The “Thing” About Basset Hound People
So, here’s the thing….I like to think of myself as a pretty liberal thinker with a mind open to new possibilities. Even if “I know,” I’d like to think that, presented with new information, I can reevaluate ….change my mind. It’s not a stretch for me to believe that dogs have the ability to communicate without uttering a word. Or that Blossum was an angel the day before she came to Earth to be my girl.
Nevertheless, it is an undeniable fact that Basset Hounds are the world’s most fantastic dog! Nothing will change my mind about that! I confess, there are about 4 or 5 other breeds I love (Bloodhounds and Bull Terriers being two of them). But NOTHING compares to a Basset Hound!
Why? I was informed long ago: Basset Hounds are the clowns of the dog world. With those long, low bodies, droopy ears, huge paws, soulful eyes and deep woof, they are downright cartoonish. Bassets are fully equipped with a goofy smile that wills you to do their bidding.
As our Instagram account has climbed to over 1900 followers, (“Mommy, am I famous?” Blossie asks, ”not yet honey”) I think about the Basset Hound people we now know all over the planet. This phenomenon provides intimacy we sorely need in this time of closed minds and closed borders.
On the Instagram stage, humanity is alive and humming with a world-wide buzz of excitement and engagement. Having just hopped onto Instagram a few months ago, we have discovered a luscious new universe. Blossie and I have become friends with Basset Hounds all over the world: Okra from Japan @milk_and_okra_the.basset, Nellie from South Wales @nelliebassethound, Kassy from Spain @kassythebasset, Urho from Finland @urhothebravebasset, Olga from France @olga_bassethound and others from Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Chile, Norway, Austria, Latvia, Russia, India, Lebanon, Honduras, Sweden, Bulgaria, Scotland, Serbia, Canada, Denmark, Guatemala, Estonia, Peru, The Netherlands, Brazil, Sardinia, Australia, Luxembourg, Uruguay, Greece, Israel, Belgium, Mexico, Hungary, New Zealand, South Africa, Ukraine, Portugal, Columbia, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Argentina and Belarus. It’s the United Nations of Bassets!
Those of us who choose this sensational and quirky breed of dog are ourselves a “special” breed of human with many, if not all, of the following characteristics:
Funny as hell. Ya gotta have a hilarious sense of humor to choose a dog that looks like this.
And the names…..OMG… Ruth Basset Ginsburg (my personal favorite), Brisket the Basset, Detective Sherlock Hound, Molly Wan Kenobi, Porridge the Basset (“They call me Porridge, but you can call me tonight”)
Having sacrificed all semblance of self respect, we shamelessly speak for our beloved Basset Hound in a ridiculously silly voice, which requires a very strong sense of self in order to show our face the next morning.
We have wholly abandoned the illusion that our Basset Hound is a watch dog. They love all life forms!
Patience, though maybe not our strong suit in a previous life, becomes an acquired skill as our solid 50 or 60 pound stubborn-as-a-two-year-old hound decides to change direction in the middle of a stroll. Try budging this exceedingly strong low-center-of-gravity dog as she splays out her huge paws and plants herself, resisting any movement unless she approves of the direction. Am I right, people?
We are not attracted to the usual or the mundane. If we were, we’d have a Lab!
So, there you have it…a compelling case to christen the Basset Hound the World’s Most Extraordinary Dog! I challenge you to prove me otherwise!
