Trixi is a Bridesmaid!

Trixi as Bridesmaid at Victoria's Wedding

ABC rescued Trixi from a Southern puppy mill and brought her to NY in 2009 when she was 10 years old.  She was in terrible shape with tooth abscesses that went right down to the bone.  She was actually placed in hospice care for a while due to excessive bleeding - the vets didn't think she would make it.  Through the wonderful support of ABC and her foster home Trixi pulled through.  She was adopted by Victoria and her family into her forever home in December 2010. 

Victoria recently celebrated her wedding with her hounds in attendance!  She shared this beautiful wedding picture with us of Trixi as a very special bridesmaid.  Victoria said Trixi had lots of fun and treats at their wedding!  What a great forever home!  (Read more on Trixi's story on the ABC Blog dated 12/4/2011.)

Thank you to Victoria and her family for sharing their wedding picture with us.  This is such an encouragement to the ABC volunteers that worked so hard to save Trixi's life. 

Congratulations on your marriage and here's to a lifetime of happiness!

ABC Basset Rescue Spanky

Spanky and Don - Spanky's new forever Dad and best friend.  ABC saved Spanky from a shelter in 2010 when his family moved and could not take him with them.  He was 9 years old then and will be celebrating his 11th Birthday in May.  Spanky just loves his new forever Dad!  Read Spanky's letter to ABC on the blog dated  11/19/2011.

"If Youse Eats Poo"

Youse eats poo, dis what happenings to youse.
Love the Basset Hound tiles on the wall!

Had to share this - From Terri Davis' FB page - Beauregard Burnside III's photo.  I showed this picture to Spanky and told him this is what will happen to him too, he's now hiding behind the coffee table!

Shelly and Diesel's new Agility Aces

Diesel's Ribbons

Agility Stars Diesel and Shelly have won 2 level 4 agility ribbons at Boom Towne, Farmington, NY.  Congratulations Diesel and Shelly!  From one rescue to another Spanky wants to know if you can trade some of these in for a couple of steaks.  I told him 'no, look at these beautiful ribbons, they are for Diesel's wall'.  He begged to differ, said just look at Diesel's face, he wants some steak!  Mom and Dad must be so very proud of you Diesel!

Here is a link to Diesel and Shelly's agility run - looks flawless to us. 
http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u135/lovebassetcrap/?action=view&current=VID00121.mp4

You two make it look easy, but bet it's not.  It's just amazing all you have to do is point and Diesel knows what to do.  How the heck do the humans remember which thing is next to do?  Anytime I try to get Spanky to go one way or the other he just sits.  Sure is fun to watch and you both look like you are having a great time! 

Firstgiving - ABC Basset Hound Rescue Spring Blast

Saturday, April 28, 2012 Noon-6pm The Fair and Expo Center, Henrietta, NY

Join us for the biggest indoor basset event in the country!
Join us for a fun filled day with your bassets! Events include:

• Games & Contests
• Silent auctions & raffles
• The Slobber Shoppe & other vendors
• Coronation of The Royal Court
• Memorial Service
• Basset Fashion Show
• Activity Stations for you and your basset

Plan on attending and need a packet with raffle tickets? Please email Shelly at merchandise@nybasset.org

You can preregister to attend this great event here: http://www.nybasset.org/Spring_Basset_Blast.html
Thank you for helping us raise money to support ABC Basset Hound Rescue.   This group is wonderful at rescuing homeless hounds, vetting them and finding them loving homes.

Please help us to continue to save these great hounds.   Whatever you can give truly goes a long way!
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure.  It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts.
http://www.firstgiving.com/ABCBHR/abc-basset-hound-rescue-spring-basset-blast

Eeyore and Shelly - First Day on the Job

Shelly and Eeyore's first day on the job!

Eeyore and Shelly's first nursing home visit.  Eeyore looks like she's having a great time being the center of attention!  Just have to navigate around all those pesky wheels.  Great to see the smiling folks!

