Howllo Fellow Basset hound and Emma Lovers! Well, our Emma is now able to go down the back steps on her own. It is actually a very good exercise for her. I never let her go down with out being on hand to watch her. However, once she gets down I let her lay in the sun or walk around the back pavers by herself. She comes up the steps with much more ease than going down.

So, I watched her reach the bottom and went back to work. I went out on the deck a few minutes later to check on her. You can call me a helicopter mom! She had climbed up to a frightening level that was not blocked off. It was totally my fault. That area is normally blocked off by a flower pot. Not wanting to scare her to the point of freaking out like I was, I kept quiet.

This is a picture of the area. Where Chaps is standing is where she climbed up and was standing like a statue. She was past the barrel and facing a major drop off area.
This is not a picture from today!

When I got down to that level I could tell she was scared. I put my arms around her and just started telling her what a good girl she was for standing so still. I am still kicking myself in the butt for not putting that dang Terra cotta flower pot back where it belongs. You can see Emma trying to move pass it in this picture. I use it to block hound entry into a section that is unsafe. I am such a putz, idiot, dork, and more. I know that pot needs to be in place. Even blind, Emma is an explorer.

These events happen so quickly. I always think the worse. She could have fallen off that ledge, or whatever. Her back is so delicate. Oh, I just don’t want to even think about it.

Anyway, she let me turn her around with the greatest of ease. I could tell she really trusted me. I cannot lift Emma and I had to get her off of that ledge. I figured out she could do it if I lifted her front end first and her back end second. Why did I not move that flower pot back?

At that point the Mayor came to the rescue. (not the actual picture but this is exactly what it looked like)

This is the best part of the story. Emma was not wanting to do this maneuver and was pulling back from me. Chaps ran right to where I was going to do the big maneuver to get her off the ledge and started kissing her and whining.

I briefly thought of my camera only steps away. Nope, not this time, Emma was not to be left alone. Emma started getting excited and swinging her ears so she could feel where Chaps was standing. He was stomping his paws. At that point I lifted her front end down to that step and then her back end. They were both so excited. I could have never done it without the Mayor. He is our hero!

Again, not the actual picture but pretty much how it happened.

More hero stories later….Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

P.S. Grandma and I are going to Lowes tomorrow to get a picket fence section to block off that danger area. Again, thank you Chaps.

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound going to the Basset Hound Nationals Lovers: It really is a good time and such a great way to view some really pretty hounds.

Today’s events are well underway, but you still have the following events if you are in the neighborhood of Sheldon, WA.
Little Creek Casino Resort
91 West, State Route 108
SHELTON, WA 98584-9270
Reservations: 1-800-667-7711
www.little-creek.com

10/08/2009 Thursday 8:00 a.m. – Agility at Gryphon Ranch, Rochester, WA – Judge: Gillian Crawford – PREMIUM LIST

1:00 p.m. – All Regular & Non Regular Bitch Classes – Ring 1 – Judge: Brian Pechtold

1/2 hour after judging the winning tickets for the Chinese Auction items will be drawn.

7:30 p.m. – Dr. Markus Kuehn, University of Iowa, and Dr. Gary Johnson, University of Missouri, an “Open DIscussion” on Glaucoma in our Basset Hounds – Skookum Room A&B Hosted by Dr. Norine Noonan

10/09/2009 Friday 1:00 p.m. – Jr. Showmanship, Parade of Veterans
Parade of Rescue

Intersex Best of Breed Competition – Ring 1
Judge: Gwen McCullagh

6:30 – 7:00 p.m. – Annual Dinner (Cash Bar & Reserved Attendees) – Sa-Heh-Wa-Mish Dining Room

Silent Auction during Hospitality Hour. Bids will close at 7:00 p.m.

