Thursday, January 24, 2008
Absent Friend

"There (is) clearly nothing left to do but flop ... and howl."

Until we meet again, my friend.

Friday, January 12, 2007
Sunbeam

Zoe loves to travel with us. But she is glad to be home from her adventure in Monterey. She was happy to see her sunbeam was right where she left it for her mid morning nap. All that travel takes a lot out of a hound!

Monday, December 4, 2006
Moosh Face

When you have a subject that is not as cooperative as you might like, sometimes bribery works.

Depending upon the subject, bribing them with a large meal of leftover Thanksgiving turkey has the added benefit of rendering the subject unconscious for hours on the sofa where, even the click of the camera inches from her face elicits no response whatsoever.

Sunday, November 5, 2006
Basset Tongue

Every once in a while Zoe likes to chime in with her two cents. This is her comment when I aim the camera at her. She caught the flash in her eyes a couple of times YEARS ago now she has a deep dislike of any camera. Usually I just get a dirty look out of her but today was something special!

Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Cat-Dog

So this is an example of our cat impression. Not so much the laying on the back, but the cleaning of the face with the paws.

Zoe is a good friend, and who would think that those nails and a leather sofa would go together? She's a good girl!

Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Basset in Repose

When I spin around in my chair when I am working at my computer in the evenings, this is what I usually see. My goal is to learn to be about half as relaxed as her. After-all she is a professional, I don't think I can ever aspire to a full level of basset relaxation. In fact, in humans, I think that's called a coma.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Birthday Hound

Today is Zoe's birthday! She is two years old!

Actually, since she doesn't really like to talk about her old life before we rescued her so we all agreed to celebrate her birthday on the anniversary of the day she came to live with us.

The birthday girl is enjoying a present sent from my Mom and Dad which arrived today, perfect timing! She also enjoyed a long walk in the rain (Which, under normal circumstances would result in an automatic bath, but not today!) and sitting on the floor eating Carrot cake and Hawaiian Pizza with us.

I can't believe it has been two years, but in some ways I feel like we have known each other forever. And, I sure can't imagine our lives without her!

It was a really good day!

Sunday, January 15, 2006
Doctor Zoe

This is Doctor Zoe.

You see, today her mom had an ear-ache, looks like the start of a nasty cold. But the good doctor here stayed by her side on the sofa most of the day.

This is the "What do you want? I'm taking care of Mom!" look.

She has good bed side manner, but she did get in trouble on more than one occasion for taking up more of the patient's bed than she left for the patient!

Wednesday, January 4, 2006
Basset Bassinet

Well, I was delayed in posting photos for the beginning of this month. But it was for a good reason! We were on our honeymoon! And, it was way too short!

Wouldn't want you to think we don't take good care of the hound when we are traveling. This was her spot in the room. She is used to flopping on the sofa or a big chair in our livingroom. So she was a little lost when we first got to the hotel. There was a rather large space under the door, and it was not exactly warm in Monterey this time of year so we did not really want her on the floor anyway.

Monday, December 19, 2005
Smiling Hound Dog

Some people say dogs can't smile.

I say they are not trying hard enough to give them a reason to.

Monday, December 12, 2005
The Cow

So I just woke up from a nap with the hound on the sofa to pick the photo of the day. And, it made me ponder this image of her and one of her favorite toys/pillows. What I'm wondering is do her eyes bug out like that when I use her for a pillow? I sure hope not!

Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Paw-Print of Approval

Well it's been a while since the muse appeared to give her paw print of approval. She says she particularly approves of the images she helped with. However, she is less fond of the ones that involve me leaving for the day to do this "work" thing.

This is her on a stone pedestal in a park in Monterey. She is about the coolest creature you could possibly imagine. I have never really had a dog of my own before, and I was not totally sure what to expect, but she is a real-life cartoon character in a Basset suit! She is truly a good friend, and you do not come by those very often.

I'm very thankful for Basset Hound and other rescues that save animals like Zoe. One of which was created and is run by my parents (which explains my love of animals).

