March 18, 2004

Pet of the Week: Bubbles

One of the favorite sights for young visitors at Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum is Bubbles, a 7-year-old basset hound whose guardian is Mike Boulland, a docent. Dorene Boulland fell in love with Bubbles when she first saw the dog at the Humane Society Silicon Valley five years ago after they lost their cock-a-poo. They had wanted a smaller dog but Bubbles soulful eyes and long velvety ears won them over.

Bubs, as she is affectionately called, likes human food and will stand tall on her back haunches, carefully balancing her 60-pound barrel-shaped body, gently accepting a tasty treat.

The Boullands laugh, reminiscing about the time neighbors brought salmon hors d'oeuvres over. No one was looking and Bubs helped herself to the whole plate. They learned not to leave butter out or it would be devoured by the innocent looking canine when they weren't watching. Now they are very careful not to leave food unattended.

“She likes to walk and gives us inspiration to hike Mine Hill at Quicksilver Park,” Boulland said about the tan and black hound.

Bubbles' short stocky legs have no problem hiking the terrain of the nearby mountainous park though every once in awhile she will stop and not move an inch.

The basset hound was developed in Britain about 100 years ago. The breed's keen ability to concentrate on a scent won it respect as a hunting partner. Perhaps that is why Bubbles stops on her walks through New Almaden.

A good watchdog, Bubbles lets the Boullands know with a bark or a howl when raccoon or deer is in their backyard. Or maybe she's just concerned the wild animals may find the pig's ear she buried earlier.

“Bubbles has separation anxiety when we leave the house,” Dorene said. “We give her a treat just before we leave and she doesn't notice we're gone. She's too busy eating. And she's always waiting for us when we come home.”

Once a canine with no home and a bleak future, Bubbles found a home with plenty of food, walks in the country, lots of attention from the couple who rescued her and adoring fans at the Quicksilver Museum down the road. — By Jeanne C. Lewis

Photo by Jeanne C. Lewis

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