Living with basset hounds I tend to forget there are other dogs in the world. Of course I know there are other dogs in the world it’s just I don’t think any other dogs have the character and slobbering ability as my two hounds.   But oh how wrong I am.
Although it was the annual basset hound walk there were some friendly interlopers who I couldn’t keep my eyes off. This St Bernard was build like a small pony but with perfectly formed dog characteristics. He was a total delight and he’s Fortnum’s new best friend. According to Fortnum that is!
In all the excitement I never did find out his name. That in itself tells a story. Everyone knows who Fortnum and Mason are as their names get yelled about every 2 minutes when they are out walking. Usually to hurry up, stop sniffing, go this way, go that way, slow down, stop chasing the bicycle, don’t jump up…. I think you get the picture.
This dog was serenity itself. No rushing around or disgusting sniffing and eating of unmentionable things. Just a dog that loves to walk and then swim in the river.
The down side of being a St Bernard’s friend is that this dog can swim in deep rivers which basset hounds can’t. Instead they’ll just hang around on the bank after they’ve followed suit and found themselves much deeper than their paws will allow.
This is Bertie, Fortnum’s former new best friend.
And Saffie a lovely old lady basset who wasn’t having any truck with disobedient bassets like mine.
The bassets enjoyed their day out with the dogs although I think they came to realise that being a basset always means being the back markers of the dog walking pack.
Fortnum was only one step ahead of a very old basset called Maggie. He really should be ashamed of himself. A young fit bassets almost being out done by a lady. Whatever next.