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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>To the Mom who wants to know how to prevent her
basset from following his (her?) nose....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>As all of the others have said: get the
gate! make sure it is one that is attached to the door jam or wall.
You can get ones that have doorways in them to make life easier for you, but
beware! the dog may learn how to unlatch it or in the case of our Lucie (Devil
Dog) jump over it, using the top as a push-off point!</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But...bassets are "scent hounds" - built for
hunting rabbits, originally. It's what they do - follow their noses and if
there's food, well, so much the better. Even leather shoes are good to eat.
Wallets are a special treat!</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In the 30 some odd years that we've had one basset
at a time (we live in the city, on a smallish lot) they have all been counter
surfers - so we have "lost" cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, cookies, butter, pizza
slices, a tenderloin steak, pieces of cake, a whole bag of foil-wrapped
chocolates balls (promptly puked up), chocolate covered ginger (only ate the
chocolate; left the ginger on the carpet for us to step on), the meringue off
two custard pies, a chocolate easter egg (only the box was left - child did not
notice) countless chips, crackers, cheese, cold cuts - the list is
endless.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Since I am the primary (you might say, only, cook)
anything I leave on the counter is fair game, as far as the dog
is concerned.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Our current Basset, Lucie (Devil Dog!) is an
extraordinary surfer because she is very long and therefore, very tall re:
counters. She is relentless and as DH says, I am a slow
learner. Christmas, this year, has been a terrific opportunity for Lucie
to fatten up with all that butter being used for baking cookies etc.
Her personal favourite: cheese cookie dough - the best of both worlds! and
she cruises for dish cloths, tea towels, paper towels etc.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>All food has got to be awaaaaay back or tightly
covered.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Anyway, I could go on and on....but just get the
fence. You'll have "some" peace of mind. Ha
Ha Ha....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Karen & Lucie (Devil Dog!) ...more cheese
please!</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>