Friday, April 15, 2005
Basset Pedestal

HAPPY TAX DAY!! (grrr)

Zoe loved Monterey. She made sure I didn't miss the golden light in the morning. She decided it would be a great idea to go on morning walks during our vacation... Really long walks... REALLY early in the morning! We went on long drives, we tasted new foods, we sat at cafes in Carmel and drank coffee. (well my best friend Sharyn and I drank coffee, Zoe got addicted to Coconut Macaroons.)

The cafes were a real treat because Santa Barbara, where we live, does not allow dogs even at outside eating establishments. (Which is enough to make me consider moving.)

• Zoe's Birthday Photo
• The Hound, Napping

Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Birthday Girl!!

Well I can't believe it has been a year! One year ago today, we brought Zoe home from the Ventura animal shelter. That would have been her last day, instead here she is, happy and healthy, a year later!

I have to tell you it was the smartest way to go if you want a dog. She was housebroken, and well trained. She did not chew on the furniture. She did not bark or whine all hours of the night. In fact, being a Basset Hound, she is about as close to the cartoon image of a dog you can imagine!

Don't get me wrong, I think we were exceptionally fortunate to find such a wonderful friend waiting for us. Most dogs will need an adjustment period moving into a new home. Although she was a great dog from the start, we are still seeing Zoe's personality blossom as she realizes she is no longer going to be hit or punished for everything she does. But getting a dog from a rescue can really help reduce the trauma on you, the dog and your favorite shoes. There are rescues for all types of breeds. We were watching the Shelter for hounds for the Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California when Zoe popped up.

You can see more pictures of Zoe here and you can read about her antics on her site and in the Newsletter of the BHRSC.

• Ventura Shelter
  This is where we found the hound!
• Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California
  The rescue where I volunteer, A good place to find dogs that have been tested in a more natural environment than a shelter. Many of their dogs are in foster homes and they can tell you a lot more about what you would be getting into with any particular dog.
• PetFinder.com
  Bassets not your breed? Not in Southern CA? This is the best place to find a rescue, and even a specific dog, near you!

Sunday, January 23, 2005
My Muse

So as I was looking for a picture to put up this evening I was reminded that it is Saturday night and that I should be flopping on the sofa, watching a movie. Who reminded me? My muse of course.

This is Zoe, my Basset Hound. She likes to sit on the sofa and stare at the back of my head and grumble when I spend too much time in front of the computer. These pictures are a little fuzzy because she is not very fond of the flash, so I usually get her with my little digital camera. (I get grumbled at for the flash too!)

Zoe was an early birthday present for me last year. I've loved Bassets for most of my life. But, until the beginning of last year, I lived in apartments that did not allow dogs. To get my recommended daily allowance of Basset, I have been volunteering for the Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California.

Zoe didn't come from BHRSC though. My best friend was watching the Ventura shelter for hounds that might need help (my birthday was only a month away, and she knew what I wanted. :) One evening Zoe popped up on their web site, she was a stray, and no one had come for her. The day we brought her home would have been her last.

Now, I have heard many comments about shelter dogs. "I don't want to adopt someone else's problems," "I want a puppy," "They are untrained and will make a mess in my home," "I want a pure bred dog" to name a few. Well, Zoe is about the most relaxed creature you can imagine. She plays like a puppy when I want to play, and curls up quietly by my feet when I am working. She is perfectly housebroken, (much more than you can say for any puppy). And she is pure Basset from her head to her toes (and that is about how long her ears are too.)

If you are looking for a four legged friend and still not sure you want to brave the shelters you should know that there are rescues out there for almost every breed you could possibly want. A good rescue will have dogs that have been in foster homes and have been tested in different situations so you know exactly what kind of companion you are getting. A good place to start to look for an animal in your area is PetFinder.com.

By the way, I inherited my love of animals from my parents who run their own dog rescue in Indiana. They specialize in Pomeranians, but will not turn away any creature in need. I am just waiting for the day a hurt skunk wanders into their yard, The dogs will love sharing their kennels with him! (Of course, there are even rescues for them.)

Right now though, I am being paged again from the sofa. You can read more about Zoe and see more pictures at her site, ZoesDiary.com.