Gracie

My husband and I had adopted a basset hound puppy, Jane Eyre, twelve years ago (1996). I arranged her adoption to be around May 21st, my husband's 30th birthday. She was my very first dog and we took her into our family before we had children. We doted on her and loved her like a child. She taught us how to be parents and responsible adults. Alas, Jane died on Easter, 2007. It was devastating for us. We had adopted a lab mix puppy in September of 2006, but we missed having a Basset Hound. We were Basset owners without a Basset Hound. Since we had recently gone through puppy stage we were not too anxious to do that again. After a full year, we thought we had recovered enough from the loss of our dear Jane to think about getting a new dog. Since we didn't want a puppy and desperately wanted a new Basset Hound, it was a clear choice....Basset Rescue. We were new to the area so we just did a Google search and found Golden Gate Basset Rescue. I put in an application, a home evaluation was quickly arranged and we met and brought Gracie home that following weekend. The week before my husband's 42nd birthday. We were coming full Basset Hound circle. Gracie was an instant hit! Our two children adored her and she didn't mind them at all. Our lab mix was beyond thrilled to have a play mate come to her home. Gracie was a bit shy with our dog at first, but one week later they were romping and rolling all over the house. They share toys, beds and lots of play time. I could not be more pleased with the match that Golden Gate Basset Hound has made for our family. Gracie has adjusted so well and we just couldn't be happier. Thank you so much for the gift of our new family member. It is an amazing gift to give a family and we are so appreciative. Thank you!

Madden

We started Fostering Kahlua on June 7th, 2007. She was SO petite, weighing in at 38 pounds!! Teddi, Casper and I picked her up after work and we went for a long walk so that everyone could get acquainted and I asked my girls if she could come to our house and stay for a while. She was SO shy! She would hide behind me if a strange dog came up to her and she did the same when people tried to pet her. She didn’t like the dog park much at all and would not leave my side!! Shawn told her after the first night that she could stay with us if SHE wanted to!! Kahlua was renamed Madden to keep with our Raider theme and she picked up on her new name fairly quickly, and everything was going good for the first month, or so I thought. However, since she had been an only dog in her previous home, she didn’t know about waiting her turn and letting the “senior” dogs go first, and since I wasn’t doing anything to “teach” Madden the correct way to do things, Casper took it upon herself to show Madden who’s the boss!! I realized the error in my ways and started making sure that Teddi and Casper got petted first and left the house before Madden and things have calmed down a LOT!! At the end of September, Madden grabbed her first toy EVER!! Her previous family said that she never liked toys, so we were VERY thrilled!! We praised her and praised her and told her what a good girl she was!! And then 2 days before Madden’s 6th birthday in October, she started chasing after Teddi and Casper as they ran through the house!! What a sight that was!! She’s still not sure what to do with them once she catches them, but at least she’s joining in and trying!! Madden is letting her personality show more and more and she is a LOVE!! She loves to snuggle. She loves going on hikes, either on-leash or off-leash!! She’s got to meet some cows and horses up in Garin Park and has become quite a bird dog, loving to chase after birds of all sizes!! Oh, and she’s up to 48 pounds at the last vet check!! The girl LOVES her treats (as long as they’re not green beans!!)!! J Adopting Madden has been such a blessing and we look forward to many, many years together!! ~Gwen & Shawn Dossey- Slave to Teddi, Casper and Madden~