Problem Solved

My brother and sister-in-law recently gave us a bird bath.  We put it a corner in the back yard in a mulched flower bed, filled it with water, and waited for the birds to arrive.

So far, none have come, which is probably a good thing.

Here's why.

The other day we worked in the yard then grilled out.  I usually put dog beds and a  bowl of water on the deck for the dogs if we are spending a considerable amount of time outside.  This day I didn't as we were in and out of the house with the dogs quite a bit.  

Willow and Belle like to hang out in the landscaped areas of the yard.   

Don't ask me why.  There is mulch in those areas.   I would think it would be much easier on their paws to spend time in the grass, but they gravitate to the mulch.

On this day Belle got off the deck and headed for the back corner of the yard.  I called to her, and told her to stay out of the mulch.  Bassets are known for being stubborn, so in true basset form Belle stopped, turned and looked at me, then turned back and kept going.  

I called to her again and said, "Belle...No!."  She did the same thing.  Stopped, turned and looked at me, then turned away and continued to saunter to the corner.  Once there she sniffed and before we knew it, she was on her hind legs lapping water out of the bird bath.

I couldn't help but laugh, but was thankful birds hadn't used it yet.  

To say Michael and I were in shock is an understatement.  Bassets have long bodies and when they are on their hind feet can reach things that would surprise you.  

After lapping quite a bit of water she slowly sauntered back to the deck.

I said, "Belle, that is not acceptable."

She simply looked at me as if to say, "What?  I was thirsty.   There was a big bowl of water in the backyard.  Problem solved!"

How can you argue with that kind of logic?