It was 11 a.m. on a gray day before Christmas. The Paladins from as far south as Salinas and as far east as Reno had been on the road since before 6 a.m. The Great Basset Hound Rescue had begun.

looping its iconic scenes from the sultry leg lamp (”It’s a major award”) to the Bumpus Hounds — Ralphie’s neighbor’s disorderly dogs — ruining the Christmas turkey. This year ...