Until we see you again...

My princess, my clown, my friend, who could outwit us all and keep us guessing even to the very end. You are already missed but never forgotten. Run free with Sampson, HoneyDew until we see you again. September 2003 - February 2015.

A Dew with 'Tude...

 

HoneyDew letting me know what she thinks of the word "No".

Sunday's Walk in the Park

Compared to Friday and Saturday, yesterday's weather could be considered "balmy"! The temperature got up over 40, the sun was shining and the snow was starting to melt. It melted enough by the river that the hounds and I were able to take a nice leisurely stroll in the afternoon.

I still had to wear my winter coat but I could feel the sun's warmth through it and the Bassets must have enjoyed it too, even plunging in the deeper snow for some scent or other that attracted them.

If you look at the top of the picture you can see that I couldn't let them follow the scent or they would be going over the bank into the river!

With the sun's warmth came the sound of giant icicles crashing down all along the rock face. You can make out some smaller ones still hanging there.

After our walk, the hounds waited in the car while I got a few groceries, and for being so patient I treated them to a bag of beef basted biscuits and the little treats that look like t-bones steaks (not all at once!). And then we came home and snuggled.

I love Sunday's like this!

Kentucky

Once again I am in the great state of Kentucky this year.

What a big difference from PA. For one thing, no snow! The weather is beautiful. Today is was very breezy and warm, I was outside in a short sleeve shirt. In December! Who would have thought.

While I am using my vacation time to be here, technically I am not on vacation. My mom who a lot of you know from Sunny's Studio, Changing Lanes and Just Plain Country, had to have a total knee replacement surgery yesterday. Yes, she is doing quite well, thanks for asking!

I have been keeping company with Mizz Izzy, who although enjoying the attention from me, the extra treats, playing with her toys on the floor with me, and the walks to try to distract her, still is looking for her special someone. Even now every little noise she hears as she lays up on the back of the couch, she looks up and out the door, trying to see if that is Mom coming home. Too bad hospitals do not allow visitors from patients pets...I really think that would cheer up the one who is recovering as well as allow the dog to understand that their person is still around and where they are. Hmmm, maybe something to try to get programmed into the hospital system...

In the meantime, my hound babies have been hanging with dear hubby. We have a standing skype session at 9 PM EST, in which the pups join in. So even though they can't figure how to get me out of that funny little box (and boy have I shrunk!) at least they hear my voice and can see me, and I them.

 

My hubby has taken over all my routines with the pups while I am gone, but I think he is enjoying himself. He says that Skittles, HoneyDew and Sampson all take turns laying across his lap and in some cases over both arm rests!

I am hoping my next visit down here (if I can't persuade Mom to move north, ssshhhhh!) will be a true vacation with all of us being together doing vacationey things.

How do you handle absences from your pet and how do they handle life without you?

Beach Hounds

The weather was sunny and beautiful on Saturday so the hounds and I thought we would take advantage of it by going to the Erie Peninsula.

If you have read many of my posts, you know that we like it best if the hounds can go off leash. Honey Dew and Sampson are very obedient and come back to me when called.

Of course one of the mandates is that dogs be leashed on the Peninsula even in the off-season...but no one said that I actually had to hold the leash, just be in control of the dogs, and as the beach was deserted I thought I would risk if for a a little while.

Sampson and HoneyDew posing for the camera before I let them run and explore.

So many sounds, sights and best of all new smells to explore! Which way to go first?

Evidently this scent was interesting...I was really hoping the hounds would not pick up a dead fish anywhere! Or worse, roll in one!

A moment before I snapped this photo, Sampson was facing me with strings of drool hanging from his mouth and sand particles clinging to it, evidently he didn't want you to see that cause he whipped right around and started shaking it off only to wrap it up around his nose! Too funny!

I love how the waves come in and make little pools. The sun and breeze was invigorating. I think we walked for about two hours along the beaches and part of the walking/bike path.

Just hanging out and enjoying the view.

There was room enough for me on the bench too, and I did share it for awhile with Sampson half on my lap.

Smile for the camera!

Honey Dew was more interested in bird watching then my attempts with the camera.

This is one of my favorite pictures! I brought the smooth rocks and fresh water clam shell home with me so that I could remember a great day shared with my two best pals. I am sure that you recognize the paw prints but can you guess what the long swish marks are?

