Ears the News! - Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue

Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue’s Newsletter
For Basset Lovers Helping Homeless Hounds
Ears the
News!
Spring 2013
BoardWaddle 2013
“A wash out,” is how Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue’s president, Sue Mason, later
described the first day of Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue’s annual BoardWaddle weekend, April 12-13, 2013. Before the event, Tri-State announced that, because of rain,
Friday’s Olympic games would be wrapped into the Saturday picnic. And the dogs who
were supposed to be part of Friday’s fly-in by Scott Messinger of Pilots N Paws would
have to reroute and take a land trip. But that change of plans couldn’t spoil this weekend of fun and fundraising. Rain has never stopped the Waddle.
Friday evening, while hounds napped in their hotel rooms, howled at the indignity of
their humans leaving, or enjoyed having space from their two-legged friends, Tri-State‘s
people went on with Friday night’s dinner, raffle, and Pawction at Greate Bay Country
Club. Cynthia Ruggerio created a wonderful montage video of all the dogs adopted in
The crowning of Grand Marshall Buddy Kohl. (Photo courtesy of Dana Mania.)
2012, which played during the dinner. Pam Morgan had so many terrific Pawction
items that the raffle table had to be pressed into service to take on the overflow, and
it turned into Tri-State’s best ever Pawction. And Tri-State’s store was set up for those who needed items the raffle and Pawction didn’t offer. The
event was crowned with honor when Vice-president Eric Stevenson was presented with the first Tri-State Basset Hound Rescuer of the Year
Award for what TSBHR President Sue Mason describes as his “extreme commitment to the rescue and to all dogs.”
While many were partying, two separate transports took up the slack caused by
the weather that cancelled Scott Messinger’s flight. Steve Zserai and Angi Shannon
brought dogs from Fox Breeze Kennels, and another transporter drove through
the night to bring dogs up from the South. Happily, Hertz gave the rescue a reduced rate on the car rentals that brought these new hounds to their first Waddle. Some Tri-State folks had volunteered to take these temporary fosters in their
hotel rooms, so the new Waddlers had a place to go when their travels ended.
A sunny and beautiful second Waddle day dawned. At the midmorning registration, Grand Marshall Buddy Kohl was crowned by Cathy Larsen, who provided
him with the hat she had made to complement his pilot’s costume and airplane
float that honored Pilots N Paws. Then Jennifer Starr and her basset Raleigh led
the Waddlers, following the rest of the Doo Dah Parade’s marchers.
Back at the picnic grounds, setup hit a snag when, Sue Mason said, “We discov-
A few of the Pawction items. (Photo courtesy of Dana Mania)
ered that a piece of the sound system had gone walkabout.” A local man took pity on Tri-State organizers, who were going through the crowd,
screaming information; he ran home and came back with a replacement cord, which put the sound system back to work.
Many people took part in pre-Waddle organization, setup, managing events, wrangling hounds, and cleanup. No matter who did what, it all helped
find new homes for twelve hounds and raised approximately $44,000 to help Tri-State help more hounds.
Looking back on the event, Sue Mason offers “thanks to everyone who attended and showed patience and good humor when things didn't go as
planned and we were running around putting out fires. Instead of complaining, so many people just jumped in to do what was needed, regardless of
whether they had volunteered for it or not, and I cannot express how grateful I am for that. You are truly the best rescue group ever.” ◊
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Ears the News!
Spring 2013
Puppies Again
Early in December 2012, with the help of Belly Rubs Basset Rescue, Tri-State arranged to
pull three hounds from a shelter in Andalusia, Alabama. Two dogs, Andy and Cyndy,
quickly made their way up north and into new homes. But the third, Josie Ann, went to a
vet’s at Knoxville, Tennessee, once Tri-State discovered she had heartworm.
After starting heartworm treatment, at the end of December, Josie Ann began gaining a
lot of weight, so on January 9, Tri-State arranged for her to have a sonogram. Once it was
apparent that puppies were in her
future, Eric and Nancy Stevenson
rushed down to Knoxville and gave
Josie Ann’s newborn puppies. (Photo courtesy of Eric Stevenson.)
her a ride up to Pennsylvania.
Josie settled into Fox Breeze Ken-
nels, where she could get the good care a mama hound needs from people who have experience
with new litters. And on January 19, 2013, Josie gave Tri-State its second litter of puppies within
one year.
