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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Thank you to all of you wonderful
Droolers who sent us their warm thoughts when we helped old Wally to the bridge
last month. I still have a big old lump in my chest and miss him
terribly. I think he is still at work in our lives. The outpouring
of support was just amazing and I will do my best to answer everyone in my own
very slow time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>A co-worker sent out an email to our entire company
about a basset buppie in trouble. Seems she just couldn't 'adjust' at the
grand old age of 4 months, and the people who paid over $600 for her at the
puppie store (aaaarrrrggghhhh!) just wanted to be rid of her.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Another co-worker ran up to rescue her, brought her
home and when his Jack Russell didn't 'like her' after one whole night, he
was ready to dump her.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Being the big sucker that I am I offered to foster
her until an appropriate home could be found or she could be turned over to a
rescue group. I guess you know what happened.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I have a new buppie! Her name is Magnolia or
Maggie or, as only my husband calls her, Maggot. Well, of course we didn't
want her! We're just going to take care of her for a while until the
'right' folks come along. Apparently we're the right folks!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>She's fitting in beautifully although it did take
more than one night for the magic to happen. Fiona is her
playmate. Maggie's best trick is Fiona tipping. I was afraid we'd
have to put the old fat girl back on her feet, but she managed to roll
over. She runs with Mudbone who is also her protector against the ever
grumpy and curly-lipped Sammie (also well known as eater of children).
When Sam snarls, Mud and his big old head just appear. Sam backs down and
turns his head. Maggie seems to have adapted this behavior for her own
ends and will stand behind Mud just giving Sam a big tongue lashing. She figured
out the dog door in about 10 seconds and loves, loves, loves that big fenced in
yard. She watches the peafowl in their enclosure like it's her own
personal TV show. Every blade of grass is endlessly
fascinating</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>We took her to the vet and she checked out.
Perfect health. Microchipped, the works. She's a mellow buppie and
goes to work with me every day. Catches up on her sleep and runs Mud all
evening when she gets home.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Yep, we had no plans to adopt another dog. I
think this sweetheart was looking for us. So far she has just moved shoes
around and eaten all my dryer balls. Underwear appears in the back yard,
mostly my husband's. I am heartened that my middle-aged pack is so
accepting and wonderful. Feeding time is a bit stressful and will be until
she catches on to her place in the pecking order. Easy stuff,
really.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Gosh, I have been so busy adopting mature dogs that
I'd forgotten how much fun and work a buppie could be. She's much more
easy going than the last two buppies I raised (I don't even want to discuss how
long ago that was). It's like riding a bike, you never forget.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Sigh, I think I'm in love. Thank you, Walter,
for sending this precious bundle to us.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Soft snooter kisses to all of you dealing with loss
and illness. Candles are lit for easy passage. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Marcia and the Beachbassets</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Mudbone, Sammie, Fiona and
Maggie</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>