Howllo Fellow Hound and House of Puddles Boutique Lovers! OMG!, OMG!, OMG!

The jewelry in the House of Puddles Boutique is selling like HOT CAKES! In the past week we have sold almost 600.00 dollars in stunning items donated by YOU, lovers of the HoPpers!

I cannot thank you all enough for donating these super and spectacular items. Just look at them! These are the items that have sold within the last 6 days! Just awe inspiring!

I hope my dear readers enjoyed this puddle pictorial. These items sold and 100% of each sale went to House of Puddles!

I am so happy. This is just incredible. Hounds helping hounds.

More boutique updates later……Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Hound and JB lovers: This just in from our current King of SunCoast Basset Hound Rescue:

Not only does he want to retain his title, he looks good in the pool with his Mom, Deb!

Start of plea………from JB

OK King JB wants you to know the waddle is less then a week away and he needs everyone’s help now to keep his title. He has done all he could possibly do to help raise money and he has done quite well but the race is close and he is afraid someone might come in and steal his title in the last few days so please he is begging all to visit his fundraising page at: www.firstgiving.com/kingjb and donate so he can keep his title. Come on you know he deserves it and he has that cute lace ear and he brings so much joy and happiness into so many peoples lives how bout bringing some extra happiness into his life by donating to his page and helping him keep his title. He isn’t asking for much just a dollar or two. He knows times are hard but you have to look at it this way if you are having hard times how many bassets are not getting the help they need because of people not having the funds to help them. So come on help bassets in need. Just look at JB he is one of the lucky ones that got the help he needed and look at all the joy he brings into so many lives. His job is to bring alittle happiness into everyone lives he meets and he does well at doing his job and all he asks is for people that care about animals to donate to his page remember time is running out his page closes on Feb 14 so donate now. He really wants to keep his crown.

End of plea………

Oh JB, we sure hope you retain your title. You are one handsome hound! The crown dons your head so well with that lace ear hanging out! Slurp

More JB updates later…….Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo fellow hound and enjoying the worst tasks lovers: I say that because there is nothing worse then stripping a bed on a Sunday. Ugh, what happened to day of rest? OK, I put it off long enough. Time to get started. I trick the kids into staying in the office while I tackle the titanic task. That worked for about 2 minutes.

Emma finds her comfort corner in no time flat. I had moved the bed out from the normal spot. This is her favorite corner.

I had to give up the mission and start another mindless task – paying bills. Of course the kids came back to the office to help me. After they dose off, I sneak back to the living room and 2 minutes later…………

This went on for hours. I could have put them behind one of my many gates and got the job done, but it seemed like they were having fun. I was as well. Here is a closer shot of our Emma with her cute paw hanging off the bed.

She looks like a big sugar loaf laying on a pile of vanilla cream frosting. It just makes my day.

Then there is this shot…….

OMG, look how cute her little rear paws are all tucked under.

Stripping the bed is kind of fun!

More fun later…….Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Hound and basset hound bath mat lovers! Check out these cute bath mats I found in my own home. Little did I know that my hounds were such multi-taskers! They go from space heaters, to vacuum cleaners, to psychiatrists, to bath mats in no time flat (basset)!

Please beware, these bath mats actually have a wet dog smell, if you get water on them.

More multi-tasking later….Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

P.S. can you imagine trying to brush your teeth or wash your face in this space?

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Howllo Fellow Hound and Julian Lovers! My nephew is now the proud lover of a brand new French Bull Dog named Oscar.

Welcome to the family Oscar.

Oscar will be staying with me in March with his big brother Enzo the pug! Fun, fun, fun!

More Oscar news later……..Love Cat, Chaps, and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Hound and Emma lovers!

Can I tell you a story? Emma’s Mommy is named Dawn’s First Light. I was so inspired by her Mommy that I named Emma in honor of her Mommy.

Emma means:

EARLY MORNING MISTY AIR (aka EMMA)

Can you guess who Emma is in this litter? LOL!

We hope Dawn is doing OK in her life.

More baby Emma later……….Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

basset hounds make the world go round

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Howllo Fellow Hound and Daily Drool Calendar lovers: I posted on the drool yesterday, not to forget that Chaps was trying to win 1000 dollars for the House of Puddles. Click on his link right above and vote every day. This is HUGE!

A friend of mine saw the post and we got caught up. She sent me this picture of her hounds which were pictured on February 2, 2009. OMG just take a look!

What a nice pack! Mary also works with Ohio Basset Hound Rescue. Good work my friend. Don’t forget to keep me posted on up coming events.

