Please help me raise funds for an organization close to my heart. Guardian Angel Basset rescue is the largest single breed rescue in the Midwest. Guardian Angel rescues, provides full veterinary care and finds homes for over 300 dogs each year.
On September 18-19, 2010, Guardian Angel Basset Rescue is holding their 13th Annual Waddle. The Illinois Waddle is a weekend long celebration of the breed attended annually by over 1,000 bassets and their families. It is Guardian Angel’s primary source of funding.
I'm often told I'm crazy. As many of you know, I foster Bassets whenever I possibly can so my house is often times chaotic. Two questions I am routinely asked are, "Why do you foster?" and "How do you let the foster Basset go?!" Here are my answers:
I raise money for the rescue of Bassets because a Basset Hound has touched my life. Andrew wouldn't be here today to help me wrap gifts (see photo) if it weren't for this very rescue. Guardian Angel knew it wouldn't be cheap to "fix" Andrew because he was heartworm positive, he'd been shot in the head with buckshot - and needed surgery, his teeth were worn to the gum and needed cleaning, he needed to be neutered and he had to have ALL his shots. But they pulled him from that shelter anyway and gave him the medical treatment he needed to live. The heartworm treatment was rough on Andrew (as it is on all dogs because treatment alone could kill the dog) but he made it - thanks in large part to the loving care his foster mom and dad gave him! They cared for him for over three months and treated him as their own. You see, the foster home is an integral part in getting our Basset friends through the rough times and well enough to go to their "fur-ever" home. As for Andrew, the scars on his head from buckshot are now hard to see because his fur is healthy and covers them nicely. And although he'll never get his front teeth back, he doesn't miss them and his gums are healthy. But his foster parents helped him heal, helped him learn trust and helped him become the companion animal GABR knew he could be. They made it easy for Andrew AND me to adjust together. As a result, I have made it my mission to "pay it forward" and support other bassets out there in need like Andrew.
It is SO hard to let my foster Bassets go. Nor is it easy the first few days they are in my home because some have anxiety, are nervous or are scared. But if I don't let the dog go or I don't foster because it's too hard, dogs out there like Andrew will die unnecessarily. I know I'm blunt here but it's reality. So I cry for a couple of days but then my heart and soul gets excited to help the next one. A couple days of tears are worth saving the life of a great dog. Right now as you read this, there are millions of dogs that need help. I can't help them all but what a difference I can make to the ones I do. Shelters, even the clean ones, are just shelters. They aren't a home. Have you ever stayed at a really nice hotel but thought "geez, there's no place like home"? The same applies here so where ever possible, I want to provide a home where we can better learn the dogs behaviors and habits and find him the perfect home based on those characteristics.
Your monetary kindness is just as helpful as my foster home because without funds for medical care, I couldn't do what I do! We are in this together! So will you help by donating? Please click the sponsor me now link at the top of this page. 100% of your tax-deductible contribution will go directly to rescuing basset hounds.
I thank you, Andrew thanks you, and my current foster Laydee thanks you!
Marie