Winning ticket for the Joanart Whelping Box will be drawn immediately after dinner. Followed by Annual Meeting,

Live Auction

“Winners Party” – Presidential Suite – Room #534 Following Live Auction

10/10/2009 Saturday Field Trials, Castle Rock, WA – Judges: Georjan Bridger & Kenneth Brinton – PREMIUM LIST

6:00 – 7:00 a.m. – Breakfast

7:00 a.m. – Roll Call
Lunch mid-day depending on the rabbits

7:00 – 10:00 p.m. – Field Trial Dinner – Hattie’s Restaurant, Castle Rock, WA

10/11/2009 Sunday Field Trials, Castle Rock, WA – Judges: Georjan Bridger & Kenneth Brinton – PREMIUM LIST

6:00 – 7:00 a.m. – Breakfast

7:00 a.m. – Roll Call
Lunch mid-day depending on the rabbits

I have been to a few Nationals in my time and it really is fun. I know this may sound odd, but I think that I actually made a connection with Chaps, before I knew him at a basset hound Nationals in St. Louis. I cannot be sure but I think about it some times. I was walking through an area that had hounds in kennels waiting in between show times and I bent down to look at the hound with the biggest frecklest paws I had ever seen. OMG – this memory is bringing tears to my eyes. I remember making a connection with that hound and for the life of me I think it was Chaps. Can you believe that story? sniff, sniff…..

The Mayor was a beautiful show hound in his youth. This was the day I picked him up. This was the last time he stacked or ever will. He was not thrilled with showing. He just wanted to be the Mayor.

More National Memories Later…Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and Mozzarella Cheese Stick Lovers! OMG! My kitchen is a never ending source for fascinating blog postings! LOL, at least they are for me….hehehe

Yesterday, my Mom and I went out to run some errands. We also had lunch at Applebees which means left overs.

I brought home Mozzarella Cheese Sticks and stuck them in the fridge for later.

Well, this morning I was going to put them in a zip lock bag and, well, I dropped one right between the kids.

It all happened in a flash and in slow motion. Emma was the first to grab her end and as she was bringing it up Chaps grabbed his end and a tug of mozzarella cheese stick war was in progress. Knowing that this could not have a happy ending I was able to grab the middle of the soggy stick before a fight broke out.

The kids have never had an entire cheese stick in their live long days….until today! I divided it in half and they each got their reward. I swear, if Emma had eyes they would have been as wide as saucers. She was so excited!

Now I can’t get them out of the kitchen.

Look, I even turned out the lights…well, Emma’s lights are basically always out. However, her skills are firming intact! She was the first one to grab that stick! When I told Grandma the story she was so proud of our Emma. Grandma said, “that is amazing that Emma was the one who was the fastest, even blind she can fend for herself”! I thought that was so cute.

Come on little girl. It’s time for your morning nap and dreams of Mozzarella Cheese Sticks falling from the sky! Ahhhhhhhh……Life is good!

More cheese stick memories later….Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo fellow basset hound and sweet e-mail lovers! It is just so wonderful to hear from my dear readers and get such sweet pictures.

Here is the e-mail I am talking about…..

Message from Jim:
Hello,

While looking at your site the other day I came across this image of your Emma and I really had to do a double take.

They say everyone has a twin and it must be. My girl is also named Emma and she is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I have attached a picture from 2005 back when she was about the same age as your Emma in the link above. As with all of us she has grown and changed, but I’ll never forget the early days, and the wonderful “puppy breath”. 🙂

I really don’t know how to address your Emma’s blindness as I don’t know you. It of course is sad and I am sure you have heard more times than you can count how “sorry” people are about it. I will only say this. What happened to her would not have happened unless there was someone there that could have taken care of her with the love and affection you obviously display. I am sure there are many times you asked yourself if you could keep doing the treatments, etc., but like all good parents our children come first. for that I thank you and commend you. I am sure there are very hard days.

My wife Laurel and I also have another Basset named Milo (I am convinced that it is impossible to have just one hound) and the most playful, loving, Chihuahua named Kipper. He is the best small dog you will ever come across.

Regards,
Jim & Miss Emma.

Note from Cat……..How touching dear Jim and your Miss Emma. I am just so thrilled to get your message and the picture of your Emma! I will forever cherish it as I am sure many others will that read my blog. It is really very sweet and kind! I think they are twins as well! How Cool!

Thank you for your kind comments about Emma and her blindness. I relish in my Emma’s strength. She is such a gift.

Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and wanting to know how to draw a basset hound lovers! OK, I know most of my dear readers are not sitting around wondering how to draw a basset hound. I thought that this might be a fun thing for the upcoming holidays. If you have kids coming over for the holidays you might want to have a few colored pencils and these instructions handy for a fun thing to do! It could be fun! Of course it is fun for the whole family at any time!

Step one!

