Zoe the Bassset Hound here. Have you ever had one of those days... and then have it last for months? You have one accident on the floor and it sets off a whole chain of events.

Well let me back up. The Fourth of July someone piddled on the floor in the bathroom. Both Mom and Dad say it was me but it'll never hold up in court! Anyway... Read More in the Basseteer Page 2

I got a really yummy response to my last article (Nothing Like Home Cookin' - April Basseteer) and I wanted to share it with you... Read More in the Basseteer Page 2

Hi All, Zoe the Basset here. Ever wonder what's in that evil canned shaped mass called "dog food." I have, and my Basset nose has always said "You want me to eat that? You're kidding!" Well sadly we Bassets, gourmands that we are, were right. Our brothers and sisters have paid the price of the pet food industry putting profits ahead of our safety... Read More in the Basseteer Page 2

Hey All, Happy New Year! Zoe the Basset here, back from assignment in Monterey/Carmel, CA.

Just got back from vacation with my Mom, Dad and little bird brother. (Just like a little brother he has to go wherever I go.) Wow all the new smells and sights. I went for such long walks I didn't want to go outside again for days. It's so nice the hotel can provide me with my own... Read More in the Basseteer Page 2

Hi Everyone, Zoe E. Heller here. Are you a creature of habit? Or do you like a little variety in your daily routine? Me I'm all for variety when it comes to sniffing out new parks, beaches, trees and bushes. But I don't like the unexpected type of variety. I suspect all you other Bassets are the same.

So begins my story... Read More in the Basseteer Page 2

Happy 2nd Birthday To Me! It's been 730+ days with my new family. I can't believe it. So many things have happened since; so many vacations, new places and people and such good food... Read More in the Basseteer Page 5

I have a new family!

If you have been around the Basseteer for a while, you probably have read about my adopted family and how I found them looking for me at that shelter place. I have never been so happy as the day I realized this new family was gonna be a permanent thing. Or so I thought! ... Read More in the Basseteer Page 1

Bassets have big dreams! I'm not talking about the what-I-want-to-do-with-my-life kind. I don't really get that whole thing! If you want something you do it, or ask the food slaves for it. No, I'm talking about the night-time kind. The kind that sneak up on you when you are having a good flop.

Some of my most common dreams involve running. I have done some extensive sniffing into the subject, and I have found that I am not alone. We love to run in our sleep, and we are usually on the trail of something good. But, sometimes... Read More in the Basseteer Page 5

Hi everyone, Zoe here! This Spring marked my very first birthday! It has been one year since Mom and Dad came and rescued me from that smelly old shelter. And what a birthday it was! ... Read More in the Basseteer Page 6

Congratulations to Tami and Happy Birthday to Walter's new baby sister. Aaaarrroh! It's almost my birthday too. Yep. It has almost been a year since my Mom and Dad adopted me from the pound and gave me a new birthday of March 29.

I can't imagine what my Mom and Dad have in mind for my “big day." They just keep whispering and smiling at me when they talk about it... Read More in the Basseteer Page 1

I like Christmas, it is a fun time of year - especially getting to smell all the smells! There are so many that even my people can smell them (poor olfactory-challenged creatures that they are).

It is interesting smelling all of the decorations, presents and even dad's feet when he gets home from shopping. It is so cute how Mom and Dad think they can get me something and, just because they wrapped it in a little paper, keep it a surprise until I get it... Read More in the Basseteer Page 3

One of the things a Basset needs to do when adopting a new family is get used to their strange quirks. It is inevitable that, as smart and loving as they can be, people have some annoying habits that are seemingly impossible to break. But, through careful training and patience, a Basset can reduce these annoyances and create a relaxing and harmonious environment for the whole family.

For example, I am working with my dad to help cure him of a really bad habit he has. Don't get me wrong, I love my new family! I would not trade them for anything, but when dad starts using four letter words around me it really offends my delicate hound sensibilities. Now I could get mad, or tinkle on his foot when he starts this unacceptable behavior, but I find my approach much more satisfying... even fun.

One of the most effective tools a Basset can use is denial of basset affection. When dad starts saying things like “Come” I usually give him a good view of my tail and wait until he stops saying such offensive things. On the other hand, “Stay” seems to require a slightly different approach.... Read More in the Basseteer Page 2

Lost. Cold. Lonely. Scared. To top it all off, I was really hungry.

My days as a homeless Basset were filled with walking, sniffing, wondering how my family got lost and how I am going to find them. Are my people looking for me? Are they OK? How long will I have to eat out of garbage cans and hide from the noises at night?

People yell at me to get out of their trash, they chase me with brooms, someone turns the hose on me. At least I got the dirt washed off, but now I am cold! I don't have a bed or a blanket, much less a sofa to curl up on. What am I going to do if I am confronted by bigger dogs? My ear still hurts from the last one that bit me.

One day a man in a uniform comes by, he seems much nicer than everyone else. Is he here to tell me where my family is? I feel something slipping around my neck and despite my struggling, I am put in a small box on a truck. My next stop will be the Ventura Animal Shelter. "But, you don't understand," I try to say, "this is not my home!"

Some people say dogs can't smile. My dad says those people never gave one a reason to!

It is not so bad here, I convince myself, I have a blanket, my own space, I am finally safe at night. The food is terrible though; it's hard, my teeth really hurt, and I'm soooo hungry. The other dogs here are really sad. There's a lot of crying. The Lab down the row was left there by his family because he is sick, he cries all the time. I'm not making any friends here; It's every dog for himself.

Sometimes people come by and all the dogs get excited and wag their tails and bark. I don't know why they do this, but being a Basset, I never follow the crowd... so I take a nap in my sunbeam.

Occasionally a dog "disappears". The other dogs say he was either lucky or unlucky. I don't know what that means either... so I take a nap in my sunbeam.

It's been days now and my family is still lost, how will they ever find me here? No one is asking to see me and I am starting to worry. What if no one ever comes? What if I don't get food I can eat soon? Will I be unlucky too!?

That is how my old life ended; little did I know I was one of only a fortunate few to have a new life waiting in the wings... Read More in the Basseteer Page 6