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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>She was only with us for six weeks. She was
never comfortable physically. The cancer growing inside her caused her
pain and to pace a lot. She was our first rescue.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I could write a book about Begonia, although we
only had her for six weeks. My Stella (ATB 12/19/06) gave me permission
(more like an order) after six months of grieving to begin to look for another
hound. Stella also led me to basset rescue, something I had never heard
of, had never thought of, and knew nothing about, even though I had owned two
bassets.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Begonia was one of a bonded pair that I discovered
on the BHRA web site. When I looked into her eyes in the photograph, I saw
nothing but Stella. This made me sad in a way, so I continued to
look. "Let's just try one new hound at first," said the husband. But
I kept coming back and looking at the pair and into those soulful
eyes.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Long story short, Beachbaby and Begonia came
into our lives on July 7, 2007. From the moment they came through the back
gate to meet Stanley, you could tell they were "home". </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We first noticed the "bumps" on Begonia's stomach
on the way home from Birmingham. BHRA had already had to do extensive
surgery on her to remove a lot of breast tissue, but the pathology reports were
good.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>As the weeks went on, she seemed to get
worse. Stubborn as a mule, very petite, and strong as an ox. It was
obvious Stella had sent her. Our local vet did more surgery to try to
correct some issues, and that's when he discovered the cancer throughout
her body. He didn't suggest any treatment options, but said to keep her as
comfortable as possible. He said she probably had about 3-4 months
left with us.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But it was not to be. Within the next week I
could tell she was in a lot of pain. She was not a complainer, and very
stoic in her mannerism. On this day one year ago, we freed her to go
to the Bridge.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This little girl taught me so much in the short
time we had her. We still think about her and miss her. Both
Rick and I say often how we wish we had more time to know her. She left
behind her sister, Beachbaby, who by that time had gotten accustomed to us and
her new home, so the transition of losing Begonia was not as hard on
her. There's no doubt that Stella and Begonia are together at the
Bridge. Which one is more stubborn there, we'll just have to wait and
see.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bonnie</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Slave to Stanley, Beachbaby, Lowretta, Stella
(ATB), J.D. (ATB), Begonia (ATB)</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>