A Basset Hound Climbed the Bookshelf, and the Books Did Not Stay Put

Paperbacks are tumbling off the shelves in every direction, and in the very middle of the avalanche sits Barney the tricolor Basset Hound, front paws planted on a shelf like a king on a wobbly throne. His long, velvety ears hang to his chest, his heavy brown eyes slope downward, and he wears a tiny, guilty smile. Books lie open and shut across the floor, a woven basket and a pair of slippers sit behind him and a gray blanket hangs off the couch. It looks like a library that has been introduced to a very curious nose.

Basset Hounds were bred to follow scent trails, and their nose is second only to the Bloodhound's in sensitivity. They are famously mellow, friendly and stubborn, with short legs and a long, low body that gives them their unmistakable shape. Because of that body, it is wise to keep them at a healthy weight and discourage jumping from heights to protect their backs. Their long ears also need regular cleaning to prevent trouble, and your vet can show how. A shelf can be a risk for a curious dog, since tall furniture can tip, so securing it to the wall is good practice in any home with pets or children. A scent game, such as hiding treats around the house, gives a hound a safe place to put its remarkable nose to work.

Barney will be helped down, and the books will be re-shelved, probably a little higher. His expression will not change.