On December 5, Jessica followed her life-long companion Alex over the Rainbow Bridge.
For the last eight and a half years Jessica had been a distinctive member of our family. You couldn’t exactly call her our “good” dog (that was Alex), but you could honestly say that she was the best and most loyal furry friend anyone could ever ask for. In her youth, Jessica would regularly be found atop our dining room table, seeking all food remnants left after a meal. For years she menaced our Princeton neighbors with her 5am wake up calls at the back fence, and she buried so many of our socks and underwear in the backyard that a contractor hired to dig out a new patio once said “If I had that much underwear in the yard I’d have none in my dresser.”
She was truly a charming hound!
Jessica spent the last year of her life living in NYC, making lasting impressions on all her neighbors — both man and beast! Jessica slowed down quite a bit in the past year, but she still loved a good belly rub, a long snuggle, and all the food that our two-year-old could toss her from his plate. A true food thief to the end, her final meal was a sandwich she found on the street the morning of her passing. Usually off limits, I let her go for it that day
And so marks the end of the era. Exactly one year to the date from when her life-long partner Alex passed.
If only we could keep our furry friends in our lives forever. There would be far fewer tears.
Rest in peace Jessica, I will miss you and your ridiculousness so very, very much. Aroooo.
The Laskas Family
It is with a heavy heart I am reporting that our beloved Basset Hound, Copper, passed away at 5:12 pm. on December 27, 2012. Born on September 3, 2003, Copper was only 9 and ¼ years old and he passed with all of the family at his side. Through Tri-state Basset Hound Rescue, Copper came into our family back on May 1,2004. Copper was a great dog that fit in with our family very well. We will always remember him for his hours of vigilance over the backyard from his position on top of the picnic table and his uncanny ability to sniff out the smallest morsel of food. Even on his last trip to the backyard, he couldn’t resist smelling the kitchen can when he passed by. We will miss him deeply and wish to thank Tri-State for bringing us together.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 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