Mahna

Since nobody responded to the questions from my last post, I'm reposting the questions. I am seriously considering adopting this girl and just want some advice on how to deal with adding her to the family if I decide to do so.

From August 18th:

This weekend I went to check out a basset up for adoption in a local rescue all breed rescue to see if they needed any help from the basset rescue. And I fell in love. She's on the small side like Bogie, 35-40lbs. Stark white face, but the rest of her body is brown and black. One blue eye, one brown eye. She got along very well with Bogie and even cried when we finally had to leave.

I was wondering how adding a second dog has gone for any of you. I'm not positive this is the right time to add a second dog, but I have been considering it for months now, and just hadn't met another one that really sparked my interest enough to seriously consider it.

My Bogie right now is housetrained, but he was terrified of a crate when I rescued him, so I never cratetrained him. He doesn't destroy anything on the house. When I go to work, he hops up on a bed and sleeps until I open the door when I come back home. Kelsey, the basset girl I'm interested in, is cratetrained, but is somewhat destructive if you leave her alone in the house outside of the crate. Particularly with towels, sheets, and other fabrics. I have a feeling this would be a problem. Even when we were just in the room and she was in the crate with Bogie out of the crate, the two of them were barking, and I can't have excessive barking in the house when no one is home. Any thoughts onto how this situation could be helped? Another issue is that when she is out of the crate, she's been used to a doggie door, but I would be taking her on regular walks.

Another issue is that she was recently pregnant, and I have no idea how to deal with the after effects of that. Long story short, she was turned into a kill shelter somewhere in Kentucky. Upon arrival, they went to spay her and realized she was about to have puppies in less than a week, but they continued what they were doing and she lost the puppies. However she had already made lots of milk. I believe this was about 3weeks ago. The foster she is currently with said they had made sort of a bra for her, because she was literally dragging on the floor when walking. The loose skin has shrunk down, and she is still losing milk. I was wondering what else may go on after a pregnancy.

Thanks a lot!

Dozer-Digger

I've had a second and added the third one a month ago. None are crate trained, but all are dog door trained. I also don't let them roam free in the house when I'm gone. They only get the kitchen with free run of the backyard. Having a basset is like having a two year old child, you keep everything out of reach.

Two bassets help keep each other company, and the third keeps two company, and so on. It's great if you're gone for any length of time. I was gone for 3 days last week, and 3 days the week before. But when I am home, they could care less, since they have each other.

As for barking? My neighbors can't complain. I hear their dogs all the time during the day, but mine hardly ever bark at night. I won't put up with that. They do bark a bit when they are playing, if they see someone walking by, or they see a cat.

I really don't have any advise. Just throwing in my two cents. Bassets are like potato chips, you can't have just one.

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Darrell and the Boys. Dozer, Digger, & Dudley.

vonny

I have just added Basset number 3 plus I also have a senior Beagle.
Things are still work in progress at the moment but we are getting there :P
The new boy is crate trained and I am continuing with the crate until he is more settled with the others.
.
The two original Bassets are really good together and play rough with barking but that is the only time they bark.
Mine are not left a lot as I do not work but on the occasions they are left they have the kitchen and back garden.
Re the pregnancy I would think the milk will dry up as she has been spayed.
If you go for it expect a couple of hectic weeks until the new one settles.

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Owned by Rupey Doopey, Cuddley Dudley and Pretty Patience

RIP Precious gone too soon.

Elmer-n-Button

We just adopted a third bassett, and I have found that with each new addition, they seem to take on the habits of the dog that was there before them. I mean, my three sleep most of the day, so I don't worry about barking or anything. I agree that you will have a hectic couple of weeks, but in the long run, they will be great company and entertainment for one another especially when you can't be at home. I'd just confine them to the kitchen when you arent home that way if there are accidents, its not on the carpet.

It's a hard decision and I was absolutely bonkers the day that Dee Dee arrived, worrying about how things would go, but her transition has been seamless. As for the milk, you can probably find info online about how long that will take to dry up.

Look at it this way: She has nothing now. If you get her you can at least give her a try and a chance. If you absolutely can't tolerate it, then you can at least call a no kill basset rescue. Just my two cents worth. You should do what you feel you can handle.

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Arrrooooos from Bubby Boo, Dee Dee and Elmee Too!

Elvismom

We've adopted a number of dogs over the years and we also have fosters coming and going on a regular basis. I agree that the new dogs look to the current dogs for clues about how to behave. I find that rescues usually want a place they can feel safe, lots of hugs & kisses and regular feedings.

The biggest problem I've found is separation anxiety. It can take a while for the rescues to understand that when you leave that you will be back.

I hope you rescue this sweet girl - it looks like she needs a place to call her own.

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Chris
Foodslave, chauffer & doorperson to Elvis, Georgia, Ginger & Maggie, Crissy & Dart

aod

The milk should dry up eventually. Rosco and Cletus are best friends and keep each other occupied. They could never be separated now and are best friends. My daughter wants another to call Daisy. We'll see. Go rescue that girl!

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Have a great day and big Aroos from Rosco P. Coltrane and Cletus Hogg....

Mahna

Just an update... After I made the decision to go for it and adopt Kelsey, the rescue decided it wasn't an appropriate situation for her. This was before I handed in my application or explained anything about where I live. It was certainly before a home visit. I'm extremely disappointed at this point. The director of the rescue gave me the fosters phone number and a good time to call her. I left a voicemail, and was not called or emailed back for 4 days, so I decided I would try to call again. Originally when I met Kelsey, they explained that she was very well behaved and rarely barks, for a basset. They had already had her in the foster home for 3 weeks. When I called last night, I was told she barks all day and all night and that she shouldn't be in an apartment. Part of me doubts whether they are being honest or not. In a week, how does a well behaved dog turn into a barking machine? And if she truly is a constant barker, even someone who lives in a house may not adopt her for that reason. I'm considering whether I should send one final email to plead my case and let them know that if she hasn't been adopted in a reasonable amount of time, I would like them to reconsider me. What do you all think?

Lightning&Stomps

You mentioned in your first post that she and Bogie were barking quite a bit, which concerned you. It sounds like when she's around other dogs she barks. That's not uncommon. And since you do live in an apartment, that would be a problem. You have to trust the rescues to decide what is and is not the best situation for a dog--they don't want them back. I'm sure it was nothing personal against you.