Fred's 4x4 Corner

Do Dah Day 2011

2011-05-22T18:55:00.004-05:00

What a dumb name for an event. There, I said it. I mean, how's any self-respecting canine supposed to look cool at something called "Do Dah Day." Is this a dog event or Song of the South?

Anyway, my person dragged me out yesterday to take me to this Do Dah Day thing. Once again, here's ol' Fred circling the bucket seat in the Focus, trying to get comfortable, the whole way into Birmingham. Really, man? You just had to ditch the truck and get a small car, didn't you?

We had a good time once we got there, though. I don't see what all the fuss was about. I mean, you want to see a gorgeous specimen of the hound breeds, all you have to do is call my person and we'll line it up. Here I am!

It was a sea of dogs. Big dogs, small dogs and yes, some ugly dogs! And those poor things in the tutus and pink spray paint. How embarrassing.

I did find one person that was appreciative, though. This wonderful lady who runs some magazine about dogs call Woof. She's pretty cool and gave me treats and chased me around with this big black thing that made clicking sounds. Come on lady. I don't know what thing is, but if you think I look good, take a picture! It'll last longer.

It got pretty hot. My person kept trying to shove water in my mouth and I was messing with him by refusing it, mostly. I'm not a puppy, for cryin' out loud. If I'm thirsty, I'll get water. Do I look thirsty here? Whatever. Finally, we got out of there, went home and took a good long nap - what I do best.

2011 Basset Hound Bash

2011-05-22T18:41:00.008-05:00

Alright, so, yeah, I've gone a while. My person had to shut down the shop a year ago, so I haven't had a whole lot going on lately. I pretty much am hanging out in this weird place he calls "the apartment" where there a ton of other dogs around. It's weird, really. There was even this one meanie upstairs who attacked me a few weeks ago. Attacked me! Can you believe it? What nerve.

Anyway, earlier this month, my person took me to the Basset Hound Rescue of Alabama's annual Bash at Oak Mountain State Park. Here's me riding in his car. I miss the ol' truck. Do you know how hard it is for a long guy like me to sit comfortably in a bucket seat? Seriously.

OK, so we got to the Bash and there were all of these other dogs there - just like me (well, not nearly as hansom). Actually, a lot of them were pretty pathetic looking. I mean, I came from the streets, but I never looked like some of these sad sacks. Skin and bones, I tell ya', skin and bones!

I didn't really know what to make of it, so at one point I decided to live up to my namesake and jump in the lake, just so I could make my person yell, "Fred, get out of that lake!"
We hung around a bit and then they had a longest ear contest. Ahem, guess who did pretty well in that category? That's right, good ol' Fred. Yeah, some other poseur named Fred won, but I took 2nd place by about a half an inch.

It was a pretty good time and I hope some of those skinny ones find homes soon. Maybe they'll find a good sucker, like my person.

Here's one last picture. You see what I mean? Look at those hounds begging for cookies. Pathetic.

I Love Spring

2010-03-31T08:12:00.001-05:00

Spring Has Sprung

2010-03-19T13:18:00.000-05:00

Mmm Bed

2010-03-13T11:30:00.001-06:00

Finally the whole king size bed to myself

Mother Theresa I Ain't

2010-03-10T17:50:00.001-06:00

So I got a little wet and nasty out in the rain this morning right.
Well, I get to the truck to go to work and my person is like "yuck!
Fred!" and he wraps me up in this towel thing. Well, you know what?
I always get the last laugh.

My New Cologne

2010-02-04T11:52:00.001-06:00

What? Why are you looking at me like that? This is my new cologne. Don't you like it? Well, too bad. This is what I smell like when you let me out at 4 in the morning - in the rain. Deal with it.

Groundhog

2010-02-03T14:42:00.000-06:00

I Hate Tuesday Nights

2010-02-02T17:32:00.001-06:00

I hate Tuesday nights. Why? Because at 4:30 my person gets me all
excited to leave the shop early. Yay!

We go home and I get hang out and play with those mongrels at the
house (Charlotte and Earl) for a while.

Sounds great? Right? Wrong!

Come 5:30 he snaps me up and puts me in my crate and he leaves to go
bowling or something. No fair! Why do the others get to stay out?

Why does he think I'll wander off?

Ok well I was a stray. But he found me a whole year ago! I'm a
changed dog. Really

You do believe me, right?

