Ohhhh those ears....

Todays blog is inspired by my very own Basset Hound, Odie -  he is such a love bug even at 65lbs....About three years ago I noticed an ad for a basset hound that a young couple needed to rehome, their landlord didn't allow dogs anymore.  Odie hadn't lived with this couple long and they soon found out that they weren't ready to be pet owners. They worked 8-10 hours a day leaving Odie alone in a cramped 1 bedroom apartment. The ad had only been listed for 15 minutes when I seen it...being only 7:35 a.m I guess most people were getting ready to go about their day.  I had been awake for hours and was flipping through my emails when I seen the ad....so I called the number listed and a woman answered and sounded as if she were in a rush....I asked about the dog, all she said in one breath is "he is a good dog, pure breed, needs a bath and gets into the trash when your gone"....I asked where she was located, funny enough she was only 15 minutes from where I lived....Then she told me that she had to go to work in 20 minutes to call back later.....I told her I could be there before she left for work in 15 minutes, she said "fine, but I might be gone"...we hung up and I grabbed my coat, it was a brisk November morning....I drove fast down the back roads, arriving at the address she gave me so quickly hoping it was the right place....I pulled up, it was a large run down three decker with garbage outside strewn all over and parking was not happening....I was in the middle of the road, my minivan in gear thinking where will I park, she probably had left already....all of a sudden out the back door comes a woman of maybe 22 years old and a dirty basset hound with his ear lower to the ground than he.....I put my van in park, right in the middle of the road hoping no one would need to get by....The woman said "well here he is" and checked her watch....I opened my door and asked Odie if he wanted to come home with me & he jumped in...I looked at the woman and she said "I think he likes you, he is all yours for $50".....I agreed to the $50 even though she probably would have giving him away and off we sped to HOME....a NEW HOME. 

The woman had also giving me a folder with some paperwork inside, I knew nothing about this dog except for he cried all the way to my house (didn't like the car ride), that he melted my heart with those big brown eyes and that he STUNK to high heaven!   Once inside it was right to the tub for a bath.....would he bite me?  I didn't even know...we knew each other for less than an hour....I ran a warm bath and he hopped right in, I was surprised!  All I had was Pantene shampoo, so that's what I used.....all clean and dried he explored the house, sat by my side and looked confused...I told him this was his new home and we would love him forever!  You can only imaging the kids faces when they returned home from school that day....

Three years fast forward....Odie has had the run of the house, he enjoys treats, belly rubs, long walks to wherever his nose will take him, still loves a bath....BUT still cries in the car....

WE were the lucky ones that day to have found Odie.....

 

 

 

HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BASSET HOUNDS : )

Description	The Basset Hound is a short, relatively heavy dog. The head is large and well-proportioned with a rounded skull. The muzzle is deep and heavy with the length being greater than the width at the brow. The brown eyes have a soft, sad look to them and are slightly sunken with a prominent haw. The darkly pigmented lips have loose hanging flews and the dewlap is very pronounced. The skin hangs loose like elastic and falls in folds on the head. The velvety ears are set low and extremely long hanging toward the ground. The large teeth meet in either a scissors or even bite. The chest is very deep, extending in front of the front legs. The dog’s hindquarters are very full and round. The paws are big. The dewclaws may be removed. The coat is dense, short, hard and shiny. There are no rules concerning color, but it is usually black, tan, white, red, or white with chestnut or sand-colored markings.
Temperament	The Basset Hound is sweet, gentle, devoted, peaceful and naturally well-behaved. It fits into family life well. Its temperament should always be friendly, and never vicious, moody or harsh, and would only become so if the owners lead the dog to believe he is pack leader over humans. It is mild but not timid; very affectionate with its master and friendly with children. It can be a bit stubborn with meek owners and needs a firm, confident, and consistent owner who displays natural authority over the dog. Dogs need to know the rules of the house and have the humans stick to them. Bassets like to do tricks for food. They have a deep musical bark. Housebreaking is difficult, but they do well with positive reinforcement and patient, gentle training. With proper training, they are obedient, but when they pick up an interesting smell, it's sometimes hard to get their attention, as they like to follow their noses and may not even hear you calling them back. Only allow your Basset off lead in safe areas.
Height, Weight	Height: Males 12 - 15 inches (30 – 38 cm) Females 11 - 14 inches (28 – 36 cm) Weight: Males 50 - 65 pounds (23 – 29 kg) Females 45 - 60 pounds (20 – 27 kg)
Health Problems	Do not overfeed these dogs because extra weight places too great a load on the legs and spine. A problem area is possible lameness and eventual paralysis because of short legs and a heavy, long body. As they are prone to bloat, it is also wise to feed them two or three small meals a day instead of one large meal. If they do eat a large meal keep an eye on them for several hours for any signs of bloat.
Living Conditions	The Basset Hound will do okay in an apartment. They are very inactive indoors but outdoors they will run for hours in play if given the chance. They will do okay without a yard, but should be given plenty of opportunities to run and play to keep healthy and trim.
Exercise	To keep the Basset Hound healthy, it should be given plenty of exercise, including a long daily walk to keep the dog mentally stable, but discourage it from jumping and stressing the front legs. This breed will run and play by the hour when given the chance. Because of their keen noses they tend to roam when they pick up a scent. Take care when off lead that the dog is in a safe area. When they pick up a scent they may not even hear you calling them back as their complete focus will be on finding the critter at the other end.
Life Expectancy	About 10-12 years
Litter Size	Average of 8 puppies, large litters are common; known to have 15 or more puppies in one litter
Grooming	The smooth, shorthaired coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and shampoo only when necessary. Wipe under the ears every week and trim toenails regularly. This breed is a constant shedder.
Origin	The Basset Hound is an old breed which is a direct descendent of the Bloodhound and has a nose that is almost as outstanding. Some sources suggest the Basset Hound may have originated from genetic dwarf dogs that were born in litters of different types of hunting hounds. The name "Basset Hound" comes from the French word "bas" meaning low. The Basset Hound’s long ears have been poetically described by Shakespeare as "Ears which sweep away the morning dew." The breed was first presented at a Paris dog show in 1863, and it was there the dog's popularity began. Its popularity spread to England and feuds soon arose between those who wanted the dog to be more of a show dog, keeping it more as a companion dog, and those who wanted to keep it as a hunting dog. The breed spread to America where breeders started developing a dog which they felt covered both hunting and companion / show traits. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. Able to hunt in both packs or alone, the dog is good at hunting in the den and in the open. It is used to hunt fox, hare, opossum and pheasant. While the dog’s reflexes are slow, it has an excellent sense of smell. The fact that it is relatively slow on its feet means it can be more convenient for hunters who are on foot. It is also less likely to scare game out of reach. It is said that George Washington owned Basset Hounds that were given to him by Lafayette after the American Revolution.