<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" http-equiv=Content-Type>
<META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.18865">
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV>Cathy Blatz wrote: "<FONT color=#800000 size=4 face=Baltimore>I can
understand Rescue operations expecting breeders to take back their own puppies
but I would like to see rescue organizations do more education on responsible
pet ownership, too. It would be nice to see rescue
organizations do more to help at-risk owners. I've read where
someone can't afford an operation for their dog so rescue takes the animal,
fixes it, and rehomes the dog. Wouldn't it be easier (and kinder) to help
the owners with the bills that would allow them to keep their
dog. I'd like to see Rescue Organizations sponsor free Spay/
Neuter clinics for owners who can't afford the $200 plus to get the surgery on
their own."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#800000 size=4 face=Baltimore></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>Cathy, I believe that the responsible rescues do try
educate people on responsible pet ownership. While I understand your
desire to see Rescues sponsor spay/neuter clinics as well as paying for
operations so an owner can keep their pet all monies they receive are through
the generosity of others. They are not funded by the city, county or state
with an allotted budget each year. In this economy those donations are
even more limited and so any funds they have (IMO) needs to go to save that next
basset and care for the ones that are long term fosters due to medical
issues. I am sure that many rescues would love to have the funds to pay
for needed surgery or sponsor S/N clinic but sadly the funds are just not
there. I know that if there is a basset in need of surgery many
rescues will work with the family to find alternatives be it credit, grants from
different organizations, discounts and even ask for donations from their
members.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>On the flip side you also have those people that
believe it is the dog's right to procreate and S/N is multilation. Then
there are those that no amount of education will change their minds and so the
pups keep coming 1-2 times a year until the bitch is completely worn out or
dies. I have a man up the road like this and even offers to pay for the
spay were turned down. Take one guess where these pups end up.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>Think about GGBR's 61 basset rescue in
December. Should we have helped this person keep those neglected bassets
because she "loved" them? Are we helping the bassets? Oh yes and at
a great expense. The adoption fees will come no where even close to
covering the S/N, dentals (every one of them needs a dental including the 6
month old buppies) and the different other surgeries that are needed. Then
add in the cost of microchipping, vaccines, treatments
for giardia/coccidiosis, heartworm testing, blood work, worming etc. and
the costs just keep skyrocketing. These people keep all the
younger pups to sell which in reality would have been the ones requiring the
least expense to GGBR. Those pups adoption fees could have helped to cover
more of the older bassets medical needs. The cost of these bassets are on an
average, $600-$800 per basset. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>I want you to know that not all vets donate their
services in fact many don't because of the economy. Some may discount
the prices but nothing says they have to and these bassets still have to be
taken care of so they will hopefully be in their Furever Homes.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>You should also know that the volunteers that work
with the rescues many times provide a lot of the basic necessities such as food,
worming medications and even heartworm meds at their own expense. Even
more than that the volunteers spend enormous amounts of time with these bassets
trying to undo some of the damage that has been done by others. They have
to gain these bassets trust which is not always an easy thing to do because they
were never socialized or given a reason to trust humans. They show
them that love doesn't hurt, that a belly rub is a good thing, that a foot rub
doesn't mean they are going to be kicked. We try to teach these bassets
how to live in a home, how to accept and give love. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>You don't have to be responsible for all the "other"
dogs but I thank God everyday that there are those that do. Without these
wonderful people and there loving hearts so many of the breed we love would be
euthanized without ever knowing what love and being a basset truly
means.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>The rewards the volunteers receive are gifts
that we treasure. Every step forward that these bassets make is
celebrated. There is a tremendous thrill when you see a basset play
for the very first time, that first little wag of the tail or
that fully upturned belly waiting to be rubbed. I can tell you that
the joy I felt the first time Sophee met me at the door with the rest of the
gang, bouncing like a little buppy, was immense. I know when my two girls
find there "Furever Homes" I will feel a sense
of sadness but there will be a sense of pride and accomplishment
that I was able to give of myself freely so they have new lives filled with
love. They will go, hopefully knowing that I love them, that my love
will follow them throughout their lives and that they will always have
a special place in my heart.</FONT><FONT
face=Baltimore> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>So for all those that give so freely of themselves to
help our beloved bassets know that I thank you, I appreciate you, I value you
and we love you.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>I will get off my soapbox now.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>Droolz to all in need,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore>Karen and The Dog House
Gang</FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>