Ten Great Reasons to Adopt a Senior Dog

1. House-trained - Older dogs are house-trained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners, and mopping or cleaning up after accidents.

2. Won't chew inappropriate items - Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.

3. Focus to learn - Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.

4. Know what "no" means - Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they hadn't learned it, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.

5. Settle in with the "pack" - Older dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.

6. Good at giving love - Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are ever so grateful for the second chance they've been given.

7. WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.

8. Instant companions - Older dogs are instant companions, ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.

9. Time for yourself - Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.

10. A good night's sleep - Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.


"Having an animal shouldn't be a right.....It should be a privilege!"

Nothing Like A Basset To Sleep With

Snooky & Becca
The 10 Dog Commandments for Responsible Owners
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you get me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, entertainment and friends. I only have you.

5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.

7. Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch, and I really don't want to do that. You always win that fight.

8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. I don't speak your language. Perhaps I'm not getting the right foods, or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You will grow old, too. You'll hope someone cares.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch," or "let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, I love you.

Written by Carol Kufner, Winwood Shephers

Missing basset hound is found after fatal crash in Paterson

 Officials say a dog that went missing after a weekend crash on a New Jersey highway that killed a Maryland man has been found unharmed.

Bodhi — a 2-year-old, 40-pound basset hound mix — was riding in a sport utility vehicle driven by his owner, 20-year-old John Everhart of Bethesda, when it overturned Sunday on Interstate 80 in Paterson.

Everhart's stepmother called Paterson Chief Animal Control Officer John De Cando on Tuesday to say a passenger who survived the crash said the dog had run away. And when a city resident reported a stray dog Thursday, officials soon identified it as Bodhi.

De Cando said the dog still had its tags and appeared to be in good health. He said one of Everhart's friends would take the dog back to Maryland, where it will be cared for by Everhart's family.

Bodhi, the missing basset-hound mix belonging to John C. Everhart, the victim of a fatal automobile crash, was found in Paterson this afternoon. Bodhi was at the Paterson Animal Shelter.

Source  The Associated Press

Snooky & The Gang

This is our precious Snooky you will be seeing a lot more of him in our future stories

Basset Hound

The Basset Hound comes from French lineage and is name mean “low”. The Basset Hound breed was deliberately bred by the friars at St. Hubert’s Abbey in medieval France for achondroplasia, a genetic disorder that causes dwarfism.

They wanted a dog with short leg and a strong body that could track a prey under the brush in dense forests. Known as the “Hush Puppy” dog, is descended from the St. Hubert’s Hound and is essentially a hunting dog much too gentle to be a guard dog.

Breed Group

Hound

Size

11 – 15 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

45 – 65 lbs

Color(s)

Basset Hounds are generally tricolor (black, tan, and white), red and white (red spots on white fur), or lemon and white.

Coat

The weather resistant coat of the Basset Hound is hard, soft, and should always be short.

Life Expectancy

About 8 – 13 years..

Personality

The Basset Hound is extremely strong and heavy for his height and it’s not a little delicate dog. Peaceful and quiet the Basset Hound love being around people and does exceptionally well with families with children and other animals. The Basset Hound is very gentle, obedient and devoted to his master but they are often very stubborn.

Care

Relatively a healthy breed the Basset Hound may suffer from ear canker, glaucoma, genetic epilepsy and bloat. Do not over feed these dogs because to much weight places too great a load on he’s long and heavy spine, also is preferable to give them two or three small meals a day instead of one big large meal. The Basset Hound is a constant shedder (more than most short haired dogs) so brushes its smooth coat with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary. Clean he’s ears once a week and trim toenails on a regular basis.

Training

Like other hounds, Basset Hounds are notoriously difficult to housebreak and obedience train since they are “stubborn”. However they do well with consistent, firm but sympathetic handling and positive reinforcement, so fun techniques work best. The Basset likes to do tricks for food, but he’s attention will drop if a reward is not present.

Activity

Normally a lazy breed and very inactive indoors, the Basset will do okay in an apartment. However, outdoors they tend to show great endurance in physical activityand will run and play for hours in a safe, fenced in area.

BassetHounds photos

I love photos of bassethounds so I thought I would share these with you.

Blogging for Basset's

Bassethound dogs are one of the most wonderful dog Ive ever had. I love all animals but for some reason I ended up with 6. Our first basset was rescued from our neighbor that didnt give a crap about him. I just wanted to write a quick blog for the day . I spend a great deal of time on our animal rights blog. Check back soon

Our story & how our babyboy changed our life

How to Support Animal Rescue Groups

Animal rescue groups save the lives of thousands of domestic animals every year, but the work isn't easy. Almost all groups function on a donation basis and need help to continue to save homeless animals. Even if you can't take in a needy dog or cat, you can still support animal rescue groups. Just follow these easy steps.
step
1
Make a monetary donation when possible or purchase items where a portion of the sale goes to an animal rescue group. Organizations use these funds for medical care, food, shelter and training. The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), the United States Humane Society, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and many others offer apparel, pet items and even personal checks to help raise money for their mission.

Step
2
Volunteer at an area shelter or with a local rescue group. They need help cleaning cages, walking dogs and feeding animals, assisting at adoption events and with general clerical work and fundraising. Even an hour or two of your time each week makes a huge difference to these groups.

Step
3
Donate items to a local rescue organization. They're in need of bedding for the animals (blankets and pillows), food, gently used collars and leashes, portable cages, dishes, as well as office supplies such as paper, envelopes, stamps and markers. Join their mailing or email list. Most groups sent out monthly newsletters detailing their specific needs.

