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<font size="+2">After a hiatus of many years and many changes, I, an
Old Drooler from the long-ago days, have dropped back in to see
the Drool still going strong, with so many fine furpersons
carrying on the traditions of Miss Scarlett, Alexis, and others,
including my Maggie Musch, Cyrus dirus, Braune, Freckles, Rivkah
Belle, Sarah Mindele, Precious and so many others waiting for
their mom at the Bridge.<br>
Am I even allowed to post if I am currently without a single
basset? Floyd, our last rescue basset [from my shrink], crossed
over last summer. When Freckles passed in 2010, then Binky in
2011, I made my husband promise me a basset in 5 years. I can't
wait any longer. The Basset Jones is undeniable.<br>
"Shopping" at the Dallas and Austin rescues shows me how many
lovely hounds need homes. We live in a very rural area, 120 miles
from either city, and we would take them all if we could, but we
got out of rescue after 20-odd years due to age and financial
restraints. We still have some of our other rescues, mostly 14-16
years old, and 2 Corgis we took in last winter, 2 years old and
very high energy. They run a lot.<br>
Probably, come the new year, we will seriously look for a rescue
who can share a bed with a few other dogs and a couple of cats,
who will appreciate personal door opening, even at 2 am when it is
19 degrees, unlimited affection, tummy rubs, ear skritches - oh,
how I miss those long silky ears - and the best vet care, 50 miles
away but worth it. Food - the best. Counter cruising frowned on,
but if we mess up, well, all is fair game.<br>
I had 2 very special bassets, one our first rescue basset, from a
street corner in town - Shelley, and Daisy, a lady in need in
another state, I think TN, who had a Basset Rescue Relay to
Shreveport, where we met her and took her home, although everyone
wanted to keep her. My girls were beanbags - black and white with
freckles, no brown anywhere, of stately comportment and diva
attitude. They would not climb onto the bed, even with a ramp.
They had to be tow-trucked - someone (usually Mom) would get
behind, they would raise paws to the bed, and get a lift from
behind, all the work being done by the lifter. Life is hard in
our household.<br>
So, rescuers, basset lovers, if a beanbag should come your way,
please let me know. We will adopt another basset, maybe 2 if one
has a sister or brother or boon companion who cannot be left
behind, but a beanbag would be most special. Over the years, we
rescued a lot of special dogs, including a 17 year old whose
family had taken him to the pound to be euthanized, as he was "too
old". He had had a stroke, was deaf and half blind, with
disfiguring little lipomas all over. An Ohio rescuer saw him late
on Friday and posted him on the weekend, hoping to save him. On
Monday morning she was there before the doors opened to take him
away, to a seven person Basset Rescue Relay, with a few
overnights, to Texas. Lazarus Long shared his life with us for
two more years, always asking to go outside, sleeping in a nest of
pillows, whiling away the hours in a sunbeam, until he crossed
over in his own time.<br>
When I finally reach the foot of the Bridge, we shall all rejoice,
crossing together to the 24/7 buffet, the Hat Shop, the Fancy
Footwear shop, and the All The Toys You Ever Dreamed Of Shop, to a
sunny meadow where it only rains when you are ready to go inside
and the house as big as their hearts, where we will all be
together once more.<br>
Thank you, Droolers, for still being here. The good things last
because of people like you.<br>
PC Hanes<br>
No bassets, but plenty of love to go around<br>
To all who have lost a loved one, some simulated slobber until we
can send the real thing<br>
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