The Heartwarming Story....
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Shelters and
rescues along the entire gulf region, BHRA included,
were inundated by cries for help. And folks from all
over the country rallied to help out some of the many
many needy animals. One of BHRA's volunteers and our
Events Coordinator, Emily Haynes, had heard of a "rumor"
about someone in Southern California who was willing to
adopt five or six
needy hounds from the region, and decided to follow up
on the rumor. She did some research, contacted Dawn
from the
Dapneyland Basset Rescue in California, and, suspecting
who these folks were, Dawn contacted them and made the
proper introductions.
The amazing basset lovers turned out to be Comedian
Garry Shandling, and special pal, Composer, Kathy
Kurasch (a former BHRA adopter!!). They started making
plans to help BHRA by adopting some of our more senior
hounds, allowing space to open up for more shelter and
Katrina rescues. They were joined in the mission by
Dean Graulich,
a noted Malibu veterinarian (also of "Who Gets the Dog"
fame on Animal Planet) and a longtime friend and amazing
animal lover, Tina Broccoli.
Garry Shandling, in an amazing act of generosity and
kindness, sent a private jet to Birmingham for these
gorgeous seniors (and Hoagie the youngster who they just
had to have), with Kathy and Tina the official "escorts",
along with gobs of medicines, toys, leashes, bowls and
other goodies, courtesy of Dr. Dean. On the evening of
10/8, after huge laughs,
(it's not every day we get to sit in a private jet!!)
and lots of bittersweet greetings and joy, many BHRA
officials and fosters watched with happy tears in their
eyes as the jet taxied down the runway, basset faces
peering out the windows of the jet as they took off for
their new life in Malibu California. Today, these
hounds are living the life of absolute luxury on the
beaches of Malibu with Garry, Kathy, Tina and Dr. Dean.
--
From Basset Hound Rescue of Alabama |
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