We got to meet Lou on a warm fall day in October 2002. We fell in love with him right away. He must have loved us too because he didn’t even want to have his picture taken, he just jumped right in the car and was ready to go. He was very quite on the ride home, but once we arrived he was ready to go. He was checking out all the sites, and of course he had to scope out the couch to find just the right spot for him. Lou was such a great dog. He never caused any problems and all he did was love us. He was stubborn but mostly because he was so spoiled. Lou passed away in October 2004 from a heart murmur and diabetes. He would have been ten in December of 2004. He is very sadly missed and loved.

Dear Lou:

I am writing this to pay tribute to my good friend Lou. Lou, you were my best friend. You always loved everyone and wouldn’t hurt a fly. We will always remember how you always loved your treats and the way you would get upset if someone was in your seat on the couch. I will never forget the way that you looked over mom and brought her so much joy. I will never forget the rides in the car and the long walks you took with her because they meant so much to the both of you. Then came that October day when we had to let you go for the better. I wish I never had to write this letter.

We’ll miss you young buddy,
Love,
Derek.

They were so happy they found a home for you, But we were blessed because we got you.
You were such a good boy and brought me so much joy. I miss you so because there will never be another so special as you, My little boy Lou.

Love always,
Grammy

Over the last 8 years, we've had an opportunity to see hundreds of wonderful Bassets come into rescue and then go to wonderful homes. Two of the most exceptional dogs ended up staying at our home - the experience was life changing for us.

Homer was dropped off here by his former owner and his grandson because they hadn't provided for Homer in their new house. Even though they'd had him since he was 8 weeks old, they left him here and drove away. Homer sat at the front door for a week, waiting for them to come back. After that, he became our dog. And what a dog he was.

Homer became the elder spokesman for the group and was quietly in charge. Once a day, usually in the morning, Homer would stick his nose in the air and begin to howl. Immediately, all the others would join in. What a beautiful sound it was. He was also perfectly proper all the time, as he never had an accident of any kind inside during his 4 years here. Had Homer been a human, he would always have worn a sport coat because it would have been the "classy" thing to do.

When Homer's cancer was discovered, treatment was started and Homer became the perfect patient. Dr. Cronin would always remark that Homer would walk in, lie down and not move for treatments, some of them extending for an hour or more. He beat the cancer for 2 1/2 years until it came back to claim him.

Wilma came to our home from Helping Hands Rescue in Texas. There was something about her picture and, after talking with Francye Hutchins, we decided to adopt her as she was being transported within 2 hours from us. Her story was also one that we couldn't put out of our mind - she had been an indoor, happy dog until a new husband came into the house. He then moved her outside and left her there during all the weather that Texas sees in the summer, especially severe thunderstorms. She became deathly afraid when a storm approached, something that she retained during her stay here.

When she first came, she was very quiet and wanted nothing to do with the other dogs. For the first month, she slept and ate in the hallway. We'd have to use a collar and leash to get her past the other dogs so she wouldn't try to bite them (that would have been difficult since she had no front teeth). Then she suddenly began to mellow and became one of the team.

Her job here was to guard the yard from squirrels. She would sit at the back fence for hours and stare out, watching for those nasty intruders. And she was the official "beggar" for the carrot treats that all the bassets love. When she decided it was time for carrots, she would announce, at the top of her lungs, "woo, woo, woo.". She always did it in threes! When the others would hear that, they would head for the door at top speed. It was quite a sight - the sadness is that we will not ever experience that again. Wilma ended up in a home that loved her - she was very happy. She also fought a great battle with her cancer that finally claimed her after 1 1/2 years.

Homer and Wilma were rescue Bassets but they were ours. They have had an effect on us that will never be duplicated. Words cannot describe how special they were and how much we miss them.

Larry & Emmy Little

"I thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday,
And days before that too.
I think of you in silence.
I often speak your name.
Now all I have are memories
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake,
With which I'll never part.
God has you in His keeping,
I have you in my heart."

Tom & Tevis Teuscher

Dear Baxter,

We miss you. We remember all the fun times we had and we are glad that you were able to come and be part of our family. We are sorry that you were not with us for very long, but we were truly honored to know you. Thanks for trusting us and letting us get to know you. We were very proud to be your foster parents and we think of you often. Please know that we will love you always…

Love, Mom & Dad and all your foster brothers & sister

(Angie & Jerry White… and Arthur, Lucy, Lucky, Huckleberry & Gus)

Although you came to our family when you were already about 3, we had the joy of sharing 13 years with you. You were a good friend to us all, even the children in the neighborhood cried when they found out you were gone.

You were always gentle and happy, even when you lost your sight. You made a lot of people smile, Fish man. We hope you're smiling now, forever.

Thank you for waiting for me to get back from my trip so that we could say our good-byes. Wait for me at the bridge, fellow. We love you.

Our beloved little gal, Heidiho, went to the bridge yesterday, Sept 1st. Words can not express the deep feeling of sadness and emptyness in our hearts. It feels as if there is a hole large enough in all of our hearts for a Mac truck to drive thru.

This is our first pet to have sent to the bridge, and it is so hard not having her floppy ears and waggy tail to fill our days.

Thank you. Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to have had the best little basset in the world! Without you and the organization, we never would have had the chance for her to change our lives. Thank you for all the work that you do.

Sincerely,
The Huxhold Family

I Live Among God's Creatures Now

"I live among God's Creatures now
In the heavens of your mind
So do not grieve for me, my friend
As I am with my kind"

"My collar is a rainbow's hue
My leash a shooting star
My boundaries are the Milky Way
Where I sparkle from afar."

"There are no pens or kennels here
For I am not confined
But free to roam God's heavens
Among my doggie kind."

