Benson the Basset Hound
Howdy!
I'm spoiled, stubborn, and a little dim in the brains department. But I am very loved, and I have my own webpage.
I'd be embarrassed about how lame that is, but hey, which one of us is exactly spending precious minutes of their free time actually reading it?
My Life
I was born on July 24, 1996 in South Carolina, at the esteemed kennels of Craigwood Bassets. I've got an esteemed family tree, lots of champions. With all that regal stock, it was hoped that I might wow the judges, too... but as I grew up, it became apparent that my front legs were too "close in." My owners now believe this was a euphemism for "too stupid to be trained to behave in the show ring" but it sounded credible at the time.
The upshot was my breeder released me to life as a family pet. I made my way to Michigan when I was 9 months old. It was April 21, 1997. Life has been good since then.
PHOTOS OF ME!
They need updating, but who has the time?
The great thing about my breed is that I always look depressed.
What's the best-looking thing on this table? The Degas statue? The frog figurine? NEITHER! I really do think I'm a handsome specimen. And I do so love the drool smears I leave on the furniture when I do this.
One day my parents went to the hospital and brought something home: a baby! Big changes around our house! Fewer walks. Weirder smells. Strange cries in the middle of the night...
However, as the screaming specimen got older, he became more fun. I liked to lick him, and eat the cheerios he flung off of his highchair. I let him grab my jowls and whiskers. For awhile there, I made him laugh just by walking into the room! Nothing like adding to my fan club.
Unfortunately, as the kid has grown older, it is clear that he has never really forgiven me for my food-stealing ways, nor is he amused by the way I keep gnawing his stuffed animals. It's now an uneasy truce between boy and dog. He tolerates me, and I just wait for him to leave food unattended.
It pains me to say this, but the kid seems to be more of a cat person. It happens.
Things I Like
Stealing the kid's stuffed animals and chewing up his lego
Chasing the cat
Barking rudely at visitors. Incessantl.
Pulling stuff out of the trash to eat
Counter cruising
Stealing pens, and chewing them until ink spurts out onto the white carpet
Also carpet related: having sneaky accidents
Belly rubs
Sleeping
Here are Some Other Basset/Dog Links
-
The Daily Drool For Bassetphiles everywhere, an e-mail list and some excellent basset resources
Sophie's page What a cute basset! Check out the Loch Ness Basset
Laika's homepage Another Michigan Dog (too bad not a basset)
Other Pictures
Here are two stupid cats I used to live with... (both have since gone to the bridge)
The cat I currently live with? The page isn't big enough to hold his photo.
A family portrait .(Mom, Dad, and Dad's parents. And me.)
We were all so young then. Young, naive, and I was an only child to boot.
One more thing...
If you are a basset fan or any kind of dog lover, please do your part to prevent poor breeding practices. This means not breeding your pet, and not supporting breeders who do it for the wrong reasons.
A few bossy pointers:
Spay and neuter your dog. Do not attempt breeding for money, for fun, to "teach your kids about life," or to "get another dog just like the one we have." Leave it to the experts.
"AKC registered" is no guarantee when it comes to breeder reputation. The AKC does not inspect breeders, meet their dogs, or require them to follow good breeding practices. Even dogs who are sick, carry terrible genetic diseases, or don't conform to a breed standard can be "AKC" dogs.
Being sold "retail" (like from a pet store) is no way to start a puppy's life.
A breeder who doesn't ask you a lot of questions is a bad sign. A breeder who doesn't insist on a limited registration (meaning you can't register your dog unless you agree to neuter/spay) is also a bad sign.
If a breeder advertises in the paper, ask yourself why. Breeders who really care about dogs have such a good reputation that they have a waiting list and don't need to advertise to strangers.
Getting a good dog isn't easy. Nor should it be. You have to find a breeder and pass their requirements--and then you still might have to wait. A reputable breeder only breeds dogs that meet careful standards of health, temperament, and breed "standard." For the sake of the dog, they don't breed every time a dam goes into heat. Also, to do their job right, they never have too many litters at once. And the breeder makes sure that the puppy you are considering will fit in with your family, lifestyle, and home (yes, puppies have personalities too). All these facts mean it is not a simple or quick process to get a good puppy. But it is worth it. If you take the easy route, you might end up with a dog who is unhealthy or aggressive. Even if you get lucky and get a good dog, you will have added to the profits of someone who is doing something wrong.
If you want a specific breed of dog, please make the commitment to find a reputable breeder. If that's a turnoff, consider getting a rescue dog. Or consider a shelter dog.
In fact, while we're on the topic, check this out. Here is also an important page about a friend's struggle to raise pups born to a basset that was bred carelessly. Lots of cute puppy pictures, but some hard life lessons, too:
Penelope and Her Pups
P.S. A little hint for a few of the more moronic people who have emailed my parents to inquire about breeding me: If you can't spell the breed name right, do you really have any business breeding dogs? Ponder that one.
Here's where my webpage counter went, back when it worked, and when anyone cared. The times, they have changed.
I have idea why there is text repeating below here. Enjoy the mess, people