Chester (formerly Manchas) came to us as a GGBR foster. We had lost our basset, Molly, a few months prior to fostering, at the age of 13 ½ years old due to a tumor on her spleen. We were heartbroken and felt a void without her. Once you have a basset hound, you appreciate how special they are! We searched the internet for rescue basset hounds and came across the GGBR website. Long story short, GGBR had two basset hounds the surrendering owners could not keep, because the landlord told them they could not have dogs at their rental home. The dogs were kept as outside dogs without a fenced yard, because (we heard from the former owners) Chester was a bit of a challenge to keep fenced-in. The second basset is Sadie. Chester and Sadie are litter-mate brother and sister and have been bonded since birth four years ago. We were asked if we would like to foster the brother and sister bassets until they cleared their vetting with an eye towards adopting the two. Both dogs are amazing, and the answer was a resounding YES!

A little about Chester, he is such a sweetheart! He is affectionate and calm, and loves a belly rub. Chester is the more dominant of the two siblings. He is the pack leader. Chester always looks to make sure Sadie is by his side. The dogs were not familiar with being walked on a leash when we got them, but they took to it readily. Chester leads Sadie in the walk. We have to chuckle though, because while Chester likes to be the respected leader of the pack, he greets you with one of his toys in his mouth, tail-a-waggin! Another comical thing Chester does is pick up his food dish and move it over to his bed, so that he is comfortable while he eats and to be sure the food is always close by. Also, Chester is smart. He is already house-trained. Considering he was only an outside dog for his first four years, it is remarkable that, only after the first two days, he became reliable in our house.

Both dogs have adapted very well to joining us inside the house and, even, lying by our woodstove when it is cold outside. If hobbits had dogs, they would be basset hounds, because bassets love the comforts in life, and they are very loyal. We feel very fortunate about the opportunity to adopt Chester (& Sadie). How did we get so lucky? Things must happen for a reason, and we look forward to our new lives with Chester (& Sadie)! Thank you to the surrendering owners and to GGBR!!