[Dailydrool] Demanding Bassets and "The Paw"

[L.K. Metzler]

There are FOUR of them at our house!  They always seem to catch us when we're wearing shorts or capris or even nightgowns, too.

Penelope started the trend quite a while back, but she used to just "pat" us with her paw and then sit in front of us doing her little happy dance with her front paws "tippy-toeing" back and forth and wagging her tail to beat the band.  Now she's a little more forceful and insistent with that pat, but still pretty gentle about it.  She'll also give us a good swipe with her big pink tongue, too.  Pen is a real lover, and usually just wants her head rubbed or her ears skritchec, but is always happy for whatever kind of treat you have, or just half of your lunch.

Somewhere along the line, Jasmine picked this little gimmick up, but put her own twist on it by adding a good "stomp" on the top of one of our feet and then dragging that big paw across it two or three times.  It's always an experience when she's just had her nails done, and I think she's "testing" them to see if they still work.  Her little legs are so short, though, that she can't do this sitting down, so she has to stand up to give us "The Paw and Stomp".  Then she sits down and gives her "I'm innocent" and "I'm so cute" looks while wagging that fat little tail ninety-to-nothing.  I'm still waiting for her to actually fly with that tail.

Pelly, our big boy who is already spoiled rotten to the core anyway, learned this little trick from his two sister, and now he gives "The Paw" whenever he wants anything from his nose rubbed to a cookie to a peanut butter cracker or his cheerios.  He does the classic "swat and scrape/scratch" move, but doesn't do the tail bit until after he's gotten what he wants.  He can be very persistent, and will do it several times to be sure he's gotten our attention.  Often, Pelly will also "Moooooo" for added effect, and it can get pretty comical at times.  If he doesn't get Mom's attention, he'll wander over to me, and then go back and forth between us until he gets whatever he wants.  After a while, even if he's gotten his cookie or whatever, he'll "drag" himself over to his pillow and give a big "humph" when he plops down.  I'm not sure, but I think he's trying to make us feel guilty.  Big baby!!

Addie-Lou Roo (who is *still* a baby kangaroo, only BIGGER) has been well-schooled by her older siblings, and has learned everyone's tricks very well, and will often combine several methods of "The Paw" at one time. Her own little twist is to put her nose up under an elbow or arm and bounce it or poke us in the side.  Needless to say, it's almost impossible to do anything with a nice cold and wet doggie nose in your ribs or armpit.....

I wonder if this isn't the universal Basset language.  I've never had another dog do this.

Funny Houndies!

Lisa Metzler


L.K. Metzler
San Marcos, TX   toppogigio at yahoo.com     "A dog wags its tail with its heart." - Martin Buxbaum     "If dogs could talk it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one." -- Andy Rooney 
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