The Rainbow Bridge

I would like to thank Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue for the best 6 years with my best friend Holly. I got her when she was 6 years old and she was a total surprise. She was the best dog I could have ever asked for. She loved her treats and love the doo dah parade every year. She was our best friend and we miss her every day. Not a day goes by that we do not think about her. We love you Holly.
Jack and Carolann Woolbert

In November, the day before Thanksgiving of 2002, we adopted an amazing 7 month old puppy from Tri State Basset Rescue named Wally. He and his shih-tzu brother loved each other for 10 1/2 incredible years. He was a playmate to my 3 kids and a good TV buddy. He loved a good belly rub and running around the yard, barking at the neighbors. He was handsome and regal and I will miss him more than words can say. Today, Wally crossed over the rainbow bridge. I will be forever grateful that he was part of our lives and I know one day we will see him again. Thank you, Wally, for your love, loyalty and companionship. You took a piece of my heart with you.

Over three years ago, we adopted Felony and Malicious. It was the best thing we ever did! We were all very sad when Felony (top in photo) passed away this past August, but that gave us the opportunity to adopt a wonderful new girl, Daisy.
Wednesday 1/16, Malicious passed away and went to be with Felony again. Although he missed Felony, he was happy to have a younger girlfriend in Daisy. As he was headed to the vet for the last time, Daisy ran up to him and licked his face!
As we told our girls, Felony and Malicious will always be with us,but now it’s time to give another wonderful basset a new home, and Daisy a new friend.

It turns out this happened a lot quicker than expected, as Rowdy has already made his way north from Alabama and moved in with us. Daisy loves him!

Chris, Merle, Christina, Helena,and Daisy Schnee

I was not lucky enough to have STEVEN as a puppy ,but was blessed to have 11 years with him. Steven came to Tristate Basset Rescue as a stray around the age of 2. I think the love affair with my sister and he started on the ride home from New Jersey to Long Island. Steven was just like a child, and went to Aunt Ronnie, who of course always said, YES! There were times I would have to tell her, No. My sister lives downstairs from me and that was Steven’s mancave, paradise, eden, off limits to the other hounds in the house. When they came down he let them know, it was “get your biscuit and scram”. My sister was a pile of mush when it came to Steven, he pawed the door until she caved to let him in, so he could get up on that king sized bed, meant only for her and him. Even in his later years, when arthritis started settling in, you were not stopping him from going downstairs, he whined and whined until he broke you. Steven’s favorite time of year was winter; he made more snow angels than you could imagine. He loved to face the wind and let those massive ears fly in the breeze. Steven enjoyed playing with each hound that came into our home, but it was always known he was King and they did not forget that. When he ran is was like he was doing the bunny hop. He loved people,and belly rubs were always welcomed with his big hairy belly. He would drink his water and always go straight to the edges of my bed to wipe his face. I could go on and on, like everyone, all of us proud of our furkids.

Steven runs with our Fred, Columbo, Buster T Frecklefeet, Miss Shelby from Alabama and all of the beloved Bassets and wannabes that have left us too soon.

Cathy Larsen

This past week we said goodbye to our beloved basset hound, Sammy, who brought an immeasurable amount of love and happiness to our family for almost 13 years. From the day she arrived to the day she left, her priorities remained the same; eating everything she could get her paws on and sleeping the days away beneath the sun. Although not rescued from Tristate, Sammy was a consistent attendee at the Basset Hound Olympics in Wantagh, NY. Just 3 short months ago, she was awarded 3rd place in the Obstacle Course relay at 12 1/2 years of age, and even managed to snag the picture spot in the Newsday article covering the event! The joy she brought to our home, family, neighbors, and friends is irreplaceable, but something we will remember always. She was a constant companion to each of us, playing a specific role in everyone’s life; from breakfast partner to late-night TV buddy and everything in between. It is with heavy hearts that we report the loss of our favorite family member; all the while knowing she is with us always. We could not have asked for a better dog or a better 13-year journey with our SammyGirl! Now at rest and forever comfortable. We will love and miss you always, Monf!

Samantha
3/9/00 – 1/28/13

With love,
The LaRousse Family

It is with an extremely sad heart that I share with you that Shelby crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She had not been feeling well the last several days and I was waiting for the Vet to open this morning so I could take her in to see Dr. John. Shelby licked John when he said good-bye to her and left for work. A few minutes later I went to check on her, and she was gone. She was in her favorite spot under our kitchen table.

We took in Shelby as a foster dog on my birthday last year (July 7). We finalized her adoption in December. This is the hard part about adopting senior dogs. We don’t get to love on them for very long, but for the final year of her life, Shelby knew she was loved and that she finally had a home where she belonged.

My heart is so broken right now. The Lang family side of the Rainbow Bridge is getting too crowded. Thank you to everyone at TBSR who played a part in bringing Shelby into our lives. She was truly special and will be so very missed.

Sara

My sweet Elvis (known as Penny at the time of her adoption in 2002) was laid to rest a few weeks ago. She was a tough little girl and fought a good fight, but I finally had to make the difficult decision to end her suffering from heart failure. My sons (5 and 3) stood with me, and we all told her how much we loved her as she peacefully went to sleep. We brought her home and had a small funeral for her. Although we pass by her grave every time we walk Reba (known as Brownie at the time of her adoption in 2006), I like to imagine her running and playing with all of her old friends again. Until we meet again, Elvis… The boys and I love you and miss you. <3

My sweet, sweet girl Winnie crossed the rainbow bridge on Tuesday night. I rescued her in 2001. We attend the Boardwaddle for many years and I thank your organization for that and all you do. There is definitely a void in the home now and I’m hoping time will heal. She is running around up there now with her Weim brother Smokey who passed a few years ago. Winnie had an angelic disposition and the whole family loved her very much. Rest well sweetie. Xo.

Lauren R. Reo

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the loss of our sweet Maggie on September 4, 2015. We adopted Maggie and her brother, Max in April 2013. They were two peas in a pod, one never far from the other. Maggie loved laying in the sunshine, bones and toys (taking every opportunity to “borrow” them from her brother), and fiercely protected the house and yard from rogue bunnies, mailmen, and dangerous neighborhood children. Her tail spun in circles and wagged constantly whenever someone she loved would walk into the room. She was so smart and brave. I will forever miss her soft doggie kisses when I come home from work; the joy I would feel in watching her leap through snow drifts and sprint through the backyard into my arms; the look my husband and I would exchange at seeing her little head peeking out the window…the thousands of little things you know about your dog that no one else knows. The silly names you call her, the snuggles on the couch. Life isn’t fair, Maggie Moo, that you were so young and we had so little time. I take small comfort in knowing we loved you more than anything and that we will continue to spoil your brother for all the days we are lucky enough to have him.

Jennifer Cordes and Michael Haag

With heavy hearts, Samson said, “It was his time to be free.” He is now free of pain and full of love. We will surely miss this dear old boy with ears down to the ground, drool flowing freely from his mouth, the cute way he did his grandpa shake, and most of all the smile on his face, and who could forget the howl with excitement. I hope he felt as much love as we felt. We were honored to have met Samson and we are honored to be the ones to have had him in the end. 6/26/15 – 7/3/15

Heidy Daniel