BITS AND PIECES

I find it fascinating that the dogs get me up at 4 or 4:30 in the morning and, apparently energized, go out and check the entire yard and then, once I am up for good, go back to sleep. I mean, they are ASLEEP--- that level where they would not even hear me if I left. But if I rattle the treat box moving it aside, I have them awake and underfoot

Yesterday I took Conley and went for a walk with Stacey and Koda. Stacey power-walks or something akin to it and I was trying to keep up, but Conley and I fell behind. Conley snuffled every bush as he went but Koda, a herding breed and determined to follow instructions, did not. I can teach the Belgians to hup along and not check out every upright plant, but not the Bassets. Those noses are just the key to the world of smells, and the siren song is too strong. On the other hand, the Bassets could care less if everyone comes in when called, but the Belgian has to go back out and bring them in. Everything in it's place, I think is the herding dog motto.

I met someone yesterday who rescues mixed breeds but not purebreds because rescuing purebreds "only encourages show people" to continue breeding and everyone knows--according to this person-- that they abandon the dogs that are not show quality. Of course this is absurd, but I kept my mouth shut. I was not at home but in a public place with other people and she was a customer and so I was quiet but when she asked whether I had dogs I said yes, I show and breed Bassets.

It was a bit of a lie, since I am doing neither at this time, but was worth it for the look on her face. Heh. I am a rotten person.

Conley, when I am in the kitchen, places himself between me and the counter or sink. It is a damnable habit and one I would stop. No matter how often or with what force he is ejected, he returns.  It isn't so much that he is waiting for me to drop something but that he is creating a situation where this is much more likely to happen. We say the Belgians need only one instance to learn something, but Bassets are not dull and need only one time with a food dropping off the counter to recognize a golden opportunity.And they are perfectly capable of projecting this into the future, so that they anticipate the event. Between leaning over the dog to the counter and the slipperly drool on the floor, Conley has created the perfect environment for an accidental dropping of foodstuff. And he knows it.

The softest spot in the house is the only place a Basset belongs.