July 17, 2007

Dear Basset Hound Rescue Family and my other dear friends.   

This morning Benny crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He was surrounded with  Love and had been preparing us for this since we brought him home Friday afternoon after he had been at the clinic for 3 weeks. After learning that he had a cancer on his left shoulder, we brought him home to spend time - loving and caring for him before it was time to let him go. He let us know yesterday that it was time to make the arrangements.  Early this morning he was up and ready to get on with it. He was restless and in pain and surprisingly walking, more that he had done in the past 3.5 weeks. He knew he was going to a wonderful place and was ready.  

Benny came to me in December 2004 as a foster and the rest has become history.  He was so sweet, loving, and patient. He added so much to my life and I am thankful for the time we had together. He was kind and gentle and would sit beside me for hours when we went out to events on behalf of BHRA or if company came to the house. He loved the outdoors.  Newly cut grass or right after fresh rain or the first 2 days at the beach required smelling every single blade of grass, so walks were very slow. But I need slow at this stage of my life.  He was afraid of thunderstorms and would hide under my desk, his safe place. 

I am in no way the eloquent writer that so many are so this is just plain and simple.  He will be sorely missed for quite a long time.   Please visit www.bennyatthebeach.com,, keep watching for updates to the site with new pictures as I hope to upgrade it and raise some money with it for BHRA.  Benny symbolizes all the hounds that come thru our rescue and go to their forever homes and I hope that his story will benefit our rescue organization in some small way. 

In closing I have to say a special thanks to Dr. Tony Ballagas of Veterinary Surgery of Birmingham for not giving up when we had no clue what was wrong and to their entire staff.  There was such love and caring, it was incredible.

I also want to thank everyone who sent emails and sent up prayers and to the hounds for the Drool. It is all very much appreciated.  I love all of you.

Trudy M. Phillips