Chipin Link for Gem's Spay and Dental

 

Here's the link for Gem's chipin for spay and dental. Please share this with everyone you know. The more people that see this the quicker we can raise money for her care. Thank you! http://pawsoftexasrescue.chipin.com/gems-dental-and-spay

By: Paws of Texas Rescue

Update on GEM from Paws of Texas Rescue

Unfortunately, Gem's puppies did not survive.  The vet said it was likely due to lack of care before she was rescued and went into foster care with Paws of Texas Rescue.  Despite Paws best efforts the pups weren't strong enough to make it.  Paws of TX Rescue next focus for her is dental cleaning which, as you can see from her photo is badly needed. She will likely lose most of her back teeth.

Our condolences and sympathy are with Paws of Texas and Gem.  Everyone here in the Northeast was rooting for her pups.  We know that Paws of TX Rescue did all they could to help Gem have a healthy pregnancy. But now, with everyone's help, Gem can get healthy and find a loving forever home.

Paws of Texas Rescue would like to have her spay and dental done at the same time so she only goes under anesthesia once but this will cost about $400. They can't do it with out help.  Please help Paws of Texas raise funds for Gem and share her story.  Donations can be made on their website pawsoftexasrescue.com.  Here's the link for Gem's chipin for spay and dental. Please share this with everyone you know. The more people that see this the quicker we could raise money for her care. Thank you! http://pawsoftexasrescue.chipin.com/gems-dental-and-spay

Please keep Gem and her wonderful rescuers in your thoughts and prayers.

Max - The 'Healing' Dog

Max and Molly McButter

Max and Molly are beautiful brother and sister Bassets that ABC rescued. The original owners neglected them and left them outdoors unsupervised. Thankfully, they were relinquished to ABC when they were about two years old. They then went into the excellent foster care of Kevin Kraft. Laura Johnson, ABC volunteer who helps with behavior problem cases, fosters for ABC, and coordinates dog boarding in Rochester, adopted Molly (McButter J ). She also transported Max to what was intended to be his forever home. The following events that unfolded make for a truly amazing tale. Max’ story shows why every rescue dog deserves a 2^nd, and even 3^rd chance. We are very grateful to Laura, Bruce, Lucille and their neighbors for sharing this wonderful story with us. Thank you ABC for believing and helping Max - twice! And we are grateful to Max too for making it all happen!

Max’ newly adopted humans returned him to ABC six short months after his adoption. The reasons they cited were that their other dog bullied him and that Max did not live up to their expectations. They had also medicated him with anti-depressants for being vicious, an indication that perhaps more was going on with Max than being ’bullied’.

Thankfully, ABC will always take back their rescued hounds. This commitment provides a safety net of support for each dog. Laura stepped up right away to provide Max with a foster home, even though she was already fostering another dog, Fenway. Whether it was some special wisdom on Laura’s part or Max’ own foresight - probably both - this proved very fortuitous for the folks that were soon to meet Max.

Max - Basset Angel

A nice couple, Bruce and Lucille visited Laura’s home to interview for Fenway’s adoption. Bruce suffers from pain severe enough to be on pain medications. The couple had lost their Basset, Charlie, about 3 months earlier. Charlie had helped Bruce cope with pain and avoid taking the pain medication, so they were looking to adopt another Basset.

Now Fenway had been a stray and was still learning how a dog should behave around humans. Laura says, “He would literally ‘smile’, and jump in your face like he was trying to bite you. If you didn’t know him it looked like he was being aggressive.” (As a side note here, our first Basset puppy, Apollo, used to do this exact thing. Our trainer and vet said this needed to be dealt with as it showed a prelude to aggression. My gut feeling was it was not aggression and just puppy antics. When our trainer wanted to use shock therapy we trusted my gut and fired the trainer. We could have been wrong, but Apollo turned out to be one of the sweetest, most gentle hounds I’ve ever met. He loves all people and animals and would not hurt a fly. It is as important to not mislabel behavior as aggressive that may not be, as it is to deal with it.)

However, Bruce and Lucille, even though experienced dog folk, had been attacked by a greyhound that they had adopted. This occurred just a few days before their interview with Laura. Lucille had staples in her head from the attack! As a result, Fenway’s behavior put them off adopting him. They felt badly about it but said they would not feel comfortable with him. Makes you wonder if maybe everything does happen for a reason.

