Cookie (Sonora)

Welcoming Cookie On March 28th, I received a call from Gloria at GGBR, asking if I might be interested in adopting a 1-1/2-year-old female basset hound. Without hesitation, I agreed - after all, having lost Sasha, our third basset, just three and a half weeks prior, I couldn't bear to change my "3bassma" email address. I contacted Cookie's foster mom, and we arranged to drive two and a half hours to pick her up the following Saturday. Leading up to that day, I kept telling Marshmallow and Sundae, our two senior bassets aged seven and a half, that they would soon have a new sister and that they needed to teach her all the wonderful things Sasha had taught them. Meeting Cookie We brought Marshmallow and Sundae along for the trip. They were a bit overwhelmed by all the dogs at the foster home, but Cookie warmed up to Shawn and me immediately. After signing the adoption papers, we headed home with our new family member. Cookie whined all the way home, signaling her nerves and uncertainty. Cookie Goes Missing The very next morning, I got up at 5:30 AM to let Cookie and Marshmallow out and then back in. After falling back asleep around 8:30, I realized around 9:30, after finishing a phone call, that Cookie was not in the house. I searched out back for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Suspecting she may have jumped the small gate near the bedrooms, I called for her repeatedly without success. As I checked for holes in the fence, I sprained my ankle, and limped inside to tell Shawn that Cookie was gone. Grabbing my car keys, I drove around the neighborhood, calling her name and asking everyone if they had seen a black and white basset wearing a Cubs t-shirt. Some had seen her but were unsure where she went. My friend David joined the search, and Rosie suggested I check Facebook. While Rosie looked online, I posted on NextDoor. Within two minutes, I received a call from a man who had Cookie at his house, just a quarter mile away. Grateful, we brought her home safely. Despite searching for holes or low spots in the fence, I found nothing obvious, yet Cookie managed to escape three more times. Each time, either I, a friend, or a neighbor managed to retrieve her. Eventually, we discovered loose boards in the fence and secured them in place. Adjusting to Her New Home At home, Cookie whined endlessly, lacked manners with the senior hounds, and seemed afraid of Shawn. On Monday, I called Gloria to discuss whether we were the right home for Cookie. Gloria reassured me that this happens and suggested I call the foster mom for advice on managing Cookie's whining. The foster mom reminded me that Cookie had been spayed just two days before we picked her up and recommended gabapentin for pain and trazodone for relaxation, both of which I had and administered. I felt terrible realizing Cookie was probably in a lot of pain. Finding Routine and Joy Despite my sprained ankle, I tried to take the dogs for walks, but we could not go far. On Tuesday, we visited the dog park, starting at the small dog section. Cookie found dogs to run with but was too big and active for that area. The next day, we tried the big dog side, and Cookie flourished, running, wrestling, and playing until it was time to go home. She remained whiny after dinner, so for the first five days, I gave her trazodone to help her relax and sleep, and it worked. After three days at the park, Sundae and Marshmallow started playing with Cookie as well. While not as energetic as younger dogs, they engaged enough to show that the arrangement would work. At home, I let the girls work out their differences. Sundae was gentle, often giving up her dinner or favorite spot, while Marshmallow was a bit more assertive. Cookie continued to try to get ahead of the girls, so we began seniority training. She proved to be very smart and quick to learn. At the dog park, I practiced recall with her, and she responded wonderfully. Nine times out of ten, she would come when called. She waits to leave the house, but is still very excited to get to the dog park and sometimes tries to jump out before I have her harness secured, which is something we are still working on. Bonding and Progress Cookie has warmed up to Shawn, cuddling with him on the couch at night. However, when I have to leave for appointments, I learned to give her trazodone at least two and a half hours before leaving to reduce her whining, barking, and anxiety. Shawn reports she sometimes acts as if she doesn't recognize him or the girls, a situation I hope will improve soon, as I can't always take her with me. She is not quite ready to be a service dog yet. Late at night, Cookie entertains herself with squeaky toys or chew sticks until she is ready to sleep. She is incredibly funny. When she sleeps and stretches, she moans. At first, I worried she was hurting, but she moans even during nap times, earning her the nickname "Mona." We also call her "Wendy" when she whines. I believe Sasha sent Cookie to us, as I see so much of Sasha in her. Sometimes, I look Cookie in the eyes and say, "Sasha, I know you're in there! Please teach her what my commands mean, soon!" It has only been a few months, and I am glad we did not give up after the first week. Cookie Wendy Mona Sasha Dossey is now a cherished member of our family, and she is here to stay.

Copper (Merced)

Copper (left) was adopted in December 2024. His family subsequently adopted Casper in Feb2025. See their story under Casper's name. [Copper adopted 02Dec2024]

Casper

Casper is doing great! Casper and Copper are brothers, and they had no issues getting along and they are inseparable now. They follow each other everywhere and they both whine if we take one for a walk (They have a different physical need, so they take a different walk unless Casper is in the stroller). He really has become part of the family so fast. Casper's walking has improved dramatically. Casper is such a sweet and gentle boy. He loves cuddling with us and is gentle with our 4 year old son. Copper loves Casper and he is always cleaning Casper's eyes and ears. Copper is very playful and he is a best friend to our son. They enjoy sunbathing in the grass, even though it's not the same as the California sunshine. They don't love the Oregon rain which makes some walks a bit harder. We are so fortunate to have them and cannot thank GGBR enough. [Photo shows Casper in the stroller with his human brother, and Copper on the leash].--The Bodker family, 06Jun2025 [Casper adopted 23Feb2025]

Charlie (Sacramento)

We had the privilege of welcoming Charlie and Millie into our home in June of 2024 and have been so grateful for the joy they have given us. Charlie and Millie have brought their own personalities with them and now have settled into their routines of feeding and dozing (two of the things that Bassets most like to do) and walks around the neighborhood! The most important thing for us is that they have provided seamless companionship with the biggest personality in our home Jack (a 2-year-old Basset) who at times is envious of the new-comers but most of the time runs and plays and wrestles with Charlie and Millie. Along with the companionship they provide Jack, both Charlie and Millie are extremely loving additions to our family and provide me, my husband, and 16-year-old daughter a lot of pleasure and entertainment (!) and we feel that they now really feel this is their forever home. We are very grateful for the great work that GGBR does matching loving animals with loving homes. With gratitude, Sarah B (San Jose), 5Jan2025 [Charlie and Millie adopted June 2024]

Clark

Clark (right) was adopted along with his longtime brother, Calvin (left). Please see their Happy Tails story, below.