Jackson
It is with great sadness that I inform you that Jackson passed away today. He became ill suddenly, and exploratory surgery revealed what we think is cancer that involved several major organs. We only had Jack for about 1 1/2 years. We originally fostered him, then adopted him when we just couldn't let him go. His favorite thing was getting a boost up onto the bed every evening. He loved to be loved, and he got lots of that here. We're so happy we decided to adopt him, especially now knowing he didn't have much time left. Jackson will have a special place in our hearts. Carol Niles Jones

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

Marlo Holley
It is with very heavy hearts that we announce that we lost our precious angel, Marlo Holley, adopted from NTBHR as a youngin’, tag #209. She passed quietly, head in my hands on December 29, 2008 after a month of illness and several months of Alzheimer like behavior. She’d begun a round of antibiotics and day two had a gran maul seizure that lasted over 40 minutes by the time we got her to the emergency hospital and was not much better hours later. It was then they determined she had a brain tumor. Once back at home, she exhibited confusion, melancholy but never lost her joy for us or her will and need for love. Another seizure was to follow and it was to be her last. Marlo was the most wonderful personality I’ve ever had in my life! She was not a canine, nor a dog, she was a very loved family member and the center of our worlds the majority of time. As she got older and needed hernia repair, she recovered like the trooper she was. She had the most amazing and loving spirit of any creature I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. She loved her “babies”, hiding her bones and anything else of value she could get her precious paws on. She was a super sleuth at hiding her little treasures in company’s overnight bags, under the dirty clothes pile waiting to be washed, under a pillow or in a corner half heartedly hidden by the bottom of a drape. She loved her belly-rubbing’s more than anything and would quickly go to sleep only to wake up as soon as you quit. She sweetly would sit by you and nudge your hand to put it on her had….from day one she always wanted someone’s hand on her head. Although she suffered from arthritis and aging, she was a trooper to the end. I like to remember her as the wonderfully loving gal I brought home from Flower Mound to my new home and watching her sleep in bed with my daughter how they’d chase each other around the house as if they were really going to get one another! I miss her freely given kisses, her paws that always smelled like Fritos, the bottom of her wet ears when she’d get a drink. I will forever miss her welcoming and loving AHRRROOOOOOO’s when we came home or played with her. She was quite the smart hound, learning in old age to “speak” for her treats and to catch them from any distance so accurately without hardly moving. She was truly a joy in our lives and is missed tremendously. We chose to have her cremated so she’ll always be with us in spirit and I know she is in a much better place feeling no pain and playing gleefully with lots of other bassets and those lesser species as well! Ma’ and Dena love you so much pretty girl, bless you and we’ll see you again when our times come.

Lizzie Rose
Queen Elizabeth was the given name by NTBHR. She was affectionately renamed LIZZIE ROSE when she joined my life on July 21, 2007. We had quite a run - went to our first Basset Shuffle - took first prize for costume, second prize for hat and the best prize - 2nd place for largest feet. . Imagine giving a woman a prize for large feet. I can hear those "Sweet Feet" running in back of me - if I stopped too quickly, Lizzie would run into the back of my legs. Sometimes I would do that on purpose. She was a prize of Bassets . She filled 15 months of my life with warmth, companionship and love. Lizzie didn't bark until I took her to the dog park with the other Basset Beauties, and there, after the run of the hounds, she started to bark. Quite a sight and sound for us all. I soon realized Lizzie didn't hear very well - hardly at all - and wish she had heard all those compliments and all that praise she deserved. I know she knew. I touched her head or hugged her or poked her each time she was near. I wanted her to know she was safe and wanted. Lizzie battled through many ailments, many trips to the Vet - a lot of pain and discomfort, but still remained always at my side. Pancreatitis was too much for Lizzie Rose and our precious run came to an end on October 20, 2008. I don't regret those short 15 months, I don't regret adopting Lizzie. She strengthened my soul. My sweet Lizzie Rose. Belly Rubs to Lizzie, Claudia Ruzanic

Tracker
In memory of Tracker Mitchell 11/96 — 5/8/08 In July of 2000, I signed up to foster a basset hound. By August a sweet 4 year old boy, who was now at his third home (in 4 yrs), came up our driveway. He was a little unsure, but excited to be here. As his previous owners, of two years, drove away he was a bit confused, but soon realized he could easily adjust to this rather plush life. He came to live with my other basset Chloe and me, in Stephenville, TX, where he became a certified college dog. A month later there was a family interested in adopting Tracker, but they needed a picture to see if he was “BASSET” ENOUGH! Then and there it was decided, Tracker would have a permanent home, with the Mitchells! Tracker Mitchell lived with Chloe and me, from August of ’00 until I graduated in December of ’02. He was the greatest college dog ever! He even came to class with me. The college friends and bands we met along the way still talk about him! After 2 ½ years of college he went to a new owner, my mom! Tracker and my mom formed an unbelievable bond! When Chloe and I moved out, he stayed with my parents and became an official “barrel racing basset” (my parents go to barrel races throughout Texas and Oklahoma)! Tracker was always along for the ride, especially since he was always allowed to “go trackin”! As Tracker aged his life only improved, he ate filet mignon, salmon, and pork tenderloin regularly! On Thursday, May 8, 2008 Tracker unexpectedly passed away. While a major part of our lives are lost, he left us in a true basset fashion. He was constantly in trouble for getting in the flower bed, so he decided it would be the best place to take his last nap. We are still struggling with our loss, but know he made it to the Rainbow Bridge. The line in Rainbow Bridge reads, “Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster“, but we know Tracker and he will most likely mosey, get a little side tracked, and have to mark some things on his way. Tracker made every day a little more entertaining and although he is missed, he was a great blessing! We miss you Tracker Boy! Joe, Susie, Melanie, and Chloe Mitchell