My name is Larry Little and I'm chairman of Guardian Angel Basset Rescue.  4 years ago, we placed Cleo & Caesar with Jerry & Deborah Bennett.  This week, I received a note from Deb that Cleo, the beautiful girl on the left with Santa, had just passed away.  It has been devastating to her beloved Caesar and to those of us at GABR that knew the story that these dogs brought with them.

When people ask "why do you rescue dogs", I always answer that we're rescuing people and dogs.  I think the highlights of Cleo & Caesar illustrate that point --

• Cleo & Caesar were living with their owner in Colorado when he was murdered by an acquaintance
• Cleo & Caesar were not harmed but, for some reason, were split up and sent to different shelters.  They literally howled constantly for the next two days until the authorities moved them back together.  Then they were fine.
• Their owner's sister drove to Colorado to bring them back to Illinois.  Unfortunately, she decided to keep them outdoors and the howling continued.  That's when she contacted GABR.
• When we announced that these two Bassets had to be kept together, we immediately adopted them out.  But because Cleo had an accident in the home, GABR was called to take them back.
• That's when Cleo & Caesar found Jerry & Deb.  They were then named King & Queen of the 2005 Waddle - everyone loved them!

Cleo & Caesar have touched many people in our organization, especially their owners.  Here is an excerpt from Deb's note to me about Cleo --

"Jerry and I wanted to share our very sad news with you and Emmy. Our beloved Cleo has gone to heaven this week. Over the last few weeks she lost her appetite and she started to decline. We treated her for stomach issues with no real improvement, we did blood work and x-rays with no result. Our vet recommended an ultrasound which, along with a needle biopsy, revealed the cancer that we suspected. She had lymphosarcoma. There was nothing we could do for her except to let her go with dignity and in peace.

I know I have told you this before, but from the minute they came to meet us we all became a family. They loved and trusted us and we fell instantly in love with them, we always said that we needed them as much as they needed us. They settled in right away and it was like they had been with us all of their lives, we were all the perfect fit for each other. I have said to Jerry many times that I feel sorry for people who go through life and are never lucky enough to be loved by a basset hound."

By sending this note to you, I'm asking that you make a pledge in Cleo's name for the upcoming Illinois Basset Waddle being held in Dwight, Illinois on Sunday, September 20th.  The money raised for that event is used to rescue dogs like Cleo & Caesar in order to give them and "their people" the opportunity that we provide on a daily basis.

Please click on the link below and make your donation for the 10 block walk.  The goal amount listed will provide the funds necessary to rescue and place 4 Bassets into new homes.  Any amount is wonderful and I'm certain will make Cleo very proud.