The Basset Hound Poet Pressed His Book to His Chest and Sighed
With ears that sweep to his collar and eyes full of sorrow, the poet has found his muse. A tricolor Basset Hound wears a soft black cap with a single dark feather, his long brown ears hanging in heavy folds alongside his white muzzle. A lace ruff frames his chin, and his dark green velvet coat is trimmed with gold thread. Both paws, wrapped in white lace cuffs, hold a thick leather-bound book of verse to his chest. A candle flickers behind him in the shadows.
Basset Hounds are gentle, easygoing dogs with one of the best noses in the dog world. They were bred to follow scent trails, so on a walk they may stop to sniff every blade of grass. A leash and secure fence are important. Their long ears need regular checking and cleaning, and their long, low bodies mean it helps to keep them lean and avoid high jumps. They can be stubborn about training, so patience and tasty rewards work well. Your vet can advise on diet and health.
The droopy eyes add real emotion to the portrait, and you can almost hear the sigh before the first line of poetry. His verses are surely about long walks, wonderful smells, and the deep tragedy of a snack that is just out of reach. It is a tender, thoughtful portrait of a very soulful dog.
