor guy and I knew he must be given a home where he would be loved forever. We drove home and he wasn’t quite sure why he was being taken away. Johnny and Angie didn’t seem too pleased with our new addition. It was a long night. All he did was cry. We thought he missed his old family, which I’m sure he did. However, it turned out he is a nonstop crier unless he is happily in your lap then he would moan with pleasure. This was the first picture I ever took of him. You can tell he is not yet comfortable and a little on the skinny side. This was his first morning with us. I can’t remember if it was Angie or Johnny who began playing with him first. Once the other saw the other playing with Billy s/he joined in. They ran up and down the hall and it warmed me to see him being welcomed. Billy and I bonded very quickly and I found he had a loving heart. We spent a lot of time cuddling and hugging. First he’d put his front paws on my legs and then he’d wrap them around my neck. Every day I came home and this was the first thing we did. He had a comforting way about him. Whenever I needed one I’d yell “Hugs” and he’d come running to hug me. I loved holding him and looking into his eyes, which had a calming effect on me. He was our handsome man. His eyes were hazel. They were almost always green, but when fall came around they turned brown. He had long, thick ears that were always complimented. His body was long with gorgeous markings of black, red, and white. His chest always seemed cold and his belly warm from all the rubbings. His feet were so big and Bassety. His butt was round with two little dimples on it. His fur was softer than silk. He absolutely loved going to the park. On weekend mornings he would chase me around crying until he finally got his way and off to the park we went. Well first I had to get him in the car. I know he could jump in, but somehow he trained me to put him in. I’d put his front paws on the seat first and then I’d pick up his back feet and start pushing him in. As time went on he would just stand there so I had to push his body in all by myself. I can’t tell you how many times people laughed at me at the park. Some dogs walk, some dogs run, but do they trot? Billy had the cutest little trot. His body would just sway back and forth in such a happy bounce. He loved to stop at every sign and tree possible so he could mark it three times. When he didn’t get his way he’d put on the Basset brakes and refuse to move. Eventually one of us would give in. He always had trouble keeping up with the other dogs, but he walked my speed so we took our time enjoying our walk. When it came to food he was also quite self sufficient. One day the kids passed on breakfast so I just put the bowls on the kitchen table. In the afternoon I heard a strange noise from the kitchen. I walk out and Billy was on his way to my office with a bowl of food. He had stood up and grabbed a bowl off the table. He did a good job of not losing too many kibbles. Billy was big on eating in whatever room I was in. Sometimes I’d see him pick up the bowls and once his mouth had a nice firm hold on it he would trot a little faster. He was also a thief if not watched closely. I made the mistake of leaving my peanut butter sandwiches on my desk unsupervised. When I returned I found Billy enjoying one of my sandwiches. He loved little stuffed animals (particularly Pooh & friends). He would grab one and throw it up into the air with his mouth and catch it. He’d continue doing that as he ran through the house. It never failed to make me laugh. I called it juggling. He would love to play with his siblings. They’d race through the house and/or backyard barking at the top of their lungs. When it came to play time with me he would rush to me and want belly rubs. In fact, anytime he could get to me he would typically want a belly rub or a hug. Billy was very vocal. He had a loud and deep bark. Every time he’d go outside he always had to announce he was out there. His howl was gorgeous. He didn’t do it often, but with enough convincing he generally would or when he was having trouble getting on the couch. His lips would form a perfect circle and then he’d let out one howl, maybe two then make these cute sounds like he was trying to catch his breath and do another. He was a talker. He called me mama, told me he loved me, asked for hugs, asked me to come here, etc. He’d come and cry until you gave him and let him sit on you. He would then moan so cutely that whatever it was I stopped in the middle of was worth it. Other times he would roll around on his back making cute sounds. He loved his siblings. Angie was the closest too him as they loved chasing squirrels every morning.. Willow groomed him. She always licked up all his tears. And then there’s Johnny who had a love/hate relationship with him. He got me through a lot of hard times. He became one of my Basset doctors who was there for me and gave me strength to fight to live on. He was also a wonderful psychologist. Sometimes just telling him my problems made me feel better and again those eyes calmed me. We were best friends until the very end. Look how happy we were. Billy is now my angel and I know he’ll continue to guide me through my life. He will be missed until the day we reunite. We’ll hug, he’ll get a belly rub, and then we’ll run off together never to be separated again.

