Cassidy Plunkett Esq
It has taken me nearly four weeks to compose my thoughts to words, in telling all that our beloved Cassidy Plunkett, Esq. has passed away. He went out to the yard while we at work, lied down in the lawn and fell asleep for the last time. Many of you have known Cassidy for years, when he first came into our lives as a rambunctious pup he ate pricey Italian shoes that I never got a chance to wear. He brought joy where ever he went, and friends were cultivated by those big feet, dignified gaze and those sad eyes that had a sparkle of mischief. When he first came into my life, the first thing he did was to choose my mate (Clyde). On his first encounter with Clyde, he quickly jumped into his truck and they were buds for life. From that day forward Clyde called more often, visited more often and Cassidy would whine for 2 solid days after Clyde left. Others will remember Cassidy as he got older. He had gone through some pretty serious health issues, but came through them with pride and dignity. For the last couple of years it was harder for him to get around on only 3 legs, but he still never complained and gave it his all. One week before he died he had a great time at the Basset Waddle in Novato, getting to know all the girls and the boys. He was a happy tired pup that night. I know that he is at the Rainbow bridge running on all four legs and giving all his buddies before him a run for their money. Fondly, Ann & Clyde Galantine

Chloe
8/5/2008 Chloe. Chloe. Chloe. I am at a loss as to what to say. 2 years ago, at the young age of 9, she was left at a shelter in San Francisco. Chloe was rescued by GGBR and given a second chance after having surgery for bladder stones. She recovered and our family was given the gift of adoption in spring of 2006. Life was good and Chloe was happy. Then last month she started turning away from her food. We took her to the vet multiple times, but after 3 weeks it was over. The tests all pointed toward lymphoma. Our family has taken it hard, but have many happy memories. My son has been working on a dog scrapbook this summer and has now decided to dedicate it to Chloe. I tear up to think about it. Having her for the short time we did was such a blessing. Chloe was truly a remarkable little dog and no words can express how much she will be missed. Gamble Minges and family

Chuck
Chuck, the Bassador. He was a Lab. He was a Basset. He was the best of both! His good looks turned heads wherever he went. I saw Chuck posted by the Placer County Shelter in March, 2018 and knew that, even though he was not a purebred basset hound, GGBR needed to rescue that happy, handsome fellow. We don’t know Chuck’s age, as is pretty usual for rescued dogs, but his microchip records led to a previous shelter stay, a year or so earlier. Chuck had a bladder stone when he arrived, but after that was removed, he enjoyed good health for the next 3 years. He and our basset, Jerry were “brothers”, although that required some patience on the part of Chuck, as Jerry is pretty much set in his ways. Chuck was my camping dog. He was quiet and friendly and was my dog of choice for GGBR camping trips. Chuck left us in October 2021 after a splenectomy and a subsequent diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. He was a calm, gentle, uniquely beautiful dog and such a joy. He is very much missed. Fran and Mark Madden and bassets, Jerry and Skippy, October 2021.

Cleo, Waddle Queen 2017
She was the Queen. She was Waddle Queen in 2017, but before that, she was Cleopatra, our little princess. There are so many memories as she traveled through life with us. First, she taught us how to be parents. When we first met her, she would run around biting everyone, too anxious to know what to do with herself. Within weeks, CJ was her greatest comfort (and her his) as it stayed through the rest of her long doggy life (but of course, too short for us). Next, she taught Stanley how to be a good dog. And she was a great one. In her youth, all she wanted was to be a good dog. She never peed in the house (except a few odd times when she “framed” Stanley, and then when she was old and couldn’t help it). She was the perfect basset duo with Stanley. She was the best columnist dog ever with her Dear Cleo column in the GGBR Newsletter for nearly ten years. She was CJ’s muse for the beautiful song, “Cleo.” She was the perfect, gentlest big sister to the human baby Max. As he grew older, she taught him to be gentle with dogs as she developed arthritis. She was a surrogate mommy to baby Jeffrey, and she taught him how to be a good boy, too. She was always perfect for a snuggle, and she knew how to tell us how happy she was to be loved with her soft purr when she was petted. Once, when we got stranded on a deserted highway and had to wait 2 hours for AAA, she purred with happiness just because she loved being all together as a family. Her sweetness was palpable. She was an Alvarez family favorite — even Grandma Irma, who was never a dog person, loved her for her sweetness. She didn’t have a mean bone in her body. As she aged, we saw how she had life all figured out. She had no worries. She knew who she was. She knew all she wanted in life. (Affection, a comfy duvet and neck pillow, proximity to CJ, sniffing the air, napping on our porch, and delicious meat.) She was CJ’s soulmate, but also the perfect dog and my daughter. She was born in Douglasville, Georgia, just like CJ. She loved us, and we loved her more than I can say. Cleo passed away in Sept 2025, at the wonderful age of 16. May her memory be a blessing. Laura and CJ

Columbo
Columbo unfortunately passed away on December 7, 2009 after a rapid deterioration in his symptoms. An inoperable brain tumor is suspected to be the cause. RIP Columbo (and many thanks to the Bart-Johnsons who gave him such loving care in his last months). Columbo was an owner-surrender who we took on knowing that he had something neurological going on. Sandi Bart-Johnson and her family stepped up to be his foster home, and it soon became obvious that he was going to stay a forever foster as his seizures had never been treated medically before. Columbo was loved with all their heart, and came to the Novato Waddle in July, where he was much admired by all. He seemed very happy that day, and we are so glad that he got to share a waddle with us. We know that Columbo had the best of care over the last year and knew soft, warm beds and good food, and a family who cared for him through all the trauma of seizures that were getting worse and worse. He had recently lost the use of his legs and it was obvious that he was not going to get better. Even then, it was a very hard decision to have to let him journey on to the Rainbow Bridge, where I am sure he is now leading the pack in a joyous romp to the buffet! RIP sweet Columbo.