The Rainbow Bridge

This is Feruson Hamilton the Emperor. He answered to Gus.

I got Gus for Christmas in 2004. I guess he was supposed to be a she, but she had a cold. So, there he was. It was love at first site.
My first grandson was born in November just before Gus came to our home. So, Gus and Ty grew up together. Gus lived with an Umbrella Cockatoo, Dewey, and his own kitty cat, Ellie. He and Ellie became inseparable. Always taking naps together.

When I bought Ellie a kitty bed she wanted nothing to do with it. Gus put his shoulders into it. The two carved pumpkins together and opened their Christmas stockings. The love surrounding us with my Gus she. In time, Gus was having a harder time getting around. Vet visits more often. He lost quite a few teeth. I was told by my vet it was due to inbreeding.
There came the time that Gus’s arthritis was keeping him down, covered with his blankie. He started having trouble going down the steps to go potty. I put pee pads in the sitting room.

The pain became too much for my boy and he had no true quality of life. When the day came for Gus to take that walk across the Rainbow Bridge, Gus was laying on a carpet, wrapped in his blue blanket, my arms around him. I stayed with him for probably 20 minutes, talking to his soul and telling him thank you for all the times he held me up when I was so low. It’s been three years. I miss him now more than ever.
I live alone, I am disabled due to Fibromyalgia and depression, PTSD. I want an emotional companion and I can only see myself with a Bassett. Maybe someday. I do know Gus is so happy beyond the Rainbow bridge.

On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, we had to say goodbye to my boy Gus. He had been diagnosed with a large aggressive tumor on his spleen just two weeks prior to one of the hardest and saddest days in my life. My in-laws mated their basset male, Clancy, with a family friend’s female, Molly. Gus was one of eight in the litter. The first time we went to see the puppies, Gus crawled right into my wife’s lap and straight into our hearts. He loved going anywhere in the car and was the best co-pilot. He was always by my side, wherever I was. He loved getting belly rubs, his butt scratched, and especially getting his ears scratched inside and out. Gus would make this moaning sound of pleasure when you scratched that perfect spot in his ear. Gus was a puppy at heart for his entire life. He always wanted to play with his ball. Everyone that met Gus, and those that only saw him in pictures, loved him. My wife dressed him up for every holiday and special occasion, and Gus just endured her silly antics. He would sit and pose for pictures like the good boy he was. He was the subject of our Christmas cards for many years, and everybody said they looked forward to those cards every year. Gus was a huge part of our life, and a day won’t go by that we won’t miss him. I’m positive he knows how much we love him, and we will use the knowledge that he isn’t suffering anymore to help us ease the pain of losing him. We will meet again Gus, so have that ball of yours ready. Gus – 11/16/2007 – 3/20/2019.
Jack and Cindy Thomas

After a long and eventful life, Stella waddled peacefully across the Rainbow Bridge this past July 26th at the age of 14 ¾. She is survived on this side by pet parents Margaret and Michael, and her pet-sister Rebecca.
Stella was adopted at the age of 2 through the auspices of Tri State Basset Hound Rescue after an extensive interviewing process to ensure a stable and loving home environment. Her adoptive family spent the next 12 ¾ years proving it was worthy of a raised eyebrow. Having done some independent research on the nature and temperament of the breed, her pet parents took away several nuggets that proved particularly useful over the years:

• Basset Hounds are not constrained by time or space – a 40-acre farm is too small…
• In practical terms, this means they have to be walked to within an inch of their lives.
• Most importantly, Basset Hounds do not obey so much as they acquiesce which means that…
• In practical terms, obedience is more likely when the interests of the hound and pet parent are aligned.

Mostly as a result of walks that could extend upwards to 90 minutes and a personality that led total strangers to gravitate to her, she was well-known throughout the community. Her hunting skills were in keeping with those of the breed; she was equally at home tracking down baby rabbits, assorted road kill as well as the odd stray bagels left over from local street fairs.
In her later years, Stella was content to sit in the sun, contemplate life and let it come to her.
Stella would ask that those of you reading this not mourn her, but consider a contribution to TSBHR in order that it might continue its good work of screening potential pet families as to worthiness to adopt the dogs they shelter…for, in the eyes of Basset Hounds (if not necessarily their sponsoring agency), pet-parenting is a privilege only to be earned over the fullness of time.

This week, our best friend, companion, and loving basset hound, Rocky passed away at the grand old age of 12 ½. When we went to the TSBHR Septemberfest 8 years ago, we are so fortunate that Rocky chose us. His was a wonderful life, full of lots of love, walks, tummy rubs, and treats. Our lives were made infinitely better by his presence, his love, and his loyalty.

Rocky’s mild temperament and laid-back lifestyle made him the perfect first dog for our family. It didn’t take long for him to hold a special place in our hearts and home. He ruled our house – going wherever he wanted when he wanted. Many times, we got to see him with the zoomies, running around the house, always with a cheeky grin on his face.

Rocky was a handsome boy, and he knew it, he loved walking around our small town being admired by passersby who would stop to pet him. On special occasions, he would be sporting a bow tie and be the best-dressed family member.

