Rescued July 10, 2000 - Nov. 8. 2005

Shirley came into our lives when a neighbor (a meteorologist for a TV station that did "Rescue the Animals " segments for a local group of the same name) called to say there was a great female basset at the pound and she's be on TV that night. The video showed a very skinny lemon and white girl. But instead of being afraid of the segment host, she immediately rolled over to have her belly rubbed. This, obviously, was a dog worth saving. She was a very nice looking basset but judging by her saggy undersides, it looked that she had bore many litters. Perhaps she had been dumped when she'd outlived her usefulness at a puppy mill? Or perhaps her elderly owners had died or gone into a nursing home? She didn't act like an abused dog...but we always wondered about her past. When we took her in to foster her, Wilbur our older male, welcomed her into his home that he'd never had to share before. We interviewed several people who were interested in adopting her, but for various reasons (one wanted an "outdoor dog" to play with the grandkids when they came over, the other was a young unmarried couple living in an apartment) we realized that she needed to stay with us. She loved any attention..if you were sitting on the couch, you'd soon feel a wet nose nudge you hand. She became a living ambassador for the all breed rescue group, spending afternoons meeting people to show them what kind of great dogs were out there needing homes. She was honored by being named Queen of the annual fundraising ball. After 15 months with two bassets, Wilbur passed away at 12 and she adapted well to the spoiled luxury of being the only dog. After nearly a year, she found herself helping raise Douglas, a 9 month old from a show kennel back east. Her motherly instincts kicked in as she let him chew her ears and generally look up to her. She and Douglas made the move with us to Spokane from Texas and she quickly made herself at home, despite having to go out in the rain...which she hated. In her last year, she was named the oldest Basset at the 2005 blast (Wilbur had received a similar honor shortly before his death in 2001). But age was finally beginning to catch up to her. Her runs across the yard became less frequent, she lost weight that even extra portions of food wouldn't reverse, and her rear legs developed a slight tremor. Still, she was a fighter, we'd often say that she'd outlive us all. The end came quickly, the as an early evening stroke left her paralyzed...she even refused food (a first!). I spent the night hoping that a couple of pain pills would restore her as it had in the past. She spent the night whining on her bed, so Anne and I took turns lying on the floor stroking her, it was the only thing that would give here any solace. The vet gave us the bad news...soon she was at peace. We'll eventually get another dog (probably a rescue female basset)...if for no other reason than to console Douglas how seems heartbroken. She gave us a lot of joy. Our solace comes from knowing that we made her last five years happy. All in all, not a bad trade. We'll see you at the Rainbow Bridge.

John Boyle

Thanks again for your work in saving bassets....