Bill James
aka TBO (the Bearded One)

President, Basset Hound Rescue 
of Southern California, Inc.

March 27, 1944 to March 3, 2001

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, and Friend, Foodslave to Miss Molly and Clyde

Bill and Pat James, Molly & Clyde

Bill was a trucker in his younger days, and picked up on any excuse for a drive.  

In !997, TBO and Sabrina (with Miss Molly and Calhoune) drove to Las Vegas, NV, from southern Calif. to meet Nancy Gallager, who was vacationing there with her husband, Tim.  (Miss Molly wanted everyone to know she had been, so she peed on the carpet.)  

Bill took along a stack of CDs in case there was a lull in the conversation, but that never happened.  Bill talked and told stories for the entire 12 hour round trip.

Here's a picture of Nancy and Tim taken by Bill that day.

On the way back, we discussed the first Basset Spring Games.  We needed a name for paw prints in plaster, and TBO coined the term "PAWtographs." 

TBO in his role as MC extraordinare at Basset Spring Games (1998 & June, 2000).

Bill's opening line as MC:  The park has informed us that they prefer to use their own fertilizer, so please clean up after your dog.

Bill loved the Doo Dah Parade (Pat in foreground, right - November, 1999)

Here's a video of Bill's introduction to the November, 2000, Doo Dah Parade.


TBO and Sabrina first met one another while walking their Bassets in Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA - home to the Park Bench Cafe.  Since the Cafe has outdoor eating and a great doggie menu, it was a frequent meeting place... and Breakfast with Bassets was started.   		 Every January, we celebrated Miss Molly's birthday at Breakfast with Bassets. 

In 2000, TBO ordered a cake and Miss Molly took the first BIG bite before the proprietor whispered that it was a people cake (so we ate from the other half).  

 

In 2001, a Japanese film crew wanted to attend a doggie birthday party - and Miss Molly turned 8 in style.

In 2000, Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California (BHRSC) decided to produce license plate frames; TBO suggested the following:

  • If it's not a Basset Hound    It's just a Dog
  • Gotta Love the Drool    
  • Long Eared Loving    
  • Hugged your Hound today?    
  • Silly, Sweet & Stalwart    
  • Built for Comfort, Not for Speed    
  • Love My Low Rider
  • Big Heart, Big Feet, Big Love
  • A Breed Apart
  • I've Got My Basset    Who Could Ask For Anything More?

 
In Newport Beach, CA, the SPCA has a fall fashion show.  Dogs wear the fashions!  Here's Bill with Miss Molly on the beach at the show.

Bill's parents (Bill and Billie) with Alf, the Patchwork Pup, 
watching the show.


Bill always had a soft spot in his heart for older Bassets - like Alf who was fostered and then adopted by Bill's parents. Alf has had continuous nagging medical problems, including frequent lump removals, leaving Alf full of stitches -- so Bill nicknamed Alf the Patchwork Pup.  Bill realized that veterinary expenses could be a major obstacle to retired people like his parents, preventing them from keeping their old Bassets.  When Bill was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he decided that he wanted to leave a legacy for the old Bassets of southern California who need help, and the people who love them, so Bill started The Patchwork Fund. 


Alf, the Patchwork Pup lives with 
Mr. and Mrs. William James, Sr., parents of Bill James.
 
Pam Tanzey, a friend of Bill's and terrific rescue supporter, drew this logo for Bill for The Patchwork Fund from a photograph of Alf:

 

www.pamtanzey.com

To: dailydrool@blazenet.net
From: MsMollyDog@aol.com
Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 01:14:40 EST
Subject: Pretty Close to Final Posting

My latest doctor's report says that my cancer has spread to my brain.  Those of you 
unfortunate souls who have read my postings for the last few years may suggest 
this diagnosis is a bit late...  I am no longer able to scan the entire Daily Drool each day... 
Rainbow Bridge Theology notwithstanding, I intend to meet quite a few Bassets soon 
as IMHO they are also one of God's creatures.

Best Wishes, TBO, Mrs. TBO, Miss Molly (why don't we go for rides anymore?) and Clyde (who is confused by the whole thing, as usual)

When a Rescuer Comes to the Rainbow Bridge

TBO (Bill James) became famous for his stories on the Daily Drool about Miss Molly, Clyde the Thunderdog, Alf the Patchwork Pup, and the many Hounds he fostered for Basset Hound Rescue of So. Calif.  Here are a few of my favorite stories, as told by Bill.

A memorial service was held at First Baptist Church of Lakewood on March 10, 2001.  Here are Pat's words from the service.

by Sabrina Nicholls