Dudley's Days

Dudley Live!

2007-09-27T21:21:00.000-04:00

I'm experimenting with uploading videos. Hope it works.

Kent Falls State Park

2007-09-27T21:16:00.000-04:00

We took Dudley to Kent Falls State Park for the day last weekend. He had lots of fun hiking through the trails and checking out the waterfalls at different levels. He tried following us into the water at one point, but only by stepping over stones (and falling off them). We went into town later for lunch, and Dudley got to sit on the sidewalk and visit with passers-by.

Woofstock 2007 - Part Five

2007-09-27T20:44:00.001-04:00

Harvey

Harvey deserves his own blog post! He is an eight year old basset (approximately) from California. He was found tied to a fire hydrant, and is now in loving care of people in Rhode Island. Anyway, during the agility demonstration, he came right up to me and sat down and allowed me to rub his belly for quite a while! Dudley was too busy barking to notice.

Woofstock 2007 - Part Four

2007-09-27T20:41:00.001-04:00

Active Bassets

There were lots of events for all the hounds in which to participate, including a relay race, a curious maze, and an agility demonstration. Dudley was particularly impressed with the agility demonstration and barked the whole time. So spoiled.

Woofstock 2007 - Part Three

2007-09-27T20:37:00.001-04:00

Some Bassets of Note

Woofstock 2007 - Part Two

2007-09-27T20:34:00.001-04:00

Long Ears Were Had By All

Dudley got to meet bassets of all shapes and sizes. As common as the features are in this breed, it's amazing how different and distinct they all look. But try to tell which one is Dudley in the first picture!

Woofstock 2007 - Part One

2007-09-27T20:23:00.000-04:00

Woofstock!

We took Dudley a couple weekends ago to his first Woofstock event. This is an annual event (usually it happens in May) that benefits the New England Basset Hound Rescue. This is a great organization that does much good to place abandoned basset hounds with loving and caring owners. Please consider buying a t-shirt from them, or making a donation!

The event kicked off with the Basset Waddle Through the Woods. When we drove up to where the event was happening near the lake in Sturbridge, Mass., you could see the many wagging tails of basset hounds as we rounded the hill. Dudley was quite taken with seeing so many basset hounds, and so were we! It's really something to see around 150 bassets all sniffing around and being their lovable selves.

The Waddle was attended by all the bassets and their owners, and consisted of an approx. 1/4 mile hike through the woods. All the puppies were in the front of the pack (Dudley insisted on being the first of course), and all the older pokey plodders rounded out the end. All that was missing were some rabbits. Some of the older chubbier bassets had to be carried over the finish line.

Frolicking in the Garden - Summer 2007

2007-07-22T11:53:00.001-04:00

Henry and Logan Stop By

2007-07-22T11:51:00.001-04:00

Dudley's buddies from down the street, Henry and Logan, stopped by. They had just been to the arts festival in New Haven where they had their faces painted. Dudley didn't seem to mind! Click for a larger view.

Dudley goes to Boston (continued)

2007-06-08T19:41:00.000-04:00

So this is what would happen if we walked too much at once. Dudley tried to keep up mostly, but when he got tired he would just stop walking and lie down in the middle of the sidewalk. This was in Beacon Hill. Next time we are definitely bringing a wagon to carry him around, since bassets aren't known for their long distance endurance record.

Dudley goes to Boston (continued)

2007-06-08T19:40:00.001-04:00

Waiting for the T to Cambridge.

Dudley goes to Boston (continued)

2007-06-08T19:34:00.000-04:00

These shots were taken in Cambridge Commons.

We spent a lovely afternoon just walking around Cambridge, and hanging out in the park mostly.

I read Tintin in Tibet while sitting in the park, which is highly recommended (both reading it, and reading it in a park)!

A walk in the park

2007-06-08T19:30:00.000-04:00

We went for a walk in the Boston Commons past the swan boats, and down to the Charles River for a restful afternoon hanging out and people watching. There were over 50 sailboats in the Charles, all with white sails, swarming about most of the afternoon. That's Bob in front of the Arthur Fiedler statue.

Scenes from the Hotel

2007-06-08T19:26:00.000-04:00

We stayed at a dog friendly hotel in the financial district. It's a great hotel, very accommodating for dogs, but not the greatest location. There isn't much going on during the weekend, and not many restaurants. It's not far from Beacon Hill though.

When we walked in there was a little sign next to a bowl of biscuits welcoming all the dogs with reservations.

We spoiled Dudley by letting him on the bed, but there wasn't a couch so what are you going to do?? He really liked the bed, but luckily that was soon forgotten when we returned home.