Step
4
Spay or neuter stray animals you find in your neighborhood. Animal rescue groups are severely overcrowded, and strays (particularly cats) breed very quickly when left unaltered. They usually end up in shelters and are often put down for lack of space. Many veterinarians and city animal control offices offer discount services for strays.

Step
5
Adopt a homeless animal. A huge variety of dogs, cats and small domestic pets like rabbits and guinea pigs are available for adoption. Choose adoption over purchasing from a breeder. This frees up space for animal rescue groups to save other homeless animals. You can even find many pure-breed choices in a shelter. Visit Petfinder.com to locate a needy animal in your area 

How to Solicit Donations for an Animal Rescue Group

Animal rescue groups are often self-funded and rely on donations from the public in order to stay in operation. Donations of food, dog dishes, leashes, collars and other supplies are always in need, as are financial donations. If you want to help by soliciting more donations for your local animal rescue group, start spreading the word and working your community. The more donations you can obtain, the better off the animals will be in the future.
step
1
Make donation jars out of old coffee cans, jars or tin cans. Create fliers asking for donations for animals. Paste the fliers around the donation jars. Cut a slit opening in the top of the jars, so that people can drop money in.

Step
2
Visit local businesses and shops, asking them if you can leave the donation jars on the counters. Make sure you let them know that you will stop in once a week to collect, and leave your telephone number with them in case they fill up faster.

Step
3
Ask local grocery stores and pet stores if you can put out a large cardboard box to collect donations of animals food and supplies. This encourages people to purchase some while in the store. They can drop off their donations in the bin on the way out. Again, be sure to check these bins often in case they start to fill up.

Step
4
Write a letter to community residents asking for donations of either money or supplies. Contact a local title company to inquire about obtaining mailing labels to mail these letters. Most title companies have the ability to get mailing labels very easily, and if they know that it is for a good cause, they may do it for free. If you don't want to mail these letters, hand deliver them to the door, or put in their newspaper boxes.

Step
5
Contact a local newspaper to inquire about some free media attention for your efforts. Perhaps the newspaper editor can put in a story about helping animals and rescue groups, or maybe the advertising director will place a free ad asking for donations. Branch out a little and contact a few local newspaper editors in the surrounding communities as well.

Step
6
Contact local boy scout and girl scout groups to see if they would be interested in helping. These groups need to do these projects in order to earn badges, and the more people are out working for donations, the more you are likely to receive.

Step
7
Send letters home to all the children in the school system. Be sure to ask the principal of each school first. In the letter, explain what you are doing and where donations can be dropped off or sent.

Step
8
Ask a local store manager if you can set up a table or booth outside of his store on a busy day. Have information to pass out regarding animals in need. If possible, have an available dog or cat there as well to gain attention. It is hard to resist a cute animal.

How to Start a Non-Profit Animal Rescue

If you're an animal welfare supporter, you might have thought about starting up your own non-profit animal rescue. Perhaps there are no shelters in your area, or the existing rescues are being asked to assist more animals than they can accommodate.

If starting an animal rescue interests you, be aware that it is no small task. The smaller the rescue the more manageable it might be, but regardless of the size, you'll want to follow the same steps to get up and running.
step
1
Determine your community's need for an animal rescue. Visit local shelters in your area. Test the waters with them to find out how a new shelter would be received. If the need in the area for additional resources is great or if your community doesn't currently have a shelter, you're probably on the right track.

Step
2
Determine your own strengths and weaknesses. Where does your expertise lie? Are you business-savvy, a natural at fundraising or is your experience focused on taking care of animals? Whatever your experience, you will need to augment your talents with people who can fill in the blanks.

Step
3
Form a team. Use what you've learned from determining your strengths and weaknesses and seek out a group of like-minded individuals. You'll need people with experience in management, fundraising, accounting, and animal welfare to help get the rescue off the ground and keep it running. If you are incorporating, you will also need a board of directors.

Step
4
Develop your business plan. With help from your team, write out your mission and goals. Define roles and responsibilities.

Step
5
File for incorporation as a non-profit to qualify for the IRS's 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt status. You will need to submit your mission statement, bylaws, and articles of incorporation as well as a list of your board of directors. This can be a complicated process so you'll want to retain an attorney. Keep this in mind when you're assembling your initial team - perhaps there's an animal-loving attorney in your area willing to represent you pro bono.

Step
6
Open a chequing account for the organization and put in as much money as you can afford to cover incidentals like photocopying and small fees.

Step
7
Decide what type of animal rescue you'll pursue. Will the rescue be open to all animals, companion animals or a specific type or breed? Will you offer sanctuary until adopted ("no kill") or do you support euthanasia as a last resort? What role will you play in the community? Will you provide education through classes or newsletters? Will you require additional volunteers?

Step
8
After about six months, your organization will receive its incorporation as a non-profit and you'll need to turn your attention to raising funds. Hopefully you have an experienced fundraiser on your team who can lead you through this. Just remember, people tend to ignore a general call for help but are much more likely to assist if you make a personal request. Get in front of as many people as you can.

Step
9
Let the community know you exist. Scour the yellow pages for kennels, vet clinics, groomers and other animal-related businesses and services and let them know about your rescue. Start putting together a snail mail and email mailing list of other rescue organizations, individuals and businesses that would be interested in learning about your rescue.

Step
10
Open the doors and call the press. Your organization is now ready to fulfill its goals and provide a safe haven for animals in need. Put up some balloons, ask local businesses to provide door prizes and call the local radio stations and newspapers for some free press

Welcome To Basset Drool

I am the mother of four precious bassets. I created this blog to tell you all about them and how to care for them. Bassethounds are the sweetest breed I have ever had. This is a new blog so be patient with us we will be adding new things daily.