The Rainbow Bridge

Our sweet Buddy boy crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday. He blessed us with nine years of unwavering love. When he joined our family, we had a four year old and a one year old. Those two kids grew up with him, and he was delighted to meet our third child four years ago! He was like one of the kids – full of curiosity, excitement, and love. We miss him terribly, but we are so thankful to TSBHR for giving us the beautiful gift of his companionship and we will cherish the memories of our time with him forever. 6/1/2015 – 10/22/24.

Elvis was our 2nd TSBHR adoption. He came to us early in 2017 and helped fill the void left when we lost Penny, our 1st adoption from TSBHR. Elvis was completely different from Penny, very laid back and never met a person or dog that he didn’t instantly like. He was a mommy’s boy from the start and would use his deep, soulful eyes to get what he wanted from momma. He had a huge, magnificent set of ears that he used to collect every drop of dew, every leaf and every speck of dirt and drag it into the house. He was perfect but what basset isn’t? When we added other bassets to our home, Elvis happily greeted and accepted them, in fact he was fine with the others taking charge, alpha dog he wasn’t. He loved attending TSBHR events and meeting his numerous cousins and distance family members. Cancer took Elvis much too early from us but we know he is now free to enjoy life over the Rainbow Bridge. Love you Bubba.
Elvis 9/10/2015 to 9/30/2024

We lost our amazing, funny, jerky basset boy yesterday. He was 11 and had diabetes, was blind, and congestive heart failure BUT you wouldn’t know it all the time. He still loved to try and wrestle and play with his “hoomans” and go on walks when he was up for it. He was a trooper with all the medicines he had to take everyday. To say we are devastated doesn’t really describe how it really feels. Our neighborhood is not the same and all his doggy friends have lost their friend. Duds we know your bassett brother Otis and bassett sister Sadie were waiting for you and we hope you guys are living it up!! We will see all of you again someday. Love you!!!!!!

With Sadness our beloved Zoey passed away on July 9, 2024. Zoey moved to Pennsylvania from Arkansas in 2015. She traveled with Hearts Transport with her furry friends. She was always friendly and loved by everyone on her walks in our neighborhood. She loved having breakfast foods with us on weekends.

We are thankful for our son who cared for her while working from home and our dog walker Janet who loved her as well. We miss her so much.

Thank you for all you do with the Bassett Hounds

Mark, Christine, Mark jr. Stewart

When I adopted Norma, a comment I received frequently was, “No way will you be able to resist calling her Norma Jean!” Resist, I didn’t. In fact, Norma became Norma Jean, Norma Jean Bean, Norma Jean Bean McQueen, Norma J. Bean, NJB, Norma Jean Junglecat Bean, Miss Norma J. Bean, Normie. Norma, however, presumably deaf for the entirety of our three years together, preferred to be acknowledged with a clap of the hands, a round of applause to honor how fabulous she was. Norma was the star, and perhaps a bit of a diva as well. When she wanted our attent

ion, we would receive “the business,” a sassy, half-bark, stomp-on-the-ground-with-her-short-Basset-legs approach to reminding us that Norma always got what Norma wanted.

In the mere 1,017 days we had together, it was an honor to provide Norma with everything she desired. She had the combined personality of a Basset and her presumed mix, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever; what a combination that was. She loved long walks (“boot camps”) in the countryside. Norma loved all types of treats, but she would put on a show for a Greenie’s bone. Norma also loved her morning trips to her private water bowl, pumpkin night, turn down service, time with her couch buddy, keeping watch over the staircase railing, and copious pets from my mother, another of her best friends.

Norma’s life for the last three years was magnificent, and it had a special fullness thanks to her canine companion, Beethoven. The two pups were sniffing partners, confidants, co-schemers, protectors of each other, and absolute best friends. Their affection for each other was a lovely and powerful force. From sleeping butt-to-butt on the couch, licking each other, and demonstrating an unbreakable solidarity, it became clear that perhaps the only connection that could rival the one between human and dog is the one between two pups. Beethoven will miss Norma forever.

Throughout our days together, Norma was my shadow, and she never once failed to remind me that the best and most meaningful time in my life was Norma time. At the end of our days together, I couldn’t help but lament, “There just wasn’t enough time.”

Somewhere at the foot of the Rainbow Bridge, Norma has met Bonnie and Fred, and instead of lamenting, I bet they are exuding gratitude. While the void will persist, I will honor Norma by doing the same. I am grateful, eternally, for the time when Norma was mine on earth, and the memories of her spunk, joy, and love will carry me forward until we meet again. I love you, Norma Jean.