Josie was a good mama to her five bassetbeagle mixes. Their mixed breeding didn’t
stop people from wanting to adopt these
cute puppies, and TSBHR had many appli-
The growing puppies acting like a pack of starving
hounds don’t faze Josie Ann. (Photo courtesy of Eric
Stevenson.)
cations for them. Shortly before the Waddle, only one of the five puppies, Traveller, had yet to be spoken for. By then, mama Josie Ann
found her own home, with Patricia Chico, who had recently lost her much-loved hound, Max, and
needed some special basset comfort.
By February 11, the puppies were growing rapidly.
(Photo courtesy of Eric Stevenson.)
Before long, Traveller too had his happy home. Hurrah for six rescued hounds who are starting
new lives!◊
Bowling for Bassets
Basset lovers descended on the AMF Parkway Lanes, in Allentown. Pennsylvania, on February 23, 2013, to take
part in Tri-State’s very successful Bowling for Bassets fundraiser.
Well before that day, Kathy Frisch had been organizing the event and getting the word out about it to both
folks who were interested in bassets and those who love to bowl. The Morning Call, a local newspaper, included
both a write-up and a basset picture in their local news column. A few people came to Bowling for Bassets
because of that notice, and one even wrote out a donation check!
Twenty-eight lanes for the bassets.
(Photo courtesy of Kathy Frisch.)
All around, donations were generous, with Pepsi providing soda for the event, and Nestle/Purina providing
water and animal food and treats. Dave Feather of Prior Coated Metals donated funds toward the pizza, and
the shop it was ordered from reduced their price. That was just the beginning of the generosity that came Tri-
State’s way from individuals and corporations. Raffle donations included tickets to Disney On Ice, a basset clock, an autographed picture of Pittsburgh
Steelers #43, and a Keurig brewer.
Just over a week before the event, eighty-seven people had signed up to bowl, and shortly after that, Kathy reported she had 96 bowlers signed up,
with 6 more attendees who didn’t intend to bowl. Finally, over 100 bowlers took part in the event, making use of 28 lanes. Moon Doggie Coffee
Roasters was also there, selling coffee. And the raffle table proved a huge success, bringing in $1,400, while the 50/50 came to $700. In addition, an
anonymous donor gave $1,000, in honor of the Frisches and all the hard work they had done, as first-time organizers, to create such a success.
Four dogs went into foster homes, two with Frank Tetler, and two, including the adorable senior Precious, to Sue Crane’s home.
And the folks at AMF Parkway lanes had so much fun hosting TSBHR that we have, Kathy says, “an outstanding red-carpet invitation for next year.” ◊
Ears the News!
Spring 2013
Page 3
Found: One Wonderful Home!
When Bo came to his new adoptive family, he was a bit of a shock. Marilyn Douglas and
her husband Greg, who had previously owned Labrador retrievers, thought this Tri-State
bassador would be a bit smaller than the average Lab, but Bo’s picture had been rather
deceiving. A dog whom they expected to weigh in at 40-45 pounds was close to 60
pounds. Yet the Connecticut couple decided to give him a chance.
What seemed to be an adoption at risk of dying at the outset quickly got turned around
by the delightful personality of this former Tennessee shelter inhabitant. Shortly following
the adoption, Marilyn reported: “Bo is absolutely fabulous and it didn't take us long to
forget about size. He's ADORABLE, adaptable, funny, smart, relaxed, and is learning
housetraining very quickly.” When they took him to Petco for a bath, it took the couple
30 minutes to get out the door again, because so many people wanted to know what
Bo, now called Beau, in his new forever home.
(Photo courtesy of Marilyn Douglas.)
breed he was and where they’d gotten him.
But Bo, renamed Beauregard a short time after his adoption, is destined to be more than a family pet. From the very first, Marilyn planned on
training him as a therapy dog who would visit children at Connecticut Children's Medical Center and perhaps at a local hospice organization
too. She had done such work with her previous Labrador retriever, Ranger. But since rescue dogs need to be in their new homes for six
months before their initial evaluation, Marilyn couldn’t act on her plans right away.
Still, even in the early days after his adoption, Beau seemed to show signs that he’d like to be a therapy dog. So Marilyn began training slowly
by working with Beau on becoming part of the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program, through which he will be able to go into libraries and schools and listen to children read aloud
to him. R.E.A.D. is designed to help children love books and reading aloud by providing them with an
uncritical listener. And who listens better than a basset (or basset mix)? In February Ranger’s child
partner, Emma, began the training, and Beau proved “a natural,” according to Marilyn. He’s a quick
learner—and who knows what else he’s learning from Emma’s books! Maybe we’ll find out when he
begins “studying” with students in September.
