I need help, right now.

GRRRRRRRR, I could just pull my hair out when I see people jumping all over someone. Vision has been here for quite some time and has always been there to say "ahhhh, cute pup" or "great pictures". Now Vision TRIED but felt it couldn't work out with Rudolph and we jump all over him/her. A pat on the back, Vision, for even giving your time and effort (hopefully you're still reading). Living in an apartment, I would imagine, means you have to take into account your neighbors. Our first dog was a beagle and we lived in an apartment, that dog never barked or howled. We could even take her to a hotel, no problem. Our basset on the other hand would never be able to live in an apartment, she would get us kicked out for sure! OK, so you didn't try for weeks to deal with Rudolph's problem, but you can't leave a howling basset alone in an apartment and you can't be a prisoner in your own home because you got a dog. I totally see your point of view and think that it was nice of you to try.

Like I said earlier, I’m very sorry it didn’t work out for Vision and thank you Vision for trying. Apologies for the long post but I want to talk about Rudolph for a bit.

I have spent several days with Rudolph so let me tell you all about him from my perspective. It was probably a little hard for Vision to get a good idea of what House of Puddles is like if he was only there a short time. When you first arrive, it is crazy and hectic and loud because all the old dogs are very excited. They jump up and bark and run around and it’s a mob scene.

But, if you are there for a longer period of time, all the old dogs do what old bassets do. They find a good place to take a nap (preferably cuddling with a person) and lay down.

Rudolph is no different. He’s very excited and anxious at first, but once the others settle down, so does he. If the dogs he hates (Gus and Hermey, who aren’t yet neutered because they’re new to HOP and are undergoing heartworm treatment, and Jeeps, the coonhound) aren’t in eyeshot he wanders around a bit, sniffs the girls, flirts with the cute ones, then he comes up to you, stands right in front of you, and stares deeply into your eyes. I’ve known bassets my whole life and I have never had a basset make this kind of intense eye contact before, It’s like he’s trying to tell you how much he wants to be loved. It’s not intimidating at all—it’s like he’s trying to make a deep soul connection with you.

If you invite him up on the couch with you, he will lay half-on your lap with his head down to be scratched. Every few minutes he’ll look up at you as if to say thank you for loving me and wave his paws back and forth. If you scratch him behind the ears and under the chin, he moans in happiness.

If you walk to the front door with him and open it, he’ll go right outside and do his business. HOP is fenced in so no one needs a leash. He sniffs the yard and checks things out then comes right back in and just wants to get back in your lap. Rudolph isn’t very independent, he needs reassurance. As far as we know, he and Hermey were neglected—left outside and not fed or given water regularly, or attention—before they made it to an animal shelter. Rudolph doesn’t cringe or whimper like a dog that’s been beaten, but he is needy, like a dog who’s been ignored and neglected.

If Rudolph is around Jeeps, Hermey or Gus, he turns into a different dog. He seems to feel threatened by other aggressive, unneutered males. So he shouldn’t live in a home with one. With Becky, Louisa, Lilly and other cute girls though—he is quite a Romeo. And a flirt!

Rudolph is a wonderful, squishy, soft, handsome, loving basset who just needs the right home. If my house weren’t already too full, with 3 cats and 2 dogs and no space to even turn around—I would take him myself. He is a big baby and he needs a home where the people know and understand bassets very well and where there are no other male dogs he has to compete with, and where they will give him all the unreserved love and affection he needs so he can regain the confidence he has lost through years of neglect. It would be wonderful if there were someone on Cyberhound who wants him, but if not, maybe one of you knows someone who fits the bill. All Marilyn asks is that the person who takes Rudolph be close enough that he can go back to HOP easily if it doesn’t work out.

Thanks, everyone, for reading. Rudolph is a unique basset and I think, in the right home with the right people, he would end up being someone’s heart-dog—the one dog above all others they hold close to their heart.

Melynda

Maybe Rudolf would do best with an experienced basset owner who has a female or two to keep him company. This way he wouldn't feel so alone. The best possible scenario would be someone who is fortunate enough to be home all the time or at least be there in the beginning.

I'm convinced that Rudolf will make the right person a perfect dog, hopefully very soon.

As far as Vision goes I'm sure her/his heart was in the right place but I have to agree that will ALL the information and the stories about eaten furniture, glasses, remotes... the list goes on, as well as the "what furniture is best for bassets" threads should have been taken into consideration but I guess that sometimes you have to live it to really understand?

Maybe Vision's parents raised the other dogs that they owned in the past and she/he doesn't know or remember the work that a dog involves. This is not a malicious or detrimental comment, just a possibility so I'm not trying to offend anyone.

I wish the best of luck to poor Rudolf

Lou

Let me start off by saying I do not think you are the right person for Rudolph but you were aware of his issue with other dogs when you agreed to this,second the marking could be fixed with training and I am sure his need to be near you had alot to do with the fact that he was scared and confused. Knowing you were going to have a dog at your house if you were concerned about your furniture or car seats you should have covered them with a cover. I personally don't think you are ready for the responsibity of any dog but all I am saying is don't make it out that this dog is so bad and ruin his chance of finding a good home.[/b]

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I have to agree with copsmom...

Rescue dogs have issues and insecurities. Both our dogs were rescues. Moe had a several serious issues, one of which was biting, that took training, patience and above all else, time, to overcome. Our Dachshund Tally suffered pretty severe separation anxiety after being kept in a garage for a year and then given over to rescue. It took YEARS for her to get to the point where we could leave her uncrated when we were out of the house. For the most part, adjustment periods last a couple months or so. If you can't make that initial investment of allowing an adjustment period then rescue is just not for you... it does you and the dog no good at all. That's not to say you are not a good dog-owner... just not a good rescuer. Not everyone is...

Edited to change this a bit and add that perhaps you are not a bad rescuer... just not a good rescuer of dogs who are more needy than most. And, if you live in an apartment or closely built community then I understand that he may have been pretty hard to deal with. I didn't mean to sound harsh. But people sometimes attempt to take on a responsibility and then don't give it enough time to work out. On the other hand, at least you realized quickly that you couldn't deal with his issues and perhaps that's for the best. I'm sure someone somewhere can help Rudolph to be a happy and well-adjusted dog.