In late March, a stranger dropped off a basset hound at the PETS 911 offices. Even though we are not a shelter, we could not turn our backs on this beautiful girl. It was obvious she hadn't been to the vet in a long time: her eyes were red and droopy - even for a basset hound - and infected, her teeth caked with tartar, and she had lumps all over her body. The vet visit brought less than ideal news. In addition to the infection in her eyes, she had a corneal ulcer, infection in both ears, and a heart murmur.

After several weeks of eye drops, ear ointments and vet follow ups, Diva is enjoying life like she should. She gets attention whenever she wants, sings when she thinks she is being ignored, and loves to go on several sniffs (walks to you and me) a day. Everyone pitched in for Diva-care: vet visits, medication, food, treats, toys and of course a safe place to stay at night.

Arizona Basset Hound Rescue pitched in to get Diva the more serious vet care: teeth cleaning, lump removal and ultrasound for her heart murmur. Now she is ready for her close-up!

After about a month of fostering, Diva sang her way into the hearts of her new parents. They are continuing to give her the star treatment and will continue until this Diva retires!

Update on Diva:

PETS 911 is sad to report that Diva passed away in January 2005, after nearly two years with her adoptive family. Her human parents, Dennis and Heather, were with her as she went to the Rainbow Bridge. PETS 911 would like to thank Dennis and Heather for giving Diva a loving home and what were possibly the best two years of her life.

In the summer of 2002, fires ripped through northeast Arizona, leaving wildlife and domestic animals in danger. Because so many dogs and cats were being sent to the safety of Phoenix shelters, the shelters were continuously full, with long waiting lists.

At the same time, a litter of puppies was going to be dropped off at the pound. The 6-week old babies were alert and playful and just perfect. Rather than send them to certain death, PETS 911 stepped in to help. Another office project, everyone took turns taking the puppies home, 2 or 3 at a time, feeding them, taking them out to potty, even naming them. Some puppies had more than one name!

As they got bigger, it meant they could be spayed or neutered and then adopted. They all went to loving homes; many still keep in touch with PETS 911. But one puppy was luckier than the rest.

Kaile decided she wanted to stay with the people who saved her and promptly moved in with PETS 911 employee Colleen Tomes and her husband Kevin. Kaile comes to the office almost every day, loves to play with other dogs, and enjoys destroying her squeaky toys.

The rough road she traveled at the beginning of her life led her to a home all dogs dream of. She is spoiled and doted on and has no threat of being unwanted again.

Sprite was on the euthanasia list at the local animal control facility, having been picked up as a stray. How long she was a stray is anyone's guess, but she was dirty and all her ribs were showing.

Sprite, a boxer mix, was about 10-months old and needed socialization, leash manners, and to gain about 20 pounds. She also needed to recover from a mild upper respiratory infection before she could be spayed.

Scared by normal household noises - the refrigerator opening and closing, the toilet flushing, sound from the TV - it became obvious that Sprite hadn't spent much time indoors.

With the help of her foster brother, Wyatt, she learned how to be a silly puppy: chasing birds in the backyard, jumping on the back of furniture like a cat, tearing up toys, tracking dirt inside, and of course, getting up in the middle of the night to wrestle. Leash training continued to be a challenge for this free spirit!

Once Sprite was cleaned up, healthy and a few pounds heavier, it didn't take long for a couple to notice her at a PETsMART adoption day and make her part of their family. Sprite's family renamed her Roxy and she continued to fill out her skinny frame, completed obedience class and even went camping.

Roxy's family made up for her tough start, giving her her own "cushy-cushy bed," throwing her birthday parties, and making sure she will never face the world alone.