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| Good Golly Miss Dolly II at the age of 13 years and one month went to The Bridge May 26, 2006. She was a gift everyday. |  Dolly Hoover | Mister Hoover at the age of 11 years and 7 months went to The Bridge on November 22, 2004 He is still loved and missed so much. |
Links | Homecoming Each day was a joy, each day brought laughter and surprises. Bassets, I always said they are just like toddlers who never grow up. They crawl into your heart and make their place there forever only breaking it when the time comes for them to leave. The very first day I brought Hoover and Dolly home our first stop was at their Doctor David's office. Both the Doctor's children were there to greet the new Pups. They were met in the waiting room by his son who was a small boy of about nine years old but NOW in Vet School! and the five year old daughter so eager to hold the wiggling pups. I remember that day clearly, it was the Best Day and the beginning of a wonderful 12 plus years of love. Brother and Sister Basset Hounds, but with personalities as different as day and night! Dolly more independent and Hoover a Clinging Mama's boy. I brought them home at six weeks (Yep I was a bad person!...and from a family that had the Mother and Father as pets in June of 1993, just after the loss of my last Basset. Housebreaking To house break them both, I had plastic sheets covering the floor area they were allowed in. Hoover was trained easier than his sister Dolly. She was too busy to stop and make the trip outside, when all she had to do was do her business where she was.Hoover is by far the cleaner of the two, Dolly independent and more of a tuffie! Prison Break! First was wall to wall heavy duty plastic stapled to the rugs. This was in areas they were allowed. I had fairly new rugs and so wanted to keep them. This worked beautifully, all I ever needed to do was mop the areas where they peed and pooped! Another idea, this one failed poorly. You know those kiddie pools, usually blue and a fairly hard plastic but they bend a bit also? I bought one, placed it in the kitchen, this was so I would know where they were when I was busy ... haaaa no way, within 5 minutes 6 week old Hoover and Dolly busted out and went on a rampage running everywhere. No way would they stay confined when there was a whole world out there for them ... they were home and home to stay! Roll The Tape Vanishing Clothes THEY WERE GONE!!! Everything I was going wear....... VANISHED! Well I looked at the two most innocent faces---and asked WHERE is Mommy's clothes?? They just looked at each other and then me...tails wagging...THAT was my answer!! I did find them, all scattered about on the floor at the other end of the house...When I asked how did these get here? again the same look and tails wagging. To this day some twelve years plus later I remember this everytime I go to get ready to leave. No ...I would not trade one day of the past 12 years plus, I enjoy my *Clowns* The entertainment they provide is priceless, and the love never ending. They give me so much more than I could ever give them. They are My Treasures, My Joys and I could not love them more! I just wish I could afford a house full of Bassets! Growing Up Hoover and Dolly chased each other, round and round in what I believe is called the Basset 500? Someone correct me if I am wrong. I always called it hide and seek, because they would stop to see where the other one was and reverse the chase. At times I too had to join in and play the game. They would came crashing into me with all the kisses they could give..........Puppy Breath, I am sure everyone remembers this wonderful fragrance! Playtime was wonderful and we played a lot! Parting Of The Seas Hoover and Dolly were about 6 months old and the whole crew was out in the yard. After several attempts of Hoover playing crash into Herman the old guy got a bit testy. Herman would never touch the Pups but he did know how to get their attention! Herman gave his deep I'm in charge here bark command and got into Hoover's face. Both Hoover and Dolly quickly laid on their backs and stayed that way. We called this the parting of the sea. Herman knew just how to set these young whipper snappers straight and he did. Hoover respected him after that! This is the same friend that went with me to see H & D for the very first time. She had raised several litters of pups (Bassets of course) herself at one time...........where did I meet her? At Dr. David's of course, she was so supportive when I lost Charlie and Mini. They moved out of state when H & D were Pups..........and she had promised to help me raise them : ) Running Errands Upon my return they were no where to be found, but they had left their tracks. Throughout the house I found paper torn into the tiniest pieces, plant leaves and stems all over plus the dirt they were in scattered in the rooms. The bed dust ruffle was no longer attached but ripped into shreds, my queen size blanket had become twin size. "Just what entered my home and did this? Just what???", I asked after the shock wore off. Down the hallway I saw eyes, Hoover and Dolly were waiting laying down in the flat Basset pose, every Basset slave knows that innocent pose which says, "Hi Mommy we've been good and we are so glad you are home!" EARTHQUAKE!! After the initial shaking and I in fear for their lives called out to them to go outside. Even though it was dark and I could tell my house was not right since it was moving I crawled to find them. Soon I knew one of them was ok since I found