Meet Bernie!

Bernie is 8 years young and ready to start the next chapter of his life. His former family made the difficult decision to surrender him due to his resource guarding behaviors and the presence of small children in the home.

This sweet, affectionate boy is just a little confused about all the recent changes in his world, but he’s already showing how much love he has to give. Bernie does best with predictability and personal space. He experiences sleep startle but that’s not to say he doesn’t like snuggling. Sleep startle means he can react when abruptly awakened, so a calm, adult-only home will be the safest match for him.

Bernie would thrive as an only dog, where he can relax without competition over resources. He can get along with cats, but he’s still territorial about his bed, so his new family should be mindful about keeping his resting spaces respected.

He absolutely LOVES running around the yard and playing fetch, and having a safe space to stretch his (little) legs is one of his favorite things—so a fenced-in yard will be important for him.

Bernie’s ideal forever home will be with someone who understands resource guarding and can provide him with structure, patience, and reassurance as he adjusts. With consistency and compassion, Bernie will thrive and show just how loving and loyal he can be.

Hank and Dolly are a delightful bonded pair of 2.5-year-old basset hounds who bring double the love, laughter, and personality. These two are closely connected and love playing together, cuddling with their people, and keeping their foster family entertained with their hilarious antics. They need to be adopted together, as they truly thrive as a duo.

Dolly is just as sweet as can be and is the quieter of the two. She absolutely loves to cuddle and is happiest curled up next to her people or playing with her brother. She enjoys toys, treats, and even a little counter surfing now and then. Dolly has a secret hiding spot behind the couch where she likes to stash her treasures, including treats and favorite toys. When playtime starts, she turns on the speed and can run faster than you’d expect from a basset—she’s even been known to clear obstacles while chasing Hank in the yard! Dolly is still polishing up her potty training but is doing very well and will continue to succeed with consistency and routine.

Hank is the definition of a classic basset hound personality. Food is his top priority, and he takes mealtime very seriously. He eats quickly and will happily help Dolly with hers if given the chance, so they do best being fed separately. Outside of meals, Hank is a lovable cuddle bug who enjoys sleeping, playing with Dolly, and plotting his next counter-surfing adventure. He knows exactly where the treats are kept and can often be found working on his master plan to open the cabinet. Hank is smart, determined, and endlessly entertaining.

Together, Hank and Dolly are active, affectionate, and full of personality. They love to play chase in the yard, cuddle with their humans, and team up for mischief. Because they enjoy running and playing together, they will require a securely fenced yard where they can safely burn off energy. They are also strong and rambunctious when playing and moving around, and could easily knock over small children or anyone who is unsteady on their feet. This adorable pair will do best with a family ready for double the basset charm, continued potty training for Dolly, and plenty of room to play. If you’re looking for a fun, affectionate duo that will keep you smiling every day, Hank and Dolly are your perfect match.

Meet Wilber! Wilber is an 8-year-old gentleman who found himself at the shelter as an owner surrender, but you’d never guess it by how quickly he settles into a home. He transitions beautifully and acts like he’s been part of the family all along. This handsome boy is as smart as he is easygoing. Wilber is 100% housebroken, rides great in the car, and settles in quickly at night. He’s truly an “easy keeper” who doesn’t ask for much—just a comfy spot and someone to love.

Wilber enjoys meeting new people and is happiest being a cuddle bug, though he’ll occasionally toss around a toy just to keep things interesting. He gets along well with other dogs after proper introductions and is mostly pretty indifferent — he’s perfectly content doing his own thing. He could happily live as an only dog or with a laid-back canine companion.

Wilber would do best in a home without children, where he can enjoy a calmer environment and soak up all the attention. He’s the kind of dog who will happily follow you around, supervise your daily activities, and then plop down next to you when it’s time to relax. Like any lovable goofball, Wilber has a little personality. He can be vocal when he has something to say, and if left unattended he may go exploring for snacks (trash cans beware!). But overall, he’s an easygoing, low-maintenance boy who just wants to be part of the family. If you’re looking for a handsome, smart, cuddle-loving companion who will settle right in and make himself at home, Wilber is ready to be your guy. 

Meet Leia. We don’t know much about her past, but we do know that her future is only going up from here. Leia is believed to be around 4 years old, and based on her condition, we suspect she may have had at least one litter of puppies. She arrived very, very thin, but we’re already working on getting some weight on her. The good news is she has a wonderful appetite and is happily cleaning up everything her foster mom is offering.

