Bailey 7/12/07
It's been a very sad day around here. Today we decided to send Bailey to the Rainbow Bridge. She had a great long life (she just turned 13 earlier this month) but her body just gave out. Her last 9 years were with us. She was NTBHR #223 and our first BH adopted from NTBHR, back in 1998. She was 4 years old and an owner surrender from a couple who had just had a baby. She and the baby did not get along. How lucky we were that it did not matter to us how she got along with kids. It wasn't that she did not like kids, but more that she did not like being surprised and kids have a way of sneaking up on sleeping dogs to pet them. We didn't mind that, we just learned to be sure she was awake before we touched her. She came to us with full AKC papers and champion blood lines from a well respected breeder in Arizona (not that we could care), but she lived her life like a true champion. Her name was Fancy Rea, but that just didn't fit her, so we changed it to Bailey (she was a red & white and her red was so light it looked like Bailey's Irish Cream). Boy did we ever pick an appropriate name as she lived up to every bit of her Irish name. She was a true red headed Irish bitch. She was born to be a queen and never let anyone think otherwise. Let me tell you, she was very vocal about letting both 4 leggers and 2 leggers know she was the queen. She was the leader of our pack and will be greatly missed. Poor Roscoe is just lost right now. Of course the youngsters, Millie & Ellwood haven't got a clue. It will be a quiet night around here.....too quiet. Karen and furbabies Bailey (ATB 7/12/07), Roscoe, Millie & Elwood

Bailey Mae
Bailey Mae – 12/14/2000 – 4/3/2009 Our precious lace eared girl. You never meet a stranger, man or beast. I knew you were the one, the first day I saw you. You picked us out and it was love at first sight. You were a great sister and companion to your sister Howling Hannah. We adopted Hannah from NTBHR so you would have a friend and y’all were best buds from the first day. The two of you never ever had a quarrel or squabble. Bailey was never sick a day in her life till 4/2/09. She refused breakfast that morning and I was checking her over and thought she was bloating. Dr. McClister said he didn’t think it was bloat but he wanted to do some x-rays and there on the x-ray showed a large mass on her liver.. We had blood test and sonogram ran and brought you home hoping we had more time with you but you let us know the next day you were in pain and it was time to help you on your journey to the Rainbow Bridge. Our hearts are broken but we know you aren’t hurting. Hannah and your Moms miss you so much. Love you Bailey, our sweet beautiful girl. Gail Russell and Marsha Freeman

