The Laundry Basket Was Missing a Sock. The Basset Hound Knew Where.
A tricolor Basset Hound sits on a cushion with a gray and white striped sock hanging from his mouth, his enormous ears falling nearly to his chest. His droopy eyes are turned away, as if a very important matter lies beyond the window. Behind him, a green blanket drapes over a couch, a mug sits on a side table, and a laundry basket overflows with more socks and clothes. A few scraps of paper lie on the floor. We'll call him Hank, and he's pretending he's invisible.
Basset Hounds are gentle, easygoing dogs with famously long ears and a powerful nose, second only to the Bloodhound among scent hounds. That nose is why socks, which smell strongly of their owners, are so attractive. Dogs that swallow socks can have serious blockages, and this is one of the most common reasons for emergency vet visits, so keep laundry in a hamper with a lid. Bassets also tend to gain weight easily and have long backs, so measured meals and a healthy weight help protect them. Trading a sock for a treat can teach a good habit.
Hank is carrying the sock with great dignity, as if he's moving it somewhere safe. He seems to be waiting for someone to notice, and for someone to say something kind. Laundry day has officially been delayed by one very polite thief.