Ellie died peacefully yesterday morning, July 10, 2023, at the office of Dr. Jay Kuhlman, at Gramercy Veterinary practice. She came to us as with special needs in January 2020. Unfortunately, this was right as COVID struck, so it took a while to establish a routine and for her to become accustomed to a normal home life, but once she did, she was as normal as any of our previous three houndies. She enjoyed rolling over for belly rubs and loudly insisted at being included at the end of family meals.
Over the weekend, all the problems that had affected her just came together in a perfect storm and it wasn’t right to ask more of her.
She was our Big Goof and we miss her.
Larry Gertner & Ingrid Kjeldaas

We lost our beloved Bella on June 10, 2020, to mast cell cancer. If wishing and hoping could bring her back, she would still be with us. She was one in a million, a true credit to her breed; stubborn, but loyal, curious, intelligent, kind to a fault. And she loved being a part of the annual BoardWaddle! RIP Bella. We love and miss you always…

Tony and Vinny came into our lives in September, 2012. That summer we became empty nesters. Our oldest son got married and our youngest was entering his last year of college. Both son’s moved out of state. Our sweet rescue basset Bella died that same summer after having her for only four years. By September we began searching for another Basset(s) and Tony and Vinny came into our lives! A representative from Tri State said “take a look at them if you change your mind there are others”! Of course we fell in love as soon as we saw them!! They had a nickname “Jersey Boys” when we adopted them and at our dog park that’s what they were know as! At day care they were known “the Meatballs “! They had funny habits like working in tandem sniffing the ground and howling if they found a vole trail! As if we were going to dig a hole! When they got fed they would push their dishes around, followed by pushing their food around in the bowl before they proceeded to eat! They never went into the garbage! They never begged at the table! They weren’t very good watch dogs! Although one time we had a contractor here to give an estimate and Vinny displayed enough warning we didn’t hired him. Despite having three cats, Tony was best at catching mice, not that we encouraged it!! Since 2014 we have been blessed with four grandchildren who only visit once a year because they live 800 miles away. Tony and Vinny were always wonderful around them! Although they would give the pleading eyes that asked “when are they leaving?” In 2015 Tony experienced a few episodes of seizures and Vinny was diagnosed with Hemolytic Anemia. Vinny had been on azathioprine until this past July when our vet switch him to Prednisone because his liver levels were high. I have to credit our awesome Vet for giving us many extra quality years with the Jersey boys. Tony crossed the rainbow bridge in January 28, 2020. His illness came on very sudden and we had to make the difficult decision of helping him cross the bridge. Tony and Vinny were so bonded that Vinny never got over it. We would have to put loud music on and sneak out of the house when we went out. We even scheduled our work hours so Vinny wouldn’t have to be alone for a very long. On October 28, 2022 Vinny joined his brother with us at his side. We will always have a special place in our hearts and their loss is leaves a void in our lives that is indescribable. Thank you Tri State for giving us a gift that will always be special!!!

Mary Kate Gallagher & Bob Borthwick

We will miss our Ziggy. He loved all of his food – he was very food motivated! Over the last week we spoiled him with all kinds of yummy stuff – pancakes, bacon and chicken. Ziggy was the protector of the family alerting us to delivery people or plastic bags blowing down the street. He ceded most of that responsibility in the last year to Coco (our 3rd dog), a feisty Frenchie. But Ziggy was the leader of the pack and was a favorite cuddle pillow for both Watson and Coco. We miss Ziggy. We were happy to have him for nearly 9 years. Ever loyal, ever faithful.

The McNicholas Family

Sugar passed on Saturday, January 28th, 2012, after a battle with lymphoma. Sugar, as her name implied, was a sweet dog always with a smile on her face and a wag in her tail. She greeted everyone as a friend. She especially enjoyed the company of small children. She would engage them in social settings and wanted to be in the middle of their party no matter what they were doing. She allowed them to do whatever they wanted with her, pulling her ears, tail etc. She never uttered a disapproving sound or an unaccepting response. Rabbits were her favorite animal to “hound”, though she did capture an occassional mouse and a squirrel on one occasion. She was a consumate camper and loved spending long lazy hours in the tall grass of summer. Of course, the food around the camp fire was another one of her favorites! No couch was out of her domain and she spent many a long day resting her weary bones. Sugar’s career as a “show” dog was highlighted by winning best costume at the BoardWaddle once and runner–up twice. The Tri-State Basset Rescue transport person picked her up from a shelter in Toms River, where she was slated to be euthanized. We got her that Sunday at the McDonald’s parking lot, with the understanding that they really knew nothing about her and we could return her if she did not work out. Well, she got out of the car rolled over on her back and requested what later became known as her signature belly rub request. Six wonderful years later, she has gone to rest. She willed be missed.

The Hanlon family