Foster Update:  I was really expecting her to be a handful, but she is quite the opposite.  She just loves being with me.   She found her way into the pool last night when my Jack Russell was fetching in the water.  She makes an excellent swimmer, but I've got to teach her some in/out etiquette.  I wasn't really expecting her to just jump in... but I think she thought the other dog was having so much fun she should join in.  She had a long walk this morning after I dropped my two at daycare and she did amazingly well.  We jogged a little bit of it.  She is learning loose leash and catches on pretty quick.  She loves chewing bully sticks, but is currently curled up under my desk while I am working. She has learned sit, although still a bit stubborn about keeping her bottom on the ground.  She plays nicely with my Jack Russell, however, she seems to be the only one who knows they are in a game.  (The other is actually chasing squirrels.)  She sleeps nicely with my Fox Terrier... they curl up together on ocassion.  Let me get the camera out and you can forget them staying that way.  Today she had her first "bike ride."  I have a bike springer and I only had to spend about five minutes for her to accept being next to the bicycle.  Then we were off... 1.5 miles and she was one tired little lady.  But, the smile she had as we went around was priceless.  Her tongue hung out one side and every once in a while I'd catch her glimpse up at me almost as if to say, now this is the way to walk.  She got into a really nice trot and the harness didn't bother her one bit.  (I don't like to use the collar for safety reasons.)  She loves bones and curling up next to my husband to watch some baseball.

Blossom and her brother, Loki, came to us from the Southern Comfort Animal Rescue that had a fire.  She is playful and polite.

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the name Basset Hound comes from the French word "bas" meaning low. Some sources suggest the Basset Hound may have originated from genetic dwarf dogs presented in litters of other types of French hunting hounds, however, we do know that it is a rather old breed, descended directly from the Bloodhound. Shakespeare described the Basset Hound with the following poetic image: "Ears which sweep away the morning due." According to research, the true fame of the Basset Hound began in 1863, when it was presented at the Paris Dog Show. Its popularity spread to England where a lively dispute arose between two factions of breeders: Those who wanted to keep the Basset Hound a hunting dog, and those who wanted to transform it into a companion dog. Situated between these two factions were the American breeders who proceeded to develop an extremely pleasing companion dog without sacrificing any of the qualities of the hunter. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885. Its natural bent is for hunting both in the den and in the open. It is therefore, used for the hunting of fox, hare, opossum, and pheasant. Bassets can hunt in packs or alone. It has an excellent sense of smell, but its reflexes are a bit slow. Their slow pace is convenient for hunters on foot and keeps game from being scared out of reach. The Basset's nose is almost as outstanding as the Bloodhound's. George Washington may have owned Basset Hounds given to him by Lafayette after the American Revolution. The Basset Hound is sweet, gentle, devoted, peaceful and naturally well-behaved. They fit into family life well. Their temperament should always be friendly with never an indication of sharpness or viciousness. They are mild but not timid; very affectionate with its master and friendly with children. It is incapable of biting, but it may be a bit stubborn. They like to do tricks for food. It has a deep musical bark. Housebreaking is difficult, but they do well with gentle patient training and positive reinforcement. With proper training, they are obedient, but when they pick up an interesting smell, it's sometimes hard to get their attention. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.