Booker is a 8 yr old tri color male rescued as a stray from a shelter in the Dayton area. He was found wandering near a library so the shelter named him Library, but we felt Booker was more fitting and he seems to respond to it. Little is known about his history, but I can tell you whatever life he lived before rescue wasn't an easy one. This poor boy arrived so bone skinny and filthy that it looked like he was wandering for days, if not weeks, just looking for a meal. Booker was treated for an assortment of worms, which likely exaggerated his already emancipated condition. He was loaded down with fleas, and his ears were in such poor condition that they were obviously not cleaned this year. If ever a dog truly needed rescued this sad soul must have been desperate.

Updated 10/27/2011

Booker has spent a couple months now in my home and I have nothing but great things to say about him. He is a BIG eater and loves to do two things; sleep and eat. He lives with 4 other male bassets and pretty much ignores them unless they start playing and then he will happily get up and join in. He is friendly with all of them and will pretty much let them do anything without an issue. He loves his squeaky toys and will carry them to different areas of the house and yard squeaking away. Booker is house broken and figured out how to use the dog door very quickly. He is crate trained, but I only crate him when I feed him, otherwise he can be left unattended and will not cause any issues.. There is no doubt he has been starved at one point in his life and will do anything for the tiniest bite or morsel of food. With 5 dogs in the home, it's easier just to crate him during feeding time to ensure he gets all of his food and to prevent a scuffle over food. Booker does love attention and will happily take in a head rub or a back scratching.

If you raise your voice and he thinks you're correcting him his teeth will chatter uncontrollably and he will wander away with his head very low. There is no doubt he has been beaten or someone has been extremely rough with him. Booker would make someone a very loving companion. Especially someone who has a relaxed and low key lifestyle, and would enjoy a companion for short walks. He isn't great on a leash. He has a bit of "bassitude" and it's beneath him to walk on the end of a leash. Unhook him and he will happily walk at your side, leash him and he will stop dead in his tracks. If the other dogs are leashed, he is fine, but he doesn't want to be singled out. If they are getting a bath, then you better make the time to give him one or it's just not fair and he will let you know with a howling bark. I think that's the basset stubbornness in him that I have grown to love. Booker needs to go to a home that is an experienced basset lover who can appreciate the charm and stubborn behavior of these sweet souls. I would prefer he go to a home with a fenced yard because although he prefers the couch, he does enjoy the afternoon sunshine and has grown accustomed to the freedom of a fenced yard.

With 4 dogs already in my home, it becomes a challenge to give all of them individual attention, but I can say that Booker would truly benefit with a little extra love. It's obvious that the biggest part of his sad life he has been without it. To learn more about Booker please fill out our adoption application on our web site.

Booker requires a fenced yard, a companion, and limited alone time. He's a great boy who's had a tough life and has grown accustom to companionship in his foster home. No young children please.