Bassets have a a high intellect with a low boredom threshold.  This means that they lose interest in some of the most exciting things quickly.

Walks become mundane.  You can just hear the thoughts – ‘done that sniffing what else is there we can  do?’.  Last week we were taking one of our regular walks in the regional park and they decided it would be fun to detour from the usual walking path.  Here they are plotting their escape.

Fortnum and Mason mischief making

Yes, my brave bassets decided they’d walk the water pipe.  This is a massive water pipe close to the water pumping station that stands around 4.5 feet off the ground.  A little over basset height that’s for sure.

Mason led the way – he’s the bravest and smartest little basset we have. Just look at the way that front paw says confidence!

Mason the intrepid basset

Fortnum followed on, albeit a little more hesitantly.  He’s our brave adventurer basset who just doesn’t like heights.

Fortnum not so sure basset

But these basset boys travel as a pack – everything together.

Bassets on the pipe route

Even if Fortnum really would rather be closer to terra firma!

Fortnum on the move

All was going well till we got to the end of the pipe and there was no way off.  Agh, what do we do now?  We jump says little basset.

Mason coming down off pipe

It’s at this point both Fortnum and I have a small heart palpitation.  I leap to catch Mason on the descent before returning to man handle Fortnum back up the pipe to a more reasonable height where he could at least slide with some assistance to the ground.

You’ll forgive me if all this basset rescue wasn’t recorded.  I was a bit busy at the time.

Mason was very proud of himself.

Mason

I was pleased that they both survived their high jinx without an injury.  I’ll be making sure that we don’t take that more inventive, interesting and more challenging route again!