poop dropped by one as either he or she ran away. When I got to the front door which was bent all out of shape there were my angels trembling in fear. Dolly was bleeding on the head and the foot and Hoover was shaking and whimpering for comfort. I got them outside and checked Dolly's injuries, just a few small cuts possibly from the glassflying from the cupboards. Hoover was the one that ran and pooped in fear. After what seems like hours of hugging them and giving them comfort they calmeddown only to go back into fear with the after-shocks. This went on for days. They never forgot the Quake, and I taught them where to exit after we moved back in the remodeled house. The command word was "QUAKE QUAKE" as loud as I could say it as they would run for the door. After The Quake DOLLY DID IT! Off to Doctor David we went where she pooped out one button so we knew who did itfor sure. They made her vomit and found 6 more. What??? This totalled *7* but only *6* were missing. I counted again and it was just *6* gone! It became a joke as if our Dolly was going for the bakers' dozen? Dolly recovered just fine but the laughter about this stayed for some time! Personalities Dolly the sweet innocent face wearing a heart shape design on both her sides turned into a monster. Dolly was Alpha and Hoover had to walk behind her and wait until she tasted her dinner before he could eat!We walked on pins and needles for awhile! She calmed down but took to biting when she was disturbed and wanted her *space* We dealt with this issue and it got betterand eventually stopped. Hoover Talks Bee Sting Off again on again illness happened and we always ran to see Doctor David and his special miracle medicine Both Hoover and Dolly love him dearly, even when they get their owies the love is still in their eyes. The entire staff always pay attention to them after all they feel like they are the only clients they have! It is *their* Doctor! Hoover always declared the office *His* and barked and growled at any other doggies who arrived...his tail wagged but he was really upset when someone invaded his territory! Dolly just sat along side her brother but never protested! Little Hoovie I was so scared the gopher would bite him but no way was Hoover going to let up. He went at it like he was crazy, digging and digging. Finally I got him away from the hole and told him it was a Little Hoovie. It was so cute...just like Hoovie with tiny ears instead of Hoovies long leathery but velvety kind. After that when we went outside I always asked him where Little Hoovie was and he went to the spot. We never saw Little Hoover again. :( More Personalities Since the Northridge Earth Quake Dolly changed, things really scare her, any loud noise or someone yelling...she really has a hard time with it....and as she gets older it seems worse, and especially now since for the last year she has not had her Brother Hoover. Just because Dolly was the Alpha, it never seemed to mean she was in charge...just first! Dolly went along with whatever Hoover asked for, he was the spokesbasset here. At meal time he asked for food, he asked for treats he asked for frosty paws..........Dolly went along for the ride. Now she has to take over and ask, and she is learning......she waits for me in the kitchen for food, and if the water dish is empty she lays her head in it and looks pathetically sad...as only a Basset can do! I suppose there is so much more in memories I can tell, it all just flows. If I told all of the funnies both the good and bad it might take up a volume. I just know never was there a dull moment. We had to be on our toes at all times with two Bassets dreaming up different things to do. You can never tell what might happen. The years have not been without illness. Hoover and his hips and the disk disease that finally took him away from us. Dolly and her Glaucoma and eye removal plus her bout with HGE(Hemorrhagic GastroEnteritis) possibly caused by all the stress she felt because of her eye operation. Dolly has arthritis colitis and also a weak spine...possibly disk disease also. But she keeps on going...we call her *The Energizer Bunny* bless her heart she loveslife...and so misses her brother.........just as we all do here. We go on...holding on to the memories....so many so much entertainment and a bit of heartbreak and loss. All of you people out there...reading this ... Hug your Critters, be they Basset ... Mutt whatever ... Doggie C@t ... you never know when it will be the last time you can hug them. Pay attention to things that seem odd ... health wise ... check their eyes ... watch that limp ... get them examined by your Vet as quickly as you can. Not eating for a Basset can be serious!I imagine there are fussy Basset eaters, I have never seen one! Slowly adding more to this page, memories are all locked forever in my mind and in my heart....and it is good therapy. Ice Cream Cones, Priceless Moments Many times they shared as I held the cone, Hoover would take a lick or two, then Dolly would eagerly accept her treat, they were so good about *sharing* until it was gone. Well, as they got older and wiser H & D were not so willing to give up on just a lick or two or even three.... The last time I brought home a cone for them to share, Hoover did his lick, one, two three, four and maybe because his tongue was frozen he allowed his sister her turn. Not only did she take her turn she grabbed the entire cone and I swear in one swallow she ate it. The look on Hoover's face was priceless!!!! He looked at Dolly and then me as if to say, *What Happened* He was