The trees are full of liver treats
And tennis balls abound
And Milkbones line the walking ways
Just waiting to be found."

"I drink from waters laced with gold
My world a beauty to behold
And wise old dogs do form my pride
To amble at my very side."

"At night I sleep in angel's arms
Their wings protecting me
And moonbeams dance about us
As stardust falls on thee."

"So when your life on earth is spent
And you reach Heaven's gate
Have no fear of loneliness
For here, you know I wait."

Author unknown

Words cannot express the loss we feel for you. You were taken from us much, much too soon. When the doctor told us you had cancer it was like a boulder fell on our hearts. The weight of hearing that news was unbearable. I still remember the day your daddy brought you home….St. Patrick’s day 1999. You were a surprise. He had you hidden in the truck and when I opened the door and there was your adorable face. It was a little cold so when I put you on the ground you started to shake. I scooped you up and held you close to my heart too keep you warm. That is where you stayed ever since. You were the perfect puppy and grew up to be the perfect companion. We could tell everything you were thinking from the expression on your face…and you could read our minds. I miss you staring at me at night to put you to bed. Our routine….you got in your bed (with your blanket of course, had to have that), a bedtime biscuit, and a kiss on the head. I miss you sitting on the back of the couch like a cat with your head on my chest. I miss you crying at your toy box until I found you just the right bone nub to chew on. I miss you finding me a present when I come home: a ball, a bone, a toy, whatever you could find. I miss you waking up your sister on the weekend with so many kisses she could barely breathe. I miss you sitting with your dad ANYTIME he sat on the floor. I miss you sitting on my feet while I do the dishes. I miss you doing every trick in your repertoire when we grabbed a biscuit…even though we hadn’t asked you to do anything. I guess you just figured you’d cover all the bases. Why waste time right? I miss your smell, your touch, your paws…we just miss YOU.

We still greet you every morning because we know you are still here with us. We just bought you a home with a yard so you could go out whenever you wanted. It is still hard for us to think that you had only a few months to enjoy it. Thank you Droopy for finding your way to us and making our life complete. You brought us joy and laughter every day. Even when you were bad (like eating that $20 bill) we could never stay mad at you….and boy did you know that. We grieve for you every day but we know you couldn’t fight any longer. You tried telling us for days; spending all your time away from us, not eating, no affection. But it took us awhile to come around. I know now that you are no longer in pain. No more suffering. We will love and miss you forever. We will never ever forget our first son, our Droopy Doggie.

Love Mommy, Daddy, and Jena.

Thanks for your love and your courage. You are at the "Bridge." Your leg is straight, your mouth is whole, and your love for us still strong. Please know that we did everything and fought the fight by your side. Wait for us and forever be our hero.

We love and miss you so much. The emptiness inside can only be filled with the memories of your love for us, your refusal to give up, and your happy life.

Carl & Camille Munson

She knew she could just about get anything she wanted, whether it was from us or the teller at the bank, by just looking at you with those beautiful dark eyes. I really believed she had this special something, (we called it "The I Am So Cute Look"!!!!) I really believe this is true - all you have to do is look at her. We miss you Luscious and we will always love you too.

Tom and Tina Maurer

At the end, we cry
But you have gone to the place
Where you run with fast feet
And love, drool, smell, lick, pant, eat, play
and live life for eternity.
I love you
I miss you
And I will see you down the road.

Kerry & Nancy Smith

Words cannot explain the pain I feel in my heart and the sorrow that I feel, but I am writing this letter in honor of you. You were my roommate and my best friend. No matter how the day started, I knew it would end well coming home to you. From the first day I saw you, I could not believe you were mine. I felt like the luckiest girl alive.

Sometimes when I come home, I have the urge to honk my horn twice and picture you running out of the barn and jumping up in the car as I open the door. I miss you following me around the house when I do yard work. The paths you created were quite the masterpiece. I'm not sure if grass will ever grow there again. I miss your whine when I talked to you. It was as if you knew exactly what I was saying. I miss giving you belly rubs and cuddling up next to you for "must see tv." Your television debut on "Sammy's Stars" is something I will cherish forever.

I just want you to know how very much I love you. Please forgive me for taking you everywhere with me. I know you weren't too fond of car rides but I loved showing you off. There is not one person that knew you who did not love you. I hope that you are enjoying your new home and I cannot wait for the day when we meet again.

Suzy -- I will never forget you.

Love,

Your Mommy (Lindsey Schilling)

Dear Maybel,
Thank you for everything
Thank you for kisses
Thank you for warm snuggles on the couch
Thank you for the songs you sang when we would come home
Thank you for loving your brothers & sisters
Thank you for making us laugh when we needed it most
Thank you for being beautiful inside and out
Thank you for being strong
Thank you for cheering us up when we were sad
Thank you for sleeping with mommy when she was sick
Thank you for reminding everyone how great seniors can be
Thank you for showing people that everyone needs rescuing now and then
Thank you for sharing your golden years with us
Thank you for letting us know when it was time for you to go
You are one special, special girl who will never be replaced
Your time with us was short but truly cherished
Please look for us at the bridge
We miss you and will love you always...

Mom and Dad
(Angie & Jerry White)

1990 - November 20, 2003

In 2001, GABR said you were the Queen
at home, the teacher in you, was more frequently seen
barking orders from atop your recliner
handing out judgements both major and minor
our fosters learned you were more than a little driven
everyone loved you - that was a given

You were a rare and precious gift
at a time when I desperatley needed a lift
Another senior basset Uncle Larry sent my way
I'm forever grateful - more than mere words can say

Sleep tight my dear sweet teacher
Mama will be right here
time to dry my tears
The milky way is in sight
this morning another basset entered heaven
and tonight everything's going to be alright

Jeanie Prien