Rainbow Bridge

 

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together......."

(~Anonymous)

This page is dedicated to those Bassets that have gone to the Bridge.

If you have recently lost a cherished member of your Basset family perhaps you would like to write a tribute to go on our Memorial Page and send it to the Webmaster.

We all know personally the loss of a beloved friend who gave their love and devotion unconditionally.

Please take a look at Benny, Rufus & The Rainbow Bridge for a beautiful heart warming story by renowned Basset Artist Dotti Elliott.

LINDANGLEN SUMMERSKIES

(Bronte)

8/11/1999 – 3/4/2007

Dad’s doglet, Mum’s darling, Patrick’s missus

 

 

Farewell Bronte, fairest Bronte,

Lady of the handbag ears,

Gentle girl, you gave such pleasure

To us all, these past few years.


Dianne & David Gome

 

"Jackson" (Towritree Jackson)

13Jun96 - 27Nov06

They say memories are golden, well maybe that is true.
But i never wanted memories, I only wanted you. A million times i cried.
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place nothing else can fill.
If tears could build a stairway, and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven and bring you back again.
My heart is broken, and nothing seems the same,
So rest my old friend and be in peace - until one day, when our souls will meet again.

Glen Reid

Glenfern Apple Strudel - Sophie

17-7-92 - 16-7-05

Born Glenfern Apple Strudel on 17th July, 1992 and went to sleep 16th July 2005. Sophie came to us as a rescue dog eight years ago. She unfortunately didn't have a secure up bringing. She joined Winston and they played and slept together for a short time before Winston had to be put to sleep. Maggie soon joined the family and Sophie became the unofficial mother to her. They have been together for six years but today the big decision had to be made.

Sophie will always be remembered as a loving and gentle girl. Her tenderness and devotion to the family will always be with us. The last few months as the weight came off her and she was possibly in pain, she never once let that interfere with her love for us.

She is now at peace and as she dreams of long ago pastures, never forget Dad, Mum and Maggie love you and will miss you. She will always be Dad's big girl.

Special thanks to Joan and Michael Bannister who gave us Sophie.

Coral and Jim Farmer.

 

Ch. Wenbrook Cast a Spell - Cassie

5-9-95 - 8-8-04

Our sweet little Cassie loved everyone, she never ever caused a problem and true to form she just left us quietly this morning.
Sam is feeling lost as she had lived with him and now he is on his own, we are all feeling a bit lost without her...she was such a gentle little person.
But she is now romping at the Rainbow Bridge and fit and well again.
Thanks to Wendy Boce of Wenbrook Kennels for trusting us with this dear girl.

Harry and Wendy Sanders and all at Merribas.

ef

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad - I understand
Don't let your grief then stay your hand
For this day more than all the rest
Your love and friendship stand the test.

We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears
You would not want to suffer so
When the time comes please let me go.

 Take me where my needs they'll tend
Only stay with me until the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you too will see
It is a kindness you do to me
Although my tail it's last has moved
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Do not grieve that it should be you
Who has to decide this thing to do
We've been so close - we two these years
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Penny Cary 1996

Grand Champion Merribas Briar Rose

"Rosie"

31-12-90 ~ 19-12-02

Another Grand Champion Basset Hound has been laid to rest.
Rosie liked nothing better than to go in the show ring and perform for dad…”Am I doing it right dad” she would say…luckily she has passed this attribute onto her daughter Nikki.
She was a very pretty bitch with a very loving temperament.
She will now be up at the Rainbow Bridge reunited with her lifelong mate Buddy, she has never been quite the same since he passed on.
We will never forget you Rosie...we had lots of fun didn't we.
Harry and Wendy Sanders - Merribas

Grand Champion Towritree Mateomine

"Buddy"

21st March 1993 - 20th January, 2002

Sadly missed by Harry & Wendy Sanders

Darling Bud from the first moment we saw you we knew you were a truly beautiful boy.

Not only did you look beautiful and give us an enormous amount of fun in the Show Ring but you were endlessly loyal, loving and gentle with never a cross word, always the true gentleman.

Buddy grew up with and lived all his life with Rosie and tonight she is suffering...we are sure she knows what has happened.

Buddy had been off colour for several days, not eating and moving a little slower than usual, so a visit to the Vet was in order...little did we know that was to be his last trip anywhere...he had advanced and inoperable cancer in the bowel, liver, pancreas and stomach...and the kindest thing was to put him gently to sleep.

"Please see my trusting life is taken gently, I shall leave this earth knowing that with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands."

Sweet Dreams Buddy Boy.

Buddy's Show Career was certainly an illustrious one, he won In Group prizes for every Class he was entered in, week after week he was in General Specials...the first week he missed getting something in Group we wondered what had happened.