Dudley goes to Boston

2007-06-08T19:20:00.000-04:00

We took Dudley for a long weekend in Boston for Memorial Day weekend. He did extremely well, and took pretty much everything in his stride. His major hurdles were walking over grates and riding in the elevator, both of which he was doing without a problem by the time we left. He also had to figure out it was ok to poop on concrete :)

We took him to Quincy Market on the first day, and strolled around the hoards of tourists. Faneuil Hall was a relatively short walk from the hotel. He didn't mind the crowds at all, but that's no surprise!

The Garden in Winter

2007-06-08T19:15:00.000-04:00

The garden in Winter. I included a summer shot for comparison. The pond spent quite a few days almost completely frozen over. Luckily the fish did fine and emerged from their cave in the Spring.

Guest Appearances

2007-06-08T19:10:00.000-04:00

Complimentary kitty photos. Philbert enjoys reclining on the new tempurpedic bed.

Good for the back! Sal has taken to lounging on top of my dresser.

Fireside

2007-06-08T19:09:00.000-04:00

Back safe inside enjoying a warm fire.

Bassets in the snow

2007-06-08T19:06:00.000-04:00

More action shots in the back yard.

I have to admit I threw some snow on his face for the first shot.

Playing the snow - what there is of it!

2007-06-08T19:01:00.000-04:00

These were actually taken in March after the final snowfall of the season. I was a little late, but wanted to be sure to get some snow action shots! You can see it was only a dusting though.

Dudley really loves the cold weather. He loves to go for long walks no matter how freezing it is. He also enjoys climbing over snow mounds created on the side of the road. I'd say his Tennessee roots don't go too deep!

Double bloom on the lily pad

2006-09-05T22:05:00.000-04:00

More shots of the side garden

2006-09-05T21:49:00.000-04:00

Bob's Award Winning Shot

2006-09-05T21:42:00.000-04:00

Summer 2006 garden in full bloom. Bob entered this photo in the 'gorgeous gardens' contest in our local newspaper and won!

Before and After

2006-09-05T21:40:00.000-04:00

Shot of our summer garden project on the side of the garage.

Poses with Daddy

2006-09-05T21:38:00.000-04:00

Digging in the sand

2006-09-05T21:34:00.000-04:00

Like most dogs I'm sure, Dudley enjoyed digging around in the sand. Maybe to bury a bone? He was using both his front paws to dig, and kept falling face first into the hole. Lots of sand in the snout and mouth, but it was too much fun to mind!

Testing the Water

2006-09-05T21:31:00.000-04:00

This wasn't Dudley's first encounter with the water, but this was his first with the ocean. We took him to the harbor side earlier in the day to see how he'd like it. He enjoyed running up and down the beach and did a cannonball into one of the shallow tidal pools. The water came up to his belly and he waded back to shore. He didn't seem to mind getting wet, but he wasn't really interested in swimming.

In the Kitchen

2006-06-25T23:42:00.000-04:00

New Crate

2006-06-25T23:39:00.000-04:00

Third crate upgrade in as many months, and he's outgrowing this one already! That is, if he sleeps sideways in it, which he does.

Doesn't Like the Camera Much

2006-06-25T23:36:00.000-04:00

Dudley at Five Months

2006-06-25T23:35:00.000-04:00

Someone is getting big! He's currently up to 31 lbs, but he was about 28 in these pictures.

Graduation Ceremy

2006-06-25T23:32:00.000-04:00

Dudley got a certificate and a little orange stuffed teddy bear for completing his basic training course. He still likes the teddy bear, and it's gotten quite slobbered.

Puppy Graduation

2006-06-25T23:30:00.000-04:00

These were some of Dudley's buddies from Kindergarten, including a french bulldog (forget his name!), Mr. Jiggles the pug, and Mavis a basenji.

Puppy Kindergarten

2006-06-25T23:24:00.000-04:00

We took Dudley to a six week intro. to basic training course. There were about 8 other puupies in the class. Dudley did very well, and learned the basics of sitting, lying down, heeling, and coming. Everything worked fine as long as there was food involved! He got quite a bit distracted by the other puppies, but did very well all things considered (of course I'm extremely biased).

Philbert!

2006-05-07T23:04:00.000-04:00

Philbert needs a blog too.

Some more shots around the house

2006-05-07T23:03:00.000-04:00

Trying on new snood

2006-05-07T23:02:00.000-04:00

Looks a little silly, but keeps ears out of the mud on rainy days.

A lazy spring afternoon

2006-05-07T23:00:00.000-04:00

Easter 2006

2006-05-07T22:55:00.000-04:00

Sleepy in the Crate

2006-04-11T22:39:00.000-04:00

New Doggie Bed

2006-04-11T22:25:00.000-04:00

Took Dudley a few tries to get used to climbing out of his new bed. His back end gets stuck and he (cleverly I thought) grabs the side of the bed with his teeth and uses his front as leverage to literally drag his rump out of the bed. That happened the first couple times, though. Now he's jumping in and out like an old pro.

