The Rainbow Bridge

Of course, everyone loves their dog, but some of us have been fortunate to have found that heart dog or soul dog, the best dog in the world dog, that one you can’t live without, the one that means everything to you, that one who is just so special that it hurts. Boston bounced around foster homes when he was surrendered to Tri-State in 2013. He just never quite found a good fit and when I first took him home Ric and I thought to ourselves when is Lisa getting this dog adopted- he’s a huge pain in the ass! Less than a week later we were head over heels in love and he was my first TSBHR foster failure. Of course, he was a biter with select people…. he once bit a bus driver from Florida who had stopped to admire his beauty, and then there was that time when he chased Alex’s girlfriend into the corner of the house….he knew who he liked and who he didn’t. He was high maintenance, had major medical issues, stopped breathing and turned blue when you cut his nails, was extremely demanding, indecisive, and needed to have choices with his sleeping spots and beds, he was a drama queen! He cleaned every dog and cat’s eyeballs and butts and then always wanted to kiss us afterward. He was my alarm clock every day for the last 4 years, if Boston wasn’t sleeping then no one was sleeping. I like dogs with big personalities and Boston’s was the biggest. Someone else’s trash was my most prized possession. This one took a piece of us with him when he died and has left a huge void in his absence…..Till we meet again my very best dog Boston Brooks.

On Thursday evening, November 9th, I made the painful decision to say my final goodbye to my best friend Tyrone. It’s a profound loss.
When I first saw Tyrone on the Tristate Basset Rescue website back in 2006, you described him as having a “joyful spirit.” And there wasn’t a day he didn’t live up to that billing.
He’d been found wandering the streets of Philadelphia. You were calling him Stanley. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for a new dog, having just lost my first Basset, Luther only three months earlier. But “Stanley” needed a Daddy and a new name. And when I walked up to him, he jumped up on me and said “I’m coming home with you whether you like it or not.”
At first, I referred to him as my “rebound Basset.” In some ways, he was living in Luther’s shadow. But over time, we found our own thing. Tyrone had a passion for jazz, classic rock, Chicago Bulls basketball, carrots watermelon, cantaloupe, potatoes, and playing indoor fetch. He was a people dog, who would shamelessly roll over on his back and ask for a tummy rub from anyone who came to my apartment or sat nearby in the park. He was there for me through job changes, break-ups, and the passing of my mom.
As T got older and developed arthritis, his joyful spirit remained intact. In fact, he got even more loveable. And this past summer, when we started getting him around the city in his wagon, he became a neighborhood icon adored by strangers on the streets of New York.
But despite his relentless spirit, his body was giving out. And last week, the doctors advised that it was time. I did my best to give him the send-off he deserved. He was in his bed resting on his favorite pillow with his favorite toys by his side and eucalyptus candles burning. He enjoyed some hamburger and potatoes, gave me one last smile, and then went to sleep with my arms around him as we watched a video montage celebrating his life and all those who loved him.
He was truly a First Ballot Hall of Fame Dog.

To watch the video tribute of his life, go to Tyrone The Basset Tribute

Steve Doppelt
New York, NY

EmmyLou came to our farm several years ago at the age of twelve or thirteen. I vividly remember our first meeting. She was transported from New Jersey to Boston, where she spent Thanksgiving, then to meet us at a Rest Area off of I-95. She seemed reluctant to come with us.

There was a hint of Past Dark times in her life. But as is usually the case we were left to speculate and draw our own conclusions.

She had a bright and outgoing side at times, especially when she was on a walk with her pack. She had to always be in the lead, and when she tired, she would just stop, turn around and bark for everyone to follow her home.

We were told by one of the Specialized Vets that we brought her to that she could only live a maximum of 6 months. She proved them wrong… she lived well over another year.

Ironically, in an effort to make her more comfortable, what should have been a simple procedure ended up with most likely a medication reaction, leading to her gut wrenching demise.

We will miss Miss Emmy and her spunk.

This weekend, February 3rd, 2018, would have been seven years since Tri-State Bassets united me with Fester.

Many owners understandably describe their dogs as the “perfect” pets. But in fairness, Fester was not, he had his share of faults. He did not get along with other animals, grew suspicious of humans in his elderly years, got car sick, and always had anxiety issues.

The anxiety worsened in his old age. He grew bothered and was no longer the content dog he was when younger. Initial medication did not work, and sadly, a few days before Christmas, it was time to say goodbye. He was thirteen. It was the most painful experience of my life. I try and remember the happy times but it is still a challenge.

