Howllo Fellow Hound and Lily Pad Serina Von Firstenburg Child lovers! Wow, that’s a mouth full! How I ever came up with that nick name I will never know! But something I do know, Lily changed my life forever on this day back in 1994.

I always loved the fact that she came to me on this
St. Francis of Assisi Day!

It was all very meant to be.

I always wanted 2 bassets. I had Chloe at the time and she was in desperate need of a playmate. I was excited about getting a rescue hound so I called Ohio Basset Hound Rescue. I had heard about them through the Bugler I think. I really cannot remember. Regardless, thank Dog I had heard of them!!!

So I called the number and a young guy answered the phone. He asked me what I was looking for and I told him that I was looking for an older female – red and white if possible since Chloe was a tri-color. He told me that his Mom ran the rescue but she was out of town for the weekend at the basset hound nationals which were being held in, of all places, Ohio! She was there trying to raise awareness for rescue hounds!

I thought that was totally cool and made plans to drive over to the nationals to meet her that next day. Of course it was sheeting sideways rain when I picked my parents up! My first nationals still stirs up the smell of wet hound dogs!

We had so much fun. I was in hound heaven being around all of those hounds. At one point we popped into the obedience trials and got a front row seat. A woman was working her hound and she had the entire room roaring with laughter. That hound wanted that little piece of liver in her hand in the worst way! He was doing his sit – stay routine and he would throw his head back and let out the most beautiful howl you have ever heard. He was a real character. I thought it was one of the cutest things I had ever seen. He got extra liver for that one.

I met the rescue woman and introduced myself, but she so busy. That was OK, I was going to call her later anyway.

I got home that night and listened to my messages.

The first message was the rescue woman’s son. He said: Hi Cathy, right after I got off the phone with you a woman from Belleview, KY called and said that she found an older, red and white female roaming in the projects of Newport. (I am thinking, OK, this is about the worst section of any section that is near me.) I told her about you and she said that you live about 20 minutes from her. I gave her your number so you can take a look at the hound. (I am thinking, could this be my hound?)

The second message was Lily’s guardian angel. She said: Hi Cathy, I got your name from OHBR and I was wondering if you want to come take a look at this pathetic hound. She is really skinny, stinky, and depressed however, I have a feeling there is a really good hound inside her soul. (I am thinking, OK this is my hound.)

I still had my rain coat on, I still had the keys in my hand, Chloe still needed a friend,………

I also had a hound who needed her soul to be rescued! Off into the rain with directions in hand I went to get my lost girl. I was really used to the smell of wet hound from the day’s events!

I saw her standing on the porch searching for something. I guess it was me! As I got out of the car and walked towards the porch the lady who saved Lily came out. I smiled at her and said, “Yep this is my hound”! She walked me to my car and helped me pile in my new girl. She had only had her less than a day but she still cried and said she was going to miss her. I totally get that.

My Mom and Dad came over the next day anxious to meet their new grand dog and I had not picked out a name yet. I asked my Mom, and without hesitation, she said, “Lily”. And Lily she was.

It was all very meant to be…..

She went from looking like this the day I picked her up:

To meeting her new Grandpa the next day:

To blossoming into a full blown beautiful Lily in just weeks. Ah, you can’t beat a great love story!

Anyone recognize the background?

More Lily stories later……Cat, Chaps and Emma

P.S. Lily enjoyed sitting on the couch watching me throw Chloe her toys! She was no fool! So much for a playmate! I guess a best friend is better any day!

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