Basset Hounds up for Adoption on Friday

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter is up to its ears in Basset Hounds! The sweet and gentle dogs will be up for adoption on Friday morning.

Nine of the Bassets from a recent animal rescue case in NW Portland will be looking for homes. (Three other Bassets are still receiving medical care and one is getting some behavioral help.) The dogs up for adoption range in age from 3 months to 8 years.

"We're looking for some special homes for the older girls and the older boy. They've been through a lot, and it's time for someone to give them all the love and attention they deserve," says Senior Animal Shelter Technician Myndi Hines. The older dogs all need extensive dental care and on-going treatment for ear infections.

They will also need some gentle exercise to get in shape after years of inactivity. "The older ladies have nursed many, many litters and, to put it politely, don't have the figures they once did," says Wood. "They are also out of condition, so it would be wonderful for them to find special people who will pamper them after all they've been through."

Adoption Information: Dogs will be adopted on a first-come, first-served basis among qualified applicants. The adoption fee is $150.00. All of the dogs have been spayed or neutered, microchipped, and are up-to-date on vaccines. The fee also includes a Washington County dog license. Washington County veterinarians will give a first visit free of charge to adopters.

"We don't keep dogs 'on hold' -- so come prepared," says Hines. "Bring all family members. Bring existing dogs, since we require a 'Meet and Greet' with family dogs before adoption."

Potential adopters can download an adoption application at www.washingtoncountypets.com, and click on "Animal Shelter" then "Adoption" on the left side of the page.

"Remember that we're also looking for great homes for the other terrific dogs and cats here in the shelter. We hope we'll find a lot of great matches for all the pets here that are looking for forever homes," says Wood.

Adoption Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM; Wednesday noon to 5:30; closed Sunday.

MEET THE BASSETS:

Holly (A065899) is about 7 years old and weighs about 57 lbs. Holly knows she's a little overweight, and knows she needs to work it off. How does she remedy that? Well, Holly likes getting outside and going for walks. She likes seeing what's going on and seeing what adventures her nose takes her to. Holly has some dental issues that will need to be addressed in the future, like possible pulled teeth. But we're sure that Holly's spirit will always be bright, and she'll help you deck your halls…all year long!

Hanna Anna (A065894) is about 8 years old and weighs around 57 lbs. You wouldn't know Hanna is 8 years old by the way she moves around. She may saunter a bit because of her size, but she has the mindset of a younger dog. Hanna absolutely loves being around people and loves to interact. Hanna has some medical issues that will need follow-up care. For instance, Hanna will need some dental work in the future, and she'll need to go on a diet. It may sound like a lot, but the love and devotion you'll receive from Hanna will be priceless.

Hailey Comet (A065895). Can Basset Hounds smile? Hailey Comet says, "Of course we can!" Hailey is about 8 years old and weighs about 59 lbs. And one of the first things you'll notice about her is that she seems to smile. And the smile is infectious, permeating the area until everybody can't help but smile back at Hailey. The love that Hailey exudes flies through the air, but it comes around more than every 75-76 years…more like 75-76 milliseconds! And even though she has some dental problems that need to be followed up on (she had two teeth extracted recently, and may need more) Hailey smiles away because she's happy and wants you to be happy. And if you and Hailey got together, you would be happy-happy!

Heddy Marie (A065896) is 4 years old and weighs about 48 lbs. Heddy can be a little shy at first, but she does open up after a bit. Heddy seems to have a calm and mature demeanor about her. She doesn't really jump up on you. While going for a walk, she'll sniff around to see if anything intrigues her, but won't pull your arm off. And Heddy will look at you and make sure you're doing okay. For example, while outside, she'll take a few steps, and look at you to make sure you're there and all is well. Heddy is very motherly in that sense. And Heddy will need some mothering of her own as she needs some dental care in the future. Heddy also has a chronic eye condition that seems okay now, but may need work down the line. Heddy seems to be great at taking care of others, and now she's looking for someone to take care of her. Could it be you?

Honey Buns (A026426). Sugar pie, honey buns…okay, that's not how the song goes, but it does fit in this situation. Honey Buns, who's about 5 years old and 62 lbs., is very sweet, just like a pie made out of sugar. Honey Buns loves people. She'll go up to you and nuzzle your hand, your leg, any part of the body she can get to induce you to pet her. Honey Buns has a happy-go-lucky personality and is very social. Honey Buns does have to lay off the sweets and extra portions because she is a little overweight. She'll also need some work done on her teeth in the future. But if she's this sweet now, imagine how she'll be when she's healthier. She'll be as sweet as…er…um…a concoction that's sweeter than sugar!

Omar Bradley (A065906). Omar Bradley may look grumpy from his pictures, but he really isn't a grump. Omar is about 8 years old and weighs about 50 lbs. Omar may not smile like some of his other hound mates, but he does enjoy being outdoors. Like a true hound, Omar likes to go out and follow his nose. Sometimes he finds grass to his liking, other times, a patch of dirt will suffice his curiosity. Omar has some medical issues that you need to be aware of. Omar will need dental care in the future. He also has what appear to be patches of fat on his hip area and neck area. With all his issues, they don't seem to deter him from what he enjoys most: being with people and enjoying the great outdoors.

Mojo (A065904) is a 4-month-old, 21 lb. bundle of cute! Mojo will seem shy at first. But after a few minutes, he adjusts and shows his curious personality. How curious? Let's just say he likes to sniff…everything. And he likes to taste…almost everything. Look down and you'll see he's got a dirty nose and dirty tongue. Our volunteers and staff have been working with Mojo to socialize him to all sorts of new and fun things, like other animals and other people. And Mojo is quickly learning that not everything is scary and that a lot of things may or may not be tasty!

Ziti (A065905) may not be edible, but she will surely fill your family up with love. She is about 4 months old and 17 lbs. Just like any dish, Ziti needs to warm up a little to new people and new things. Once she feels comfortable with you, she'll show you. She'll nuzzle up to you and want to interact with you. You can sense her happiness when anyone she likes is around. Her head will pick up, and her body language looks confident. And you can't help but smile and pet her.

Noodles (A065903) has some of the cutest sad puppy dog eyes you've ever seen. She's about 4 months old and 27 lbs. Noodles may look kind of sad in her pictures, but looks can be deceiving. Noodles likes to stroll around and explore what's around her. She likes to take her time doing such things. And when she's done, Noodles can't wait to move on and see what other exciting things await her. She may take a while to make a connection with you. However, if you give her some time and let her finish her explorations, she'll come visit you and encourage you to pet her. She'll stick her snout and get you to pet her. And you can't help but oblige her because then she'll look at you with her "sad" eyes.

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