When In Doubt--Pet a Dog

It is not my intention to offend the owners of other breeds of dogs. During my life I had a German Sheppard, a mixed-breed, a Chocolate Lab and a Golden Retriever.

However, the Beagle is unique. They can howl with the best of them, they will run themselves silly chasing squirrels or birds they will bark at anyone at the door and they are the best friends you can ever have. One of my Beagles, once swallow a squirrel. I saw the tail sticking from her mount. As I pulled, I realize they she had caught and enjoyed a squirrel dinner. I was not too happy, but she was very pleased with herself.

We started with one, Hannah. We got her from the local animal shelter after seeing her picture in the newspaper. She had been on the streets for a while but the animal control people could not catch her--she is older now, but then she was really fast. She had obviously been abused. How anyone could abuse a dog as sweet and loving as this one is beyond comprehension. She was afraid of men and she was afraid of belts. Some male (a man would not stoop so low) had beaten her with a belt for some reason.

She no longer fears men or belts. She likes to be held on your shoulder like a baby. She likes to look around at all the things she cannot see from the floor. She got out of the yard once and into a wooded area. We put up the signs and the usual things. We left the gate opened that night. About 10 hours after escaping, she was scratching at the door. She has never tried to leave again.

Next came Annie. She was also from the Animal Shelter. We believe she was an unsuccessful hunting dog that was just left in the woods. We were told that after hunting season, a large number of Beagles are always abandoned. If a person has a gun license, they should also sign a document stating they will take care of their dogs.

Annie was underweight and a little sickly when we got her. But with time she got better. She and Hannah became best friends immediately and Hannah graciously shared the coach with her. (We have since purchase a new sofa, which is off limits, but they do not mind.)

Beagles are pack animals. If you are planning on getting a Beagle, plan on getting two, they will both be much happier. Hannah and Annie played chase all the time in the backyard when they were younger. Though she was older, Hannah was the fastest and could make the sharpest turns, much to Annie's frustration.

Beagles are very smart dogs. They are also stubborn. Therefore, it takes a little longer to teach the basic commands and they do not really do tricks. I was attempting to teach Annie to fetch. After a couple of successful returns, Hannah walked over to Annie, nudged her nose for a minute as to say, "Girl we are Beagles. We don't do this stuff. If he throws the ball, let him go get it. If he wants it so bad, he should not throw it in the first place." After that, Annie would never fetch again.

It was our plan to stop with two Beagles, but fate stepped in one Saturday. My wife had asked to go to a nearby "flea market" in the hopes of finding a small book shelf. We went. We did not find any book shelves, but we found a man selling Beagle pups. The exchange went something like this:

Wife: Can I hold one of them?.

Me: Honey these are pupplies--everyone loves puppies, please do not get attached.

WIfe, He is so cute.

Me: Honey he is a puppy, remember puppy teeth, house training, staying awake at night, vet bills ...

Wife: He can be my Christmas and birthday present (The two events are separated by 16 days).

Me: Honey ( she turned to me)

Me: I turned to the owner and asked, "How much and do you take checks?"

So, we had a third Beagle. We named him Sammy on the way home, after the breeder, which soon just became Sam.

Sam is unusual. First, he is a yellow (looks more brown to me, but it is called yellow) and white. Hannah and Annie are tri-color. Secondly, Sam has the worse bark to ever come from a dog. It sounds more like a rooster crowing than a dog. Now on occasion, the three of them will bay at something--that is a very melodious sound, and very pleasant, but also very infrequent.

Hannah and Annie were four or five years old when we got them. Sam was a pup as previously noted. By this time, Annie had gotten much stronger and very protective of Hannah. So when Sammy started nipping at the other two as the power struggle began to establish dominance, it was Annie who protected her adopted sister from the bites and scratches of the puppy.

Eventually, Sam learned that he was living in a democracy where yours truly was the leader and they were the followers.

I recently changed my homeowners insurance and was asked if I had any vicious dogs, I said no, but I had three Beagles. That was not a problem. She then asked if I had an alarm system and before I could answer she said, you have three Beagles. She was right, with three Beagles, you do not need an alarm system.

Caring for three dogs can be very expensive. Vets do not give multi-dog discounts. Beagles are not for everyone. However, if you have a larged fenced yard and you want a dog that will be your friend, comforter and protector, please remember the noble Beagle. Uno, the first Beagle to win the Westminster Dog Show a few years ago is now a therapy dog. His owner retired him after winning the championship. I was glad he did. There was little chance of a Beagle winning two years in a row and as a therapy dog, he is making a lot of people happy. .

Finally, if you get the chance to see two or three Beagles playing chase, stop what you are doing. No matter what problems may be on your mind, you will forget them for a moment as you see these happy little hounds enjoy themselves to the fullest.

For those that are wondering, at one or more times one or all have slept in the bed with us. Annie just likes too. Hannah does not like loud rain. Sam has adopted my adult son as his responsibility to watch over at night. Most of the time they sleep in their bed, but if I am on a business trip, they sleep on my side of the bed.

If you are considering a pet, consider the Beagle and if you do think about a Beagle, check with the Animal shelter or a nearby Beagle rescue group--they are everywhere. A puppy quickly grows up. The mature dog has gone through the chewing stage, has probably been house broken (will take some adjustments to the new house) and they need a home. Puppies are always adopted Older dogs are often left behind. An older dog will become your best friend in a short amount of time.

Finally, a few notes. Beagles, like most dogs do shed. Daily brushing helps. They should get a bath once a year whether they need it or not. Clipping their nails can be a challenge. Beagles come in two sizes. There is the 13 inch or less, like our three and the 15 inch or more. The bigger dogs can get into more mischief. Finally do not let any groomer paint a Beagle's toenails or put ribbons around their ears. The Beagle is a dignified dog and such adornments are just not appropriate.

Beagles do not live forever. When that day comes, we will grieve and we will wait and I am certain that in time another Beagle will become part of the family.