Week 4 [February 20-28, 2012]

Getting Comfortable
So, I'm getting settled without my momma and my brother.  The humans only let me into the kitchen, living room and Mom and Dad's room.  But just when I was getting used to the layout of the rooms I have access to, the humans moved stuff around on me!  They completely rearranged the living room.

On the upside, I can look out the window now!  It is almost eye level with me.  But if I can get away with standing up to the window, I can see out.  And oh ... what's that over there?  Luke and Nemo are out!

I want out, too...

Growing Fast
So I really like the person they call Grandma.  She bought me my own bed to sleep in.  And don't get me wrong, I totally love to curl up in it.  But Mom, the lady of the house, says that she can't believe how fast I'm growing!  I mean, I get it ... I am a hungry little pup.  I'm growing and growing.  And I've grown so much, I've outgrown my bed.  Now what?

Bed Alternative
So with all this growth and no action to get a bigger bed, I've taken things into my own hands.  First, I tried just using the pillows that lay around.  For some reason, they didn't want to share!

That's fine.  I'll just sit on one of the couches with them.  Well, apparently ... they don't like that either.  But after being very persistant:  up, they pull me off, wait until they sit down, up... etc, I have found that I have won the battle and I'm comfortably cuddling on the couch with my new family!

Day 13 - We have neighbors!

Humans OK.  Need Dogs.
Don't get me wrong. I love hanging with my humans and they are my pack now.  However, every once in a while, a dog needs another dog.

I just don't get the TV thing.  It makes funny noises and every once in a while it barks.  Yes, it barks...  but it isn't a dog!

I need dog companionship   You know what I mean?  Someone that has the same interest as you - chases his tail, sniffs everything in site, chew on anything you can stick in your mouth ...

Then Mom says that since I got my shots, I can go on a play date.  I thought it would be more kids, but guess what??  Not one ... TWO dogs!  I couldn't believe my nose!

My New Buddies
So there's Luke.  He's so wise.  Just happy to be around everyone, but his human doesn't like him running so much.  I guess he hurt his leg chasing his brother around.  So he just stands wagging his tail with the humans.

Nemo is my main man.  He and I are going to get into so much trouble together!  He's a year old and knows all the cool stuff.  He let me chase after him and try to get a hold of his Frisbee.

He is so fast, though.  It's my Bassett legs that get the better of me.  I just can't run as fast cause there is too much of me!

So two dogs ... right next door!  Boy, am I tired, but oh did I have fun!

PS.  I had so much fun ... the next day, I wanted to lay in the sun, but I was too tired to even move my bed over into it!  Don't tell Mom!

Week 2 - Settled in but I have a problem.

I have a problem.
I like the bed that Grandma got me, but I can't fit in it with all my toys there.  I can't leave my toys out where someone could throw them or even worse ... what if the cats take it!

But then, even if I don't have my toys in the bed, I am starting to notice an even bigger problem...

Yes, that's a play on words.  I'm so smart.

So we know my momma was a  Bassett.  We may not know for sure what my daddy was, but there is no denying my Bassett self.

When the humans open the door for me, they have to watch they don't catch my tail and my backside in the door.  I have to admit that as I grow, my length is really starting to ... well ... become an issue.

That takes me back to the bed problem.  See if I try to sleep on it without curling into a ball some part of me is off of it.  Sometimes, I am so asleep, I forget where I'm at.  Then I end up falling off the bed!  So what am I?  Momma was a full blooded Bassett.  My humans question what my daddy was.  I don't know why I am so big ... it's just me.

Sick Day!  Woohoo!
[2/13/2012] Mom and Rachel didn't leave as early as they normally do today.  They say they don't feel good.  They were only gone for a little while before they came back.  They say they were at the doctor and he said they have strep throat.

Either way ... I'm glad they are home.  Me?  I got a hedgehog while they waited to get their medicine!

Day 7 - Loving Saturday Play

I've lived here a week now. I like this thing they call Saturday.  The humans have played with me all day.  They gave me a bone to chew on.

The play didn't stop with the humans or one of the cats.  Hannah came up with a new game!  She runs and I chase her.  She goes under the bed and I squeeze under with her.  She runs out the other side and back to the couch!  I had endless play with her today.  I'm not sure why the humans are yelling.  I think they must want to join in the fun, too!

Check out the cool thing I found I can lay my head on!  I think the cats scratch it, but that is OK.  I'm not picky.  I can just lay my head on it and ...

We did some laundry today.  I was told to stop helping.  They did let me keep one towel, though.  I can have it around just in case I miss my blanket that is in the crate.

Day 6 - How I spend time with the humans

I'm starting to get really attached to this family.  I just love Mom and want to be with her all the time.  If I stick myself to her, even while she is drying her hair, maybe she will stay home with me!  How can they do this every day before the sun is even up?

Let me tell you about the cats in my life.  The black one is named Sweeny.  He doesn't want anything to do with me.  He comes in, eats and sleeps.  Then he goes outside (his own choice).  Who knows what he does!

The other cat is named Hannah.  She loves to play that couch game all the time.  All I have to do is bark and she starts.  What fun!  I've started to play this game with Mom and Dad.  I can fit under the bed and so I crawl out to attack their feet.  Then I shimmy back under there!

Today, I learned to clean up after myself.  See?  Plus, if I put it all here; the cats won't walk off with it!

