Tilly Longbottom

When Tilly Longbottom, a gas passing, carpet scooting Basset Hound is separated from her mother and the quirky family she loves, she must rally her inner strength to survive the "Australian pet shop lady" and her obnoxious son Uc, a house fire, and the Humane Society's cast of characters to find that a family can mean many things. Tilly Longbottom is born in a closet on a plush bathrobe to her loving mother Darla, and into the Babcook household that contains Bertha, Horace, and their daughter Shelby. The Babcook family has difficulty dealing with Basset Hound behaviors such as running the Basset 500 after a bath, rubbing their oils, insatiable appetites, snacking on tissues, and sleeping on the bed. In order to "maintain" some normalcy in their home, the Babcooks sell their puppy Tilly Longbottom to the new pet shop owner in town, Gemma Angus and her video game playing son. From the pet shop Tilly is sold into a life on the road where she meets and helps a little girl and her father before ending up at the Humane Society. While at the Humane Society Tilly befriends dogs and cats alike, each with a heart wrenching tale to tell. Tilly learns that family is not just the home you're born into.

Tracy Cronce is the proud owner of six dogs, one of which is a Basset Hound. She and her husband have owned a successful boarding kennel for dogs and cats for sixteen years. Tracy grew up the daughter of a veterinarian before obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Art. She also has a Master's Degree in Education. Tracy teaches fifth grade in Stevens Point, Wisconsin where her students love to hear stories about the real Tilly Longbottom.