We moved into our house August of 1999 and started fostering for GABR in November of 1999. We picked up our 8th foster in Huntley, Illinois in May of 2000. This Basset named Molly was a severe abuse case. Molly had been strangled with her leash and collar numerous times by her former owner. When you would go to hook her leash to her collar to go for a walk, Molly would roll over on her back and submissively pee and let out blood curdling cries like you were stabbing her. Mark decided to adopt Molly in July of 2000.
Molly was a tri-colored basset, who at the age of 7 1/2 years old, was the first GABR Basset we ever adopted. Molly taught us so much in the way of fostering and life, in general. First and foremost, she showed us how truly stubborn and obstinate Bassets really are! We joked routinely that had Molly been adopted out to the general public, she would have been returned every time. Molly taught us how much our time, effort, and most importantly, patience and love makes a difference to the Bassets that we come into contact with. Molly, as the years went on, still cried if you would grab her collar too fast, but not nearly as often because she trusted that we would NEVER harm her. Molly showed us that just because you become older doesn't mean you have to stop having fun! As Molly aged, she began to regress into puppyhood by getting into the trash, chewing toys to pieces, playing hide and seek under the bed, stealing jars of peanut butter, chewing the lids off, and eating them. Molly was definitely a "Princess" as her ears were never slobbery, she would never walk in/on anything disgusting, she refused to get wet, she was appalled by other dog's "oops", she bossed the other dogs around, and she felt she deserved your undivided attention at all times!! What a hound!
On May 6th, 2009, we had to have Princess Molly put to sleep at the age of 15 1/2 years old, after 2 emergency vet visits requiring high doses of steroids after her lower back went out. The first visit helped tremendously, but after the second one, Molly lost her fight and looked at us with those beautiful brown eyes and asked us to honor her by doing right by her as dog owners one last time. We told our sweet, yet very stubborn girl that we were very blessed and honored to have been graced by the presence of a true Princess! Molly lived her life as we all should by doing 2 1/3 - 3 mile walks EVERY day, mothering the foster Bassets that came through our door, raising Boggie and Trucker as her pups, getting into a little mischief a few times a week, snuggling with Mom and Dad every chance she got, bossing her siblings around, curling her lip at every new foster to show them who the boss was, and showing us that our love, time, and patience were not wasted because she trusted us! Trust was her gift to us! Princess Molly was our first "foster flunkies" and although there have been many since, there only one first, making her a very special girl! Although Molly is gone, her legacy lives on in the work we do because she was Foster Basset #8 and now that we have been fostering for GABR nearly 10 years now, we are now at Foster Basset #197! Molly lives on in every needy Basset that we agree to foster, care for, and most importantly, love! Please help us to continue Molly's legacy by supporting GABR, the organization that brought her into our lives!
We miss you and love you every day baby girl, Mom and Dad
Robin and Mark
Kelly and Barry Hamby - They were Molly second set of parents who cared for the Princess for 6 months in time of crisis in our lives. They say you find out who your true friends are in hard times and without them, heartbreak would have crushed us! We will ALWAYS be eternally grateful for them loving Molly as their own!
Please help us raise funds for an organization close to our hearts. Guardian Angel Basset Rescue is the largest single breed rescue in the Midwest. Guardian Angel rescues, provides full veterinary care, fosters and hand selects a home for over 300 dogs each year. GABR is more than a dog rescue, they are truly our second family! As many of you know I'm the Foster Home Coordinator and Adoption Coordinator for Northern Illinois, but my foster homes under my care are very special people, who truly understand why we do this work and what the Basset give back to us! Without the people we work with, the rescue itself wouldn't exist or be as meaningful as it is!
On September 20, 2009, Guardian Angel Basset Rescue is holding their 12th 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 raise money for the rescue of Bassets because a Basset Hound has touched my life. They are truly wonderful, loving dogs that complete our family. I support Guardian Angel through the Basset Waddle as GABR is comprised of hardworking, exceptional and committed volunteers who are dedicated to helping Bassets in need. It’s the kind of group I want to support – that’s why I WADDLE!!
We count on the support of fellow dog lovers, our families, friends and business associates to provide healthy, happy lives for every dog that we rescue.
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.