"Basset Happy Ears and Happy Feet"

DOT's-Saturday Evening Walk

A slight difference of opinion.

"I think he is going to fall in!" *tries hard to stifle the laughter*

"No problem." *wipes cold sweat from brow.*

"We need something to keep up our energy. what do you mean you brought water? I was thinking more along the lines of steak."

The long way home or seems so after a 1 1/2 hour hike one way.

Sampson thinks maybe he might try a short cut...just kidding...

Early Spring Riverwalk-DOT Post

 Finally the snow has melted and we are able to get out of the house for some nice walkies! It is so good to smell the ground again. It is still chilly but we are anxious to sniff out any p-mail we can find!

 Just look at my younger brother... he is so excited to be out and about he has drool wrapped up around his nose. Can't take him anywhere... but as long as he keeps his distance, no one will know we are related. You know just in case I run into any good looking golden retreivers...

Arrroooweee the river sure is high! Momma dog does not let us go near there. She yells "leave it" and "come" , you don't have to tell me twice. That is scary out there.

Arrrooooweee what have we here! If we were in a contest right now, someone sure would have won the award for 'fetch it'. A little extreme though don't you think?

Birds are out!

All kinds of 'em. This one is a bit shy!

It didn't want to play with us, no matter how many times we barked and howled at it, it kept going the other way!

Momma says the buds are pretty... if she says so...

I would rather look for rabbits, or deer, or bear.

Sampson's such a show off... telling me to hurry up and calling me slow poke!

But as you can see I am right behind him... he just has longer legs then me.

Whew what a great walk, that tired me out!

Time to take our basset bums back to the car for some snackies and a nice nap!

Happy DOT's Everyone!

HoneyDew "Don't Disturb" Basset

Dogs On Thursday...

No my dog isn't spoiled...

...why do you ask????

Faithful even when you are ill...

There is nothing quite as comforting as a bed full of fur when you are ill. The faithfulness of your canine and feline companions, nursing you through your illnesss,

sharing your pain and helping you pass the time of your confinement to bed,

or may be just hogging the heat from your electric blanket!!! Whatever their motivation, I for one, was grateful for their company while I was down with the flu!

Happy DOT's!

HoneyDew feels special...

Well and she really is special, to me anyways. She is a girlie hound, always has been, and she loves to wear bows. Seriously! If you take them off (no matter how delapidated it is) after she has worn them awhile, she still comes back over to you wanting you to put it back on. The more colorful the better. Maybe it is all the attention she gets because she looks so adorable in them? Anyways, so today I made a purchase just for her...well and maybe just a little bit for me too!

and while she is a girlie houndie, she is a country girlie houndie so we got some 'country' ribbon to start with...

Isn't she cute?!

Sampson says: "Don't even think about it!"

Naked Bassets in the Snow!

Ever notice the colder it is out, the straighter the tale is? And look at the top photo, this was at the last part of the walk, on our way back to the car, look who beat me to the car. That would never happen in the summer time!

Happy DOT's!

Walking in a winter wonderland...

Not today that is for sure! With the temps at a paltry 10 degrees no one wants to be out walking or anything else! Especially HoneyDew, for the second day in a row she has squatted in the house to piddle.

She is not being sneaky, oh no, she is very blatant about it! She is not asking to be let out as is her usual custom. Last night hubby was watching tv and there she squatted right in front of him. And tonight she came upstairs where I am on the computer, just wandered in and squatted.

I caught her prepiddleinteruptus and got her behind out the door! I am keeping an eye on her to make sure she doesn't have a bladder infection. So far I dont see any other symptoms, knowing her she just doesn't like to go out in the winter weather.

Anyways, we are all warm and snug as a bug in here. Just excited for the boys to come home for Christmas!

Looking forward to making some cookies tomorrow night...maybe some ginger cookies...these look like great candidates...

I think I will mix them up before work, then bake them after dinner. I can smell them already!

Sampson is moping...

If you look into the back ground you can see what he is down about. Do you need a closer look?

HoneyDew and Skittles snuggling in Dad's chair.

HoneyDew says: "Snooze you loose!"

Happy DOT's!