Bandit

- We wanted to get another hound because of Scout, our hound. She has been a joy to have in our lives for the past 6+ years. But, Shawn (my husband) and I thought she might be more content to spend time with a playmate when we're not able to be around (or even when we are!). We love everything about basset hounds - the features, the personalities, and their expressive qualities. - We chose rescue because we didn't want to get a puppy and we didn't think it was right to get a new dog from a breeder when there are so many dogs that need homes in rescue organizations. - I found Bandit along with Churchill on a pet adoption website with a link to GGBR's website. I immediately thought that both of them were adorable. Gloria recommended Bandit after hearing about our lifestyle and Scout's energy level. She is a pretty active girl and we like to go on about five daily walks. So I think Gloria thought Bandit would be a good fit for us since he is younger and more active. - We, including Scout, went to visit Bandit at his foster home with Jennifer Hanson in Roseville. Overall, it went well. Bandit was friendly, well behaved, and so cute that we knew we wanted to adopt him. He was very friendly towards Scout - the usual sniffing and circling happened. And Bandit made several attempts to play with her, but she didn't know what to do with him since she had never really played before. After that visit we contacted Gloria to set up the adoption for Sunday, March 9th, 2008, the weekend we were moving from Oakland to Walnut Creek. We knew this was going to be a big weekend and we were worried that we would be overwhelmed, but it turned out just fine. We successfully finished moving in and drove to meet Jennifer's husband to sign papers and pick up Bandit. It went well - Bandit is so easygoing. He said bye and hopped right into our truck. When we got home to Walnut Creek we brought Scout out and they took a walk together. They greeted each other with sniffs and it seemed like they immediately started walking side by side - their own little pack. From then on it has been pretty easy. From the first day Bandit and Scout have had very little trouble getting along. And now, Bandit has taught her how to play, which we are so excited about. Bandit settled in fairly quickly. He walks around like he's been with us forever and is particularly attached to Shawn. He and Scout trade beds on almost a daily basis and there haven't been any fights between the two of them. As I said before, Bandit is very easygoing. He knows his name, he responds when called and can sit on command. He's great on leash and we'd like to teach him some new commands as he's so easy to teach as long as there is food around. Bandit is quite fond of our socks and is extremely quiet and sneaky when he is trying to get something he knows he shouldn't have. We wouldn't trade Bandit for any other dog in the world. Sometimes he makes us groan (like when he wakes us up at 2:30 am to go to the bathroom), he makes us laugh in delight and disbelief (like when he decides to take out pieces of tissue from the bathroom trashcan and drop them in a trail to his bed), but mostly he makes us smile. Sad update - Bandit passed away Christmas 2013 from liver cancer. Condolences to the great family who treated him as a son/grandson and gave him a wonderful almost six years of happiness!

Romo

We brought Romo into our home on September 29th in a foster-to-hopefully adopt situation. It didn’t take long before we knew we couldn’t give him up and that he was a permanent member of our family. At just over a year old, Romo still has many puppy tendencies (as I type he is alternating between chasing the kitty and dragging around his bed), and is still working on some behaviors such as getting on the couch and putting his paws up on the counter, table, and anywhere else he thinks something smells interesting! That being said, he is good natured boy who loves his daily walks, chasing his tennis ball (although not necessarily bringing it back), and being around us as much as possible. He is one of the friendliest dogs around, and loves walking by the elementary school to say hi to the kids as they yell “puppy!” All in all, we have a great dog and are extremely happy to have him in our lives. We are very thankful to his previous owner for taking such good care of him and to everyone at GGBR for helping us find our first basset!

Wally(9/2013)

Wally is the 2nd Basset I've owned, the 1st was 12 yrs when I got her and we had 2 special years together. I went 9 months without my own dog and life was just not the same. The day I adopted Wally life began again. He is estimated to be about 4 years old and is just full of love. Somebody lost a great dog, he was perfectly housetrained, walks well on a leash. He goes with me to work in a medical office where he is free to nap or meet and greet the patients. Everyone LOVES this dog. Wally shows a particular passion for small chidren, so cute to see him with kids. He also really enjoys playing at the beach with other dogs and gets along great with our other dog , they love going on walks together. His first week home he tried out several sleeping spots in the house but in the end he chose our bed, it's a little tight but it's all good. I am happy to have him close. When I sit on the couch, he often lays on my lap and I love it. We have an ongoing medical issue that is not yet resolved but I'm working on it, and hoping for the best. He is worth it, for all the joy he gives me. He is my best buddy. We could not love him more. I so appreciate the fosters @ GGBR for all their love and hardwork Thank You !! Julie

Rox

Rox aka Winston Jr. to us, as he looks just like Winston used to, is doing wonderful. He is an amazing friend to my mom. They are very close. He follows my mom, Arlene everywhere. He loves to go for his daily walks with his adopted Bassett sister Lulu. Our friend Kathleen comes by almost everyday to take him for a walk and to let them play together everyday for a few hours. He knows what time she comes to pick him up and waits by the door! He loves to go for rides in my van when I take mom out, and watches out the window for her to come back. He will bark at you until you sit down, as he wants to visit with us, but if you stand he won't quit barking! We love him immensely and have found the perfect food for him. It is called Call of the Wild, is grain free, comes in dry and canned, so he has a mixture in his bowl of both. Thank you for pairing him up with my mom! Sincerely, Pam Kestler, Arlene's daughter!

Rufus

Rufus caught a lucky break in life not once, but twice. Back in 2007 he was found abandoned deep in the woods in the state of Georgia. He had been out alone in thunderstorms and endured the sound of Fourth of July fireworks all by himself outdoors - alone in the dark. After two weeks he somehow made it to civilization and was spotted and taken in by a wonderful woman and her husband who nursed him back to health. Authorities tracked down his original owner (who had apparently abandoned him in the woods) and they said they didn't want him back. Rufus showed signs of having had been abused - with old breaks to his ribs. Fast forward a few years and Rufus and his new familiy moved to California from Georgia where he lived happily in the Bay Area with them for some years. Sadly, in July 2013, his new owners encountered personal circumstances that meant they could no longer keep Rufus. They wanted to be sure he had a loving forever home so they contacted GGBR and a foster family was found for him. He instantly won his foster family's heart and became a "foster failure". He now has an adoring basset "sister" - Daisy - who was a GGBR adoptee who found her forever home in February 2012. (Daisy also had a history of having been abandoned and abused - so she and Rufus are kindred souls). Today Rufus loves to go on long, fast walks and has settled in beautifully. The best part is - his is an "open" adoption. He still gets to see his prior owner every few months when he meets up with her at a park and she gets occasional e-mail updates about his antics. This was a mutual decision made by all parties concerned and it is working out beautifully for Rufus and his two loving Moms.