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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>Okay I will stick my nose in too. I
know there is more than one of us that </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>found our </FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT
size=2 face=Antique>first bassets in ways other than rescue. I am guilty
of that.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>Tucker (ATB) was my heart dog but in
truth </FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>he came from a backyard
breeder. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>I wanted </FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT
size=2 face=Antique>a basset forever but in the scheme of life
</FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>it was never the "right"
time. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique> </FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT
size=2 face=Antique>When Tucker crawled in my lap that first day I didn't care
</FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>where he came
from</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>or if he was
perfect</FONT></STRONG> <STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique> because he stole
my heart. Tucker is the one that led me to </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>the Daily Drool and
</FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>then to rescue. I had
rescued on my own for many years but </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>Tucker led me to
</FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>picking the breed I love most
to rescue. Maybe that was in God's </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>plan all
</FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>along. There were times
my boy made want to pull my hair out between the</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>potty training and the constant
chewing. I would give anything now just to hear</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>him chewing the walls again. Tucker
may not have been an official OEBE but </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>he was a master of mayhem and
mischief.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>Even my sweet Nelly Belle, who came from
the same place that the GGBR 61 were</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>rescued, was paid for. I would
write another $100 check in a heartbeat to save her.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>I have always said that God led me to
respond to that Craigslist ad that led me to</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>my girl. Now that I look back I
think that it was in God's plan because 14 months</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>later I was back to help in the
rescuing 61 more bassets from a life of misery.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>I look at skittish little Isabelle
sleeping peacefully on the foot of the bed and can't</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>help but smile. Tonight I got her
full belly to rub and she asked for it. There are </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>moments that I even see that tail wag
even though it isn't held high yet but it</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>is a wag of happiness. She
even likes my singing. Our progress is slow but each</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>step is a celebration. I know
that her placement will be difficult and she will never</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>live in a home with children. Her
potential family will have to wait a long time</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>to gain her trust. For now she is
safe and she is loved.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>I know so much more now than when
Tucker and I began our journey. I know that</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>rescues don't just place a basset in
any home. I know that there are wonderful breeders</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>that truly care about bassets. I
know the dark side of breeding as well. </FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>My point is that
</FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>no matter where our bassets
came from we all share a common bond. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>We love our bassets
</FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>with our heart and soul.
We cry together and we laugh together.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>We worry together and we celebrate the
victories. We support each other, hopefully </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>without making someone feel bad.
When it comes to our bassets there are no questions
that</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>are too dumb. Learning to be a true
Slave is not always easy, it is a trial by fire sometimes,</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>but love you receive in
</FONT></STRONG><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>return is more than worth all
the frustration you may go through. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>We send drool to all those in
need. Our prayers are with you always.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique>Karen and The Dog House
Gang</FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2 face=Antique></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=2
face=Antique></FONT></STRONG> </DIV></BODY></HTML>