We interrupt this regular scheduled programming to bring you a juicy and rare (just like I like my steaks) two-minute moment last week wherein Charlie and Walter expended more energy than they had in their entire lives.
They had a Basset brawl.
It was a relatively friendly brawl. No blood was drawn and no noses were broken.
But it was a brawl, nonetheless!
And it was tremendously entertaining.
They were totally fired up.
But it was Walter who was actually instigating the whole thing. Go, Walter!
He was feelin’ mighty strong.
Charlie didn’t know what to do with himself. He’s used to Walter being deferent. Docile.
Submissive!
So he tried to show Walter who was boss.
But ol’ Walter stood his ground. Go get ’em, Tiger!
If all else fails, flap your ears up and down!
And if Charlie tries to eat your face, don’t let that thwart you!
Remember, you can always get some air to escape his jaws of death.
Eventually, the beast will calm down.
Okay…I think the brawl is over.
That’s right, Walter. Shake it off!
Oh, Charlie. You’re such an alpha dog!
He just likes to howl at the air every once in awhile to remind the universe he’s in charge.
Uh oh…
Here we go again!
I guess Charlie wasn’t willing to let it lie.
Run, Walter, run!
Come back, Walter, come back!
Ha.
I guess he’s ready for more.
So c’mon, guys—are we gonna brawl or not?
Guys?
GUYS?
Oh, man. Bassets are nothing if not predictable.
On a separate, non-canine note: I wanted to thank you so very much for your kindness and support this week. Many of you have emailed or left comments about my new cookbook, and it has meant the world to me. Thank you so much. Love and appreciate you all.
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.
