Saturday, April 27, 2013

Life Trailed by 20 Hounds

There are plenty of people who are more than willing to lovingly look after your dogs if you should be sentenced to any amount of incarceration. 

No Kill Nation spokesperson Teri Dyer   

The arrogance that a spokesperson could even make such a statement astounds me.  Obviously No Kill Nation hasn't considered how this would effect the hounds she is suggesting are in need of a "loving home".

Many of you reading this many not know exactly WHO the hounds are that have become an iconic treasure in our community.

Over the years I have shared the antics and stories of my beloved hounds for the world to see.  I have also shared the heartbreak as many have peacefully left this world.  I can say without a doubt losing my hounds would be life altering.

Meet the hounds known as "Trailed by 20 Hounds"





I found Cleo chained in a backyard in south Florida on December 28th 2000.  She was being used to tease a pit bull who's chain reached close enough to touch nose to nose.  I advised the Spanish speaking owner I wasn't leaving without her even if I had to call INS.  He "sold" her to me for $60.  Cleo recently was diagnosed with a huge tumor on her hind leg.  Surgery was not successful in saving her life - she is now in hospice care while I treasure each day we have left.


Abbie was surrendered with a euthanasia order for being aggressive after taking a bite out of a two years olds ice cream cone.  She got all cone - what one year old puppy doesn't like ice cream?  She's been here since August 2001.  For the last three years she has struggled with an open wound tumor on her front leg that would not heal.  A year ago her leg was removed and she has had a full recovery.  She still enjoys an occasional cone.


Beagle Annie found herself at the Spalding gassing shelter in November 2001 with only hours to live.  I "rescued" her with the idea of finding her a home.  Not wanting to get attached I started calling her beagle - she's been here ever since.


Agnes was rescued from Miami Dade Animal Services on January 16th 2002.  She was picked up as a stray with a huge gash on her forehead New Years Eve.  Agnes was near death from all the disease in the shelter with whip worms, an infected head would and general poor health.  Probably the sweetest of hounds we call her the "Mad Kisser" around here.  Who wouldn't love that face?



I found Casey Jones at the Spalding Shelter waiting to be gassed on May 9th 2002.  He was not available for adoption since he had a crushed left eye.  The shelter manager told me you don't want a "one eyed" beagle we have another.  I looked at him and said "how do you know what I want?" and grabbed a leashed walking him out.  The eye was removed the next morning.  Casey's been a wonderful friend ever since.  


I found Marley after answering a "free to a good home ad on crackliest on August 5th  2002.  He was located in Hernando County Fl.  We drove 450 miles to snatch this handsome boy up.  A gorgeous hound with super long ears.  His owner claimed he couldn't house train him so he was living in their backyard.  I'm not sure what he was talking about as we didn't have any issues.  Maybe Marley couldn't figure out how to open the door?


Poe Poe's owner dropped him off at a local vets office in May of 2003 and never came back. He was two years old.  Not wanting to take him to the local high kill shelter a receptionist had him neutered, paid his bill and called me.  A sweeter hound does not exist.  Poe Poe and Bam Bam (RIP) were best friends.  Like Bam Bam, Poe has been my 24/7 companion ever since.

What were you thinking?
Beep Beep was a foster failure.  She's been with us since October 2003 - still waiting for one of those 23,000,000 people looking for a great house trained beagle.  Adopted out twice Beep Beep came back twice for acting up.  One adoptee was a personal friend who adopted another beagle named Einstein in 2006.  I've always thought Beep Beep acted out so she could come back and join all her houndie friends.  I officially adopted Beep Beep upon retiring from rescue in the summer of 2010.


Belle Belle was dumped at the Gwinnett Animal Shelter in November 2005.  She was eight years old.  Her owner had her since she was a puppy and dumped her when she started peeing on the floor. A VERY KIND animal control Officer Sandy Towler hid Belle in the back to avoid following up on the order.  She begged me to come rescue Belle before someone found her in a back part of the shelter.  Belle had bladder stones which were removed and I put her up for adoption.  She's still waiting.  I adopted Belle in the summer of 2010 as well.


Meet Sherlock. I bought Sherlock in a "batch" of basset and beagles that were being auctioned at a puppy mills breeders auction for $25 in May of 2007.  He was just a puppy. A truly handsome boy I selfishly decided to just keep him.  Everyone who meets Sherlock just melts at his sweetness.  The only issue I have with him is he definitely CANTHUNT.



Abigail was part of a second shipment of puppy mill breeder rejects in August 2007 just months before the infamous dog barking case in Gwinnett..  She was terrified with people including me.  I held on to her to try and work with her only to decide like Sherlock she would just stay.   While it's been a slow process initially Abigail has blossomed into a truly wonderful hound.  Sherlock still thinks of Abigail represent a next wave of hounds for after many of the older hounds have passed on to the bridge 

Many of the other "original" by20hounds Maggie Dawg, Zoe Monster, Toby, Sydney Barret, Scarlett, Mulligan, Flash, Samantha and my dear sweet Bam Bam have passed on taking with them huge chunks of my heart but leaving behind memories I will cherish till we meet again.

I am blessed to have been given the gift of their loyal friendship and the priceless memories that remain close to my heart. 

This blog is dedicated to the stories and memorials of the iconic hounds known as Trailed by 20 Hounds.

Friend of the Devil

I lit out from Reno, I was trailed by twenty hounds
Didn't get to sleep last night 'till the morning came around.

Set out runnin' but I take my time
A friend of the devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.

Ran into the devil, babe, he loaned me twenty bills
I spent the night in Utah in a cave up in the hills.

Set out runnin' but I take my time, a friend of the devil is a friend of mine,
If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.

I ran down to the levee but the devil caught me there
He took my twenty dollar bill and vanished in the air.

Set out runnin' but I take my time
A friend of the devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.

Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night,
The first one's named Sweet Anne Marie, and she's my hearts delight.
The second one is prison, babe, the sheriff's on my trail,
And if he catches up with me, I'll spend my life in jail.

Got a wife in Chino, babe, and one in Cherokee
The first one says she's got my child, but it don't look like me.

Set out runnin' but I take my time,
A friend of the devil is a friend of mine,
If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.

-RIP Jerry


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYo3rPgAvM4

Peace and Love

Drats






3 comments:

CLo1117 said...

Instead of writing blogs give your dogs a bath & cut their nails! Do something productive for a change!

Unknown said...

They look clean and their nails are a good length. Jeez Camille, how seriously heartless and ugly can you be? You need to do some soul searching. There is something wrong with you.
Randy, every one of these darlings are so precious and charmed to have this wonderful life with you!

By20hounds said...

Of course No KIll Nation's Camille isn't on Debi's payroll as a cyber thug?