[Dailydrool] Riche and the Best 'Job' In the World

[Charlie Meyer]

Riche, thanks for asking. I and mine are returning to normal, thanks  
to all the wonderfully kind Basset folks.

'When it rains, it pours' reads the Morton Salt container, but it  
applied to Saturday too.

Saturday's run took me from the northeastern part of WV, where I live,  
to the Ohio River (my side, Eva), then down to the southeastern tip to  
scoop up three Bassets from shelters, covering over 700 miles before  
my little Metro made it home.  Pulling dogs from shelters is only the  
tip of the rescue iceberg, the beginning of a process, but one of the  
most satisfying for me.  One not only gets to help change the world of  
a dog, but also cheer the dreary, demanding day of those overworked,  
overstressed shelter workers and volunteers.  Due to the heat, as I  
was at the Beckley, WV shelter, I brought the first pull, a senior, in  
with me.  "Picking up, not dropping off. Basset Rescue." said I, as a  
young couple were arguing in reception over the young man's demand to  
return an adopted Boxer mix.  It brought smiles to the weary shelter  
staff.  As the papers were being prepared, and the couple quietly  
retreated to the corner to discuss (hopefully) not returning the dog,  
rolled eyes were exchanged and I told the reception worker sotto voce:  
"I couldn't do your job. I'd probably end up choking somebody."

The pull is one first step.  Then came short hold and vet transport  
fosters who never seem to say 'no'.  Intake forms online fill out the  
afternoon text alert to BROOD's foster queen, who wasn't expecting so  
many, and primed the adoption folks with more droolers to place.  
Transports. Foster homes to be found, best preparing once homeless  
Bassets for the 'forever' homes they deserve. Home visits and vet  
checks. And so many more that make rescue work.

Hours later, at work herding the 3:15am drunks out the saloon door,  
exhausted, but satisfied that I made a difference earlier in the day,  
I again told myself: "I have the best job in the world! I'm in rescue."

Four months ago one terrible Saturday night, one of my many worries  
was if my rescue work went up in flames too.  Thanks to so many  
wonderful Basset people, life and that work continues. Snoring Bassets  
surround me, especially Piglet, OEBE, dreaming doggie dreams,  
oblivious to the last of her burns healing.  Thank You Basset People!

Charlie