As Laura returned Fenway to the yard in came Max. Thankfully, ABC had believed in him enough to have him evaluated by their behaviorist who found him to be well adjusted for a good home. He was taken off of the ill-advised anti-depressants. ABC also treated Max for ear infections and broken nails, signs that his former home had been less than ideal in caring for him. So Max was back to his happy, healthy self when he met Bruce and Lucille. As Laura told the couple his story Max sat next to them and affectionately put his nose in Bruce’s lap. Laura describes Max as a natural empathic soul. That is how Max was adopted into the forever home he was obviously destined to be part of.

And such a handsome face too!

Shortly after Bruce and Lucille took Max home, Laura received a call from the happy couple - Bruce had not needed any pain medication in days! They both said they felt lucky to have met and adopted Max.   Laura thought the case happily closed, and, as she says, “It doesn’t get better than that!!” But it does!

Bruce visited Laura recently to relay the following amazing story of Max turned ‘healer’. Max’s new family has neighbors with a seven year old boy who suffers from brain cancer. The boy used to play with the couple’s other Basset, Charlie. Now he came over to play with Max. The boy told his oncologist that he couldn’t wait to go home from the hospital to play with ‘Max’. His doctor thought Max was another little boy. When the doctor found out that Max was a dog he called Bruce and reported that, because of Max, this little boy was eating, exercising and sleeping well, all things that are very difficult for cancer patients. The fatigue, pain and nausea caused by anti-cancer treatments often overwhelm the treatment plan. The doctor said the boy was experiencing almost no side effects from the chemotherapy and radiation he was undergoing. As any oncologist will tell you, this is awfully important for the treatments to be successful. (As one who has been there, while undergoing chemo my 3 Bassets not only forced me to exercise every day, but also gave me a sense of security, comfort and the confidence that I could overcome the side effects, just as important as exercise.)

The oncologist suggested Bruce and Lucille get Max certified as a therapy dog. They did that and Max now spends three days a week with their neighbor’s son, and also visits other children with cancer at Strong Hospital Children’s Cancer Ward. Maybe someday Max’s friend can write his story so that other children with cancer can also be inspired by his example. We will keep you updated, as we are sure there will be many more inspiring stories of Max’ progress.

“Max is a healing dog!”

It is more amazing still that Max was relinquished twice by families who obviously did not know the angel they had in their homes. This is why rescuers work so hard at what they do and as you will often hear from ABC volunteers, “Stories like this make all the extra work worth it.”

Congratulations to Max, his family, his friends and to the doctor who recognized the value of one Basset Hound in easing the suffering of a little boy. We wish Bruce and Max’s new friends healing and many happy, healthy years to enjoy.

Paws of Texas Rescue - GEM's Story Update

Gem today!

Gem was one of the four pregnant Bassets rescued on New Year's Eve from a Texas breeder (See Gem's Blog story from 12/31/2011.)  She was taken into foster care by Paws of Texas Rescue who had the resources to deal with her pregnancy.  Besides being severely underweight Gem has teeth abscesses. The special Basset angels at Paws have been feeding her a special diet to help her gain weight and vitamins to help ensure a healthy pregnancy.  Here's a new picture of how she looks today.  So much better!  Thank you Paws Rescue for the TLC and special care you have been showing this elegant senior lady.  We hope that she will deliver healthy puppies without any problems and can retire to enjoy life in a loving forever family.

Following is an update from the Paws of TX FaceBook page:

"Gem loved her trip to the pet store. Isn't she beautiful?! She's so sweet and loving.  We have an appointment with the vet tomorrow to see how her pregnancy is progressing. We are still concerned since she hasn't put on as much weight as we would like, but we see some bulges when she lays down. :)"

Please keep Gem in your thoughts and prayers.  And don't forget that she and her pups will need loving forever homes!



Gem on the day of her rescue

Eeyore Passed!

Update:  Shelly and Eeyore have passed their nursing home evaluation test with flying colors!  Eeyore will soon be visiting nursing homes, brightening everyone's day with her amazing smile!  Congratulations to you both and have fun visiting the nursing homes Eeyore and Shelly!