Hey, read me on National Geographic Channel's web site, too!

I haven't been posting quite as much lately, because I'm also writing a lot for the National Geographic Channel's Dogs Blog.  Here's my latest post on the genetic origins of small dogs, including my terrier Joey.

Bulldog beauty pageant

I'm not big on beauty pageants--for humans, that is. When the contestants are canines, on the other hand, it eliminates a lot of the potential downside. Dogs don't prance around in swimsuits and high heels, they don't twirl flaming batons or play excruciating flute solos, and they don't give incomprehensible answers to questions about Americans' knowledge of geography, or lack thereof. That's why I was thrilled to hear about the sixth annual Long Beach, CA Bulldog Beauty Contest  that will take place this Sunday, February 28 starting at 10 a.m. at Marketplace Long Beach. There are competitions for French and English bulldogs and senior dogs, and a separate pageant for pugs, too. Here’s a YouTube video with some of the highlights from last year’s spectacular, which attracted 350 contestants from four states and Canada. I'm hoping that they'll eventually add a basset hound-pit bull competition as well. 

It's a challenge photographing a basset hound-pit bull..

When I can convince Madge to allow me to take her picture, I then have to confront the dilemma of fitting her elongated body into the frame.

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She's probably thinking: "Oh jeez, he's pointing that little black thingie that lights up at me again. I hate this. But I'm too comfortable to get up and hide, so I'll just put up with it until he gets bored."

Squeeze her head, stubby legs and big paws into the frame, and you lose the back half of her.

Okay, this is a little better. I got almost everything, except for the rear paws and part of her tail.

I tried this angle, and got almost all of her, except for the tail. Had to stand all the way on the other side of the room, though.

I wonder what Madge looked like as a puppy?

Probably a little like this. This picture was posed by a Waco, TX Humane Society back in  2008, so hopefully this little guy has matured into a handsome adult basset hound pit bull.

Snoozing through the snowpocalypse

This morning,she dug a passageway into the backyard so she could do her business. A 30 inch snowfall presents certain challenges when you're a lowrider like she is. But she's surprisingly resourceful.

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Madge consents, reluctantly, to be photographed

The terrible trio was romping on the couch this morning--Madge in the middle, with Joey play-biting her head and Kirby tangling with her tail--and it looked like a perfect opportunity for a great video or some pictures. But as soon as I reached for my iPhone, of course, they immediately stopped, and Madge bolted across the room. Fortunately, this time she curled up in her favorite chair, rather than hiding behind it. Once she was relaxed, I approached her gingerly, like a wildlife researcher tracking a rhino. To my amazement, she actually allowed me--albeit, obviously reluctantly--to take some pictures of her. Damn, she's a gorgeous canine! And I never noticed it before, but her coloration matches our earth-toned, ersatz Arts and Crafts movement decor perfectly.

By this point, she had that "are you through yet?" kind of look, so I figured that I better not press my luck.

Suddenly, they're everywhere!

Here's yet another basset hound-pit bull puppy that I found on Craigslist:

Here's a 6 or 7-year-old female named "Dear" who is available for adoption from Sacramento Canine Placement Assistance:

  

Meet Martin!

From the Eagle Tribune, a New Hampshire newspaper, here's yet another basset hound-pit bull available for adoption in Massachusetts.

Martin, an 8-month-old neutered male Basset Hound/pit bull mix, is a goofy puppy who loves to play.

He would do best in a home with children ages 8 and older, and with other friendly dogs as well. He gets along with cats, is a pretty happy-go-lucky dog, and is ready to be trained.

Martin is one of the many pets available for adoption at the shelter at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway in Methuen. The shelter is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, from noon to 6 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 4 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.

You can call the Methuen Animal Care and Adoption Center at Nevins Farm  at (978) 687-7453.