One of the least relaxing things about going on holiday is leaving the bassets at home. I have this constant low-level anxiety about them misbehaving or pining for us, causing untold annoyance or inconvenience to our house sitters.  And before you start rolling your eyes and thinking neurotic dog mother, its worth you knowing that just stepping out of a room where the bassets are languishing will before too long result in a deep hoooowwwwwuuuuulllll.  An ear-piercing howling that Little Basset starts closely followed with a deep bass harmony from Big Basset.  This might seem like endearing behaviour on a You Tube video but when you live with a few howling episodes a day the sense of fun can get a little lost.  I’m anxious that the hounds might start howling and never stop.

They are of course resident clowns when we’re gone.  Loveable cute adorable hounds eager to please and on good behaviour, so they don’t get sent to bed without any supper.  They adjust their affections to please whoever holds the key to the dog food cupboard.  Treacherous hounds.  There is a fair degree of nonchalant behaviour now we’re back.  This punishment will last for several days to come but eventually they’ll forget we ever went away and will be back to being our adoring hounds, howling for me as I step out of the room, a vocal sign of their true affections.