Arthur, King of the Britons: "Look, you stupid basset (pronounced bah-sit), you have no leg."
Bump: "Yes I have!"
Arthur: "Look!"
Bump: "Tis just a flesh wound."
Monte Python's Black Knight had a dogged determination to fight on. Please greet Bump, our special three-legged guy with a natural determination to be "normal."
Bump came to CBHR from the animal shelter in Chester, SC. He was picked up from an emergency call as an injured dog. He had a broken leg and nerve damage. The doctor believe it may have been an old injury that was not addressed at the time of the incident. The injury was so severe the leg would continue to be nothing but dead weight. Doctor felt amputation was the best choice to give Bump quality of life. After the amputation of his left front leg, Bump spent two weeks Chapel Hill, NC for rehab with a CBHR foster family. For those of you that think three legs would slow him down, guess again! Just take a look at this video. Less than a week after the surgery, Bump was going all-terrain; running along wooded trails and through steep changes in elevation, scampering over leaf-covered boulders and crossing shallow creeks.
Bump is a youngster and doctor estimates he is only two or three years old. He loves to hoard certain things and enjoys hiding them throughout the house to reclaim later. He will also proudly carry around a few toys in his mouth. But, like a basset, he is quick to offer his undercarriage for belly rubs. You won't want to stop because his coat is soft was a bunny rabbit! He has a range of energy. He leash walks around the neighborhood with ease, hops up into the car on his own for the ride to the dog park, and runs and wrestles upon arrival.
Bump is equal parts dog-dog and people-dog. As much as he loves playing and running with other dogs, he craves human contact equally. Bump follows his people through the house, sits patiently in wait for the invitation to jump on the couch, then curls up beside you. Lay down next to him and he will squirm around to nestle in next to you as closely as he can. Don't be too flattered; he does the same with his foster basset sister and brother.
Bump doesn't drool, a fairly neat eater and drinker, doesn't chew on furnishings and...(wait for it...) he is 100% house trained. He is doggy door certified, or he will walk to the regular door and let you know it's time, and he will gently whine when he needs something. As of today doctor reports Bump to be perfectly healthy and his amputation incision completely healed with no complications.
Is Bump a "special needs" basset? Don't all bassets need special love?
"Yes, Bump. I'll tell them."
Bump would like you all to know that his adoptive family should be entitled to a 25% discount for nail trims.