Leia is absolutely beautiful and incredibly sweet, but she is also very scared and skittish. Quick movements, new people, and sudden noises can make her nervous. She can be extremely submissive, and we believe she likely hasn’t had much socialization in her short lifetime. Her foster mom is gently helping her learn that she is safe, building her confidence, and showing her that no one is going to hurt her.

Despite her fears, Leia is great with other dogs and does very well on her walks. She clearly takes comfort from her canine friends, and because of this, she will need a home with another confident dog to help show her the way in this human world. A securely fenced yard will also be important so she can safely explore and continue building confidence at her own pace.

Leia’s next steps include a full wellness exam with our vet, followed by getting her scheduled for her spay. With patience, love, and a calm environment, we know this sweet girl is going to blossom into a wonderful companion.

Biela, also known as Astro, is a 10-month-old female with a sweet personality and fun puppy energy. She can be a little shy when first meeting new people, but once she settles in, she relaxes and enjoys being part of the family.

Astro would do best with another dog in the home. She loves playing and chasing her foster brothers and takes comfort in having canine company. She definitely has a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out), so having another dog around when left alone would be ideal for her.

A securely fenced yard is required for Astro. She is fast, loves to zoom, and needs a safe space where she can run and burn off that puppy energy without getting herself into trouble. She is good with kids, but she hasn’t been around cats that we know of. Astro also has dainty eating habits and prefers to nibble at her meals throughout the day. Because of this, she will need to be monitored to make sure another dog doesn’t clean up after her. 

 Astro is a sweet young girl who is enjoying life, playing hard, and building confidence every day. She’s looking for a home with a fenced yard, a playful dog companion, and a family who will give her the companionship she needs.

Meet Roscoe! This gorgeous boy is estimated to be around 3–5 years old, and he not only has the looks, he has the sweetest personality too. Roscoe was found as a stray and ended up in a county shelter before Suncoast Basset Rescue got the call to help. Our volunteers stepped in right away to bring him to safety.

While we are not exactly sure of his age, Roscoe definitely seems to be on the younger side. His teeth are in great shape, and he appears to be healthy and well cared for overall. Even better, he is a very good boy — well behaved, rides nicely in the car, and gets along well with kids and other dogs. At this time, we are not sure how he does with cats.

Roscoe is handsome, sweet, and already showing everyone what a wonderful companion he is.

Meet Maui! Maui is 5 years old and packs a whole lot of energy into a small package! This confident, social, and friendly guy loves being around people and gets along great with other dogs. In his forever home, Maui would do best with a fenced in yard and another active, playful pup to help keep him happy and stimulated.

Maui is also wonderful with cats and kids, making him a great fit for many types of families. Don’t let those short little legs fool you — this clever guy has mastered the art of counter surfing! He thrives with a consistent routine and is already crate trained, which helps set him up for success.

If you’re looking for a fun-loving, outgoing companion with a big personality in a compact basset package, Maui might just be your perfect match! 

Meet Norris! At just 4 months old, Norris is already showing what a smart and social pup he is. He would thrive in a forever home with an active, playful dog, as he absolutely loves having friends and playing with them. Norris enjoys being part of the action and is happiest when he has a buddy to romp around with. A securely fenced yard is required so he can safely run, explore, and burn off his puppy energy.

This bright young boy already knows “sit,” will sit and wait politely for his food bowl, uses a doggie door, and has mastered using a ramp to get in and out of his foster mom’s bed — also known as the big dog bed. He sleeps snuggled up all night without accidents, and on the rare occasion he needs a midnight potty break, he will wake his foster mom to let her know.

Norris is doing great with handling, is good for nail trims, and hasn’t shown any fear of thunderstorms. He is currently working on polishing his potty training and learning to take treats gently. He has also shown that he doesn’t need to be crated when his foster mom goes out, even for longer periods of time.

Like many curious puppies, Norris is discovering the world around him — including the kitchen garbage can and the exciting possibility of counter surfing. His new family should be ready to stay one step ahead of this clever, growing pup. Norris is a sweet, affectionate, and playful youngster who is ready to bring fun, snuggles, and a little bit of puppy mischief to his forever home.

