Obama...and bassets?

In honor of the new president taking office, we bring you proof that Bassets have more power than one would think.

First, this article that speaks to Basset advocacy (hunh?).

Second, this most hysterical video below, including flying Basset lips. (Please note that in fairness we attempted to find information on Bassets for McCain, but found nothing. Perhaps that was why he did not prevail? You decide.)

dog park day!

Saturday was Basset Meetup day at the dog park. It was wonderfully warm, and there were dozens of Bassets there of all shapes and sizes. Here's a picture of one that tackled me when I got there....Wham!

Miles is a pup owned by the folks who run the local Basset Rescue. He's a cool dude with soft fur and just the right amount of drool.
At the end of the day, just as we were all leaving, he decided to sing for us...Arooh!
Bye, Miles!

maybe I should have named her 'butterchunks nugget lump'

Today on msn.com there was an article about the most popular - and most unusual - pet names. The top, 'most popular' dog names include:

1. Max
2. Bailey
3. Bella
4. Molly
5. Lucy
6. Buddy
7. Maggie
8. Daisy
9. Sophie
10. Chloe

...and the 'most unusual' are:

1. Rush Limbark
2. Sirius Lee Handsome
3. Rafikikadiki
4. Low Jack
5. Meatwad
6. Peanut Wigglebutt
7. Scuddles Unterfuss
8. Sophie Touch & Pee
9. Admiral Toot
10. Spatula

"Admiral Toot"?! That is just damn funny. I'm sure that Toula would be high on the unusual name list, but it doesn't carry a very large giggle factor.

Actually, my current favorite dog name is Biscuits Jackson. Doesn't that sound like the name of your cousin who could totally score you some righteous organic? (I'm talking dog biscuits here, people, relax!).

Thanks to Laura for the dog name article!

dogs 101

Last night as Big D. and I were trolling through the tv channels we could find nothing to watch. Mind you, we get about 714 channels, so "nothing" is subjective, like "I have nothing to wear", or "there's nothing to eat in the house". I remember when you were lucky to be able to watch three networks and a public station if your rabbit ears were working right and you hadn't messed with the tin foil mashed on the tip of one of the antennae. And, you had to get your happy ass up off the sofa to change the channel. Somehow back then we found shows to watch.

So, last night we're clicking around the stations and for a moment we considered watching The Bachelor so we could bag on the crazies who throw themselves at that narcissistic dude, then suddenly noticed "Dogs 101" on Animal Planet. They were highlighting, among others, Basset Hounds. WOOT! Sadly, they spent 10 minutes per breed and Bassets only got a smattering of information, which was highly disappointing. Frankly the whole show should have been on Bassets, can I get an A-MEN? I mean, do we really need to know that Boston Terriers are known for flatulence (wtf?) and Shar Pei have black tongues? Gross! Bassets were bred by French aristocracy, people!

If you wish to view 10 minutes of Bassetness, it's showing again on Jan. 18 at 3pm (USA, only). We suggest you DVR or Tivo it so you can scan through the Lesser Breeds to get to the yummy, ooey gooey rich and chewy Basset-y middle part. Animal Planet

happy new year 2009

Happy 2009! In honor of the new year we allowed Molly and Toula to sleep in our bed with us last night. It was a Two Dog Night (1970's band reference, anyone?? ok, yeah, I know it's 'three dog night', smartypants), ha ha. Anyhoo, our gardeners, who come every Thursday, decided it was Just Another Thursday and showed up at 7:30am to blow our yard and turn on the Loudest Lawn Mower In The World, which caused the dogs to LAUNCH out of bed, barking and aroohing and hollering. Yeee-owza. I had to pull clothes on and feign a smile as I 'Happy New Year!'d them out the back door.

The gardeners get one point for reliability, but minus one point for the hangover headache. Sigh. I guess it could be worse. We could live in the snow. **shudder**

This morning as we tried to watch the Rose Parade, Molly decided we should watch her, and climbed on my lap.Let me be perfectly clear: BASSETS ARE PACK ANIMALS. If you think you can have just one, or be one of those "leave the dog in the yard" families, don't get a Basset.

But, if you want to start your new year with a warm, lovey dog in your lap who smells a bit like Fritos, periodically jams her wet nose into your face, and leaves long strands of hair on your shirt, get a Basset.