<html><head></head><body><div class="yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I'm pretty rubbish at dates. I struggle to remember them, even my kids' birthdays, but I think it would have been in early 2008. </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I went to a local pound to adopt a blue greyhound and came home with Rolph. When I agreed to adopt him, the owner of the shelter fixed me with a glare and said "I think you're mad. Bassets are horrible dogs." Her co-head said "Get on the internet and read up everything you can about the breed." But a volunteer ran up and threw her arms around me thanking me for taking him.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">And so began my adventures with bassets. I didn't get on the internet that week. I was arrogant enough to believe a lifetime of dog ownership, including rescue Afghans, qualified me for anything a canine could throw at me. Two weeks later, in desperation, I found the Daily Drool.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Through the Drool, I learned how to rethink everything I knew about dogs. I met friends I have met in person, such as Rebecca Stanton and Dale Rutz and many more I will probably never meet, but feel I know well.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I also met other basset owners here in the UK, firstly through a club and more recently through Facebook groups. I have been involved in basset rescue as a fundraiser, homechecker, foster mum and most recently as a surprised midwife when the bitch I was fostering gave birth to eight puppies. I have also met some of my closest friends through bassets.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">None of this would have happened if it was not for my reaching out to the Daily Drool in desperation when I adopted the wild child who would go on to be my heart dog and change my life.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Sally, with Hettie UK, always remembering PW Rolph and Clara ATB.<div><div><br></div></div><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><div><div><br></div></div><br></div></div></body></html>