Romeo
We first met Romeo ,while my wife was selling real-estate.He was in a back yard next to her fathers home.We never paid much attention to him,until my wife listed this house for sale,sold it and the people moved out.They left Romeo,stating they would be back daily to feed him,this never happened.We took food ,water over daily for several days.Finally in January ( I Think 2000 ) a severe cold front was forecasted for that evening.We debated Romeo's situation,a decided to go get him and take him home with us.He came easily,but was filthy.We took him straight to the groomers for a bath.We were hooked.The vet discovered major heart worms.Through the generosity of the North Texas Rescue,Romeo was treated successfully.The next five years grew into a loving relationship between humans and animal.It was hard to tell who loved who more.I am retired so Romeo and I spent a lot of time together.He always managed to know when snack time (dog biscuits ) and meal time came around.About two years ago Romeo developed Diabetes,requiring us to give him a shot each morn.This summer we rented a large van so we could take Romeo to Colorado with us,since it was obvious he probably would not make Christmas.He loved the outdoors,barked at chipmunks,sniffed many a trail,and even mustered up enough energy to chase a deer ,woofing all the way.We have three other dogs ,which receive equal love and attention,but somehow Romeo was our special guy.We joked through our tears at his passing,that the vet would have to get a second job,now ,since the were spending around $500.00 a month on meds and visits.MONEY WELL SPENT!!.I know there is a verse in the Bible that says something like :Blessed are they that are kind to animals.I would hope that this means we will see Romeo again,I have never missed anyone so much. Jim Whittenburg

George
My GeorgeBasset gave me many gifts in our short time together. I remember how happy he was to get out of the dog pound. He ahroood and woofled the whole time I did the paperwork. On the way home he rested his big pointed head on my arm. He was so happy to arrive at my house. He made fast friends with my other dogs, claimed his favorite doggie bed and always had smile and a cuddle and a nudge for me. He was my first Basset and was everything I'd hoped for. Sadly, just a few days after his adoption he fell ill and the vet told me he had lymphoma. He said it's not unusual for a sick dog to be dumped at the pound by an owner who would rather not deal with it. Well let me tell you, their loss was my gain. With medication George had a wonderful six weeks with me and was not sick at all until the very end. We spent his last night on a big quilt on the floor and enjoyed a bittersweet slumber party. I think we all new it was time for George to go. I kept his collar with his forever home tag on it and had him individually cremated so he would always be "at home" with the family. I picked up his little box of ashes a few days later and it now sits on the "dog shelf" with pictures and ashes of some other wonderful companions. I enjoy picturing all of them at the bridge living on a fabulous split-level cloud. I believe that all beings who love each other will someday be reunited so there is peace within the sadness. Goodbye for now my GeorgeBasset... before we know it I'll be able to scratch that big pointed head again and forever. My Basset rescue work is dedicated to you.... keep an eye out for my foster hounds and for SaraLee, my newest addition who sleeps on your pillow every night.

TANNER
Adopted from NTBHR- Oct 1998, Died Feb 20, 2006 We had to take Tanner into the vet Monday and have him put to sleep. The tumor on his spleen had spread. He had developed carcinoma lesions on his skin since the tumor had spread to his lymph nodes. They were also coming up in some very physically uncomfortable places. He would not eat at all some days and his weight loss was pretty significant. Dana took him for a ride in the truck and to the park for a little while before going to the vet with him. I know that he is in a better place now where he can bark as much as he likes and may even learn to howl so he can join the Basset Hound Angel Choir. The Nuckols Family

LUPE
Lupe went to the Rainbow Bridge just after Thanksgiving, 2005. When we returned from Seattle, she stopped eating which was a sure sign that something was wrong. She was diagnosed with kidney failure and after three days of IVs didn't help, I had to put her to sleep. Lupe was a low maintenance basset. She had apparently had a hard life. All she needed was dinner, a walk, a couch to lay on during the day and a bed at night. She never growled and rarely barked and loved my grandchildren. She was the only dog I ever had that would stare you straight in the eye. Although we only had Lupe for a year we miss her. The day before she went to the vet for her final stay, she got to go to Fort Woof, one of her favorite places. She seldom interacted with the other dogs, but she loved to get petted by everyone in the park. We miss you girl. Otto & Linda, Snoopie and Natalie