LOWDOWN Summer 2011 page 25

Rolf & Clara ☆ Another Tail

by Sally King

It’s true what they say about owning dogs, they really do help you to meet people.

Bassets, with their goofy faces, sad eyes and long ears have that “awww” factor that guarantees they make friends easily.

Of course, not everyone they meet becomes an instant fan. Take the lady at the local florist.

One morning I was out early with the hounds taking a longer route to the seafront, which involves walking down a street known for its boutique shops.

The florist was busy placing her wares outside for a pavement display - trays of bedding plants with their delicate blooms beginning to show; a rack of alpines with interesting foliage; and trays of seedling vegetables.

Then, just as we were drawing close, she came out with a potted tree. You know the sort of thing, immaculately pruned foliage and a decorative pot. But to Rolph, it was just a tree. She placed it on the pavement just as we passed; and Rolph, without breaking step, lifted his leg against it.

There was a shriek from the woman, to which Rolph responded with an offended look that clearly said, “It is a tree. What else am I supposed to do with a tree?”

The woman then laughed, but I decided not to stop and chat that day.

Then there was that nice lady at the travel agent and my cousin's new partner, Margaret.

My cousin had very kindly offered to accompany my elderly mother on a journey abroad to visit my sister. He and his partner took charge of all the arrangements, booking the airline tickets and checking her passport.

Margaret then posted the tickets and passport to me for safekeeping.

Worried I might misplace them, I put them on top of a box, on top of a chest beside my bed.

While both Rolph and Clara will steal anything edible, neither of them generally steal paperwork - although the loo roll does get shredded occasionally.

So there they were, in a safe place, tickets and passport, not needed until September.

One evening, instead of sitting with the hounds, I shut myself in my daughter's bedroom to help with a bit of revision.

THIS WAS NOT POPULAR - and Rolph clearly plotted revenge.

I walked out on to the landing and noticed my door open - and a lot of shredded paper on my floor.

I called Margaret. She was very nice about it. Then I visited the travel agent, who was very nice about it. They both asked if my "puppy" chewed a lot of things.

Thankfully the passport was just a bit damp and dented. And I still haven't told my mum . . . .

It’s true what they say about owning dogs, they really do help you to meet people.

Bassets, with their goofy faces, sad eyes and long ears have that “awww” factor that guarantees they make friends easily.

Of course, not everyone they meet becomes an instant fan. Take the lady at the local florist.

One morning I was out early with the hounds taking a longer route to the seafront, which involves walking down a street known for its boutique shops.

The florist was busy placing her wares outside for a pavement display - trays of bedding plants with their delicate blooms beginning to show; a rack of alpines with interesting foliage; and trays of seedling vegetables.

Then, just as we were drawing close, she came out with a potted tree. You know the sort of thing, immaculately pruned foliage and a decorative pot. But to Rolph, it was just a tree. She placed it on the pavement just as we passed; and Rolph, without breaking step, lifted his leg against it.

There was a shriek from the woman, to which Rolph responded with an offended look that clearly said, “It is a tree. What else am I supposed to do with a tree?”

The woman then laughed, but I decided not to stop and chat that day.

Then there was that nice lady at the travel agent and my cousin's new partner, Margaret.

My cousin had very kindly offered to accompany my elderly mother on a journey abroad to visit my sister. He and his partner took charge of all the arrangements, booking the airline tickets and checking her passport.

Margaret then posted the tickets and passport to me for safekeeping.

Worried I might misplace them, I put them on top of a box, on top of a chest beside my bed.

While both Rolph and Clara will steal anything edible, neither of them generally steal paperwork - although the loo roll does get shredded occasionally.

So there they were, in a safe place, tickets and passport, not needed until September.

One evening, instead of sitting with the hounds, I shut myself in my daughter's bedroom to help with a bit of revision.

THIS WAS NOT POPULAR - and Rolph clearly plotted revenge.

I walked out on to the landing and noticed my door open - and a lot of shredded paper on my floor.

I called Margaret. She was very nice about it. Then I visited the travel agent, who was very nice about it. They both asked if my "puppy" chewed a lot of things.

Thankfully the passport was just a bit damp and dented. And I still haven't told my mum . . . .

Cover of the Basset Hound Owners Club newsletter Lowdown

first published in LOWDOWN

editor Tony Roberts