Oh How Cute

2010-02-02T09:53:00.002-06:00

Is it really possible that there's a cuter basset hound than me? Maybe this is just a Photoshop trick, right? This is Beau. I "borrowed" this photo from Modern Dog Magazine.

I Am GORGEOUS!

2010-02-02T08:33:00.002-06:00

Just look at me. I haven't named this look and pose yet. It's just
too fantastic!

It's Beautiful Out

2010-01-28T14:04:00.000-06:00

What wonderful weather today! It's sunny and warm so my person has
let me hang out on my pallet in front of the shop

But better yet, he got pizza and is eating it at the picnic table.
I'm being reaaallly good so he will share the crust with me.

Enjoy the View

2010-01-12T16:41:00.001-06:00

Board dogs!!!!!

2010-01-08T00:32:00.001-06:00

Mike
Resident 4x4ROCKSHOP iGuy

Gorgeous

2009-12-23T14:58:00.000-06:00

Meet Cabo

2009-12-18T15:38:00.004-06:00

So my person actually allowed one of his customers to let their dog out. Talk about a chubby ol' thing. Sheesh. Get some exercise, boy! What do you do all day, lay around? Oh, wait, that's me.

Anyway, this is Cabo. He seems pretty cool, so I let him sniff around and check out my stuff. Of course, I didn't let him find any of my secret hiding spots, but I did let him roam the bone yard and even come inside the shop with his muddy paws.

What I can't figure out is why if he's a bulldog he sounds like a pig? He does look like he ran full-speed into a wall with that smooshed up snout. Maybe that's it.

Or maybe he was doing the cabo wabo. Hm....

So Long Fat Guy

2009-12-08T08:14:00.005-06:00

What a rough...errr... ruff week I had. My person had some other person visit for what seemed like forever.

It wasn't so bad really. I mean who can complain about having someone extra to roll over and show my gorgeous belly too right?

Thing is, he took my seat in the truck. MY seat! Can't he read the name on the door? FRED. Not FAT GUY!

I had to spend the whole week on the floor in the back of the truck.

Is this how a king should be treated? I think not.

Anyway he's gone and I'm back in front where I belong

p.s. ... and I'm not leaving.

Sulking

2009-11-13T14:14:00.004-06:00

I'm very angry today at my person. See, this morning, I was waltzing around the neighborhood like the big man I am - you know, just minding my own business. Wrestled with the other dogs a bit, followed a few scents. Well, I managed to find me some really nice, stinky mud to get into. It was fabulous!

So along comes Mr.IGottaGoToWork, who picks me up and puts me in the truck like he does every day. OK, that's cool. I dig a ride like any proper dog would. But then he runs into a store and comes back, opens the door and says "Oh man! Fred! You stink!" What?????? Who? Me? Nahhhhh.

Then he starts calling me names all morning like "El Stinkaroni" and "Stinko." Kind of hurt my feelings, really.

But the worst of it was... the hose. The dreaded hose. He soaked me down and rubbed all this foo foo smelling blue soap on me. Sure, the rubbing and the scratching felt good. But my stink! It was going away faster than I could say "Hey look! A mud puddle!"

So here I am, back in the shop, still a little damp and smelling like a girl.

My life is so difficult so time. Think I'll just sulk a while and maybe whine a little bit. Just to get back at him.

Sooo Sleeeepy

2009-11-10T11:36:00.001-06:00

All of this rain has made me so sleepy! Oh and the sound of the rain
on the metal roof. Mmmmmmm heavenly!

Seems I was getting comfy and I suppose I just sort of passed out

Yummy

2009-10-11T13:53:00.000-05:00

Angus...mmmmm

2009-10-08T13:08:00.003-05:00

Daddy had an angus burger today. Look at my eyes... my drool. How could he possibly resist me? Somehow, he did. But, you know what? He saved me two bites at the end. I love my daddy.

Angus Burger

2009-10-08T12:12:00.000-05:00

Daddy you are such. A tease. Look how much I love you. How about a
bite of that angus burger?

Woah! What's This Green Thing!

2009-08-24T12:31:00.003-05:00

So we went for a ride today, as usual, but this time, when my person came out from the bank, he had some little green thingy with him. He tore the plastic off and put it on his finger. Then he stuck in my mouth.

Is this Heaven? What is this? I think he called it a lolly pop or a sucker or something. He kept stopping me from chomping it. He wanted me to lick it. Well, that lasted...for a while.

