One Year Later

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One Year Later....by  Theresa Morrison
“The Texas Five” sounds like a gang right out of an old timewestern movie, but for ABC Basset Rescue it means something entirely different.One year ago today, five basset hounds from Texas arrived in Buffalo, NY. Alarge “breeder” in Texas had gotten ill and 31 basset hounds needed new homesimmediately. ABC took on the task of getting five of these dogs from Texas toNew York.
It was a long trip to be made by volunteers during a busyholiday season, but Amarilla, Abilene, Dallas, Houston and Austin (plus, Jollywho bummed a ride from Ohio) arrived safe and sound at Camp Bow Wow inTonawanda, NY. The Buffalo News and Channel 4 ran stories of these dogs journeyand arrival. Everyone in ABC and people from all over the country were watchingand waiting for these five bassets to arrive safe and sound.
All five dogs were under weight, skiddish, flea infested andjust out of spay/neuter surgeries (not to mention eye surgery for Austin).  These hounds had never left their cages andit was unlikely that they had ever been inside an actual house. We tend to notthink about the basics in life for ourselves…those things we take for granted,but I believe it is the same for our dogs. Every single thing was a newexperience for these guys: car rides, stairs, going outside to go to thebathroom, a couch to sleep on, a human around to take care of them all thetime, a healthy/consistent diet, treats, toys, walking on a leash, room to roam,cold WNY weather and most importantly trust.
The stories of each of these hounds are so amazing thatI want to share them with as many people as possible. The common thread iseach story is patience, love and the most devotion I have ever seen in anysituation.   Abilene-Abbie and her brother,Bodi (another ABC rescue), enjoying her favorite pastime…sitting in the windowsunning herself.
Abilene is such a formal name, so it seems everyone justcalls her Abbie these day. Her mom, Dee, told me that the first month was themost challenging. Abbie would sit on the futon all day while Dee was at workand would just wait. She wouldn’t interact with the 3 other bassets in thehouse either. She wouldn’t eat, drink or go out to the bathroom withoutcoaxing. After that first month Abbie’s new sister, Gracie, pulled her out ofher shell little by little every day. Gracie taught her to eat but only iftheir bowls were next to each other. That evolved into Abbie eating with therest of her siblings and gaining some much needed weight (up to 45 lbs as ofnow). She has learned to use a doggie door, chases outside with Gracie and tugof war inside. Abbie has made friends with Dee’s neighbor and runs outside whenshe gets home for her treats. She has come a long way since last year, but isstill taking baby steps to accept men in her life and to socialize with otherdogs and people outside of her immediate family.
Today, Abbie gets to sleep in a warm bed with her mommy,follow her all around the house and play with her siblings. Nothing could bebetter!!
Dallas-

Dallas…skinny, scared but happy to be adopted.


Dallas under the tree…the best gift a family could everget!!
Although, Dallas could be assumed to be a boys name thisDallas is defiantly a lady. Over the last year, Dallas has become very attachedto her human siblings. Her mom, Ashley, has told me that she is best friendswith their 4 year old daughter. She also follows her mom around like a shadow.She also seems to be doing fine with the most recent snowfall. Of course, shehas help from her brothers who go out into the snow and make a path for her.
Houston-A quote from Houston's mom: "Merry Christmas, Houston...you have given us more joy this year than we could ever repay."










Austin-Austin enjoying a toy on “his” couch.
Of the five hounds that arrived from Texas, it seems thatAustin had the roughest time adjusting to his new life. He was terrified of hisnew family and surroundings. His mom, Tracey, told me that he wouldn’t sleep ifthey were around and when they tried to approach him he would lose bowel andbladder control. They had to pick him up and carry him everywhere. Going out tothe bathroom was a challenge….getting him to go out and then back in was justtoo much for poor Austin. Not to mention eating his dog food on a regularbasis. Tracey has made homemade soup to mix with his food, so that he hasgained 10 lbs over the last 7 months. Only after he got out of his collar oneday and was chased down, did things start to change for Austin and his newfamily. He started to play with his basset sister, Caley, even if the humanswere in the room. Then he started to play with them too. He barked for thefirst time even. Then in August, after the family moved, he learned that thecouch was the place for him. He jumps up to greet his mom and even howls whenthe family leaves. He has learned that tummy rubs are free and will flip overto get them.
Austin has come a very long way since last year, but stillneeds time to not be terrified of strangers and be able to go out into theworld without fear. 


Every day we read news articles about horrific thingshappening in the world around us. Today, I was very pleased and excited toshare a happy story with you. Five basset hounds, find five happy homes and areway better off then when they entered this world.
A lot went into rescuing “The Texas Five”, as does rescuingevery basset that ABC takes in and finds a forever home for. Volunteers are aprecious few. They are amazing people who give up their time, their homes and alot of their energy for these hounds. ABC couldn’t survive without a group ofpeople who want to help…no matter what. Becoming a volunteer is easy and whatyou get in return are stories like this one…pictures of happy, healthy houndsin homes that cherish them.
ABC Basset Rescue would not be able to do the things they dowithout donations. A transport, vet visit and other things to help these dogsfind homes are not free. We are a non-for-profit organization, so donations arethe only thing that keeps us doing these amazing things. In the last couple ofweeks, ABC rolled out its VIP program and a monthly donation to help the houndsonly has to be a small amount out of your pocket. It’s even tax deductible.
Personally, without seeing the Buffalo news article on “TheTexas Five”, I would never have found my Cooper at the adoption event that washeld a couple of weeks later. I also would never have decided to foster andbecome a volunteer for ABC. Since January, John and I have adopted three bassetsand fostered six hounds. John even jumped in the ring as ABC’s new intakecoordinator. All because of five homeless hounds and an organization who doeswhat ever it takes to find good homes for homeless bassets.
It is funny to think that one event last January couldchange so many lives, but in my world, basset hounds make interesting thingshappen every day.