Since equality is our middle name here at Domestic Executive  it’s only fair and right that Big Basset should have his 15 minutes of internet fame today.  Accepting of course that he’s a seasoned pro when it comes to blogging, photography, exploring and snoozing.

Fortnum is definitely a different basset from Mason.  For start he’s at least 5 kg heavier and a few inches longer in body length.  He has bigger jowls and fewer facial wrinkles.  Laid back is Big Basset’s motto – don’t rush things, don’t stress. In fact, if Fortnum were any more laid back he’d be prostrate.

Big basset is the biggest baby around. Except when he’s being top dog and trying to bully Mason around.  He has moments of being grown up when he shows leadership and will tell Mason to behave and get down.  This usually revolves around feeding time when Fortnum knows that any distraction to me will only slow down the time it takes for his food to reach him.

He is fearless – except for the vaccum cleaner, wheelbarrow, lawnmower, in fact anything that moves close to him – and loves to explore.  Here he was yesterday off into the river without a thought.

See that white thing floating in the top left of this picture.  That’s what he was after.  Without a thought for depth of water he bowled on to catch his prey.  He went so deep I was getting ready to abandon the camera to rescue him.  See what he was after?

Oh my, this big basset hunter was chasing a feather.  Chasing a feather in water when he can’t swim.  Really must do something about that!  He did however quickly realise that he was foiled and came back to shallower water and back to where Mason and I were watching nervously from the bank.

Fortnum loves to explore on dry land too.  He’s always first down the garden to chase the rabbits – or I should say, sniff where the rabbits have been – and head off into the bush to see what he can find.  He has no head for heights though.  He he is eyeing up that water pipe again.  You can see why he might not want to clamber up as he did the other day.

Big basset is the poser in the family.  He loves to pose when the camera comes out.  He’ll happily sit and change poses whereas Little Basset will run to give you some real love.

The most endearing thing about Fortnum is the way he struts.  He flicks out his feet when he’s walking like he’s trying to be a cool dude.  Here’s 10 other things you need to know to love  Fortnum:

1. He is a sensitive soul – he thinks taking him off the lead is rejection from the pack leader. Then he realises he’s free to amble at his own pace!
2. There is no rushing him – he’ll come in his own time and has mastered a range of pseudo sniffing techniques that look like his busy but it’s a delaying tactic so he can come on his own terms
3. Although he is almost grown up now he still loves to sit in your lap – he wouldn’t go to sleep at night when he was a puppy without a cuddle.  I can tell you 35kg of basset in your lap is dangerous to your internal organs.
4. He has a huge bark and he uses it frequently to shout at Mason/us, scare away (yeah, right!) the neighbouring cows and passing wind.  He loves to shout as he runs to call Mason to play. Most of all he likes to bark at his own reflection in the window.
5. He doesn’t mind having his nails clipped and will reluctantly enjoy his bath.
6. He has always been a hungry basset and would eat the whole cupboard of food if you let him.
7. He can chew a bone for hours and be perfectly happy – little basset gives up after a while as it’s too boring for him.
8. Big basset can get his front paws on the sofa and in the back of the car but needs a leg up to make himself at home.
9. Fortnum loves people.  Anyone, he’s not choosy.  He’s always looking at people and is the dog that would attach himself to another family if he thought he could as that family is much more interesting.
10. Top Gear is Fortnum’s favourite TV programme.  He loves to watch the cars, listen to the noise.  In fact, Fortnum likes TV full stop – he’s partial to football too.  The only thing that drives him crazy is other dogs, monkeys or other strange animals when he’ll then leap at the TV to try and see them off.

Big basset is always a bundle of fun.  He’s our loveable laid back adventurer basset.  Just see him strut and sniff!