Beau loves lying close to Emma as he listens. If a child’s not touching him, “he will correct that.”
Marilyn reports. “He'll push them with his back legs or nuzzle his
nose under their arm or book.” Maybe that’s his stubborn basset
side coming out.
In March and April Beau completed an eight-week basic discipline
class, required as a prerequisite for pet therapy work. Since he
grasped the basics quickly, it was recommended that he bypass
Beau and six-year-old Emma enjoying a
R.E.A.D story time. (Photo courtesy of
Marilyn Douglas.)
the second level of discipline and go to Pet Therapy II, where he
will learn to manage a variety of environments in hospitals, nursing homes, public libraries, and schools. This includes training for
real-life situations he will face—wheelchairs, chaotic situations,
and aggressive petting from rough but well-meaning children. This summer Marilyn intends to continue his
training in public settings, and she hopes they’ll be evaluated in September. Provided the team passes that
evaluation, Beau and Marilyn will be certified for pet-assisted therapy through the national organization Pet
Partners.
“Beau continues to amaze us with his consistent behavior that is now settled in to a beautiful rhythm. That
Beau, happy with his new family. (Photo courtesy of Marilyn
Douglas.)
said, it didn't come without a lot of work and attention,” Beau’s partner and new mom informed us, three months into the adoption. Still, “I
can say, we truly know we've found a gem! He's a blessing on many levels.” ◊
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Ears the News!
Spring 2013
Waddle Shots
The Waddle is about having fun with the hounds, but it’s also
about raising money for the rescue. Our 20 highest pledge raisers for the 2013 Waddle, with a number of ties, were:
1. Sue & Craig MacFarlane: $7,000+
2. Karen Kohl: $4,067
3. Kathy & Bruce Frisch: $2,225
4. Angela Villari: $2,030
5. Annika Francis: $1,016
6. Karen & Paul Curley: $865
7. Joanne & Douglas Gibble: $810
8. Linda Schmitz: $500
8. Brenda Kahn: $500
Going for Olympic gold. (Photo courtesy of Dana Mania.)
8. Donna Funk: $500
9. Donna Meese: $475
10. Kevin Martin: $390
11. Jesse Mead: $300
11. Jennifer Miller: $300
11. Rita Jenkins: $300
11. Francis Burton: $300
12. Susan Greene: $270
13. Julia Ellis: $260
Tri-State’s new trailer art, unveiled at the Waddle.
(Photo courtesy of Dana Mania.)
13. Darlene Jones: $260
14. Mindy & Matilda Pentz: $255 ◊
The Grand Marshall and his air crew, brother Bo (copilot) and his PBGV cousin
Nellie (flight attendant). (Photo courtesy of Penny Kohl.)
Looking for that forever home is
hard work. (Photo courtesy of
Dana Mana.)
Ears the News!
Spring 2013
Some of the most admired costumes at the Waddle.
(Photo courtesy of Jennifer Starr.)
Suiting up for the Waddle. (Photo courtesy of
Jennifer Starr.)
BoardWaddle 2013
Costumes and floats are some of the most
exciting things about the Waddle. Just ask
our photographers, who had a great time
shooting them!
If you’d like to see more pictures, go to
Tri-State’s Facebook page and click on the
Boardwaddle 2013 album and you can
enjoy the Waddle all over again.
GM Buddy Kohl’s float, a tribute to Pilots N Paws. (Photo courtesy
of Penny Kohl.)
A basceratops? (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Starr.)
When bassets don’t fly in, they still ride in style. (Photo
courtesy of Dana Mania.)
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Ears the News!
Spring 2013
How Can I Help? Transporting
“Taxi! I need a taxi!” Bassets may not be able to cry out for rides, but transport coordinator Cathy Larsen can and often
does when Tri-State hounds need to go from one place to another. And transporting is part of the lifeblood of the rescue. For without it dogs could not get into foster homes, get the vet care they need, or be taken to their new homes.
Tri-State always needs help moving dogs across its wide territory. Whether it’s a dog like Bo (who went from Fox
Breeze Kennels, in Annville, Pennsylvania, to Tarrytown, New York, to meet his new people) or a hound who needs a lift
to Quakertown for a vet visit, until dogs can drive, they’ll always need a ride. And folks from Tri-State have been there
to help them go the distance. But sometimes dogs have to wait, if no people are free to drive them to their destinations;
so new transporters are always welcome. According to Cathy, every effort is made to keep one leg of a transport down
to an hour each way (though those who like driving longer distances sometimes may be accommodated). Naturally, the more people who volunteer to
do a transport, the shorter each leg can be.