Boy was it yummy!!!

I hope he doesn't mind the slobber all over the truck. My mouth was leaking big-time. I almost drowned myself.

GET UP DADDY!!!

2009-08-10T06:05:00.003-05:00

I don't know why, but I was up at 4am. I just couldn't sleep. I whined. I prodded. I bugged Daddy in every way I knew how. Get up! Get up! Get up!

By 5am he finally gave in. YAY!

He got dressed and we went out to breakfast and into the shop. Daddy rocks.

OK, well now I'm bored already and he just held me down and pulled a tick off my eye.

That Daddy....

Double Yum

2009-07-28T13:10:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I just can't decide if I want a chewy or a nice stinky shop
rag

Today I'm trying both.

Yeah That's Me

2009-07-08T06:49:00.000-05:00

See that? That's MY seat there. Mine mine mine!

I love a ride in the truck

2009-07-07T10:20:00.000-05:00

Love me

2009-07-06T08:15:00.001-05:00

It's hard sometimes to feel so neglected

Ouch!

2009-06-07T14:09:00.000-05:00

I got stung by a bee today on my paw. My person gave me a piece of
cheese and ever since I'm really sleepy

Happiness

2009-05-28T17:34:00.001-05:00

Patience

2009-05-28T17:33:00.001-05:00

Do Dah Day

2009-05-16T11:30:00.000-05:00

Hanging out at Do Dah Day in Birmingham today. Met my twin!

I Protest ... Again

2009-05-15T08:38:00.001-05:00

I Protest

2009-05-14T10:28:00.002-05:00

I protest! I'm NOT going inside this morning.

What The Heck Is That!

2009-05-05T12:31:00.002-05:00

So we were riding to drop my person's kid off at school this morning. Everything was normal - just fine. Well, he drops her off and comes back to the truck holding a big box, which he put in the back seat of the truck.

As we drove off, the box started making noises. Little tiny noises. I barked but nothing happened.

We got to the shop and out of the box came this funny little black and brown thing. It smelled funny and made funny noises. I just don't know what to think of it.

Oh, and my person keeps looking at it and calling it "Cinco"

Rag refund

2009-05-04T21:34:00.001-05:00

iSent from iPhone.

Sweet Love

2009-04-30T16:24:00.002-05:00

Look what a good boy I am. Even though I hopped all over my person while he was driving home from McDonald's, and even though I licked the top of his cup of Coke (got some to bubble out), he still hooked me up outside by the picnic table.

I prefer to lick the ice cream out, being careful not to break the cone. Then once I'm done, and only then, I will softly crunch the cone.

Life is a process.

Can I Make It?

2009-04-24T16:31:00.002-05:00

My person took off the big heavy doors today and put these funny things in. The edge is a lot lower than normal. Hmmm I kind of wonder if I jumped if I could make it? Sure looks like a long way down, though.

A Contest - Starring Me!

2009-04-24T15:54:00.001-05:00

Hey y'all! Got a little time to waste? Just need to blow off some steam? Well, help us out! We want you to have fun with good ol' Fred - our shop dog. Click here for more information!

Bassets of the Serengeti

2009-04-24T08:54:00.002-05:00

I am so happy to finally have grass here by the shop. I hear that for the first year and a half there was nothing here but a vast wasteland of dirt.

It seems all the hoping and praying has paid off. The skies have opened up and where once was dried earth, now grows tall, beautiful grass.

Perfect for burying that new $2 rawhide bonie my person just gave me.

Don't Make a Move

2009-04-22T20:11:00.002-05:00

Don't make a move! Yes! YOU!

I see you sitting there, all still - like a stone.

I smell you, too. hmmmm

Still not moving, huh. What if I bark like crazy at you?

No? Still not going to move, huh.

OK, fine. I've got my eye on you, though, Mr. ROCK

Hail to the Chief

2009-04-20T18:21:00.001-05:00

Am I a vision of patriotism or what?

Lazy, Rainy Day

2009-04-10T11:04:00.002-05:00

Yeah, it's kind of rainy out today. My person gave me a nice McDonald's biscuit for breakfast, we went for a walk, and I jumped on a few customers. Now I'm just kind of feeling lazy.

He moved my bankie from the office out to this cage the other day when he had to leave me here at the shop. I suppose so I wouldn't eat the merchandise and pee on the lift or something. Anyway, it looked kind of safe and snuggly so I'm taking a nap.

