September Meet & Greet
Saturday, September 06, 2008
At Petco - Austin/Arboretum
9828 Great Hills Trl #400
Near the Arboretum
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm
Click here for more information from Petco.

September Meet & Greet
Saturday, September 20, 2008
At Petsmart - Cedar Park
1335 E. Whitestone Blvd
At Hwy 183A (Toll Road) and 1431.
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Click here for more information from Petsmart.

Occasionally we are asked, “Why do you rescue these dogs?” and sometimes we even find ourselves asking, why? There are times when monies are low and there are ten times the dogs as we have foster homes and the deck just seems stacked against us. Then, we meet dogs like Clarence and Bob. It’s these dogs – the basset hounds at the end of their rope, the ones hoping for a loving hand and a desperately needing a caring family to treat them like they should. We would like to introduce these dogs to you so you know why we do it and why we need donations in order to saves these beautiful basset hounds.

Bob is a five year old basset hound who has led a life of want. Seven weeks ago he was removed from his owners’ home for abuse and neglect. When he was finally taken in by animal rescue, he weighed less than thirty pounds. A basset of Bob’s stature should weigh more than fifty pounds. The neglect was so severe the veterinarians that evaluated Bob were not sure he could be saved; sometimes there is just nothing that can be done. However, one vet agreed to take a chance, and his treatment began.

Bob’s first three days were touch and go as he was receiving twenty-four hour IV therapy. Slowly, he began to regain strength and start to eat again. After three weeks in the hospital, he was released to a foster home to continue his battle to recover. As Bob’s healing continued, an amazing dog began to emerge.

Like Bob, Clarence – named after the angel in It’s a Wonderful Life – was also looking for someone to save him. Attacked by the dog he lived with, Clarence was then surrendered to animal control. Clarence’s ear was cut from just below the ear canal all the way to the tip – on the inside and outside of his ear flap. He was bitten in the neck and right side of his face. Some of the bites penetrated his mouth tissue and he had punctures inside his mouth. Our vet said he was very lucky that his right eye wasn’t bitten as well. In addition to the two long lacerations in his ear there are several smaller puncture wounds. Clarence has a long road ahead of him, we are trying everything medical possible to save his right ear. And he is heartworm positive. His medical bills will be large, but Clarence deserves a chance to live a good life.

After leading a life of neglect and/or abuse, we cannot be sure what type of personality a dog might have. Dogs that have been through far less than these two can be so distrusting they find it difficult to ever bond with other owners. It becomes even more heartbreaking when there are families to love these abandoned creatures, but due to their fractured past they cannot ever appreciate the family they have found.

Bob and Clarence are exceptions to the rule. As their bodies heal, we begin to see more and more of these loving, dedicated, dogs. All Bob and Clarence want is someone to take a nap with – preferably in their lap – and a tummy rub as they fall asleep. Bob gets along well with other dogs, cats, and children. Clarence is very gentle and just wants to be loved.