[Dailydrool] Scrums, Baguettes and Custard Creams OH MY! - Basset Waddle happened today....

[Rebecca Stanton]

Today was the Chelmsford Basset Waddle and oh did we have fun.  It dawned gloriously sunny with blue sky and a light breeze.  Sally arrived with Rolph and Clara, and as usual Morse greeted both by trying to hump them within a few minutes - much to their disgust - Clara sharply saw Morse off and Rolph told him in no uncertain terms that that sort of behaviour was not acceptable.  We had a few group photos (I think there were around 40 bassets in attendance and all pretty vocal) and then we were off.  Minutes later Sally was entangled when a scrum broke out between a few bassets and a fiesty Alsatian.  Morse may have partly kicked it off by aggravating Rolph who then bumped into another, and all hell let loose.  In the middle of this Sally got wrapped up in various leads and Rolph broke loose, it was chaos.  I was no help at all and was doubled up with laughter.  The walk went along then fairly smoothly for a few hours with the usual grumbles along
 the way - - a few howls, a few rolls, a few stomping through puddles.  Morse went off by himself (with me in attendance) a couple of times through the woods, emerging to roll in a turd happily en route to the pack.  So we all arrive back at the starting point and its picnic time.  Sally brings from the car the various bags with food and hound stuff.  I didnt think anything about it until suddenly WHAM! - Sally is yelling ROLPH NO!! and sure enough Rolph has managed to drag a bag away from her and has swiped a baguette - chicken I believe - meant for Sally's mother who was very much looking forward to it - much pulling and tugging ensued, and a ragged piece of baguette was left, with Rolph munching happily on what he had managed to grab.  We sit down at the picnic table and Sally ties Rolp's lead to the table.  He is by my leg and gazing adoringly at the plastic box of sausages that I have brought out.  Morse and Clara also sit and watch, less
 pitifully though.  Sausages are handed out and all seems to be going well.  I have brought with me some hot coffee and custard cream biscuits to dunk.  Then from behind us a lovely little basset girl Hattie arrives for a sausage, and we are temporarily distracted.  What a mistake.  There is a sudden explosion between Sally and I, a glimpse of black fur, a swipe for the biscuits and WHOOOSH my box of custard cream biscuits is gone.  Rolph has struck again, so quickly I didnt even see it happen.  We managed to scrabble back about 4 custard cream biscuits, but he managed the rest - probably about 8 - he is an OEBE down to the last hair - absolutely adorable though, you cannot but help love that naughty face.  A great day.

Here is the link to some pictures! -
 
http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss191/cornishstumpy/basset%20waddle%20april%202009/?albumview=slideshow
 
Becky Morse & Pumbaa ATB x