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<p class=MsoNormal>Many years ago, we (me, my DH, 2 kids and 2 bassets) moved
into our current house and lived with my parents. The house is a huge old
farm house with more than enough space for us all to live peaceably and
comfortably. My parents had a mini-doxie at the time. She was great
with my kids and she and the bassets got along fine. However, she never
forgave me for bringing the two bassets into her domain and every time I got
out of the car in which I had transported the bassets, she would come out and
nip me on the heels. She was “tightly wound”, shall we
say, and when my kids’ friends came over, she had to be restrained so she
wouldn’t nip at them. She simply did not take kindly to *<b>anyone</b>*
coming into her house – outside was fine, but not inside. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>My parents spent part of the year in Texas back then and as
Ginger got old, she didn’t like to travel and didn’t tolerate the summer
heat in Texas so she stayed home with us. When my parents were gone, she
loved me – and stuck to me like glue. But she always punished me
for a week after they left – puddles and poops in the house,
barking/yipping at odd hours, etc. One evening, as I was “locking
up” for the night (we have 8 outside doors!), I was walking through our
den and saw a dark spot on the floor. I was in my jammies and bare feet –
walked over to turn on a light, with my toes about an inch from the spot on the
floor, saying all sorts of bad words about Ginger pooping on the floor –
turned on the light and the “spot” moved – it was
BAT! I carefully backed away from it and put a wastebasket over it. Got
DH out of bed – he was no help – so I called “Bat Man” –
really! I called the sheriff’s department and since the bat was not
acting normal (on the floor, alive but not moving) they gave me the number of
an animal control officer who came out at midnight that night and took the
bat. Yep – it was rabid – and my toes were only an inch
away! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Another time, one of the kids accidently let a chipmunk into
the house. The mini-doxie and my two bassets literally tore my house
apart chasing that critter. Furniture tipped over, drapes ripped off the
walls, carpeting tore up – we opened all eight doors and the little guy
ran out – but so did the dogs – so then we had to corral
them. What a mess! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I was sad when Ginger went to the Bridge, but they are too “terrier-like”
for me – besides, I already have one terrier – my DH!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Sandi Wittenberg - Red Bay Bassets<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>sandi@redbaybassets.com<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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