There’s a welcoming committee at the home of Jim and Scotty Pleasants. Abby will bark to announce your arrival, Gretchen and Francie will insist on belly rubs, and Lizzie, who’s a little older, will come join in the fun too.

The four dogs are the permanent dachshund residents and others come and go, being “fostered” by the couple until a permanent home can be found. The couple currently has two fosters, on bed rest after undergoing medical treatments.

In three years, the Pleasants have fostered 14 dogs. Some, like Gretchen, wound up stealing their hearts to become a permanent part of the pack.

That doesn’t mean it’s been easy to let the others go. The couple still can recall each dog by name.

“I have walked away (from leaving a dog with its new owner) with tears in my eyes,” Scotty Pleasants said. “But I know that not only have I helped a dog, I’ve helped that person by giving them a dog.”

Just about every breed has a rescue group associated with it, but Jim Pleasants got involved with dachshunds after getting one as a pet when his sons were young. Since then, it’s the only breed he’s owned. He can tell stories about each of his dogs’ personalities.

As a foster family, the couple has gone through training and is certified by the state Department of Agriculture. The rescue group itself has strict requirements for owners who take a dog; each must fill out an application and go through a home inspection to see if the home is a good fit for the dog. An adoption fee is used to help cover veterinary expenses like spaying and neutering and up to date vaccinations.

Rescue groups take care not only of basic vet care for their breeds, they take care of any major procedures such as dental work or surgeries. Lizzie has a metal plate in her hip after an operation several years ago. The foster families also can identify and work with dogs on any of their “issues,” such as behaviors or fears a dog may have or whether the dog is OK with other dogs, cats or children.

The Pleasants officially got involved in rescue after moving to LaGrange three years ago and are the only couple in town to rescue and foster the breed. There’s a banner by their mailbox with a smiling dachshund saying “Woof if you love America.” There’s a fenced-in yard and a doggie door if the animals need to go out into their fenced yard. A set of steps with a rubberized sheet - to prevent little paws from slipping - is strategically placed next to the couch.

“It’s all about the dogs,” Jim Pleasants said often.

— For more information on dachshund rescue, go to www.DRNA.org or contact Jim Pleasants, at sacfj@ msn.com or (404) 210-2514.

Jennifer Shrader may be reached via e-mail at jshrader@lagrangenews. com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.