Okay as you can see this first step will show you how to draw out the frame of the basset hound. Start by drawing the round looking head with the facial guidelines drawn on the front of the face. Next draw the outline of the dogs long body with the hind legs being a part of the outline. Draw two circle shapes for the stubby looking front limbs. Don’t forget to click on the image to see it larger.

Now move down to step 2!

Here is where you will start to draw out the shape of the long droopy ears and jowls or lips. These dogs are so incredibly cute aren’t they? Now sketch in the slanted droopy eyes and part of the opened mouth. Next draw the lining of the basset hounds coat pattern and sketch in the toes on the front and back paws. He is coming along nicely.

Now step 3!

Step 3 is where you will be finishing off the sketch of the basset hound. Sketch in the detailing on the dogs face by drawing the big rounded nose and detail the dogs coat some more as shown above. Sketch in some hair around the tail and finish drawing his hind leg that seems to be hiding in the back. After your sketch looks like the one above erase all the guidelines and circle shapes that you drew in step 1.

Now step 4!

Here is what your dog should look like after you are totally done drawing it. All that you need to do is color him/her in and give this sweet looking dog a name. They come inn a variety of colors so you can color them brown, black, white, tan, or a combination of the four. That will conclude this tutorial on how to draw a basset hound.

This is looking very cool! Now you can color it to your liking! This artist did this rendition of a basset hound. A tri-color!

Again, do not forget to click on the pictures for a larger version. This could be a very fun project for anyone, but I know kids would enjoy it. All it takes is copy paper and some colored pencils. It is for kids that are a bit older but it would be fun for any kid to try. Who really cares how it turns out? Do it as a family and have fun! I clicked on each picture and just printed it out. It worked great!

More craft projects later…..Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

P.S. – I just thought of this! Little kids can trace it! Then color in their favorite basset hound color combinations!

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and snazzy graphic lovers! I had my bassetabulous website designer add a graphic to the top of this blog. It will link folks to the Senior Hounds Abound 2010 calendar purchase page! I just love it! You know what I also love? That our Buttermilk is going to be on the calendar!

I wonder what month she is going to get????

I have still not heard about the Mayor and his month. I will let you know as soon as I do!

My website guy is the best! I love his work! JOHN OF MONACO TEK SOLUTIONS!

More about the calendar later……..Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and wondering what could have happened lovers! OH MY! Yesterday, I was in the kitchen eating a deviled egg of all things and a crown came off of one of my teeth.

Chaps loves deviled eggs and was standing by for a tiny piece of the yummy treat when it happened. POP! DROP! The crown hit the floor. For a brief instance Chaps and I stared at each other in fear. Me, for fear he would eat it and him for fear he could not eat it fast enough.

Well, it was a fight to the finish and I grabbed my victory from the jaws of defeat, so to speak!

The entire time I had the POOP DIAMOND story racing through my mind. Remember that one?

I look at deviled eggs differently now. Also I have to go to the dentist today. Bummer.

OMG! I make the best deviled eggs ever! I should put my recipe on here. I think I will when I get home. These are not mine, just a picture I found.

I am just so glad that Chaps did not eat my crown. I am just so glad. Good things do happen to good people! LOL

More glad for the small things in life later….Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and Birthday Card Lovers! Today is my Brother-in-Law’s birthday and we thought you might want to see the video card we sent him?????

Sure ya do! LOL!

My very dear BIL was born on St. Francis day. He love animals and we just love him so much! Happy birthday dear Arthur Francis! We LOVE you!

With my sister Caryn, the fantastic Dr. (((((((((Arthur))))))))))!

More loving this guy later….Cat, Chaps and Emma

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and Stray Hound Lovers! That was my Lily Pad! Yes dear readers it was 15 years ago today that I found my Lily. She was a stray wondering the streets of a project area new my home town. The manager of the project area found my Lily and one thing lead to another and she was soon to be mine. Here is blog I did about her last year on this date. She was and is such a good girl!

St. Francis Day is Today – Lily’s gotcha day in 1994

All I know is, that one moment in time can last forever…….

The soul of one hound made me better………Much better!

More being better later…Love, Cat and Lily

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and Girls named Millie Opening the Door Lovers!

OK, this is one smart Cookie! Now get her a Cookie! LOL

More getting what you want later….Love, Cat, Chaps, and Emma

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