Dreyfuss the Basset

by Basset Hound Rescue of Ontario 

The life of a senior hound should be spent basking in a ray of sunshine, without a care in the world, nose alert and keen on the next cookie being handed out, enjoying every moment their golden years have to offer. But sadly, 10 year old Dreyfuss' owner had something else in mind... he was slated to die... never to have the opportunity to feel the warmth of those sunrays again...

It was a bleak winter's day when the call came in from a woman calling from her veterinarian's office. She had three bassets, had just euthanized her ill, eldest one and Dreyfuss was to be next, as he apparently did not get along with her youngest basset. Her vet urged her to call Basset Hound Rescue of Ontario (BHRO) instead, so she did, and within an hour Dreyfuss arrived, confused as to why he was losing all he had ever known, but no doubt thankful to be alive.

Often senior hounds are overlooked by adopters and Dreyfuss' future was in our hands to ensure this was not the case with him. With Dreyfuss' sweet face, loving nature and apparent good health, we were hopeful someone would look past his years and see the hound who just wanted to love and be loved. BHRO volunteers were blessed to have come to know Lynne and Lloyd Coddington from their previous adoptions of special hounds in need. The Coddington's had recently lost their beloved Abigail. Although they had decided to wait a few years until retirement to adopt another, we could not help but think how perfect they would be for Dreyfuss. Just maybe they would be willing to foster Dreyfuss in the meantime. One phone call confirmed this and the Coddington's traveled a few hours the next day and brought Dreyfuss home. A box of Tim Horton's timbits for the car ride home cemented the relationship right from the start!

Later that week Dreyfuss was taken to our vet for a physical. To everyone's shock and dismay, it was discovered that Dreyfuss has an enlarged heart. Further tests needed to be done, but Dreyfuss' future just became bleaker... or so we thought. Finding a permanent home for a ten year old hound is a challenge. Finding a permanent home for a ten year old hound with a serious medical condition takes a miracle.

Within days BHRO arranged for Dreyfuss to have the x-rays, a cardio ultrasound and blood tests performed to determine the extent of his heart condition, and what could be done to help him. Dreyfuss' expenses were in excess of one thousand dollars. The support of BHRO members is what makes this possible and we cannot thank them enough. It was determined that Dreyfuss has a condition called Mitral Valve Disease, a disease that causes the heart valves to gradually lose the ability to close effectively. His time remaining was unknown, but thankfully he was showing little-to-no outward symptoms of his condition. Dreyfuss started taking daily medication and continued to do very well as he waited for his miracle to happen. Dreyfuss did not have long to wait. Lynne and Lloyd quickly became attached to Dreyfuss, and Dreyfuss to them. The Coddington's wanted to make Dreyfuss a permanent part of their family!

The sun shone bright that day for all the volunteers of BHRO, and especially for Dreyfuss, who took his rightful spot in the Coddington's sunroom, truly appreciating the rays, that he was so thankful to be basking in.

~ Part 2 by Dreyfuss’ mum, Lynne Coddington ~

We were first introduced to the BHRO about 8 years ago.… 2 weeks after losing our sweet 14 year old George. It was terrible living in a Basset-less home and with both of us working, we didn't have the time or energy to train a new puppy. Actually, most of the pets that have owned us have been "previously loved".

On the way to adopt a new basset from Phyllis Stapells of BHRO, on that cold March day, we agreed to adopt one of the younger dogs so our hearts wouldn't be broken again so soon. Little did we know how some of these older little hearts were breaking for a different reason. Phyllis brought some of the adoptees out one by one, and as cute and sweet as they all were, the one that we were most drawn to was a brave and energetic 8 1/2 year old "FLASH". He had been waiting for his "Forever Family" for more than 6 months. He came home with us that day and walked into our home as though he'd been there all his life.

And people say a dog won't adapt after 7 years old - it's apparent these dogs don't know they're over 7, because after Flash went to heaven, along came Abigail via "the rescue". We were graced by her presence for 3 hectic years - this poor old girl was either in her second childhood or never left her first.… the oldest puppy we ever saw. After losing her, it was a long dismal year before we caved in again.

It was New Year's Eve, 2003 when we got the call from Shawn Leslie of BHRO to wish us a Happy New Year! It was only natural that the conversation would come around to "how's everything at the rescue?" It was devastating to hear of Dreyfuss' plight at what should be such a happy time and at such an age. Lloyd caught the gist of the conversation and after I hung up, he reminded me of our promise to wait for retirement before bringing another four legged friend into our lives.

We got up on New Year's morning with no plans except to go out for breakfast. As we sat in the Egg & I, Lloyd spoke what I had been thinking.… "it's a nice day.… want to go for a ride to Tottenham (where BHRO keeps its bassets waiting for adoption).… but just to look". He knew we couldn't just look.

We called Shawn who told me right away to check my email for pictures of Dreyfuss. There he was; a beautiful black and tan, looking much younger than his 10 years. It was love at first sight for us. Now we had to go and find out if he could feel the same way about us.

It was a long ride home, but with 1 or 2 Tim Horton's stops (complete with timbits for Dreyfuss) the relationship was sealed. He moved right in. Our cat, Baby, loved him instantly… now we could see how much she had missed our Abbi.

It's amazing how adaptable these Bassets are. All they want is a soft place to sleep, their treats, a pat on the head and a kind word. Can you imagine how shocked we were to hear from the veterinarian how sick our poor old boy was? We had always known what good friends the Bassets had in the BHRO, but had never realized the extent they would go to in helping these dogs.

There was never any question about Dreyfuss becoming part of our family, and now with this enlarged heart problem, he only became more precious to us. This was the same problem that plagued our Flash. I always did say they had BIG hearts.… maybe it's the breeding.

Dreyfuss loves to take a short, slow walk. He takes in the scenery and has to have a little visit with any neighbour that just happens to be outside… they all LOVE him. Dreyfuss enjoys the life he's living and is affectionate and sweet. Sometimes though, he looks out the window as neighbourhood kids unload from the schoolbus. His tail wags low and we know that he's remembering a little someone from his past. He brings us back from the "fast lane" world that we work in. We love our "geriatric pets" and continue to learn from them.