He won under Specialists and All Breeds Judges, he won the Basset Hound Club of Victoria's Open Parade, then he won the Basset Hound Club of Victoria's Champ. Show, he won many Exhibit in Groups, many, many Class In Group and Class in Shows. He won Runner-up in Show at Warrnambool All Breeds Champ. Show and only weeks before he died we brought him out of retirement and  he won Best of Breed at the Hound Club of Victoria's Champ Show.

At the Royal Shows both Melbourne and Sydney he used to entertain the public giving out kisses freely...although he was known to steal a lick of an ice-cream...he has always been gentle with children and he was a wonderful ambassador for the breed.

A true Grand Champion and the ultimate Gentleman of the Breed.

 

A Tribute To Bollinger Claudette

1986  to 1999

From the first moment I laid eyes on my little Chloe I knew we were going to share a good life together.
 
From the first time she barked in her new home to when she was laid to rest in her favourite spot in her back yard she gave us nothing but happiness and joy.
 
When our first son came home from hospital after being born, Chloe came into the lounge room and slept under his bassinette. She did this too when Number two son came home. Such was the incredible maternal instinct of our darling girl.
 
She moved with us from place to place watching out for us all until we made it home, so did Chloe.
 
It has been some time since she went to Rainbow Bridge and there are even times when I still feel her presence. It strengthens me to know that she will be waiting for me when I get there too.
 
Then we won't have to miss each other again Chloe darling.
 
Thank you for the years.
 
David, Angela, James and Liam Rumble           

Georgie and Rose O'Brien 

Georgie 23/4/90 - 12/6/01 

Rose 7/11/89 - 13/5/01

Our sweet Bassies, you both left so suddenly we still can't believe it. Rose - you were our first Basset and soon had us wrapped around your paw. Georgie, we rescued you not believing that anyone could not love you. Together you built a lifetime of memories and a bundle of mischief. It's been 5 weeks and 5 days since you left us our beautiful girl Rosie. You left so quickly, one day playing like a puppy, smiles for everyone and the next day you were gone. Porgie Boy, our handsome boy, it's been 2 weeks and 3 days since you went to join your girl, you tried so hard to stay with us, but you needed to be with your sweet Rose more, we understand. You two were the most loving, loyal kids we could have ever asked for. You both had that cheeky look even when you were naughty that just melted our hearts. We have tears everyday wishing you were still here. We find it hard coming home to no howls for dinner, no charging through the door bowling us over, no slobber on the windows, no hair in the carpet, no Georgie and Rose. There are so many things we could say to explain what you both meant to us, but we know you know. Our sweet Bassies, thank you for sharing your lives with us and teaching us the true meaning of loving a Basset. See you both at Rainbow Bridge Love your Mum and Dad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

Ch. Hushanda Endless Tyme "Pepper"

16-5-1987  -  15-1-1999

We picked her up from her breeder at Hushanda late morning, it is always hard separating a baby from the litter and her mother Ch. Hushanda Imtrouble Too, stood there and cried as she watched us load up the car. I sat in the front seat with the new baby on my lap, with her little arms around my neck her muzzle cuddling into my shoulder.

It took nearly an hour to drive home and she didn't make a sound...she was like that from day one...brave little person.

Now after quite a successful show career and two litters of pups, one producing Grand Champion Merribas Briar Rose, we are looking back on nearly 12 years of absolute devotion. She didn't always like strangers...but she absolutely loved her family and her family loved her.

Dear Pep we know you're at the Rainbow Bridge and you're on a hill somewhere sniffing out the bunnies with Katie and Ben...have fun darling.

Wendy & Harry Sanders and all at Merribas.

Konorgk Tagscolowoble "Maggie"

October 1990 to January 2000

Maggie was born when Collingwood was last celebrating a Premiership win - almost a decade ago!

Her mum was Basstina Tagalong.

We kept Maggie because she was the most outgoing puppy of the litter and she happened to have a white stripe over her back - hence her name - we are not Collingwood supporters either!

Mags never disappointed us and when she wagged her tail her whole body would shake. Her favourite pastime was hunting but she was also very good at obedience. Many obedience trials were attended with much fun being had except when it came to being judged on the exercise bit - it was all a bore! - preferred to socialise and could do the exercises perfectly outside the ring. Plenty of encouragement was given but not on a certificate!

Mags was another true mate and companion to us which made her a pleasure to own. We are so proud, we will miss her terribly. We are always so sad when we lose our companions, they leave our hearts so empty yet somehow we feel good knowing we have given them the absolute best life a Basset could possibly have and they have gone on to that big kennel in heaven knowing our love, faithfulness and kindness. Little did we know, 24 years ago when we bought our first Basset, the joy and sadness that these adorable hounds would bring into our lives. We are so grateful to our darlings - Polly, Prue, Wynston, Sugar, Tara and Maggie for they are forever in our hearts.

How could one live without a Basset after 24 years? - Impossible! There is always room in our hearts for another and another and...