Transport teams are developed on an as-needed basis, formed of those who volunteer to drive a specific dog on the day it needs to travel. Anyone
who wants to become part of a transport team should join Tri-State’s Yahoo group, where each need for transport is announced. By contacting Dana
Mania ([email protected]), new transporters can be added to the group and receive notifications of when and where dogs need to travel. Once
people volunteer, Cathy makes up a team, which can arrange when and where to meet each other.
Transports often start at Fox Breeze Kennels; Quakertown Veterinary Clinic, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania; the home of the family surrendering the
dog or wherever they plan to meet someone from Tri-State; or even a foster home. Transporters have met dogs and the folks who are taking the
next leg of the journey outside fast-food restaurants, at pet stores, or other convenient places. A quick exchange, and the hound is on its way.
Wise transporters bring along a leash and have a crate or tie-down for a traveling dog. Some relinquished dogs come well supplied, but others have
nothing but the collar they stand in. Each TSBHR dog goes to its new home with a martingale collar and a Tri-State ID tag. But transporters of a very
fearful dog might also do well to have two leashes and a harness, so the dog can have a leash attached to both collar and harness, to reduce the chance
of escapes. A cell phone is also useful, programmed with phone numbers for Cathy and the other members of the transport. Transporters who are at
the final end of an adoption transport fill out some simple paperwork and make sure the adopters get the records that travel with the hound. Those
who take part in this kind of transport should be sure to bring along a pen and perhaps a clipboard or other item to write on and a camera, to take
pictures of the new adopters and their dog.
Many transports take a dog to its new people. What fun it is to see a happy family meeting a hound for the first time! But whatever kind of transport it
is, each one helps a homeless hound. Who could resist being part of that? ◊
The 2012 Report
President Sue Mason announced that in 2012 Tri-State found homes for 196 dogs, nearly doubling the number it rehomed in any of the past four
years. This huge increase in adoptions was accomplished while Tri-State finished climbing out of the last of $40,000 worth of debt, part of which the
rescue had carried for all of those years. Now Tri-State has no outstanding debt. Despite the doubts of naysayers who were intimidated by that daunting figure, the rescue has continued functioning and increased its effectiveness, and the BoardWaddle, which some foretold was doomed, has continued to provide a large chunk of the income that supports the homeless hounds. Since midsummer, the rescue has continually had an average of 25
applicants taking part in the adoption process, making it possible to consistently help new hounds.
Many of this year’s rescued dogs have come from other states, but only because Tri-State has had the resources to help more hounds. Except for
extreme aggression cases, every basset and bassety mix TSHBR became aware of in its own area was accepted into the rescue. In taking in dogs from
Southern states, Tri-State has saved the lives of hounds who would otherwise have died because no homes could be found for them locally. Speaking
of those bassets and basset mixes, Sue explained in this year’s Waddle speech, “We are the last chance for a lot of hounds right now.”
Sue is keenly aware that the effectiveness of the rescue has been the result of the work of many supporters in the Tri-State community. Though some
have done more than others, everyone has pitched in and taken part in the rescue’s work. Without that support, this success could not have been
possible. With such help, she hopes the rescue will be able to assist more than 200 dogs in 2013. ◊
Ears the News!
Spring 2013
Page 7
Hattiesburg 7 Update
On Christmas Eve, 2012, Eric Stevenson received an e-mail asking for Tri-State’s help for seven bassets in a Mississippi shelter.
The dogs, who had been turned in by a breeder who could no longer afford to feed them, were due to lose their lives at four
that afternoon, if no one spoke for them. Of course Tri-State came to their rescue, “ We just couldn’t let them die today,” Eric
said, “especially not today.” And through the help of some amazing people, including some strangers to TSBHR, Mabel, Honey,
Glenda, Bonnie, Clyde, Greta, and Brigit came north, the first three to Pennsylvania, while the others stopped off at Knoxville,
Mabel
Tennessee, for heartworm treatment. Eventually they all received vetting and were healthy, and TSBHR began their search for homes. This is
the story of their happy endings.
Ten-year-old Mabel, who lounged on Eric Stevenson’s lap as a foster and discovered what couches and
homes were all about, was the first to find a home. After a week-long stay with Eric’s vet, one of the techs
adopted her. She brings Mabel to work daily, and Eric reports Mabel is looking wonderful and very happy.
Honey had a few no-show matches but ended up being adopted into a fantastic home in Delaware, where
Honey
she has kids and dogs to play with in a fully fenced yard.
