Sunshine

Sunshine made the trip from Eureka to Napa yesterday. She did just fine. She threw up in the car after about an hour, but was okay for the next four hours on the trip down. We stopped frequently so she could do “sniffums” and stretch her legs (and ours.) In Napa we took her to the local pet store, Pet Express, where the clerks fell all over themselves loving her. We got her a new collar and leash, some treats and her new name tag with my info on it. Came home and convinced her to take her medication for the foxtail injury. Then, into the tub for a wonderful oatmeal/aloe bath. Sunshine is the first dog I’ve ever had doesn’t know how to play with a ball. We’ll work on that! We’re setting up an appointment with a vet to check her out. And will get her license ASAP. Sending the contract today and will pay via Paypal. She’s settling in nicely. No accidents in the house last night and she ate a small dinner. This morning, she had a nice breakfast, then went out to explore the yard. Later, we’ll take her for a walk. She is such a sweet dog! Here she is in the garden.

Delilah

Escapades with bassets… There is no denying that dog ownership is a true responsibility as well as a privilege. In the case of caring for bassets, we are rewarded daily with sloppy ears calling for a gentle wipe, occasional puddles of liquid love around their food bowls (calling for a paper towel or two) and the opportunity to turn our serious selves over to comic relief. We have welcomed all of these with our latest adoption from Golden Gate Bassets. Our little girl Dilala (she is quite smallish for a basset) started calling to us with her hopeful eyes from the GGB website. She introduced herself with a brief description about her qualities, but somehow she forgot to mention how quickly she would be willing to give us an abundance of love. When you open yourself up to be adopted by a basset, the only thing which you might risk is a shortage of time: maybe too little time for cleaning the house, but definitely more time for lying on the floor massaging the folds in your bassets neck or inventing a new game to play with your idle socks which your dog will find, wherever you keep them. Each dog, adult or puppy, comes with a unique background, their own history, but all offer the opportunity to love. Our only “job” is to provide the environment in which they can express themselves and become their best, most happy selves. The happiness we receive for giving them a chance at this is unlimited. We are more than a little in love with our basset, as you can tell. We are so glad that she is in our family (she has joined Bella, also a basset, and Murphy, a mini-dachshund). Our pets insisted that she stay also, they even offered a cherished spot on our sofa for her. We are most appreciative of the care and concern that GGB offers in giving all of these adoptable pets a new lease (leash!) on life. They do a great job and are most appreciated. Right Diliala? She is nodding in agreement!

Fred Davis

This is the story of my new friend Fred, who has had a rocky road to say the least. I first heard about "Henry" from a friend's mother about 10 months ago. At the time, which was on a Wednesday mind you, I had planned to travel to my best friend's house in Sacramento, California. I met up with his brother at his parents-in-law's house to hitch a ride. I do not know how the conversation started, but his mother in law and I started talking about my roomate's basset hound, Toby. She quickly grew excited and asked if we were looking for another basset. It so happens she knew of one in dire need to be rescued. I called my roomate, not knowing of the severity of the situation, however he said he has his hands full (as all basset hound owners know). When I declined, she revealed a tad bit more information. Apparrantly, a two year old, red basset hound by the name of "Henry" was scheduled to be euthanized that Saturday! Being the animal lover, especially dogs, could not fathom the killing of a 2 year old. Especially a basset hound!? Asking for the number of the rescuer, I tried, with all the resources I could muster to find "Henry" a suitable home. No success. Then the news of a lifetime! My roomate, being a basset owner for 9 years, told me it was time for me to get my first dog, and he would assist me with his experience to at least foster this dog. So, I called up the rescuer and relayed what my roomate discussed and set up a time to pick up "Henry". Then, the atomic bomb. The reasons for euthenasia. She said she hasn't really met the dog, but he was surrendered because he was food aggressive, child aggressive, showed aggression toward other animals, and had severe jealousy issues. That information would have changed everything in the beginning. This was to be my first dog!? A hell hound!? I was even told a professional spent 7 days with him and deemed him "untrainable". I went anyway. We met the rescuer at her house. When she pulled up I was so nervous I was sure this dog was going to sense it and we would have a problem. She opened the side door of her van, and out lumbers a sea lion with ears! He was huge!!!! We locked eyes, his ears went forward, and he waddled over, sat on my feet and it was over from there. I fell in love! Now its ten months later, and Fred is fine. A few issues the first month, but all in all a great loveable hound who loves to lounge, cuddle, and play with his bone! I couldn't have asked for a better friend and soon we will travel home to Florida and live our lives to the fullest.

Ricky

Ricky: a Success Story We adopted Ricky in October of 2008 and he has been a fantastic addition to our family, a perfect fit. He is smart, mellow, playful and so sweet! He loves kids and he loves other dogs. We take him to a local dog park and he is in heaven. I feel so fortunate to have discovered him through the Golden Gate Bassett Rescue. We could not have found a better dog for the needs of our family!

Sunshine (was Bailey)

SUNSHINE (originally named Bailey) Wow, its been almost a year since Sunshine came into our lives. We were originally only going to foster her but four hours into taking care of her we realized there was no way she was leaving our care. Sunshine was about twelve to fourteen months old when we got her from GGBR. We went to go pick her up at the Hayward shelter and the staff there were so sad to see her go. She was a little tentative when we got her but warmed up to us almost immediately. The first night she stayed with us, I put her in a dog bed in the hallway where she was going to sleep. It took me more than twenty times to get her to stay there instead of sleeping with us in our bedroom. I had read how stubborn and willful the breed is and knew from the get go, that I had to establish who was the dominant female in the family. A challenge that has diminished greatly (that’s not to say she conveniently forgets her name when she wants to). Although now that she’s so in our hearts its hard to say no when she jumps up on the bed to say goodnight or to take a “nap” with either me or my husband. She is one of the sweetest creatures I have ever encountered. I know I am bias but every single person who passes her on the street or meets her comments on how beautiful and cute she is. See the attached pictures. She makes us laugh and chuckle every day. And she is not only cute but very smart, willful as all get out and an amazing runner! One of the funniest things is to see her flying around Joaquin Miller Dog Park with her ears flapping as she chases the larger dogs. And folks respond, ”Wow, she’s really fast!” Another of her favorite things to do is to make friends at Point Isabel. She recently has discovered swimming and now likes going into the ocean or into the water to play with other dogs. Adopting Sunshine was one of the best things my husband and I have done during our newlywed year. I feel like we have a real family. Five months ago we adopted a kitten so Sunshine can have a play partner and its amazing to see them wrestle, chase and play with one another…complete joy is in our home. I wish we had a larger house and more time so we could foster at least one more basset but I’m hoping as Sunshine continues to get more settled we can foster another beautiful basset. When we first got Sunshine, folks would stop us on the street and exclaim how they grew up with bassets and how they love the breed. I was a little surprised at the passion and vehemence at how folks extolled the virtues of the breed. And now, since we have one of our own, I understand the extreme delight of a basset hound owner. I am truly a convert now. Can’t wait until next year’s Waddle…it was our first GGBR event and such an amazing time. At least three times a week of extol the wonders and importance of GGBR and tell everyone who we meet that if they are interested in fostering or adopting this wonderful breed they should contact GGBR. I hope that some people have followed up on the wonderful opportunity to bring bassets into wonderful, loving homes.