Riley
Reepa’s Ready Riley, (May 22, 2000-January 7, 2014). Handsome, quiet and loving, that was our Riley. We adopted Riley in October 2010, when his previous owners divorced and turned him over to GGBR. Mark and I never imagined that we would ever adopt such a magnificent dog as Riley. He was big and beautiful, with a happy, gentle, quiet personality. Riley had been a winning show dog for the first year of his life, but when Riley was a year old, he had grown too tall to continue in the show ring, so he was sold to a pet home where he lived until he was 10 years old. His coming to GGBR at age 10 was our good fortune. Riley and our basset, Billy took to each other from the start and were the best of brothers. Whenever they were reunited after being separated, they were always giddy to see each other again. As much as Mark and I miss Riley, we know that Billy misses him more. Rest in peace, Riles. You are loved and missed. Fran, Mark and Billy Madden, January 2014

Hank
Hank was our first Basset and found us through the GGBR. We adopted him through the pound in Emeryville, CA. Boy it was rough going in the beginning as Hank, then a one year old, butted heads with me over some rules to live by in our family. We won't mention what it was out of respect…and it was so long ago. But we pulled out of it and made a family with my wife Norie. > > We figure Hank was around 1 years young when he adopted us, so that means we spent the next 11.5 years together. Hank never saw the inside of a kennel. Which means I haven't been anywhere farther than I can drive or that doesn't allow dogs/pets for vacation. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. It just means that we spent all of our time together as a family and never parted. > > Hank began each day getting out our bed…usually between us, under the covers, on one of our pillows. Right side up, diagonal, or upside down, you never knew what end you were going to see when you opened your eyes in the morning. But one of us was usually spooning and cuddling him as he purred and pushed into it. When he was done with the necessary, he would get a cookie and hop onto the couch for a nap while we tried to wake up with some coffee. Around 8:00am, Hank would get his breakfast. I won't get into specifics right here, but his meals were hand prepared by me and tailored after what a wolf might eat. Hank would have a similar meal, but always different in the evening. Between meals, each day was different. There would be walks, treats, trips, time at home, some work, drives, naps, playing, friends houses, and on and on. And more of the same after dinner and between crawling into bed with us at the end of the day. This was one of his favorite times. We'd go outside for our last "potty" and then go inside to the kitchen for a treat…usually a piece of meat. Then he'd run off to bed, either jump up when he was younger or look to me for help when he was older. As soon as his feet hit the sheets, he would turn and look up with the most anticipation in his eyes for that one last little bit of food…which of course I had in my hands or mouth and ready for him. Then it was head on the pillow, covers, and spooning with Norie as the lights went off. He loved ending the day as much as he loved starting the day…always looking for the next adventure. > > We adopted Walter through the LVBR when Hank was around 4 years old. Walter passed a little over 2 years ago. I'm so glad that Hank got to spend about 6 years of his life having a brother…another dog in the family. Having two really brings personality traits out of each dog that you would never see just having one in the house. Walter has been waiting at the bridge for you Hank... > > I'm proud to say that Hank always ate the best, had the most attention and love, never wanted for anything that couldn't be given, always had something to look forward to with each new day, had the best care and husbandry, the best medical attention, and his best interests at the heart of every decision I've ever made during his whole life. He has been with us since we got married 12 years ago and has been our child plain and simple. > > I'm so thankful for GGBR and the work that is done there for these dogs. We found Hank and Hank found us through the rescue. I can't even imagine how different our lives would have been without GGBR and Hank…and I don't want to. We had some great times and met a lot of friends being members these past 12 years…and we plan to continue through the rest of our lives. > > Thanks, > Joe and Norie.

Sebastian
With heavy hearts Sebastian left us and has gone to the Rainbow Bridge on August 20, 2013. We are very sad and heart broken as Sebastian, aka "Papa", was a big part of our family who brought laughter in our home every day. We called him Papa,but he responded to Sebastian as well, as he had the mannerisms of an old man and he is funny to watch. Sebastian came to us on January 15, 2010 along with another basset named Walter. My husband and Sebastian bonded right away and they took the journey to Kansas together this past January 2013, where we now live. Sebastian was so easy going that he made us know right away he was home and he belonged to us. He led the pack and that's without a doubt. He rallied the gang (Walter, Nikko, and Gary) when it was time for snacks, breakfast and dinner. He had an internal clock so precised that I didn't need an alarm clock as he made sure we were all up at 6am every day. We had our routine each day and night just the way he liked it and he made sure of it :) He is resting now and making his way to the Rainbow Bridge to see his fellow bassets, we have no doubt. We are missing Sebastian so much and I know Walter is too since they have been together since day one. Walter kept smelling Papa's blanket the last couple of days and no one has slept in his bed since. Sebastian was a great dog and our home will never be the same but we know life must go on and that we will all see each other again. My husband misses him dearly, we all do. Time heals all wounds and each day will get easier but Sebastian will never be forgotten in our home. We Love You Papa You Will Always Be in our Hearts and We'll See You Soon. In the meantime have fun at the Rainbow Bridge with your friends!!!

Buster Brown
Buster, who was surrendered to Golden Gate Basset Rescue in February, 2013 by a grieving widower whose wife recently died sadly has now passed away too. On June 7, 2013, he suffered a sudden paralysis that could not be treated and his new adoptive owner, in consultation with her veterinarian and GGBR, made the wrenching decision to set him free to find the rainbow bridge. In his short time with GGBR Buster won the hearts of the volunteers who transported and fostered him. Our hearts go out to his adopted mom who just welcomed him into her home in May. Buster was known for his sweet happy smile, his obsessive love for stuffed animals, his long handsome coat and bushy tail, his loving nature and his bulldozer sized frame. He was a mighty, gentle-giant among bassets and will be much missed.

Jackie
Jackie came to us from a shelter in Salinas on Thanksgiving weekend, 2009. She was 11 years old and had a three-inch-long pendulous tumor under her tail. An 11-year-old dog with an unsightly tumor sounded right up our alley, so sure enough, she landed at our house. Before the tumor could be removed and much needed dental extractions could be performed, Jackie also needed to recover from pneumonia! Jackie was a lovely dog, very sweet and gentle, and with the softest coat ever! Anyone who ever petted her remarked on how soft she was. Jackie immediately got along perfectly with our other senior dogs, Kirby and Gus. In June, 2010, Jackie had to have one of her eyes removed because of painful glaucoma. She recovered from the surgery and did fine with just one eye. Jackie attended Spring Fling, 2010, the 2010 Fourth of July Waddle in Novato, where she stood in for Queen Alice, who was unable to be there, and went camping at Lake Del Valle the week after the Waddle with some of the other GGBR members and dogs. When Gus and Kirby died in June and August, 2010, respectively, Jackie easily accepted newcomers, 7-year-old Billy in August and 10-year-old Riley in October. Jackie underwent acupuncture and prolotherapy treatment in August and September to try to slow down the progression of lameness due to arthritis. Jackie died suddenly of bloat and torsion on March 27, 2011. Jackie was laid to rest with our other departed dogs in our little cemetery in Mt Aukum. We miss our soft, sweet girl. Mark and Fran Madden, Billy and Riley. March 27, 2011.