More cute pack pictures later……..Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Hound and Welcome Waggin’ Lovers!

This is a blog about our Emma but first I must explain. Many of my dear readers know that Grandpa is not doing so well. Last night for the second time in 3 days I have had to drive him to the ER in early morning hours. His medications are causing side effects. He is on the mend.

Now back to Emma. I got home this morning about about 5:00am after being at the ER for about 4 hours. I was so tired. I crawled back into bed and Emma was so excited it threw me into a laughing fit. I must admit, I needed a laughing fit!

She jumped on me, threw her arms around my neck and started nibbling my chin. Ever since she was a pup she was a chin nibbler! I have to tell you it was the cutest thing ever.

I was laughing so loud that I thought I would wake my Dad who cannot hear by the way!

I kept calling her my sweet Welcome Waggin’. Her tail was going so fast it was throwing her body almost off the bed.

Imagine this right in your face – sweet!

When she settled down her head was on my pillow and I was about a hair’s breath away from her mouth. I tucked her a bit under my head because she does not have the best breath.

It made me think about how special a Welcome is. A heart felt Welcome. A true Welcome.

It’s the little moments like this that touch the soul. I might have been cranky and tired from all of the ER trips, but I had this to come home to. A real, out loud, laughing moment. From my Emma.

Plus Grandpa is on the mend.

Hopefully no more ER stories later……Love Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Hound Lovers:

MAKE SURE YOU GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE UPDATE, EVEN IF YOU DON’T READ THE POST……….

This story is a case of abuse involving a basset hound being shot in the Lincoln Nebraska – Grand Island area. The hound survived and is doing well waiting for adoption. I always like to give my dear readers a head’s up when it comes to stories like this. I know several years ago I would click right off. However, since working with rescue, my shell has gotten a bit thicker.

This hound really has a will to live. I am going to link to a video on the news channel website that shows the hound at the shelter. Within the video are a few graphic pictures of the gun shot wound. They come up at the 54 second mark, if you want to look away.

The couple who helped the hound should be given an award.

Even if you don’t read the article, go to the bottom for breaking news. I just interviewed the Executive Director of the Grand Island Humane Society,
Ms. Laurie Dethloff.

START OF ARTICLE

There is another case of animal abuse in Hall County. In August 2008, 23 dogs were dumped in a cornfield. In October 2008, Animal Control officers found four dogs starving to death. The newest case: a dog shot by the side of the road.

The dog is recovering at the Grand Island Humane Society, as authorities work to identify the
man who shot him.

The basset hound is getting some much needed rest, after coming within an inch of his life.

Laurie Dethloff, Executive Director of the Grand Island Humane Society, said, “He’s very fortunate he doesn’t have eye or brain damage or hearing loss.”

The dog was shot in the neck and the bullet came out his ear. It happened on the outskirts
of Grand Island, where passerby happened to catch a glimpse.

“There was a couple out in the country. They heard shots and the dog wail and went down to see what was going on and the car sped off,” said Dethloff.

The dog was left alive, but badly injured. When Animal Control officers arrived on scene, they immediately took him to the vet for surgery.

Angie Novotny, an Animal Control officer, said, “There was blood all over. You could tell where the shot had gone in and this side of his face was covered in blood and you could tell it was pretty bad.”

“It’s very sad with the resources we have available that someone would choose this option,” added Dethloff.

Police are now asking for the public’s help. They admit, though, finding the person responsible might be difficult.

Captain Todd Bahensky, with the Hall County Sheriff’s Department, said, “The only information given was a blue four door and a young male.”

The dog is on the mend and eating up plenty of TLC until adoption day.

“Different people call him different names. He’s been called bullet. He’s been called lucky. So, we just call him Lucky Bullet,” said Dethloff.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Hall County Sheriff’s Department. Police said the person responsible could get charged with Animal Cruelty and Discharging a Firearm on a
Public Land and face up to a year in jail.

END OF ARTICLE

Link to video

VIDEO

BREAKING NEWS………

4:46PM – KENTUCKY TIME

I just got off of the phone with Ms. Laurie Dethloff, Executive Director of the
Grand Island Humane Society
and the news about our new friend LB just keeps getting better!

LB is healing well and talking non stop to the staff.

Ms. Dethloff reports that there have been lots of leads to who perpetrated this heinous act. Last night a serious tip came in and the Sheriff’s Department now knows who the owner of the hound was. According to Ms. Dethloff, “This will most likely lead to a successful result”!

