A Droopy-Eared Basset Pup Meets a Fluffy Pony Nose to Nose
On a small green lawn, a Basset Hound puppy with long, droopy ears sits very straight, and a fluffy cream pony leans down to meet him. Their noses are almost touching. The puppy's paws are tucked neatly under him and his big ears hang like soft curtains, while the pony's pale forelock falls over one eye. A wooden fence and a few flower pots frame the yard behind them. Everything about the moment says careful, polite curiosity.
Basset Hounds are scent hounds with one of the best noses in the dog world, which is why they love to sniff everything they meet. Their long ears help sweep scents toward the nose, and they tend to be gentle, laid-back and sociable. Because of their long backs and short legs, it's wise to keep them lean and to avoid making them jump from high places. Their ears need regular cleaning, so ask your vet about a routine. Horses and ponies also greet by blowing softly and sniffing noses, so this first hello is a lot like what they do with their own kind.
The Basset seems to be putting his best nose forward, and the pony is returning the favor. Neither side is in a hurry. It is the sort of first meeting that tells you a long friendship is about to begin.
