Posted on 11/20/2013 10:10:17 PM PST by Usagi_yo
I rescued a basset hound late one Sunday afternoon (2 1/2 weeks ago). He was in the middle of a busy road and cars where honking and driving around him. I pulled over to the side and got out to get him. He almost jumped in my arms when I got close. When I opened the passenger door, he went in without hesitating. He's a beautiful dog, probably young adult (but I'll find out tomorrow from the vet), pure bred.
Now the questions ....
The dog nick name 'stinky' registering as Ulysses. Despite that I've nick named him stinky he doesn't smell, he was very very cleaned and very very well groomed and was wearing a knit sweater. His ears were spotless inside and out and he had no eye gunk, his nails are trimmed. No fleas no ticks and NO TAG.
My sisters say he's abandoned. Being that well groomed with no tags and wearing a sweater. Plus he won't leave my side. I've been to every Vet, Pet store and Grooming places. Nobody knows who's dog it is. I've also walked him on a leash around the area I found him (mixed residential & light industrial). He doesn't lead me to any particular house or area. I've also been to the county animal shelter and checked for chips ... none. I left my name and #, but nobody has called in 2.5 weeks. I don't do flyers because of some previous problems from doing that, but I do check for 'lost dog' flyers but haven't seen one for him.
So, I'm going to keep him. Tomorrow we go to the vet to get checked out, and then chipped. He's adorable and his personality is like he was made for me. He's smart, knows that food comes out of the fridge and even knows that food comes in the driver side window at Duncan Donuts. He won't go out or in a door unless I do, knows all the tricks for leaving them behind and will have none of it, and he wakes me up in the morning by dragging my clothes and sometimes shoes into bed with me, and starts biting me for fleas (hard to describe, it's more nibble nibble nibble), like eating an ear of corn, up and down my arms and legs.
I guess I'm bragging on such a good dog I found, my question to you is:
Do you think he was abandoned?
The reason you inherited a Basset Hound is because they’re hounds. They use their long ears while chasing to ‘scoop’ up scents for their nose to interpret.
Their job is to track, and they were bred to short legs to get them through the bushes and thickets.
Like Beagles, they will track whatever scent they waft, and will be gone, and those that find them on their property (fish guts, deer parts, dead squirrels) will call the vet # on their collar.
Adopt a runaway, expect to chase a runaway. And I love Bassets.
Good luck, with a tall strong fence.
No. I do not think so.
I own a basset. They are hounds, they follow their nose. This nose tends to track scents much better than their legs can carry them. Then, they nap. When they wake up. Well, they don’t really remember where they are.
They are generally great dogs, it does not shock me at all that it went right to you. They are very very friendly.
Take care of him, but keep looking for his owner. Sadly for you, they will likely turn up. They could be a ways away from where you found him.
Just be ready for the chance that you will have to give him back.
You write that he was in the middle of a busy road, and wearing a sweater, so that leads me to believe he was well cared for and that he either escaped, got lost or like you have to conclude, was dropped off for some unknown reason.
Sounds to me like you have a wonderful friend for life!!!
God bless and keep you both.
Bassets are the clowns of the dog world, full of love and comedy. My family had Bassets for forty years and there is no sound I like more than their baying. You would think they would be slow with those short legs but don’t underestimate them. We had one that was an escape artist, he would take off for night time strolls and then knock at the front door at two in the morning asking to be forgiven and let back in.
Maybe he is the (bassett) hound of the baskervilles! LOL!
Post a pic of your new doggie!
Someone dropped him off from a car.
You were the first friendly face after that.
Give him some scritches and head pats for us.
here is ours. we’ve had him a year now. his legs are longer than most, it’s likely why the breeder gave us a smoking deal on him. 250 with papers.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1xsgxc3sbn19b6a/2013-07-25%2015.32.27.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y4nw0qnbw4xnekq/2013-07-14%2020.22.02.jpg
The Basset’s owner might be so tired of the runaway drama that they might say fine, go find what your heart wants.
These are great dogs, they just track as they were bred to, and it’s nothing personal to the family who bought, cared for, and now are missing. Bassets weigh in around 70 lbs, and with the low clearance, can wander for 50 miles chasing that fox, or lynx.
I own one. he can’t go 50 miles or even 5.. one lap around the block and he’s out of gas. he’s just over a year old.
They are made for tracking no doubt, and that is how they find themselves lost. But covering 50 miles? um no.
70 lbs is also normally a very over weight basset.
“I’m bragging on such a good dog I found”
And he is saying to his internet friends “I’m bragging on such a good human I found”
Just keep him and enjoy.
Aw. He’s yours!
I’m with you, he should keep him but be aware of missing/lost dog ads in case he has to return him.
Pic he posted looks more like a Beagle/Basset mix.
They are wonderful hounds, and truly hilarious. But never forget that you have a hunting hound. There is no training and no logic or love or inducement that is going to stop him from pursuing a rabbit that crosses your property. An electric fence is not going to stop him—most hounds will just grit their teeth and go through the electric fence because they think the shock isn’t as important as chasing down that fascinating squirrel or something. Put up a regular fence and make sure it’s secure so that someday he doesn’t un off and get picked up by somebody else.
He doesn’t sound abandoned but it sounds like you’ve done everything you can to find his owner. You must be meant for each other.
Eastbound and down - loaded up and truckin' ...
We're gonna do what they say can't be done ...
We've got a long way to go ...
And a short time to get there ...
I'm eastbound - just watch ol' Bandit run ...
A healthy, expensive, well cared for, sweater wearing dog, just abandoned? I don’t think so.
Someone responsible enough and cares about the dog enough to put a sweater on it is not going to just kick in out of the car in the middle of a city somewhere. Maybe ran away/lost but not abandoned.
2 1/2 weeks is kind of late for this, but did you check the local papers or put in an ad yourself in lost/found or pets? Those are usually free.
It sounds like you got a GREAT dog. It obviously belonged to somebody hence the sweater. However, it sounds like you’ve done everything you can do to find the dog’s owner, and there is nothing more that can be done. I found my dog wearing a collar years ago, but the SPCA said no one had called looking for her. We drove around the park where we found her, and people said she was just running around. She too jumped right in the car and has been a good dog. She’s an old girl now and has had two recent strokes, one just two days ago, but I love her and hope the Lord lends her to me a while longer. Good luck with your dog.
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