Hey, the breaking news does not stop here! Guess what? LB’s story caught the attention of a husband and wife veterinarian team that want to adopt him.

DOUBLE SNAP AND SAY HELL TO THE YES!

Lastly folks, we all know cases like this are not cheap. The funds needed to emergently treat LB were plenty and any donation you can send to them will be used by the shelter for the animals.

If you want to make a donation you can make a check out to:

Central Nebraska Humane Society

and mail to:

1312 Sky Park Road, Grand Island, NE 68801

Also here is a link to their donations needed page so you can look around.

DONATIONS NEEDED

I just noticed that this takes you to the home page. No worries, just go to the left of the page and click on donations needed. (look at line item 11 Ahhhhhhh)

So for now dear reader I will bid you adeau and enjoy the milk of human kindness. This poor boy had 2 guardian angels watching over him from a field in the middle of America.

I am very proud right now to report LB’s story. Very proud

More later…………Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Hound and Therapy Hound Lovers:

My friend Terri Ralenkotter and her basset hounds do so much good for our community. Terri is also very involved in the Basset Hound Club of America. Here is a really great article written about her good work. It is on the website called:

Therapy Pets of Greater Cincinnati

Here is the article:

Seti Ralenkotter – Therapy Dog

Terri Ralenkotter & Seti

I became interested in Pet Therapy during a visit to Children’s Hospital where I saw some Therapy Dogs and thought that Chloe would be a good candidate. I soon made arrangements for us to be evaluated and within a month or so we were visiting a nursing home and at several hospitals.

I became interested in dog agility soon after. I had the opportunity to take a class and my only goal was to teach Chloe to jump through a hoop. It became apparent Chloe was well suited for competition and today holds several advanced agility and rally titles with AKC. During this time my father began to exhibit signs of metal degeneration. It was a difficult several years and I had to stop visiting several facilities due to caring for him. Chloe was a wonderful therapy dog to my father and sat by his side for hours on end, enabling me to get work done. Even after he moved to assisted living Chloe was always the highlight on our daily visits to him. She was by his side until the end cheering him up. During my father’s stay in St. Elizabeth Hospital, Chloe showed everyone how beneficial Pet Therapy could be and soon we were visiting in all parts of the hospital.

Chloe has been the recipient of several prestigious awards. In 2002 she was inducted into the Kentucky Veterinary Association’s Animal Hall of Fame for her dedication to promoting the Human/Animal Bond. In 2004 she received an Honorable Mention in the AKC Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) Awards in the Therapy Dog Division. She has made numerous television appearances to benefit Shriners Hospital Therapy Dog Program.

After my father’s death, I decided to add another Basset Hound to the household. Rain, who is co-owned with her breeder Mr. Eugene McDonald, is shown in agility, obedience, field trials and rally. Her gentle loving nature soon made it clear that she would enjoy Therapy Dog volunteering. Rain was evaluated and is currently visiting Shriners Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital and has her own “Reading With Rain” summer program for children at the Boone County Library. She loves nothing more than getting in bed with patients and being cuddled. She has an exceptionally soft coat which patients love to pet. Rain was honored in 2008 with an AKC ACE award nomination from the Basset Hound Club of America for pet therapy.

In 2007, after Chloe’s retirement we added a third Basset Hound, Seti. Seti was tested at one year of age and has already proven to be a wonderful therapy dog. He is very loving and kind with a quiet temperament. Seti is pointed in the conformation ring, has a rally title and is showing great promise for field trialing.

Basset Hounds have wonderful temperaments and their amusing droll expressions make them great candidates for therapy dogs. Patients love to stoke their long soft ears. Bassets have a stoic disposition which allows them to take all situations in stride. If they have any faults it is that they are low set which makes them a little difficult for patients to pet at times. Handlers must have a strong back to be able to lift them up and care must be taken not to let them jump off of beds or chairs. Basset hounds enjoy being in large groups of people or other dogs and are happiest when they are the center of attention.

END OF ARTICLE

Wow, what a great story Terri. The pictures are wonderful as well. Thank you for providing us with such great awareness of those we can touch with a basset hound’s love. I noticed in your story that you stated that one must have a strong back to lift hounds up to patients. That is something I do not have, but I always envisioned an industrial wagon with sides and would have a lifting mechanism that would raise up to the side of a bed. Kind of like those things you see construction men being lifted in only much smaller.

Could you imagine the Mayor and Emma being rolled down the wing of hospital in one of those? Talk about fun!

Thanks again Terri. I am going to look into joining that organization.

More inspiring stories later…Cat, Chaps and Emma

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