Cleopatra
The first time I met Cleo I should have known it would be different with her. I picked her up at the vet and put her in the back seat for the ride home. She proceeded to climb into the front seat and into my lap and into my heart. We had many fosters before, but she was determined to weasel her way into being a permanent family member. From her jumping into the bed and sleeping right next to me, to her enthusiastic greetings, we decided to go ahead and adopt her. I made her own name tag and brought everyone together to officially make her a part of the family. After getting sick while at day care, we didn't know how sick she really was. We thought it was boarding stress. We brought her home and she seemed to improve. However, it was short-lived. Unbeknowns to us, she had HGE. She was dead when we got up the next morning. A devastating sadness settled over the whole house which still happens from time-to-time. Our other bassets seem to be depressed as well as to her passing. We only had sweet Cleo a short while, but it was a great time. She is now at the Bridge - healthy again and still playing with all the other dearly departed and very loved pets. Tom

Newman
Newman was the perfect gentlemen. He was very laid-back and loved belly rubs. Newman and his doggie sibling, Chance, got along famously. Where one was, the other had to be. He loved snoozing on his daddy's recliner at night and often stayed there for the entire night. Unfortunately he had complications from heartworm treatment. He fought the good fight, but in the end, his body was just too weak. Newman wants to tell all pet owners the importance of heartworm prevention each month. He doesn't want any other doggie to have to go through this painful treatment. Newman was loved by all who knew him. His loving foster home gave him all the love and attention he could ever want. It's with a heavy heart that we must send him to the bridge where he is once again playing with other dogs and is pain free.

Ivory
Ivory was our 4th foster dog. She was a beautiful open red and white basset with a long wavy coat. Ivory was very striking. Coming on to hard times she found herself at the shelter and was slated to be put down when BRAT came to the rescue. She was in horrible condition. Her fur was matted and in knots. She had hot spots all over her body from fleas. She was heartworm positive and had a ton of parasites. Not having any foster homes, she was kept at a doggie daycare facility where she quickly became the Belle of the Ball. It was a remarkable change in her appearance and demeanor in just a couple of days. She was allowed to roam the facility as she pleased and received all the loving she could want. Sadly, when they opened her up to be spayed, she was full of cancerous tumors everywhere. It was the vet's recommendation that due to her age and the sheer number of tumors that she be allowed to die peacefully in her sleep. I got to see her yesterday and doted on her, too. I'm glad I had that special time with her before she passed. She was loved by all of BRAT's volunteers, followers, and supporters. She will remain in our hearts forever.