Pogo, Our Bassadore: A Journey of Love and Rescue
Pogo: April 2008 – January 26, 2021
The Trip to St. Simons Island, Georgia
In August 2008, my family decided to vacation in a rented home on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Having grown up in Waycross, I was very familiar with the island’s moss-covered trees, but my Maryland-born wife, Teresa, and our Virginia-born son, Ben, were not. After a long 12-hour drive, we checked in and started our island adventure…
Discovering Pogo in the Okefenokee Swamp
My wife had grown up reading a comic strip called “Pogo” by cartoonist Walt Kelly. The strip featured funny animal characters, including an opossum named Pogo who lived in the Okefenokee Swamp. This inspired our family trip to the Okefenokee Swamp in Waycross.
Discovering Pogo in the Okefenokee Swamp
My wife had grown up reading a comic strip called “Pogo” by cartoonist Walt Kelly. The strip featured funny animal characters, including an opossum named Pogo who lived in the Okefenokee Swamp. This inspired our family trip to the Okefenokee Swamp in Waycross.
The Lonely Road: South 117
Driving down South 117 towards the Okefenokee visitors’ center, we noticed a small black object in the middle of the road. As we got closer, it became clear—it was a mostly black dog with white markings. We pulled over and offered the little dog some ice-cold water and crackers from our cooler…
The Decision to Rescue
On our way back, we saw the little black dog still sitting in the middle of the road, looking lost. We decided we couldn’t leave him there. After inquiring with the single house on the road if the dog belonged to anyone and finding that it had likely been abandoned, we brought him back to our rental home…
The Decision to Rescue
On our way back, we saw the little black dog still sitting in the middle of the road, looking lost. We decided we couldn’t leave him there. After inquiring with the single house on the road if the dog belonged to anyone and finding that it had likely been abandoned, we brought him back to our rental home…
A Visit to the Vet and an Unexpected Addition to the Family
The next morning, we brought the dog to a local vet for an examination. The vet declared, “Congratulations on your new pet dog!” It was a Bassadore, a mix between a Basset Hound and a Labrador Retriever, around 3 months old.
A New Family Member: Pogo’s Journey
Little did we know that our beloved Pogo would become a PetSmart feature cover dog! He brought so much joy to our lives and will forever be remembered as the dog with the best heart…
A Tribute to Pogo
Pogo left us on January 26, 2021, but he remains forever in our hearts. We encourage donations to the Okefenokee Humane Society of Waycross in his memory…