http://www.houseofpuddles.org/http://www.firstgiving.com/cathyruder...WELCOME FRIENDS OF THE HOUSE OF PUDDLES! Devon and I are proud to announce the unveiling of our First Giving page in an effort to raise 10,000 for the HOP in 18 months. Devon and I are so excited about this new page that we want you to receive a gift for donations over 20.00! Right now if you donate 20.00 or more you will be able to choose a 10 pack of greeting cards from bassethoundtown.com! These cards are designed by Cathy L. Rudert of the Lily book. Or a dazzling dream necklace hand made by Devon who helps Sr. Hounds across the USA. Devon is donating 50 necklaces for this bassetabulous fund raising event. Please only one gift per donation. I hope everyone understands. If you donate 20.00 or more please e-mail me at bassethoundtown@fuse.net and tell me your selection. I will send you a free 10 pack of greeting cards or Devon will send you a Dream necklace. Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support Devon and bassethoundtown.com's fundraising efforts.Please don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!Bassethoundtown.com and Devon are thrilled to bring you information regarding the House of Puddles. We are holding a sock hop for the (H)ouse (O)f (P)uddles elders in an effort to make 2008 a bit more comfortable for them. They have just finished their early bird dinner and now are dancing but they need to go to bed soon, so get your donations in early and often! LOL! This is the first of many parties that will happen in the next 18 months in an effort to reach our goal of 10,000 dollars. Our goal amount will be about one third of what is needed for the year! It takes about 2,500 dollars a month to run the House of Puddles and that is a good month. I asked Marilyn why she has devoted herself to the elder basset hounds and she said,"I was inspired by a friend who had started a basset rescue in the Midwest. They rescued all bassets but she always used to talk about all the seniors she kept in her home because they never got adopted. I decided I wanted to give a home to as many seniors as I could. Since my husband had passed away early in 2002, there was nothing keeping me in the townhouse we had in Alexandria, VA. So I went in search of a home suitable for a herd of senior hounds, something out in the country on a few acres so we wouldn't disturb the neighbors or violate any housing zones or city ordinances.I got very lucky and found the perfect house in Frederick, MD. I just had to add a fence and install some doggy doors and we were good to go. Of course, it wasn't long before I also had the carpeting replaced with laminate flooring. Initially, I didn't think I'd have more than about 8-9 seniors. I figured that would be all I could handle. But they just kept coming. And after going through a huge chunk of my savings and refinancing the house, I realized I couldn't afford to do this by myself anymore. That's when I incorporated in January, 2005 and applied for tax exempt status. And that's how I got where I am. :-) I have the feeling this has always been my calling. Ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of living on a farm with a bunch of animals. Well, I got close...kinda. LOL!"I know her dream has inspired others and I asked her about it. She said, "I do see the idea of retirement homes for senior dogs catching on. Many people have told me I've inspired them and they hope to do the same thing I do one day. That's why Wendie Prince started Senior HoundsAbound in Orlando, FL." How totally cool! I dream of many House of Puddles across the USA. Dreams can come true! Just ask Marilyn! Please book mark this page and send it to everyone you know. Let's help these old bassets live out their life with dignity and grace. This is our waddle! A cyber dance! "Let's go to the HOP!"

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