<div>Tragically, many people make decisions to give up their dogs around the holidays. Who knows why? Some had said it was because of travel, others because the dog stinks and someone is coming to visit, overwhelming medical expenses, someone needing a care facility, other times it is just nuts, like we wanted to get a new puppy so we are going to give away the older dog.<br>
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I say it is the season to foster. Even if you can only help a rescue group with a donation or transporting a dog, every little bit helps! <br>
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For those who are contacted for "available puppies" please encourage these people to contact the local rescue group and inquire about fostering a basset. It is a great way to learn if a basset really is the right dog for the family and it helps to relieve the huge burden that the rescue groups take on this time of year. The new foster home will only have a temporary commitment to the dog and most of the rescues will pick up the dog immediately if there is any problem. But if the dog works out and everyone falls in love, then the foster home gets first choice of adoption. Also by fostering, many times the rescue group can help with medical issues that would be too much for a family to take on right away.<br>
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Then if that foster adoption does work out for the family, they end up with a nice basset who can welcome a responsibly bred puppy or another adoption later in the year. Just remember, bassets are like potato chips. One is never enough~<br>
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Happy holidays to all*<br>
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Sara Watson</div>
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