[Dailydrool] Clever bassets

[Elizabeth Lindsey]

Last night we turned off the tv and told our Elsinore and young  
Charlie what we always tell them at that time of night: "Time to go  
outside and take care of things one last time before bedtime."

Elsinore did what she's been doing lately--shot right into her crate  
and waited for her bedtime biscuit. Charlie did what he's been doing  
lately--continued to lie on his bed and give us a blank,  
uncomprehending look.

Ken herded them as far as the back entry, at which point I took over.  
Elsinore raced out the back door and down the ramp to the grass,  
where she did what can only be described as "speed-peeing." Then she  
tore back up the ramp, rocketed into her crate, and looked for her  
treat.

Charlie slowly plodded across the back entry, painfully made his way  
through the back door, and turned around on the doormat to stare at  
me forlornly for a long moment. Then he stepped into the dog house  
that covers the dog door entrance on the back deck and stood inside  
the dog house for about fifteen seconds before spryly popping through  
the dog door into the back entry as if he'd just come in from taking  
care of things in the backyard. He happily hopped into his crate and  
waited for his treat.

His subterfuge was very obvious and extremely clever. I was most  
impressed by it. Bassets only look slow and stupid. Believe that at  
your own peril.

Elizabeth