Regulars and Shorts

Animals Animals: Bassetts on Parade

By Sunny Branson

The St. Patrick’s Day Wasatch Waddle.
by Sunny Branson
Do you like drool, short legs, and howling out of tune? If so, then the Wasatch Waddle fundraiser is the event for you!  March 17 marks the fifth annual Basset Hound Wasatch Waddle during the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Among the marching bands and floats, Utah Friends of Basset Hounds (UFBH) waddle their long-eared, droopy-eyed friends through 10 city blocks of Salt Lake City.

UFBH members, past waddlers, and previous basset adopters make up most of the participants, but they always encourage new basset-hound lovers to join in the fun.

“We love meeting new waddlers and people who share our passion for rescue,” says Peggy Chudd, vice president and adoption coordinator for UFBH. “But the real thrill for us is having our adopted hounds come back with their families to see us. Next to saving the lives of the hounds, seeing them so happy with their forever-after families is what truly warms our hearts.”

UFBH works with local animal shelters to take in homeless basset hounds. The organization provides veterinary care, food, shelter and support until they can place the dogs into carefully screened permanent homes. Offering continued support to adoptive families, the organization is involved with the dogs throughout their lifetimes. UFBH works hard to provide education about the basset hound breed, not just for new adopters but for all basset owners looking to enhance the life of their pet.

Basset hounds and their families support the event by walking in St. Patrick’s Day attire: shamrocks, derbies, and of course lots of green! The goal, of course, is to raise money for the rescue. The cost to preregister your first hound is $30 and includes a basset bandana and a human t-shirt. You may bring additional hounds for $5 each.

In addition, waddlers can raise money for UFBH by obtaining pledges for the walk. There are no rules for pledges so waddlers can get creative.

The person with the most pledges receives a framed version of the artwork that appears on the UFBH t-shirt this year. Second and third place prizes will also be awarded.

Info: www.ufbh.org/Waddle2008
Utah Friends of Basset Hounds: 915-dogs (3647)

This article was originally published on March 7, 2008.