Today it was supposed to rain.  Bucket down.  Wild winds and raindrops.  I had planned my entire to do list around the rain that was forecast for today.

Can you believe it was 25 degrees and one of the hottest days of the year. Not a drop of water in sight.  And, boy do my trees and lawn need a drop of rain. 

When we set off for the daily constitutional with Fortnum and Mason it was dark with rain clouds brewing but it’s as though we turned the corner and the sun came out.  It was less than ideal walking weather for our two furry friends but exercise they need and I wasn’t taking any chances in case the rain did arrive.

Walk is probably a bit of a euphemism where the bassets are concerned.  For them it’s just one long sniff.  They are after all breed to sniff and hunt by scent so it’s not a surprise that this is their favourite activity.  It’s just a balance between the sniffing and the walking that we need to get right.  It can otherwise be a tedious experience for the dog walkers even if the dogs are having the time of their lives.

It generally goes – lots of sniffing by both and then a bit of progress.  But usually it’s this.

One sniffing and one walking.  It still doesn’t lend itself to active progress.  This is what happens a lot.  And I mean a lot.  A dead stop for a full investigative sniff.

This is the sort of walking view I like.  Bottoms moving ahead and tails right up.  This means progress and sniffing. Perfect.

Until this happens.  We screech to a halt.

“Are you coming?” asks Fortnum.  Sheesh, as if I’m the one that does the malingering!

And so it goes on.  Sniff, stop, sniff, stop, sniff, stop.   Get the idea?

Usually little basset leads the way with Fortnum dragging his heels just to draw attention to himself.

Just look at those ears swing!

That’s my boys!