ready to take another lick or two ... How I wish I had the camera focused on them at this time! What a Priceless Moment! Paying The Mortgage Oh My Gosh ... there was Dolly running wild with the mortgage payment hanging out of her mouth and flying! Dolly running as the winner with Hoover chasing her ... he in second place. She had quietly picked up the statement with the check I had paper clipped to mail and ran like mad. Was she going to make the payment??? It took some effort to catch her and make her give up her treasure, but she did. From then on I was very careful where I set important things. The Basset Collection The Undie Races C@T Chase I say attempted to chase because there was no C@T involved, keep reading and you will see why. Sometimes Hoover sat on the sofa with me while I watched TV. Seems there was a show or commercial on that had a C@T on. Our TV sits on the same wall as the enclosed patio with a patio door just a few feet away, and the door was open. The C@T is spotted by Hoover, I see him looking straight ahead at the TV. The C@T goes off the screen as if it was going to the patio, Hoover leaps off the sofa and is on a chase big time, barking and howling away. Neither Hoover or Dolly has even been near a C@T, except at the Vets office but the C@TS have all been in a carrier. Speaking of the Vets and C@TS, one time Hoover walked up to a carrier containing a C@T to sniff or see or both *s*. This C@T did the spitting noise C@TS do and Hoover jumped off the ground and ran to hide under my feet! I have no idea why they did not like C@TS....... Puppy Breath Memories So precious....more to come! More about Hoover, since he has been gone. Hoover's Bedtime Also I loved rubbing his *turkey neck* and running my fingers thru all the folds of skin feeling his soft hair. He adored this. I also held his left front paw while he went to sleep.If I let it go he would wake up and look at me. Often times he let out a soft moan like sound, as if he was annoyed I stopped touching him. Hoover was a nut, and Hoover and Dolly's personalities are so different. Dolly is more a independent girl, altho she is slowly changing in her old age. While I was on the bed with Hoover, Dolly could always be found on her cushion in front of the TV, her favorite spot, she never wanted in on the bed with us. I guess it was Hoover's way of getting his quality time! The Loss of Your Best Friend My first marriage ended in divorce, I instantly became a single parent and had to support the two of us.Years past and I met a wonderful man ...we married and several years into wedded bliss he passed away from Cancer. My child was an adult by then and I was left with our two Bassets, my first Bassets-Charlie and Mini....read more about them at The Bridge I loved them both with all my heart, but somehow I seemed to understand with their health issues survival was always an issue, I suppose I learned to accept that everyday was a gift with them even though they were younger at their time of passing than Hoover.....it was accepted...we never have a choice. Charlie passed on first followed by Mini 9 months later. Just after losing Mini, I went to look for Pups........(but they were only 3-4 weeks old so I had to wait until June 5th 1993 to bring them home. I drove the owners crazy visiting 2-3 times a day!) and the team of Hoover and Dolly were found-In May of 1993! Having H & D at that time, was the best thing I ever did, they saved me......it was instant love 24/7, life was so good....even with the illness's they seemed to find.I never thought about them not living *forever* who does when you have young Pupsters? We just kept on going having fun and learning new exciting things to get into.Everyday was exciting with them, everyday they made me laugh, and they seemed to enjoy entertaining me and anyone in their presence! After a while H & D had another *Human* join us, I consider him their Daddy Steve. H & D were approaching 5 years of age when Steve joined the family, Steve was accepted, after all it meant more Belly Rubs and Treats. We both miss our Clown Basset, Mister Hoover....he was so squishy and loveable. Hoover was put down 11-22-04 as he had disk disease and his hind quarters became paralyzed, he also became very agitated with his condition. We said our goodbye, it was a very sad day, and the following days, weeks and months have not been easy. Two months later my Mom passed away. Hoover has family with him at The Bridge. I miss his funny ways, his protective ways, his loving ways, his devotion and his ordering you around with his silly demands, whether it be for food-treats-belly rubs-frosty paws, or just having you look at him, he loved attention. Can you imagine Hoover how much I love you? Just A Dog Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folkslike me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts mythoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a Woman/Man." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."It's not Just a Dog....they are My Best Friends It is so hard to say Good Bye.................... Till we meet you again Mister Hoover....... Mommy loves you forever My Big Boy....always wanting one more squishy hug and a kiss. Our Dolly joined her Brother Mister Hoover May 26th 2006 at The Bridge. Now my bookends are together again.Life will never be the same without you. I love you My Dolly Wally and Hoover Doover. You both will be forever in my heart. Can you imagine Dolly and Hoover how much I love you? Till we meet again my Clowns.
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