Huckleberry's Gotcha Day

This picture was taken the day after Huckleberry came to us as a foster. Our total intention was to foster him until he could find a forever home. But as soon as he came through the door I had the feeling that he would never leave.

Huckleberry was named Bowser when he arrived. Now I suppose Bowser is an alright name for a Basset but it just didn't seem right for this guy. The rescue organization, Cascadia Basset Rescue here in Washington, thought he was about 9 months to a year old. He had already been given up twice by then and was afraid of his own shadow. We didn't know when he was first given up but they felt it was with the rest of his litter - poor babies! But the second time was a known entity. He had been adopted by a couple who lived in an apartment and both worked. He was walked only twice a day, morning and night, and the couple couldn't figure out why he wasn't housebroken and was rather unruly. The husband insisted that they get rid of him. The wife, we think anyway, didn't want to. So they took him to the pound. While there, the wife was crying like crazy and the husband was yelling at her for it. Poor "Bowser" was scared spitless and, I'm sure, didn't have a clue what was happening around him. When the pound worker tried to blow the kennel cough vaccine up his nose, he freaked out and bit them. They immediately labeled him "unadoptable" and he was to be put down. Somehow Cascadia was notified and they were able to save him and that is how he came to us. When I look at that face, I cannot imagine how anyone could have thought to end his life. He still has trouble with strangers, especially anyone in a white lab coat and will snap at them. But he has gotten soooo much better and is quite the man around the house. He is definitely the alpha dog here but also has a somewhat shy and timid around new dogs.

He is my buddy and wherever I am, he is. He loves to go for rides and walks and always has his tail up and just awaggin'! He can be a clown and make everyone laugh at the drop of a hat. He loves his "sister" Grace and they are both lost without each other. I am so glad to be called a foster failure and just don't know why I was the lucky one to be given this wonderful opportunity to love him.

Do I sound crazy for being so much in love with this dog? Probably but when we cuddle up at night and I feel his contented heart beating, I know I've done a good thing. He has given me much more than I can ever give him.