We started training exercises today as part of his puppy kindergarten class. You have to hold a treat up to your face and say 'Yes' which is the mark word. This is followed by saying his name, then when he looks at you (and not the treat), you say Yes and give him the treat. We did it about 45-50 times in 3 different sessions today. Towards the last session he was literally resting his head on my lap while he was looking up at me. Someone needed a nap I guess!

Visiting Bob's Office

2006-04-11T22:21:00.000-04:00

Nice to have long hallways to run up and down.

Dudley's Walk in the Park

2006-04-11T22:15:00.000-04:00

We took Dudley to Edgerton Park on Sunday, which was his first official excursion into any park. I thought he would really dig it, but I think it was a little overwhelming for him. Lots of new things to smell and explore, so he kind of took his time taking it all in. He met lots of friendly people, all accompanied by the puppy-like wagging of the tail. We didn't spend too long, even though it was a beautiful day. Someone was quite pooped on returning home.

2006-03-29T22:40:00.000-05:00

Better shot of the sunbathing ritual.

2006-03-29T22:36:00.000-05:00

Not such a good idea putting the toy basket on the floor.

2006-03-29T22:35:00.000-05:00

It's so comfortable in here.. give me a minute!

2006-03-29T22:34:00.000-05:00

2006-03-29T22:32:00.000-05:00

Playing with Daddy's new fiesta ware bowls.

Sunbathing ritual

2006-03-20T22:52:00.000-05:00

This didn't come out very well, but this is a typical sunbathing episode in the afternoon. The ears feel better when resting horizontally.

The Squirrel

2006-03-20T22:47:00.000-05:00

The squirrel is evil and must be punished. And basically anything that can be bitten, including noses.

Meeting Auntie Anne

2006-03-20T22:45:00.000-05:00

Doing a Dance

2006-03-20T22:44:00.000-05:00

Who is this ridiculous puppy anyway?

First Contact

2006-03-20T22:42:00.000-05:00

Predictably, Sal is the first to make peaceful contact with the new puppy. He's been jumping into the room quite frequently, then getting scared off when Dudley runs over to him to try to play. Both seem determined to discover each other further, always supervised by Daddy of course!

Some favorite things

2006-03-20T22:40:00.000-05:00

Discovering the kitchen

2006-03-20T22:38:00.000-05:00

This is the standard pose whenever one of his daddies is in the kitchen. If it's lunch or dinner time, he will be licking his chops also. Tail is wagging but you can't see it.

It's always nice to see what's going on in other rooms, especially ones you're not supposed to go in!

Learning how to bark

2006-03-16T22:54:00.000-05:00

So...very...tired.

The kitchen is now part of my domain -- soon all of it will be mine!

Someone is getting bigger by the day! About two days ago, Dudley learned how to jump up on the 16" high wood divider in the dining room so he can peek into the kitchen. He will start to practice barking and wag his tail if someone is in the kitchen. This continues until you enter the dining room. Classic puppy manipulation! His bark is pretty loud, and he even seems to startle himself while he's doing it.

He also does this when I'm preparing his lunch. He'll bark quite happily and lick his chops watching me. I like to think he's learned to sing for his food.

Dudley went on a big car ride to his Daddy's office today, so he was pretty pooped when I got home. A friend came over to see him, but he ended up curled up on my lap after a little bit of playing.

Day Four (cont'd)

2006-03-13T23:19:00.000-05:00

Day Four

2006-03-13T23:18:00.000-05:00

Someone likes the sunny patch on the floor... and yes, my ears are very big.

Days Two - Three (cont'd)

2006-03-13T23:15:00.000-05:00

Taking a nap while the other Daddy reads information about basset hounds sent by the breeder, including poisenous plants to avoid.

Days Two - Three

2006-03-13T23:12:00.000-05:00

Someone is taking to his new daddy. Dudley turns out to be sweet tempered, but outgoing and curious and highly sociable. So when he squiggles for us and licks our face, it's nothing special, since everyone gets this treatment! He spends the first night in his playpen (with me on the couch next to him) without a peep. He really likes to sleep.

Greetings

2006-03-13T23:07:00.000-05:00

Dudley arrives safe and sound, but a bit star struck. Daddy greets puppy for the first time (other Daddy is stuck behind a counter taking this picture).

Waiting for Dudley

2006-03-13T23:03:00.000-05:00

Overeager parent with bag of items in preparation for greeting Dudley, including Budda cow, chlorox wipes, paper towels, leash and collar. Monks of New Skete book on raising a puppy in the car. Where's the busy bee??

Day One

2006-03-13T22:50:00.000-05:00

This is where Dudley arrived from Tennessee. He missed his connection in Atlanta, so he was about two hours late.