Clyde
Clyde found a home in Pennsylvania with a new three-year-old basset brother, a fenced yard, and a mom who’s
at home to spoil him rotten and give him all the care a basset could wish for.
Brigit went to a nice, quiet New Jersey home with a wrap-around, fenced deck, and sixty acres to play in.
After a month of boning up on potty training and how to do steps, Greta also left for a new home in New Jersey.
Brigit
Though Glenda waited until a week before the Waddle to go to her home, she got a cushy one in New York,
Glenda
with two other rescued bassets, homemade dog treats, dog beds all over the house, and a big fenced yard.
Bonnie held out until the BoardWaddle to go to her new home in Connecticut. But every one of these Southern
belles and one beau found great homes, spreading the joy of living with bassets over five states. ◊
Bonnie
Greta
Gifts for the Howlidays
Tri-State’s entertaining Howliday Party, thrown on December 1, 2012, was a financial success. Treasurer Dana Mania reported the event “took
in $4200 even! The raffle table took in $875 & the 50/50 took in $152. The special raffle for Horton brought in $330. The giving tree brought
us $147, and the regular donations came to $1423. The store raised $896, and Pam McQuade gave us $377 from her Dashing Bassets Bakery.”
In addition five adoptions took place that day: Rufus, Ruby, Doug, Speckles (Horton’s brother), and Josie went from the party to their new
homes. ◊
Upcoming Events
May 18, Hound Howlabaloo: 11:00 AM-3:00 PM, Wantagh Park, Wantagh, NY. A day of basset games (including
prizes) and food, along with a raffle and the Tri-State merchandise tent. Adoptable hounds will be in attendance.
Download a registration form at: http://www.tristatebassets.org/info/events Contact: Walli Gnatkowski,
[email protected] or (516) 503-9050.
June 1, Annual Golf Tournament: 7:00 AM, registration, 8:00 AM, shotgun start, Sand Springs Country Club, 10
Clubhouse Drive, Drums, PA. Cost: $75 per person, $300 per team for greens fee, cart, lunch and dinner! NonGolfing Option: $30 per person for volunteers or those accompanying a golfer for the dinner and post-tournament
awards banquet. Contact: Mandy Shema, [email protected] or (570) 384-3483. ◊
Donation Form
Ears the News!
Tri-State Basset Hound
Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization run entirely by
volunteers. Our modest adoption fees, which keep adoptions affordable for most
people, cover only a portion of our vet bills and other expenses. We rely on fundraisers and donations for the rest.
PO Box 132
A vital part of the rescue process is supporters who donate money to help the bassets. Please help rescue hounds by printing and filling out the form below and sending it to:
Keyport, NJ 07735
Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue
Rescue
Editor: Pamela McQuade
E-mail: [email protected]
PO Box 132
Keyport, NJ 07735
Name_______________________________________________________________________
Visit us on the Web at:
www.tristatebassets.org
Find us on
Facebook
Contacts
Adoptions: Sue Mason—
[email protected]
Surrenders: Eric Stevenson—
717-808-0572—
[email protected]
Street Address_______________________________________________________________
City____________________________________________State___________Zip__________
Phone: (H)__________________(W)______________________(C)____________________
E-mail:_______________________________________________________________________
Please do not send cash. Make checks payable to Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue.
Amount enclosed: _____________
I would like to make a donation using my credit card:
Circle one:
MasterCard
Visa
Credit Card Number__________________________________________________________
Expiration Date______________________________ Amount: $______________________
Signature:____________________________________________________________________
Fostering: Eric Stevenson—
717-808-0572—
[email protected]
To donate through PayPal, go to http://www.tristatebassets.org/donations.html and
follow the prompts. You can also set up regular, automatic donations.
Donations: Dana Mania, treasurer—[email protected]
In Memory
I am writing this with a heavy heart. On the January 2, 2013
our loyal dog and best friend passed away. Holly was six
years old when she arrived in our hearts on a hot Sunday
Want to keep up on the
latest Tri-State news?
afternoon in August of 2006 and made herself at home
immediately. Her cheerful and happy personality was a total
surprise to us. She become the queen of her (our) castle.
Join our Yahoo group.
Not a day goes by that we do not miss her and think about
Get on the list by con-
her often. I would like to thank the Tri-State family for
tacting Dana Mania at:
[email protected]
giving us six years with her. I know in our hearts we gave
her the best years of her life. She was special and will always be special to us. We love you, Holly, and we miss you so much. John Woolbert ◊