Climbing to the Top

2009-04-04T16:59:00.001-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted any updates these last couple of days. I have
been out of town.

You see I decided to take up ice climbing. It's all the rage these
days among the short-legged set. Foe a breed like me, having 2/3 of
my body weight up front, helps.

You can see from the look on my face it took great concentration.

Thanks to Infinion for sponsoring my trip even though I am from French
descent.

Just Call Me Mr. Entertainment

2009-03-31T10:11:00.004-05:00

Yes, yes, I am fabulous at entertaining the kids. My wonderful disposition, great looks, and soft ears are unbeatable. Take a look...

http://tinyurl.com/c4v7au

Heaven

2009-03-30T16:43:00.001-05:00

That ol' Flea. We stopped over to Omega to give them a price on a bed liner and I saw my little Pal, Flea. He had a nice, sopping wet, 1/2 chewed bonie there, which he (ahem) "shared" with me.

Well, as a thanks, his person offered me one of these gigantic bonies! YUM! I trotted all the way back to the shop with my new treasure. Yum!

Right now, it's buried under my blanket in the office for later. Oh I'm so happy.

Heavennnnn.... I'm in... Heavennnn....

Your Fly Is Down

2009-03-27T15:21:00.002-05:00

Catchy subject line, eh? I've been out here barking at a fly that keeps buzzing around. For some reason, though, it just doesn't seem scard of me! I'm big. I have huge feet and a loud bark. (sigh) Some days it's tough being a Basset Hound.

Meet Scooter

2009-03-25T11:01:00.004-05:00

I'm a little miffed this morning. My person told one of his customers that it was ok to bring his dog in from his Jeep while he shopped. So, meet Scooter. Scooter may look nice but he came in and was like, "Oh, nice boney. I'll take that. " Then he was like, "Oh, nice bowl of food. I'll have some of that." I mean, come on now. Where are your manners, goldie? You're 11 years old. You should know better. He even had the nerve to growl at me. Growl at me! In MY store!

So you know what I did? I peed by the door.

Twice.

That'll teach him.

OK Fine Here's An Update

2009-03-24T15:22:00.001-05:00

Oh the pressure! It's a lot to ask of a guy like me to post these
blogs you know. Do you have any idea how hard it is to type with
these paws?

Anyway thanks for waking me up here's my update.

Nice weather

2009-03-18T08:36:00.001-05:00

Finally after three days of rain it is pretty outside. Yesterday I
got to hang out almost all day in the sun

As you can see I am ready for more today!

Happy Day!

2009-03-14T13:01:00.001-05:00

My person sure does love me. He and I drove around a lot today. Then
he disappeared for a while. But check it out. He brought me meat and
bread with cheesy ketchup! My man rocks!

Lazy Day

2009-03-12T18:13:00.001-05:00

Mike has been so busy all week. I pretty much have been napping on my
pallet outside. You know, catching some rays. I got all excited to go
home at closing time and he ended up taking me for a ride. I had a
good time and the wind felt great rushing through my fur ad we drove.
Boy, it was exhausting though. I need another nap to get me through
until bed time

Good morning Flea

2009-03-09T08:29:00.003-05:00

I think my person is a little frustrated with me already this morning. We haven't even been here long enough for him to have his coffee yet and I bugged him until he took me out. Hey, it's better than pooping inside, right?

Well, during our (productive) walk, my good friend Flea was out and he followed us all the way back to the shop. I'm going to let him hang out for a while. I may play with him or just ignore him. Not really sure yet.

He is kind of cute - in a bromantic kind of way.

I'm Famous... And On Duty!

2009-03-05T08:26:00.003-06:00

Today I became famous! OK, well at least to anyone driving down Old Hwy 280 in Chelsea.

Check out the street sign!

Yeah, that handsome devil next to the sign is me. I know... you don't have to say it... oh, go ahead...

Yes, thank you, I am quite cute.

Mmmmm Hot Dogs

2009-03-04T13:08:00.001-06:00

My person cooked something today on the grill. Boy did it smell
good! I behaved and didn't jump up so he gave me one. Wowee!

Thing is, I think he called it a "hot dog" or something. I hope it
wasn't really dog meat! That would be like a pig eating a BLT.

I.P.Freelee

2009-02-24T16:12:00.001-06:00

Today I got mad at my person for not playing with me enough and I peed
on his lift. That will teach him!

