Xavier: A Lucky Basset Hound

Published January 26, 2009

Whenever I read the heartwarming stories which the ASPCA publishes on their website, my faith in humanity is restored. People who not only talk the talk, but walk the walk, demonstrating their unconditional love for animals are heroes in my book.

What really makes me crazy are those who think nothing about abandoning an animal who doesn't live up to their expectations. This particular story really touched me deeply, especially as this unfortunate Basset Hound was only guilty of wandering and found useless for hunting rabbits. In fact, this seems to me to be a doubly cruel to animals, in my opinion.

Since Xavier, a two year old Basset Hound could not cut the muster, the group that owned these hunting dogs, ordered Xavier to be euthanized if a home could not immediately be found.

But Xavier absolutely had a guardian angel watching over him. Working on the farm where the hunting dogs were housed, Stacy Adams stepped up to the plate and adopted him, saving his life. Stacy reported that for two years Xavier only trusted her. "Xavier was painfully shy and had been abused by the people who ran the hunt. My dad tried hard to be his friend, but Xavey was just too frightened. And then one day, while we were watching TV, he just jumped up into my dad's lap. I guess he decided it was time."

According to Stacy, after nine years of sharing her home with him, Xavier, now 11 years old, is bounding with energy, and is far from timid these days. He loves to lounge around, but always communicates when it is time to play. "He simply slaps the ground with his front feet, jumps from side to side and barks that loud Basset bark."

Everyone who meets Xavier falls in love with him. He is a dog lover's dog for sure, today. "He's even great friends with my cat. Last year he had two herniated discs in his neck, and before surgery he let my cat clean his eyes and ears and snuggle with him."

He is not shy in demanding attention, now that he is completely healed. He even considers himself a lap dog, and will put his face in people's laps, giving them little choice but to snuggle with him.

My hat goes off to Stacy and her dad for reaching out to rescue Xavier and giving him another chance for a loving home. What are your reactions to this story? Leave a comment and share.