Day 5 - Vet and a Bed

I look awesome with my license and ID tag.  I jingle, though.  I'm starting to get used to this routine.  Everyone gets up really early . . . then I go out to the kennel.  The little humans - I am learning their names:  Liz and Rachel.  They both go to a thing called school.  The two big humans, called Mom and Dad go to a thing called work.

Mom tells me that I should be proud to wear the license and tag that clanks on my collar.  *AND* that visiting the neighbor and grandma are not acceptable.  But I'm friendly and I need some company...!

After a long day all by myself, I wind up in the thing with four wheels again.  We went to this place that smells of other dogs and cats.  This guy, Dr. Damen they called him, checked me all over.  I'm not sure I like him yet, but Mom and Dad seem to.

Dr. Damen said I am a healthy little guy.  Little?  HA!  I also weigh 28 pounds!

When we got home, Grandma was there.  She bought me a bed so that the cats could have theirs back! That's OK. Mine is a little bigger.  Ah...  this is the life.

Day 4 - Escaping the Kennel

Again! They left me in the kennel AGAIN!? And Grandma doesn't come help me out either. It's cold and there is snow.  Sure, I used to live with my momma outside, but I like it inside now...

I have to figure out something. Hmm... let's check each panel on this kennel. Maybe I can escape somehow.

Success! I found a hole I am small enough to squeeze through. Now to find a way into the house... OK. I can't reach the door knob.

Wait?! What is that noise? Ah... the neighbor is home! PEOPLE!

I keep trying to tell the lady that is called an Aide that I live next door, please let me in. All she does is keep asking me where I belong. Eventually, she finally takes me to my house. She keeps knocking on the door. Why not just open it?

Yes! Good idea, let's go to Grandma's house. She's there!

Left with Grandma. So what can i find to do in Grandma's house? I stayed there until Dad finally came home. He put me back in the kennel and went back down to Grandma's. That's OK, I know how to get out now.  I almost got away with it, but he found me half in/half out. Then he fixed the hole...

Me and My Nuk

When Mom came home, she brought me a thing she called a nuk to chew on. More toys ... Yay! Oh man, Grandma told on me. She also said the neighbor's aide wanted to know why I didn't have a license? Oh ... it came in the mail today? Woohoo! Can I wear it now? Huh, huh?

Man ... I am tired!

Day 3 - Learning Why People Don't Like Mondays

I swear I didn't chew that shoe!

Yes, I did take your shoe, but I swear I didn't chew it.

I don't understand why you all are up so early. Why can't I go with you to this thing you call work. Packs stick together, you know... I should go.

Do I really have to go out to the kennel while you are gone? I'm too little to be all alone.  Plus I'm just so darn cute...  Yep - They left me alone .. All day! What is up with that?

The thing called a kennel smells like other dogs.  Wait ... What's that noise?

Hey!  That's the lady they call Grandma ... I can hear her in her house. She keeps looking out the window at me.  So ... come out and play, please?

Absolutely nothing to do ... It seemed like forever until they finally came home. Did you bring me anything? Huh, huh? What do you mean I have to wait for my license to be mailed to me?

Day 2 - Fun Sunday

Well, I spent last night in this odd metal thing.  At least I was next to the two adult humans.  The two smaller humans call them Mom and Dad.  I guess that is what I will call them.  They gave me a nice, blue blanket to sleep on that they said is mine.  It is warm and fuzzy.  I like it.

I have two little playmates.  They got a bunch of toys they say are mine.  They keep throwing them and saying, "Fetch!"  Don't throw it if you want it ...

I found a bed that smells of cat.  I don't mind the smell so much as it is a bit small for me.  It is soft, though.  I think I will make it my own.

Speaking of the cat, the black one just stares at me and hisses.  The other multi-colored one loves to play.  She immediately runs under the couch when I come in the room.  Then she runs out at me before quickly going back under.  Oh what fun we're going to have!

Shew!  All this play makes me sleepy!

Bassett and loving it...

Day 1 - Hi, my name is Baxter.

[February 4, 2012]
Hi, my name is Baxter.  I watched my other 7 siblings be taken by various people until my brother and I were the only two of 9 left.  As long as I was with my momma, I was happy.

On February 4th, 2012, a lady stopped and knocked on the door to the house where the people would come out to feed us.  I introduced myself to the lady by sitting on her foot.  She and the people she was with were out encouraging people to read the Bible.  She talked to the woman on cruches for a bit.  When she and the people she was with tried to leave, we followed them to the thing with four wheels.  They kept getting in and then getting out to walk us back to the house.  What a game!

Later in the day, this same lady, her sister and a bunch of kids came to play again.  Then they put a brand new blue colar on me and attached a thing they call a leash.  I'm not too big of a fan of the leash thing.  The colar was stylish, though.  They began tugging on the leash to take me toward the thing with four wheels I had seen early.  I didn't like this new game.

Can I get out now?

Eventually, they gave up trying to drag me.  They picked me up and stuffed me in a basket with towels.  I cried and cried with my head on the shoulder of the lady.  She tried to calm me, but I couldn't see my momma!  Is this what happened to my other brothers and sisters?

The lady's sister said that she shouldn't show me to her mom and dad until I had a bath.  A what?!

Oh it was warm water ... but they took away my familiar smell.  They said I stunk.  I liked the rub down with what they called a towel.  All the attention was fun.  But ... Then they took a thing to me that blew hot hair.  WOA!

Clean and smelling like a thing called shampoo, we finally got some play time in.