<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:Courier New, courier, monaco, monospace, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV>Hello from soaking wet Illinois.</DIV>
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<DIV>This week was the anniversary of the house fire and the loss of my precious Noah and Hollyberry. I want to say "thank you forever and always" to my drool friends for the love and support you have shown us. You made a terrible experience more bearable, I will remember and pass it forward. </DIV>
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<DIV>Would like to update you all on the Basset family at our house 1 year later. We have 4. Yes, 4. I am learning about a multi-dog household and, well, it is a challenge and a joy.</DIV>
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<DIV>Thelma Lou came first last September. She is a beautiful red and white lady who came from GABR and was fostered by Jan M. until I could establish a home for her. TL is my heart dog. She recognized my grieving and spent many nights curled up against my stomach tolerating her head and ears being wet with my tears. She helped me to heal by singing to me, following me from room to room, waking me up to go out in the middle of the night and being the silent and constant companion she knew I needed. She is the Queen and expects to be treated as the Queen. </DIV>
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<DIV>Next came Huckleberry at Christmas. He is a tri-colored guy with hundreds of spots and was from a local rescue. Related to Hollyberry (we think) from the same breeder born on the same date. He is my soul dog. He looks at me and we connect. He kisses me every time he sees me and sleeps plastered against me wherever he can find a place that TL hasn't taken. He follows me from room to room, drinks from the toilet like a champ, loves to play and is a typical midwestern good 'ol boy.</DIV>
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<DIV>In February we got puppy Fergus from Ozark Mountain Basset Rescue. Fergus is my joy. He is all puppy, full of energy, bites and jumps, pees on everything and tries very hard to take the alpha spot. Electrical cords and shoes are his speciality. He is half Basset and half traveling salesman, whom we suspect might have been blood hound. His coloring is all black with brown highlights, he is soft as down and handsome. Right now we are going to puppy class on Monday nights and he is extremely bright. We are doing some agility....it is a hoot. I am a lot of things but agile is not one of them and we have supplied lots of laughter to the group as we both do the jump. Fergus sleeps in his crate positioned next to my side of the bed where he can be part of everything that goes on. This week he has learned to use the step to get on the big bed and is making TL and Huck's life exciting as that was their "safe place" to get
away from him.</DIV>
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<DIV>Finally, our newest member is Phoebe. She has been with us 8 days. She is a beautiful red and white lady who has done nothing but breed, live in a kennel and watch life go by. She is my "give back" dog, encompasses an outlet for my compassion. I am loving watch her blossom. The other dogs welcomed her, she also follows me from room to room and comes hesitantly for ear scratches. She will raise her whitened snout for kisses but won't kiss back. She uses the dog door, puts Fregus in his place occasionally. She no longer sleeps outside in a cage but on a soft dog bed at the foot of the bed in the bedroom with everyone else. We are calling her Phoebe Grace for she is showing great grace in this new situation and she reminds me of Jan's Grace (ATB) whom I loved.</DIV>
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<DIV>My family has threatened to have an intevention for me if I get anymore dogs...glad I built a "Basset friendly" new house.</DIV>
<DIV>Snooters to everyone,</DIV>
<DIV>Maggie Honnold</DIV>
<DIV>Thelma Lou (my heart)</DIV>
<DIV>Huck (my soul)</DIV>
<DIV>Fergus (my joy and laughter)</DIV>
<DIV>Phoebe Grace (my compassion)</DIV>
<DIV>Noah (ATB) Hollyberry (ATB)(missing them forever)</DIV>
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