Barney Dec 2014
Barney came into our lives in November 2014, when someone found him running loose with no tags in the town of Linden, and dropped him off with Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue. From there, he found his way to GGBR. Through Barney’s microchip, we were able to contact his original owner, who said he had purchased Barney as a puppy in 2005, but had rehomed him years ago. After 30 days, when no one came forward to claim Barney, he became our foster dog and was made available for adoption. Barney was happy, friendly, good with our cats and, for the most part, good with other dogs. He was happiest, though, when our other dogs were away and he didn’t have to contend with canine housemates encroaching on his space. For that reason, we had hoped to find him a home, where he could be an only dog. Sadly, in April 2015, Barney was diagnosed with lymphoma, which changed his status from “adoptable” to “hospice”. In May, shortly after his cancer diagnosis, Barney attended Spring Fling. I think Barney had more fun there than anyone! It was so wonderful to see him thoroughly enjoying the crowd of people and dogs! Barney lived out his remaining months feeling okay and eating well, but gradually becoming weaker. Last week, his appetite and strength were gone. Barney had so many fans. We don’t know how many homes Barney had in his 10 years, but we were happy to have provided his last home. Rest in peace, little buddy.—Fran and Mark Madden, Billy and Bob. August 2015.

Gracie
Greetings, My name is Roberta and this is In loving memory of Gracie: Eleven years ago I fostered Gracie via Northern CA Basset Hound Rescue - the director lived in Petaluma. Gracie was removed from a very bad situation in Richmond CA, was removed from someone’s apartment by the police, went to the Richmond Shelter and wound up in a veterinarians pet hospital in Napa where she was being treated for a skin ailment that nearly killed her. The rescue director and I met at the hospital in Napa and I brought Gracie home - that was the first day of 11 years of love. At the time, Gracie was known as Pandora - because of her awful beginnings, I immediately changed her name to Gracie to help her start a new chapter in her life. She was still very ill with a rather challenging skin condition. After a few months of no progress, the rescue director pointed me in the direction of a very fine veterinary dermatologist who turned turned Gracie’s life around. After about 2 years of treatment, she was finally off of all medications, gained much needed weight and was off and running. There is a long list of participants who were integral in saving Gracie all those years ago - Basset Hound Rescue leading the list. Gracie certainly deserved everything all of us did for her. She has been a sweet, loving little girl with a kind and forgiving heart. She brought joy to everyone she touched especially me - I was lucky enough to get to share my life with Gracie and have the please of her company for the last 11 years. Gracie died on May 29th after having a stroke. She lived to be about 14 years of age and because of work of yours and others like you, most of those years were happy and joyful. I could never explain my deep gratitude for your rescue efforts and for saving my Gracie. Love, Roberta

Nikko
Nikko came to us from Golden Gate Basset Rescue on St. Patty’s Day 2010 where he lived with three other bassets for five years. He was very mellow and easy going. He loved to lay out on the deck to get his morning sun when the weather permitted. He also enjoyed his Busy Bone on nice days where he would take it on the grass to chew, savor with his eyes closed and legs spread out. He was truly our gentle giant, never wanting anything more than love and a spot on the couch where he occupied most of the time leaving us sitting on the floor or squeezing next to him. Nikko and Walter played all the time running around the house out through the doggie door and onto the deck and eventually on the grass where they surveyed together. That was their exercise for the day. He was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder along with an enlarged heart and a tumor in his stomach this past November 2014. Due to his age at 13, the vet was hesitant to have him undergo surgery for the tumor. He made it through the holidays but sadly we had to make a heartbreaking decision of letting him rest as his immune system was breaking him down causing him to be uncomfortable and developed open wounds that is susceptible to infections. We could not watch him suffer any longer. He finally rested on January 20, 2015 in the comfort of his home where he was warm and cozy on my lap. He is now at the Rainbow Bridge where he will be with our Sebastian and all the other animals we have temporarily parted in our lifetime until we all meet again. We will truly miss Nikko in our home as he brought us laughter and love each and every day. Rest peacefully my Nikko Love we had so much fun together. –Vince, Maria, Christian, Walter and Gary

Psyche
There are so many things I could say about Psyche...I don't even know where to start. She was mellow even as a puppy. Instead of being the troublemaker most puppies are, she was happy to sit, calmly, just looking at me while I made dinner for myself (a maneuver henceforth known as the "Psyche sit-and-stare"). She was a consummate snuggler, never wanting anything more than to sit on your lap (all day if possible). Most amusingly, she was a sock thief. More than once she made packing difficult by helpfully unpacking your socks as soon as you put them in a suitcase and then proudly prancing into the living room with them. But the most important thing about her was that she was my daughter, and without her I wouldn't have the rest of my family. Psyche introduced me to my wife and her dog at a dog park in Seattle, and it was the four of us, two people and two dogs, that made me truly understand what it was to have a family. It formed when the four of us ventured across the country to Boston to live together. We all lived there, snuggling, romping, and yes, sometimes crying and yelling, for five years. Every year we celebrated her birthday: people got cake, dogs got chicken, and anyone who wanted to come was invited. It was during our move to California that the universe stole her from us at the early age of 6, a tragic accident in a hotel parking lot in Salt Lake City. Trying to find something meaningful to do with our grief, we decided to donate to the basset hound rescue local to the home she didn't make it to. We offered the opportunity to donate in her name to those that had known her, and the outpouring we watched in response surprised even us. She was the kind of dog who loved everyone she met, and you couldn't help but love her back, even if you had just met her. Our lives aren't, and never will be, the same without her. We miss you deeply, Pooh Dog.

Riley
Reepa’s Ready Riley, (May 22, 2000-January 7, 2014). Handsome, quiet and loving, that was our Riley. We adopted Riley in October 2010, when his previous owners divorced and turned him over to GGBR. Mark and I never imagined that we would ever adopt such a magnificent dog as Riley. He was big and beautiful, with a happy, gentle, quiet personality. Riley had been a winning show dog for the first year of his life, but when Riley was a year old, he had grown too tall to continue in the show ring, so he was sold to a pet home where he lived until he was 10 years old. His coming to GGBR at age 10 was our good fortune. Riley and our basset, Billy took to each other from the start and were the best of brothers. Whenever they were reunited after being separated, they were always giddy to see each other again. As much as Mark and I miss Riley, we know that Billy misses him more. Rest in peace, Riles. You are loved and missed. Fran, Mark and Billy Madden, January 2014