Meet Memphis. He is the newest member of the Suncoast Basset Rescue family, and at 8½ years old, this sweet boy is ready for a fresh start. Due to life changes in his previous home and a family member developing allergies, Memphis found himself in need of rescue. Sadly, he has been living primarily outdoors and hasn’t received the consistent care and comfort every basset deserves.

At just 35 pounds, Memphis is significantly underweight — his ideal weight is closer to 55 pounds. It’s clear he hasn’t had the support he needed, but that changes now. Memphis will be receiving a full medical evaluation and whatever treatment and nutrition are necessary to help get him into a healthier, more stable place where he can truly enjoy being a beloved companion.

For now, we are giving Memphis time to settle into his foster home, decompress, and feel safe. As we complete his medical evaluations and learn more about his specific needs, we will share updates. Please stay tuned — we look forward to providing more information about Memphis in the near future. 

Meet Finnegan! Finnegan is a 4-year-old, who is ready for a fresh start and the chance to truly be someone’s companion. He came to SBR when his owner realized that a demanding work schedule left Finnegan without the time and attention he deserves. Wanting better for him, he made the loving decision to let SBR help find Finnegan a home where he can thrive. Finnegan is a big, handsome, muscular boy (around 50+ pounds) with plenty of personality to match.

He gets along with other dogs. He can be vocal, but what basset isn’t? He is friendly with people and good with kids, though he does have a habit of jumping up in excitement — he just loves attention and hasn’t yet learned the polite way to ask for it. He has not been around cats

Because Finnegan has not had consistent structure, he is not yet housetrained. He will need patience, consistency, and a committed adopter willing to help him learn the basics. The good news? He is not destructive when left loose in the home. He does, however, get the occasional case of the “zoomies,” and when this big boy gets moving, the furniture may need to brace itself!

Finnegan can be restless and vocal, especially after long stretches without activity. Much of this stems from boredom and a lack of mental and physical stimulation. With regular exercise, enrichment, and clear boundaries, we believe Finnegan will make wonderful progress.

He is a smart dog who simply hasn’t yet had the guidance he needs. He will be heading to the vet to get up to date on all medical care, including neutering and a full wellness check. Once he’s feeling his best and has some structure in place, we expect to see even more of the sweet boy hiding beneath those attention-seeking habits. Finnegan will do best with a patient, committed family who understands that training is a journey and who is willing to invest the time to help him feel secure and confident. In return, you’ll get a loyal, lovable basset who has been waiting his whole life for someone to truly show him the way.

Meet Susie! Susie is a beautiful 4-year-old basset hound with the sweetest soul — and yes, she comes with a little bit of that lovable, typical basset stubbornness too! Despite experiencing a great deal of loss and change in her young life, Susie remains gentle, affectionate, and eager to find the comfort and security of a forever home.

Before coming to Suncoast Basset Rescue, Susie suffered from glaucoma and unfortunately did not receive consistent medical care. Shortly after her arrival, it was clear that her eyes were causing her significant pain and discomfort. With her vision already very limited and no medical options available to preserve what remained, the best and kindest choice was to remove both of her eyes. Susie is now adjusting to life as a blind dog and is doing remarkably well with patience, reassurance, and routine.

Because of her past experiences, Susie is looking for a calm, patient, and loving home where she can feel safe and cherished. We believe she would thrive in a home with another friendly basset who can help show her the ropes and provide her with added confidence and companionship. Susie is especially in need of stability, gentle guidance, and lots of love as she continues to heal and grow.

If you’re looking for a truly special dog to open your heart to, Susie is ready to fill your home with love, gratitude, and plenty of classic basset charm.

Meet Lloyd and Darla. These two sweet, adorable 5-year-old bassets came to SBR after their family suffered a devastating house fire and could no longer care for them. Despite all that they have been through, they seem like very loving, well-balanced dogs who are truly appreciative of the consistent attention they are now getting.

Lloyd and Darla are a bonded pair who rely on each other for comfort. They’re currently receiving medical care, especially Lloyd, and both need to put on some healthy weight. Despite everything, their basset mischief still shines through — they’ve already done a little counter surfing to show us their personality!

They love exploring the backyard, hanging out together, and soaking up the sunshine. As they heal physically and emotionally, we’re excited to help them start the next chapter of their lives.

Darla is a tricolor with the black head and freckles. Lloyd is a tricolor with the brown head.