But as they say, no not perfect, but perfect for me. He taught me discipline, responsibility, and selflessness. I truly learned the meaning of unconditional love which no human, not even family, has come close to match. He was a loving dog, shamelessly grabbing my hand constantly so I could pet and give him attention. In his eyes, I could do no wrong. He lived for me and I was humbled and amazed.

I am forever grateful to Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue for their expertise in matching Fester with me. I may have been the one taking care of Fester, but he taught me much. If I am ever fortunate enough to make it to the Rainbow Bridge or the gates of Heaven, I hope Fester is there to greet me, thankful and happy. I miss him every day. Rest in peace to my best friend.

In May, it would be 8 years of loving our beloved Puck. However, on Feb. 20th, his time came to cross the rainbow bridge. Daddy was there to hold his buddy’s paw on his way over.

Puck was a lover of car rides, treats, begging for people’s food, getting a tubby at the groomer, paw shakes, ear rubs, sunbathing on the deck, taking the warm seat on the couch the second it’s available, trying to be a lap dog, sleeping, pulling his bed down from wherever I put it when I cleaned the floors, lounging with his daddy, being the foreman on any maintenance job in the house, howling and sniffing everything in sight. He hated whenever his Sissy (Torrie) wasn’t with him, not being fed on time, the sound of the phone ringing, the vacuum, rain, and snow.

He was very sweet, had a mighty howl, ears like velvet (the tips floated in his water bowl when he drank) and he sometimes smelled like Fritos. We’re sure he would’ve sounded like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh if he could talk.

He looked thoroughly disgusted in the first picture TSBHR sent us of him prior to the adoption. Sarcastic me knew right then and there he was meant to be with us!

Good-bye Puck / Puckers / Pucker-poo / Guadenzo / Old Man Guadenzo / Stinky / Handsome / Buddy / Good Boy / Baby / Mr. Whiteface / Mr. Wigglebutt / My crooked-legged SOB. We couldn’t have loved you more. Rest In Peace.

In May, it would have been three years since we adopted our good boy, Emmit. This past weekend,
On March 30th, 2018, it came time for Emmit to cross the rainbow bridge.

Emmit was a lover of all walkies, snacks, and buh-byes in the car. His favorite days were Fridays when he would get the “pizza shakes” waiting for pizza crust and Sundays when he would go for a walk to a local breakfast place and was always offered a piece of bacon from the owner. Emmit was also a master bedmaker. He would rearrange any and all pillows in order to make a bed that was suitable for his liking. He also had a habit of wrapping himself in blankets. Emmit LOVED sleeping under his daddy’s desk every night. It was one of his favorite places and it was where he felt safest.

We are forever grateful that he was our first dog. When Emmit came to us, he was very aggressive. He
would bite my husband, me, and the vet. After a few months, Emmit let his guard down and became the biggest cuddle bug I have ever met. We miss him every day. Love you Emmit/Emmy/Bugga/Bubba/Old Man.

Daisy Reynolds crossed the rainbow bridge on April 22, 2017. My mom and I loved Daisy very much and we miss her every day. Jennifer and Priscilla Reynolds

Arfur came to us from TSBHR in October 2005. He was a challenge as he came with many issues. With a lot of love and socialization, he became, in time, a wonderful host to his own picnic every year for bassets and people. He traveled easily and love to go in the car. From grumpy and fearful, he became a smooshy and lovable boy, with a unique personality. He adored his humans, but especially his mama. He wrote songs and put them in a book to benefit Tri State. He gave us years of joy and laughter, our big lovable clown. He has left a big hole in our hearts here at Camp Arfur. We are so grateful he came into our lives and changed us forever. On April 14, 2018, he left us. He will be forever missed.

Arfur T. Leadbottom, loved by Beth and Bill Howering and hundreds of others.​

We adopted Rosco in September 2015… My wife Debbie and I picked him up in the Harrisburg area and when we first met him he was so shy and scared… It took him a few days to warm up to us but after a few days and became my best buddy, my chair buddy and my couch buddy….. I started calling him Lil buddy since he became my best friend…in early August 2018, he was diagnosed with a herniated disc between his 2nd and 3rd. He was in much pain so we decided to try surgery. He got through the surgery but never made it back to where he was conscious. He passed on August 7th at the age of 5… We love you Rosco and there isn’t an hour that we don’t think of you…

My wife and I adopted Ralphie for you’ll in October 2016. from day one he was our laid back boy. He was our big lovey couch potato. He was just happy to be on the couch or in a chair just being part of the family. He was our Eyeore… Ralphie was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure in late July of 2018 and on August 11th Ralphie was filling up with fluids and was laboring with his breathing. My wife and I had to make the worse decision of letting our Ralphie go… We miss Ralphie and his sweet loving personality…..