Puppy Classes

[Michael]

Hi everyone..It's been awhile since I posted, but I read just about every day. I wanted to update everyone on what's been going on here at Bubba's Bassets. We had Hambone evaluated and our handler (#2 basset handler in the country) said that Hambone should finish "quickly", However, he was disturbed by the way he hopped when he was walked at a fast pace. He suggested we take him to the vet for x-rays to rule out hip dysplasia or a luxating patella ( ). Well to make a long story short, no luxating patella and not clear on the hip dysplasia, but he does have a severe case of Pano according to our vet. We hope its pano because he will grow out of it.. We consulted our handler and he gave us the name of a vet in NJ for us to contact for a second opinion. We have mailed her the x-rays and are awaiting a diagnosis...Keep us and Hambone in your prayers...He is such a great dog...the best disposition of any basset I have ever seen. It would be a tragedy if he were not able to become a champion...we think he's perfect and want so much to see that recognized.

[Michael]

Forgot to mention the Puppy classes above...sorry. My wife enrolled us and our son in handling classes to learn to handle our bassets ourselves. We took three of our puppies that we feel have a chance to finish and worked with them for the first time this past Thursday. My wife handled Katie, I handled Rhonda and David had the "pleasure" of working with our puppy Belle. Their pictures are posted below in order. The class went very well and the teacher was very impressed with the amount of knowledge we already had about showing. I have to brag for a minute here. my wife and son have been working on and off with our handler for six months on how to handle our bassets....Thursday night was the first time I had every worked with the bassets (as far as walking and staking them) I blew my wife, my son and other class members away! The teacher even asked me if I had shown before! On the way home, my wife asked what I was doing to get Rhonda to do so well. Rhonda is my hands down favorite basset we own and she and I have a strong bond. I told my wife I felt it was that bond and the fact that I knew what I wanted her to do and I kept that in mind while showing her. I guess she picked up on the mental vibes or something but Rhonda and I made a great team that night! David and Belle made a good team as well. Belle has lots to learn yet. Gwen is great with the bassets, but Katie may never see the inside of a ring...she didn't seem to like it one bit.

[Bassetpup]

That sounds like so much fun! You are probably right that the "bond" is what helped you do so well. Your girls are so cute, I hope they go far.