Whilst I adore my bassets they are a constant worry and never more so when they are poorly. The bassets and I have been getting up close and personal in recent days. A closeness of bodily functions I’d rather not have experienced. They’ve picked up some sort of bacteria from their sniffing ways which has invaded their digestive systems in unwelcome ways.
But it’s not been the clearing up that’s been the hardest thing to endure. It’s been the two or three hourly requests throughout the night to make themselves more comfortable. And for a basset this means, “I want out…..” I now know what parents endure with young children as they face continuous nights of broken sleep.
Whatever the inconvenience and unpleasantness, this sickness episode has wedged a closer bond and love between the bassets and I. It makes me appreciate their pudgey paws more than before. Love their wrinkles, their doeful eyes and waggy tails. There is no doubt that the worry about them being poorly has made me appreciate their healthy ways even more.
Here is big basset enjoying the winter sun.
This is the mouth of a basset taking his sun bathing seriously.
No, he’s not keen on being interupted. You can just tell by that serious face.
You can also tell by his very serious tail. Not a wag in sight, just calm contemplation. A basset that would rather not be disturbed.
I’ve often wondered what it must be like to be carrying so many wrinkles. Cute as they may be it takes a lot of effort to be a basset hound.
It can be hazardous to ones ears. Look at the chunks out of little bassets ears.
Yes, there is no doubt it is a tough life being a basset hound. All that posing in the sun.
Not to mention snoozing.
Worrying about bassets is almost a full time occupation. I try to be cool and nonchalant when I ring the vets enquiring whether there may be something seriously wrong but I know that the experienced veterinary nurse who answers the phone is thinking – neurotic basset owner. This conversation always ends up with a ride to town and the resulting kerching of their till! Good job I have decent pet insurance as we’re recouping our annual premiums right now.
Whatever the inconvenience and cost these bassets are firmly embedded as family in our household. Sickness or no sickness they get the best we can give them. After all on a cold night in front of the rugby there is nothing better than a basset to warm you up!
Get well soon Fortnum and Mason!
Love Sarahx
My girls love the pictures of the Bassets – fabulous dogs.
Oh, poor you and Fortnum and Mason. I can totally understand your devotion and love. Having enjoyed hearing about them for months and seeing your wonderful photographs of them I am quite a fan – and I haven’t even had the experience of being warmed up by either of them whilst watching the rubgy (that sounds perfect!). Hope they are better now (and your sleep has improved) x
Since I discovered your blog and your beautiful basset hounds I wanted a basset. I go all googly eyed and ooh, aah and make noises of I see the most adorable doggies in the whole wide world. Mr.P has even fallen for them and he is more a Labrador man himself.
I have met a lady at the vets a few weeks ago with a basset and she departed the clinic in tears after she had to leave her hound behind. He was clearly not well too!
After all the warnings I still want to get a basset hound.
Fortnum and Mason you guy’s are the cutest doggies in the whole wide world. Hope you get better soon and I’m looking forward reading more about your adventures!
Oh dear Madalene, there is no hope for you now.
Once you have let a basset in your heart you’re done for. Not sure what warnings you might have had – something like they are stubborn, untrainable, overly friendly, no road sense, impossible to stop when they’re on the chase or have a scent, spread food and water all over the floor – I could go on. There is no doubt that bassets are an acquired taste but I think that you can’t beat them for character, comic adventure and wonderful temperaments. We worked hard to train our bassets and didn’t tolerate bad behaviour (chewing furniture etc) so we are repeating the benefits now they are older.
The really bad news is that bassets are pack dogs and tend not to be entirely happy unless they have another dog to bond with. That’s why we got two. Solo bassets can be big barkers, howlers and hate to be left on their own for any length of time. With a playmate they are fine and will happily snooze away the day doing as little as possible. The good news is that only one thing better than owning a basset is owning two!
JT
A lovely story of your bonding. I’m that the boys are feeling better by now!!
I love their wrinkles as well, the wrinkley ankles especially!! And those ears…. Aarrrggghhh!!! Always in need of a cleaning!! And there’s nothing better in the world the world than a snuggle with a warm basset!! or 2!!