Billy
Eddie saw a sign at his work that said free basset so he immediately called me. I told him to tell the lady we would pick him up that night. He took to us and rolled over for some tummy rubs. We asked the lady why she would give away such a beautiful Basset. She said they had found him starving on the street. He became her husband’s dogs, but when they got a divorce she couldn’t handle all the dogs so she chose him to go. My heart immediately went out to the poor guy and I knew he must be given a home where he would be loved forever. We drove home and he wasn’t quite sure why he was being taken away. Johnny and Angie didn’t seem too pleased with our new addition. It was a long night. All he did was cry. We thought he missed his old family, which I’m sure he did. However, it turned out he is a nonstop crier unless he is happily in your lap then he would moan with pleasure. This was the first picture I ever took of him. You can tell he is not yet comfortable and a little on the skinny side. This was his first morning with us. I can’t remember if it was Angie or Johnny who began playing with him first. Once the other saw the other playing with Billy s/he joined in. They ran up and down the hall and it warmed me to see him being welcomed. Billy and I bonded very quickly and I found he had a loving heart. We spent a lot of time cuddling and hugging. First he’d put his front paws on my legs and then he’d wrap them around my neck. Every day I came home and this was the first thing we did. He had a comforting way about him. Whenever I needed one I’d yell “Hugs” and he’d come running to hug me. I loved holding him and looking into his eyes, which had a calming effect on me. He was our handsome man. His eyes were hazel. They were almost always green, but when fall came around they turned brown. He had long, thick ears that were always complimented. His body was long with gorgeous markings of black, red, and white. His chest always seemed cold and his belly warm from all the rubbings. His feet were so big and Bassety. His butt was round with two little dimples on it. His fur was softer than silk. He absolutely loved going to the park. On weekend mornings he would chase me around crying until he finally got his way and off to the park we went. Well first I had to get him in the car. I know he could jump in, but somehow he trained me to put him in. I’d put his front paws on the seat first and then I’d pick up his back feet and start pushing him in. As time went on he would just stand there so I had to push his body in all by myself. I can’t tell you how many times people laughed at me at the park. Some dogs walk, some dogs run, but do they trot? Billy had the cutest little trot. His body would just sway back and forth in such a happy bounce. He loved to stop at every sign and tree possible so he could mark it three times. When he didn’t get his way he’d put on the Basset brakes and refuse to move. Eventually one of us would give in. He always had trouble keeping up with the other dogs, but he walked my speed so we took our time enjoying our walk. When it came to food he was also quite self sufficient. One day the kids passed on breakfast so I just put the bowls on the kitchen table. In the afternoon I heard a strange noise from the kitchen. I walk out and Billy was on his way to my office with a bowl of food. He had stood up and grabbed a bowl off the table. He did a good job of not losing too many kibbles. Billy was big on eating in whatever room I was in. Sometimes I’d see him pick up the bowls and once his mouth had a nice firm hold on it he would trot a little faster. He was also a thief if not watched closely. I made the mistake of leaving my peanut butter sandwiches on my desk unsupervised. When I returned I found Billy enjoying one of my sandwiches. He loved little stuffed animals (particularly Pooh & friends). He would grab one and throw it up into the air with his mouth and catch it. He’d continue doing that as he ran through the house. It never failed to make me laugh. I called it juggling. He would love to play with his siblings. They’d race through the house and/or backyard barking at the top of their lungs. When it came to play time with me he would rush to me and want belly rubs. In fact, anytime he could get to me he would typically want a belly rub or a hug. Billy was very vocal. He had a loud and deep bark. Every time he’d go outside he always had to announce he was out there. His howl was gorgeous. He didn’t do it often, but with enough convincing he generally would or when he was having trouble getting on the couch. His lips would form a perfect circle and then he’d let out one howl, maybe two then make these cute sounds like he was trying to catch his breath and do another. He was a talker. He called me mama, told me he loved me, asked for hugs, asked me to come here, etc. He’d come and cry until you gave him and let him sit on you. He would then moan so cutely that whatever it was I stopped in the middle of was worth it. Other times he would roll around on his back making cute sounds. He loved his siblings. Angie was the closest too him as they loved chasing squirrels every morning.. Willow groomed him. She always licked up all his tears. And then there’s Johnny who had a love/hate relationship with him. He got me through a lot of hard times. He became one of my Basset doctors who was there for me and gave me strength to fight to live on. He was also a wonderful psychologist. Sometimes just telling him my problems made me feel better and again those eyes calmed me. We were best friends until the very end. Look how happy we were. Billy is now my angel and I know he’ll continue to guide me through my life. He will be missed until the day we reunite. We’ll hug, he’ll get a belly rub, and then we’ll run off together never to be separated again.

Buddy

About 5 years ago Buddy came into my life as a foster and of course I failed. I adopted him and we had the best 5 years ever. He had the sweetest soul and gave me so much love.  On September 12, 2015 I lost Buddy to Heart Failure.  I know he is so happy now he can run and have so much fun with his friend Rusty.  Buddy you are so missed.  Mom Terrell

Buddy 6/18/07
MAY I GO May I go now? Do you think the time is right? May I say goodbye to pain filled days and long restless nights? I have lived my life and done my best, an example, I tried to be. So can we take that step beyond and set my spirit free? I did not want to go at first; I fought with all my might. But something seems to draw me now to a warm and loving light. You know it is part of God's great plan, which makes it difficult to stay. But I will try for you, as best I can to live for just one more day. To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears. I know you are sad and afraid, because I see your tears. I will not be far, I promise that, and hope you will always know that my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go. Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you, too. That is why it is hard to say goodbye and end this life with you. So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say, because you care so much for me, you will let me go today. -author unknown He left us much in the same fashion as when he found us; no fanfare, no bells, no whistles, he seemed to know that he was going home much as he knew he was home the day he walked through our front door as a foster on November 1, 2000. Buddy left this earthly existence very peacefully wrapped in my arms with Gaylon stroking his head. I hope tonight he is feasting on steak at the Bridge with an appetite that is enormous and never ending. I know that releasing him from his earthly container that would no longer cooperate is the kindest love gift of all. I just wish I didn't hurt so much. Rest in peace my dear, sweet Buddy. You were loved and you loved in return. We can ask no more than that. Cathi