As many of you know, we've adopted two dogs - Ellis and Naomi - from the North Texas Basset Hound Rescue. Not only are they great dogs, but we've been very impressed by the dedication, hard work, and high level of caring demonstrated by this outstanding organization. We're proud to support them, both with our time and our dollars.

Recently, the Humane Society conducted a raid on the Heddins Ranch, doing business as Maggic Pets, a notorious puppy mill located in Bowie, Texas (you can Google "Heddins Ranch" for more information). More than 500 dogs and puppies were seized, all of them suffering from some degree of neglect and abuse, as they were housed in tiny cages and left out in the hot Texas sun with inadequate food, water, or care. The dogs were filthy, and many were infested with fleas, most had medical or dental problems (including internal and external parasites, mange, skin and coat problems, and malnutrition), and all were thoroughly unsocialized. Conditions were deplorable, and the only good news is that the dogs are now out of that hellish situation.

After a court hearing in July, the dogs were turned over to the Humane Society, who coordinated their care. Some have already been adopted out, others are being housed with various breed rescue groups. The NTBHR has assumed responsibility for 15 Bassets - four of which were placed with Basset rescue agencies in Arizona and California - leaving 11 dogs that are now living in foster homes in the area.

Although all the dog's conditions are treatable, the funds needed to rehabilitate the animals is staggering. Initial estimates run to an average of $1,000 per dog, even with the help of area vets. NTBHR President Sammi Cox explains the issue in a recent article for the Fort Worth Basset Hound Club Newsletter:

"What our vets found in these dogs is appalling. These Bassets had untreated injuries and broken bones, internal and external parasites, including heartworms, hookworms, whip worms, mange, severe periodontal disease, abscessed teeth, eye and skin irritations, and shredded ears. All were malnourished, many of them severely. One of our vets who spayed our first three females, remarked that he had never seen uteruses in such horrible condition in his 30 years of veterinary medicine. Other vets have told us that these dogs had the worst periodontal disease they have ever seen. Several of the Bassets had mange, one’s legs were totally covered with lesions. Another had an abscessed tooth that ruptured into the eye. Most of the dogs will require dental surgery; many will lose most of their teeth."

Fortunately, the one thing that was not found in the rescued Bassets was aggression; all of these dogs are sweet and gentle, and they simply need the chance to become the good family pets everyone who meets them knows they can become. With proper veterinary care, including necessary spaying and neutering, and the love and patience provided by the foster families, there's little doubt that this will happen.

(For more about the scouge of puppy mills, please visit http://thingsishouldnthavetotellyou.blogspot.com/2010/08/this-shouldnt-happen-to-dog.html.)

As the NTBHR is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, the financial obligation of taking on these poor abused dogs - as well as the hundreds of animals that are abandoned or neglected thoughout the year -  is severe. I know that these are hard times for everyone, but I hope you'll be able to see your way clear to making a donation, in whatever amount is comfortable for you, to help give these dogs the second chance they so richly deserve. Of course, the mission of the NTBHR doesn't end once all the Heddins Ranch dogs are adopted out. They take in Bassets all year long, nearly all of which need care of one type or another. Whenever your donation is received, it will be more than welcome and greatly appreciated.

Additionally, if you know of anyone else that might be interested in donating to NTBHR, please forward this page to them. These dogs need all the help they can get.

Thanks,

John & Judy