Rocky, we miss you every day, our early morning walks and late-night visits to the backyard before settling to sleep. Safe travels to that Rainbow Bridge, until we meet again, we love you.
Tim, Pauline, Katharine & Sophie Edbrooke

On November 16th, 2019 I adopted Lemon (aka Lemmie) from TSBHR. On May 6th, 2020 I received the devastating news that Lemmie was diagnosed with high-grade B-cell Lymphoma. His prognosis was poor, and my time with him was limited, the doctor gave us 3 maybe 4 weeks tops. Well, Lemmie decided it was not his time just yet. I am proud that my boy continued to thrive for another 19 weeks! As a Veterinary Technician, this is unheard of. Someone was most certainly looking down on us. Lemon enjoyed snuggling on the couch, sunbathing in the backyard, and his daily walks around the neighborhood. On September 13th I helped him make his journey across the rainbow bridge. I am thankful this gentle soul found his way into my life, and I am going to miss him dearly. I want to thank TSBHR for matching me with this lovable boy. I hope his family knows he was truly loved and adored, and my heart is heavy. I know where he is going he will be loved. Rest easy my boy.

Bonnie was my baby girl. The most beautiful basset. Alternatively called Miss Bonnie, Smoö, Bon, Bonz, Bonster, Boo Bear, Hooftie, Bootsie Bonnie, and Bonnie Bear by her family members, she epitomized love and joy. She would go crazy when we returned from an errand, feasted on chicken, loved going on car rides with Mom around town, believed our chairs were her chairs and enjoyed singing with Brooke, belly rubber extradoniarre.
Bonnie spent her days chasing the sun – from her spot in the dining room window to the deck, to my chaise lounge, she could always find a sunny locale to relax in. She loved to zoomie around the yard, chase squirrels and passerby, dig and chill in her hidey hole, adventure beneath the deck and through the barn, and snuggle with her little stuffed puppy as she curled up to sleep (on the nights she wasn’t taking up the entirety of my bed!)
Bonnie’s legacy will continue through Bonnie’s Bushels, a garden where we grow food to share with friends and family – doing what Bonnie did best – giving and spreading love.

We adopted Annabelle almost 7 years ago from your organization! She was a blessing. The first year was long getting her healthy but once we took care of some health issues she was an amazing companion. She went everywhere from trips to see our son in Maine to visit our daughter and her family in Williamsburg Virginia! Everyone loved her ears when we walked the streets of Williamsburg. And of course steak in the white mountains after hiking to the waterfalls. She passed on Tuesday from lymphoma. She will be missed.

Our beloved basset hound, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, The First Lady, passed away on July 1st, 2021, in the arms of her loving family members — just 2 months shy of her 16th birthday. She is survived by her cat sister Puddie, and her cousin Mr. Puddles. Rose was the definition of a gypsy who was wild, free, and adventurous up until the day she crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She loved to go for rides as a shotgun passenger in the car, so much so, that she would put up a fight to get out when we’d arrive at our destination, or go fishing on a boat but attributing nothing but looks and laziness, sun basking while we did the work of casting reels. She loved to be active and was an all-around champion at being a couch potato shortly after any strenuous activity such as climbing up 3 deck steps, or running to the door when someone came to visit. Rose’s favorite meal was whatever the company around her was eating, with a follow-up dessert of a Rita’s Water Ice “Pup cup.” From her days of chewing steak, stealing your lunch, and asserting herself into your popcorn or soup bowl, she showed no remorse for her love handles and chunky rolls! Roosevelt participated in the Board Waddle Parade in 2019 in her White House-themed wagon pulled by her best friend Austin — the thought of WALKING the boards was just too far-fetched (no pun intended) for her. From spending every waking moment of the day with us (literally – leaving her alone was a crime) to not having her has been hard — an entire community was affected by her passing, including her Grandmother who died exactly 1 month after she did; her famous saying “When Rose goes, I go!” This dynamic duo will live on for as long as we can tell stories. We love you, Roosevelt, may you Rest In Peace.

Bean was the most beloved Bassett in all the land. His mommy Lindsay got him as a weeks-old pup (her first and only) when she was a teenager starting college. He was a big undertaking for an 18-year-old, but they were inseparable from minute one and through his entire 14 years! He influenced her future career, and after graduation, she even started her own business called Bean’s Animal House. His mom was the best mom a dog could ever have! She wanted to spend as much time as possible with her best friend and took him everywhere! Outdoor restaurants in downtown Philadelphia where they lived, parks, and snuggling on the couch with Bean was her favorite pastime. When he slowed down in his later years, she even wheeled him around in his custom wagon so that he could still enjoy Spring days basking in the sun in the park or meeting new friends at outdoor restaurants. He put smiles on so many faces! His mom nicknamed him “HAPPY” for a reason! Everyone that saw this precious and unique Basset boy with vitiligo had to stop and pet him. He brought so much joy to so many, but none more than his mommy! She fed him all the best food and man, was he a spoiled and loved dude! The last several years were rough for Bean and mommy with his multiple health issues. No dog ever cared for more. Mommy had several vets including an acupuncturist to assist with pain management. She suffered through surgeries (no spleen Bean became his nickname after one) and made sure he was comfortable, and his quality of life was still good. When he finally hit the point of being in too much pain, she made the hardest decision for all parents of fur babies. Bean went out on a high note eating all the way through the end in his favorite park in the sun. He was a happy and hungry pup til the end leaving this world in “his person’s” arms.

As I was walking down the street with my dog and my niece’s dog, my neighbor and tri state volunteer said that I should have two dogs of my own and that’s how I was given the most beautiful and wonderful bassador, Tinker. She was the joy of my life; such a well-mannered and good dog. She would bark once when she had to go out as opposed to my Labrador, Chloe, who had a spot in the house. The only negative thing I could say about her was her pickiness with food. But after subscribing to the Farmer’s Dog, this was no longer a problem – she enjoyed her food. I think of her many times a day and wish she was still here – I miss her terribly. She stole my heart and now I have a hole in it. There will never be another Tinker and I’m afraid to get another from tri state because I’ll be looking for a Tinker. She was my soulmate and life will never be the same.