Brooke is Here

2009-02-23T11:40:00.001-06:00

Brooke is visiting this morning. Her mommy just left though and she's
a little nervous I think. It's nice having company though. Mike
likes it because I tear up less stuff with her around

Brooke Came For a Visit

2009-02-19T12:19:00.003-06:00

Brooke came for a visit today. After we milled around for a while in the warehouse, we decided to lay down in my favorite spot (right in front of the store by the door) and shred some stuff - just to make Mike mad. But, how could he when we're just so darned cute?

Besides, have a look - I even let Brooke have my chewy rawhide. She even took it home with her. I'm just such a sweet guy, aren't I?

Meet Biscuit

2009-02-17T11:55:00.003-06:00

Today I met a goldendoodle name Biscuit. He belongs to the Mac Tool guy. Biscuit headed right for my food bowl and I suppose that's ok. I'm good at sharing.

That's good with Fred.

Watch Your Step

2009-02-16T11:05:00.007-06:00

If you come in the store, be prepared. My favorite place for destruction is right inside the door on one of Mike's expensive customer logo rugs. You'll notice, that just to taunt him, I prefer shredding his bills and paperwork instead of playing with the $25 worth of toys he buys me.

The Cold Shoulder

2009-02-12T17:38:00.005-06:00

Well I woke up and it seems like something is missing. You know. Down there. It's as if I was abducted by aliens or something. And try as I might , I just can't account for a couple hours today.

I can't figure it out though but my person, Mike, dropped me off and was there at the end so I can't help but think be had something to do with it.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm giving him the cold shoulder just in case on the ride home.

Now time for a nap.

Where Am I Going?

2009-02-12T08:56:00.002-06:00

My person got me up before the sun this morning. Nobody else was up in the house and it was really weird. He put me in the truck and we went on a really long ride - the opposite way from the shop.

Then he put me in a crate inside a van with all of these other dogs and cats and left me with strangers! What the.......

My Friend Flea

2009-02-10T13:25:00.003-06:00

This is my new friend, Flea. Flea's person is named Dale and he owns Omega Wholesale Auto, which is right by my shop. I have seen Flea a few times in passing but today we became buds when he followed me back to the shop. I even let him share my water bowl, as you can see here. No barking. Just nice sharing. I think he likes me and, heck, I could use a friend with four legs around here to talk to sometimes. Just don't eat that body lift puck over there. That's MINE!

My Friend Brooke

2009-02-09T12:13:00.001-06:00

This is Brooke. She's a chiweenie. We love to wrestle even though I am
10 times her size.

Mondays are Boring

2009-02-09T09:16:00.003-06:00

Mondays seem to be boring around here. After a weekend of playing with Mike's six other dogs at the house, having to come to work and watch him just seems a little, I dunno, dull. Here's a picture of me begging to go out, even though he just wrestled me on the showroom floor. Oh well, guess I'll go eat another one of his expensive mouse traps or something. That'll get his attention!

Catchin some rays

2009-02-05T15:40:00.002-06:00

Mike (my person) hooked me up with a lead so I'm out catchin some rays
while he works on a jeep. This is the life.

The Other Dog

2009-02-05T08:46:00.002-06:00

This is where I keep seeing that other bassett hound out in the
warehouse. Mike goes and does stuff at the water hole and the other
dog is always there when I get close and look. Sometimes I'll bark
at him but he still comes back next time I check.

Meet Fred

2009-02-04T09:42:00.003-06:00

Awoooooo!!!!!! Howdy! Name's Fred. I'm the new shop dawg at 4x4ROCKSHOP. Seems someone had the nerve to let me loose. Then some guy found me, drove me a couple hundred miles away and then let me get lost again. Some nerve!

Well, I was wandering around in the rain one day, just minding my own business in the middle of a busy intersection when this lady swipes me up and takes me to 4x4ROCKSHOP. She said they found the guy who had me for one day and let me get lost again but he never showed up to get me. Some people!

So here I am. My person's name is Mike. He runs the shop here and he lets me ride in the truck on long trips and stuff like that. I get to watch out the window and hang out and jump all over the customers. He keeps yelling at me to quit but I pretend not to hear him sometimes - even with these gigantic ears.

Anyway, he felt like I needed something useful to do around here so he set up this blog for me. It's hard to type with my enormous, crooked paws, so he still has to type it in for me.

So, stay tuned for my next post. I have to go. I have a boney to go bury in the warehouse.