THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN AMAZING... THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OUR DONORS.  YOUR DOLLARS ARE SAVING LIVES AND WORKING WONDERS AS WE GIVE THESE HOUNDS ANOTHER CHANCE AT HAPPINESS!

 UPDATE, May 2009:  Ollie is doing well down at Daphneyland, where Dawn Smith will work on some diet and health issues in the hope that we can find what triggers his aggression.  He'll be fine, even if he ends up staying as a forever boarder down there.  His 'friends' are also doing well, with more 'friends' coming along all the time.  Recently we agreed to surgery on one of our dogs that should have cost $3700.  Between the generosity of the surgical team at the vet clinic, her foster family, and your gifts, Alice will go on to lead a full and healthy life.

THANK YOU!!

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It's been a while since we've had to raise a Firstgiving page but recent developments with a few of our fosters has made this appeal for help inevitable.  We know that the economy is affecting everyone but please, if you can find just a few dollars to spare, the Golden Gate hounds would really appreciate it.

Ollie

Ollie came to us as "Lucky Boy", after he was rescued as a stray.  He was in very poor shape when we got him, underweight, multiple infections, his beautiful long ears torn and mangled.  He needed to be neutered and during the neutering also underwent a hernia repair.  One of our wonderful foster families opened their arms to him and he began the long road to recovery.  Slowly but surely, Ollie regained weight and overcame his infections.  The costs of his surgery and medical treatments quickly mounted.  Showing a wariness of other dogs when on a leash, his foster home worked with him, taking advice from a behaviorist/trainer, socializing him with other hounds in off leash dog parks, as well as making him very welcome as part of their pack with their own three hounds.  Ollie is no more than 5yrs old and he had his forever home all lined up when he began to show an occasional, unprovoked, but severe aggression trait.  99% of the time this is a perfect hound, sharing the couch and being the happy hound he wants to be... but the 1% when he snaps meant we had to cancel his adoption.  One theory is that he could be suffering 'rage aggression' as a result of a medical condition so this week he is undergoing extensive neurological testing.  If the testing does not show a treatable condition we may need to invest in intensive professional behavioral rehabilitation.  Either way, Ollie needs a lot of money spent on him in order to give him the future he deserves.

and his friends

Droppy - along with her brother, Spot, has been in foster care with us for the last few months.  Surrendered by their owners in December she was spayed and brought up to date on her vaccinations, along with Spot who was already neutered.  During a recent vet check a number of mammary lumps were discovered, and on Friday she had the surgery to remove the lumps and one complete nipple.  She had complications in recovery from the surgery, resulting in the need for a complete body wrap to stem the bleeding.  She now seems to be recovering nicely in her foster home.  These two dogs have had two potential adoptions fall through and really need to catch a break soon!

Emmy - a lovely senior girl, suffering with chronic ear infections from the time we took her in.  Despite prolonged treatment, the infections recur and remain.  A few weeks ago an adopter came forward for her and she was placed in her forever home, with the provision that Golden Gate would continue to treat the ear infections.  Pseudonomas have now been diagnosed and treatment now involves referrals to specialists in several areas and could lead to surgery.  In her senior years, we are determined to get these ear infections under control and allow her to enjoy her retirement free from pain.

Humphrey (and Hank) - this pair were taken in as owner surrenders.  Both have found new homes but when Humphrey came in he was found to have appalling skin condition.  His underside was completely raw.  His owner thought he had gotten into poison oak, but it turned out to be demodectic mange - nasty, but treatable.  This very sweet hound is now recovering nicely in a foster home that will hopefully turn out to be his forever home. 

Ginger - is one of our long term foster hounds.  She has recently begun to have grand-mal seizures and is also to undergo a neurological exam next week.

Bailey - probably a 'forever foster' hound, another long term hound of ours has diabetes and needs ongoing injections, blood tests, special diet etc.

On top of these examples, we have taken in a lot more dogs to date than this time last year.  We are taking owner surrenders where the owners have been hit by foreclosure, forced moves with jobs, downsizing of household accommodations, and those where the owners cannot afford the vet care.

Part of our commitment when rescuing a basset hound is that we will do everything we can to restore the hound to full health if possible.  Our vet bills at the moment are running at around $4000 per month on average - often this amount is exceeded.  With our current crop of needy hounds, we want to try and reach a goal of $5000.  Please help us to achieve that goal... every little helps.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts.  The funds donated here are sent directly to the Golden Gate Basset Rescue bank account!

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!