Somebody Sampled the Pie Before Dinner and Left a Clue

A dab of whipped cream sits on the end of a Basset Hound's nose, and his big, droopy eyes look right into the camera. The tricolor hound stands with his front paws up on the counter beside a golden pie with a slice cut out. Papers, a dish towel and a bowl are scattered around a kitchen lit by a warm lamp. Somebody's dessert has been sampled before the guests arrived.

Basset Hounds are patient, sweet-tempered dogs with a famous nose, second only to a Bloodhound in scent ability. They were bred to follow trails close to the ground, so they cannot resist a good smell, and a fresh pie is the best smell of all. Their long ears and short legs give them charm and a reputation for being stubborn. Dessert is not great for dogs, because sugar, butter and some ingredients like nutmeg, chocolate or raisins can be harmful, so call your vet if he took more than a lick.

Basset Hounds gain weight easily, so safe treats like a small piece of carrot are better. Keep pies cooling on a high shelf and away from counter edges.

With that cream on his nose, there is no use denying it. He wears the look of a hound who regrets nothing and wants to know when dessert is served.