NOTE: With the exception of Polly who died of heart failure during a hunt, I have had to make that dreaded decision which never gets any easier. I believe in my "oath" which proudly hangs on my wall -

The one that starts with:

Treat me kindly my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for the kindness than the heart of me...

And ends with:

Please see my trusting life is taken gently, I shall leave this earth knowing that with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

It gives me strength at these sad time.

Sweet, sweet memories - Helen and Ken Hastie.

Aust. Ch. Basjambe Xmas Knight (Arthur)
22/12/82 - 10/11/94
Sire: Ch. Cathjaa Careworn Sir
Dam: Basjambe Maori Gold

Arthur was bred by Roy Beal and after seeing him at a show I had to have him. I pestered Roy until he sold him to us.
He was a lovely red and white dog with a beautiful head, lots of substance and a wonderful temperament.
He was a multi in-group winner, but he had a great trick if anyone else but me tried to show him...he would tuck his front feet under himself and refuse to walk or stand.
He also had a few more tricks up his sleeve...when he was a puppy he ate the arm off our club lounge while we were out, another time he pulled the drapes off the wall and bent the curtain rod...now this takes some doing. He pulled the carpet up off the floor and ate all the indoor plants...if you forgot to close the pantry door he had a ball...rice bubbles were his favourite...of course spread all over the family room floor...he was adorable!
Seriously, he was a wonderful ambassador for the breed, he did about 5 TV ads, lots of advertising work and was Mr. Hush for Hush Puppies and he even went into Parliament House to meet the then Premier Mr. Cain. He was the mascot for the Deafness Appeal and he was Capitol Clancy for Capitol Building Society who had stuffed plush toys made to look just like him...if you opened an account with them with $500 you got a free toy.
We retired him at 4 1/2 years due to a neck injury and other than to go to the vets we never put a lead on him again.
We were lucky that with careful management he lived a full life till 12 years of age.
Joan & Kevin Murphy.

Aust. Ch. Kamlea Charlie (Charlie)
19/9/86 - 5/3/2000
Sire: Aust. Ch. Hushanda Johnny Reb
Dam: Aust. Ch. Hushanda Xclusive Too

Charlie was born from our first litter and from the day she was born till the day she died she was mine.
I showed just Charlie for many years with Kevin and Georgia showing the other dogs.
We had many wonderful wins, Runner up in Show at the Hound Club of Victoria was probably one of the ones we enjoyed the most.
She did some advertising work for catalogues, Xmas Cards, Calendars etc.
She always amazed me with her intelligence, in obedience I only had to show her something a few times and she always remembered it.
Charlie had one litter and we nearly lost her, so that was the end of that no more litters.
We have had many wonderful hounds at Kamlea but this bitch was always special to me...her loss has been the hardest thing I have had to cope with.
May she at last have peace from the chronic gastro she suffered with for all her life.

Joan & Kevin Murphy

Aust. Ch. Barkhill Ima Shambles (Shambles)
2/10/80 - 20/5/91
Sire: Aust. Ch. Hushanda Ezaruffin Too
Dam: Barkhill All About Me
Shambles was our very first Basset. He was a true gentleman...never a cross word.
He got Parvo at 4 months of age even though he had been vaccinated, he survived it thanks to our Vet at the time.
He was retired from the Showring at 18 months of age and spent the rest of his life eating and sleeping...except when he went hunting with Kevin.

Joan & Kevin Murphy

Aust. Ch. Hushanda Xclusive Too (Gossip)
30/3/81 - 6/5/92
Sire: Aust. Ch. Camoola Mr Snowdrift (N)
Dam: Aust. Ch. Hushanda Evening Tyme
Gossip was our first bitch, not a big bitch but she had a lovely front and was full of get up and go. She and Shambles had such fun together.
We showed her for 5 years then we bred her.
She was Best of Breed at Canberra Royal 1985 and Reserve Challenge Bitch at Sydney Royal 1984. In 1986 she was opposite Australian Bred in Show at New South Wales Specialty Silver Anniversary Show.
Gossip was always the boss at Kamlea and as the Kennel got bigger and bigger she remained No.1 She was the dam of Aust.Ch. Kamlea Charlie and Aust. Ch. Kamlea Butterscotch.

Joan & Kevin Murphy

Aust. Ch. Lakesdale Lownlovely (Cinnamon)
18/5/85 - 24/1/2000
Sire: Basstina Matchmaker
Dam: Basstina Lownbehold
Cinnamon was a lovely lemon and white bitch with a beautiful head and loads of bone. She was also a multi in-group winner.
She was always our Public Relations Officer...she did this up until she was 10 years old. She had the best temperament in a  bitch I have ever met and she was the grandmother of Aust. Ch. Kamlea Elegant Lady, Aust. Ch. Kamlea Earthquake and Aust. Ch. Kamlea English Charm.

Joan & Kevin Murphy

 

 

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