Basset Hounds, studies have shown, possess an inherent calming, almost sedative-like, effect. It’s very difficult to remain:
On edge
Stressed out
Wigged out
Anxious
Tense
Nervous
Jittery
Jumpy
or
High strung
…around a Basset Hound.
It is my sincere wish that this post has a calming effect on those of you who might be feeling stressed out today.
Seriously. Stare at this creature for a second and just try being stressed out.
There is nothing wrong with this dog. Here, for instance, he’s positively ecstatic. He’s actually turning cartwheels, he’s so darn filled with bliss and excitement.
It’s just that his body hasn’t quite received the telegram from his mind.
Telegrams, studies have shown, often get lost within Basset Hound bodies. It’s a breed-specific characteristic. Their minds are really quite active: whole worlds and empires are being buiilt in their minds.
It’s just that the messages rarely make it to the far reaches of their bodies.
Studies have shown that if it were somehow possible to extract all the wayward telegrams from the bodies of Basset Hounds around the world, then somehow translate the telegrams to a readable text, all the answers of the universe would be revealed.
Scientists are working on this as we speak. It just hasn’t been reported in the news yet.
Basset Hounds, studies have shown, are medicinal. They’re the cure for our twenty-first century problems.
They’re also very tactile. Run your hands repeatedly over one of these ears and studies have shown that your soul will instantly find calm.
Your hands will be a little nasty…but it’s nothing a little lye soap won’t cure.
Your sofa won’t be in all that great a shape, either.
But you tell me whether or not it’s all worth it.
I know what my answer is.
Ree Drummond is the founder of The Pioneer Woman and a lover of butter, basset hounds and life on the ranch! Ree started her blog in 2006, and now millions visit ThePioneerWoman.com every month for her trusted recipes and fun family stories. Here’s what she has been up to since it all began:
New York Times Bestselling Author
Ree has written two memoirs (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, and Frontier Follies) plus nine bestselling cookbooks:
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl (2009)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier (2012)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays (2013)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime (2015)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! (2017)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier (2019)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy (2021)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready! (2023)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes (2025)
Food Network Host
Since 2011, Ree has been sharing simple, family-friendly recipes—and the occasional kitchen prank!—on her award-winning show The Pioneer Woman, filmed right on Drummond Ranch. Ree is also a regular judge on Food Network competitions, including Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Founder, The Pioneer Woman Collection
Ree has been creating and selling kitchen and home products at Walmart since 2015 and she’s involved in designing every piece and pattern. The line now includes best-selling appliances (you have to see the floral blender!), plus hundreds of pieces of cookware, tableware, and more. Ree doesn’t like to play favorites but the Agatha print has a special place in her heart.
Restaurant and Hotel Owner
Together with her husband Ladd, Ree has opened several bustling businesses in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, including The Pioneer Woman Mercantile—a bakery, restaurant, and general store that draws visitors from across the country (many come for the biscuits alone!), P-Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream Shop, and The Boarding House, a charming hotel with eight different rooms decorated by Ree and Ladd.
Media Personality
Ree appears regularly on national TV shows like Today, Good Morning America and more—all while managing to keep flour off her shirt.
Wife, Mom and…Grandma!
Ree’s kids (daughters Alex and Paige and sons Bryce and Todd) are all grown up, and as of December 2024, Ree is the proud grandma of the cutest baby ever, Sofia Scott, born to Alex and her husband Mauricio. Ree still cooks for Ladd (and the kids when they’re home), and she also looks after a few mischievous ranch dogs.
