Howllo fellow hound lovers: This is an interview I did with Devon regarding her experience with the Dream show and her feelings about basset hound rescue. I know you will enjoy it. Devon’s middle name should be Dream.

(the hounds are all ears)
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INTERVIEW WITH DEVON BY CATHY L. RUDERT
Bassethoundtown.com is in shock that you did not get your dream granted, but we are remaining very positive that you will achieve anything you set out to do. I am wondering, if you would be willing, to hold an internet interview for your fans?

Devon: Of Course.

Q: Can you tell us if the chicken guy was for real? (LOL)

Devon: Hmmmmm…that’s a hard question. I have a tough time believing that he was for real, especially since he would be serving his beloved chickens as food at the park?!? I think he knew it was outrageous and therefore would get him on the show! After the hounds won over the hens, he commented to me that you just can’t compete with basset hounds!

Q: When did you first become interested in basset hound rescue?

Devon: When I got my 1st basset hound about 16 yrs. ago (who I still have – Elvis), I didnt even know rescue existed. As a child, we always went to a local shelter to adopt. I wanted to get a 2nd basset hound to keep my Elvis company and came across a basset hound rescue! I adopted my 2nd basset hound…Brandie. I volunteered from that point on here and there. I love all my dogs dearly, but Brandie was a special hound girl. She had a way of looking deep into my eyes and was always there when I needed her. She was diagnosed with Lymphoma, which had spread to her lungs. She got to the point where she couldnt walk, because of a tumor under her armpit. She WTB on my bed in my arms – I cry as I type this. I didnt get out of bed for a week. I couldnt stop crying and felt hopeless. One day I woke up and Brandie was the 1st thing on my mind. She didnt want me to be miserable. She wanted me to try to make a difference for hounds just like her. From that day forward basset rescue has been my passion…the one way I feel I can make a difference…and one way I can keep Brandie’s spirit alive. I still have her pink heart ID tag and I wore it on my pinkie finger during the show.

Q: Can you tell your fans about the next step in your Dream process?

Devon: This dream is STRONGER than EVER! I am so thankful that basset hound rescue and animal rescue in general got a face in the media. Right now, I am trying to get as much media exposure as possible for basset hound rescue. The more people that are aware of rescue and get education on what is actually going on, the more people that will help us save lives. I spent the whole day crying with happiness reading all of your DD posts of support and action. It confirms that I did the right thing! Imagine if we actually made it to OPRAH? WOW! ElLLEN – WOW! This is going to happen! I am also going to a huge fundraiser for GABR in Illinois next month to talk about The Dream (hey Oprah – while I’m there I can stop by your studio! hehe)! I am on a mission with you all and we won’t stop until this dream IS a REALITY!

Q: We all dream and many of us have dreams similar to yours. How can we help?

Devon: Spread the word! We have set up a fundraising page at

http://www.firstgiving.com/devonsdream.

It is unbelievable in 1 day what basset and animal lovers have donated! THANK YOU ALL for your donations of love. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD! Even if it is $1, $5, $10! Every penny counts! I also read that many of you are thinking about doing fundraisers – THANK YOU SO MUCH! Let me know how I can help!

Q: Would you consider posting updates to this site with your plans?

Devon: OF COURSE! We would be more than happy to!

Q: Was it hard being sequestered from your family and hounds?

Devon: It was so hard!!!
Q: What was it like being on the show?

Devon: Well, I have actually been working on this (with the help of many others) for the past several months. I am actually a shy person and being on a stage in front of hundreds of people and in front of numerous cameras for millions of home viewers…WOW! I didnt think I would be able to do it! The passion for the hounds completely took away my fear! I wasnt nervous – I was excited!

Q: Many folks in our community were confused by the other dreams that ABC picked for your episode. Can you comment on that?

Devon: Yes. I actually had no idea who they picked for the show. I found out who a few of the contestants were by the commercials and some press releases. On taping day is when I found out who all of them were! It’s also when I found out I was going against the Chicken Guy!!!

Q: Any updates on the bald guy? I used the word confused, in the previous question, but many called it LAME!

Devon: No updates on the bald guy as of yet. I read an article on him that said he’d been wanting hair for 5 years. The premise of the show was supposed to be a LIFELONG DREAM, which mine is.

Interviewer’s comment: Of course, we know the public voted, but hair plugs?

Q: Tell us about your necklace. I have had some folks e-mail me that they want one. Can you tell us where to buy this necklace?

Devon: That was actually supposed to be on the show and was one of the questions that Donny asked, but they edited it out. The necklace was made by my friends and mom and dad back in Arizona as a good luck charm. It is a dog bone with Crystals on one side and my name on the other. I am glad that you asked, because we are going to start making these as a fundraiser for the basset hound senior center! Not sure of all the details yet, but if you’re interested please contact me.

Q: Did you ever consider selling them for your cause? (That’s the fund raiser in me) heheheheheh

Devon: HAHA…didnt see this question! Yes! Everyone that sees it wants one and I think it is a GREAT way to raise money for the senior center. Also, a great way to tell people about basset hound rescue when they comment on your necklace!! WIN WIN!

Q: Have you read the comments on bassethoundtown.com yet? It has turned into quite the fan site!

Devon: YES! Obviously, (like many of you) I am completely devastated on the outcome of the show. Reading all of your comments of love and support…made me cry even harder, but in a GREAT way! It was so comforting and made me want to do more!

Q: Can you give us some words of wisdom? Many folks are going to be overwhelmed by the news that you were not granted your dream. Maybe you can speak to us on your feelings.

Devon: It is SO overwhelming, but we can’t give up!!! Even though we didnt “win” on the show, we are WINNERS for the cause! I feel like we accomplished what we set out to do and that’s to make people aware of the need for basset hound rescue and animal rescue, especially for seniors who most of the time don’t get “picked” at the shelters.
This experience has added FUEL to my FIRE and with all of your help we are going to build this sanctuary and MORE!!!!!

Also, If the appearance on the show saved the life of one hound or animal…then it was more than worth it!!

Q: You clearly have a devotional path. Is it hard to pursue this in your every day life?

Devon: NOPE! hehe It’s in my blood…and I can’t and don’t want to get it out! It makes my life worthwhile and gives me more than I give it! Like I said on the show..It’s my life, my heart and my soul!

This is not a question, but a comment. Devon, the basset hound world came out for you in force. This may have been your dream, but you were standing up for all of us. Thousands and thousands of basset hound folks have this same dream and we voted in force. For whatever reason, our votes were not enough. I know you will not give up. You are a DREAM COME TRUE. As long as you have a voice, we are with you! Sincerely, bassethoundtown.com (population 10,000 and growing)!

Devon: TISSUE PLEASE……..I JUST WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. THIS HAPPENED FOR A REASON! THIS DREAM WILL COME TRUE X’S 100!! I BELIEVE THIS WITH ALL OF MY HEART! DON’T STOP BELIEVING AND HOLD ON TO THE FEELING YOU ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW! I TOLD BRANDIE THAT I WOULD NEVER STOP HELPING HOUNDS LIKE HER AND I KNOW SHE IS SMILING DOWN AT ALL OF US WITH HER SWEET SMILE AND HER WHOLE BACK END SWINGING!
HUG A HOUND FOR ME! AGAIN, THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!!!

Cathy: Thanks Devon for all of your time and your good work. We hope to hold more interviews with you very soon to keep the basset hound community updated. You are a true inspiration.

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