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How Beagles became our Fur-Babies |
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But where does one start looking for a dog? |
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But where does one start looking for a dog?
Hubby's approach was very engineering-driven. He researched, of course. He
bought and read seven or eight books about picking the "right breed for you." He
carefully underlined text of interest and paper-clipped the pages for quick access.
After all the research he narrowed the breed to a beagle.
The winning traits
were size, personality, and the need for exercise. He thought walking a dog would be a
good excuse to get some exercise too.
Once the breed was identified, Dave then concentrated on
learning everything he could about beagles. He bought more books and read them
cover to cover. Why didn't he just research online? Well, in 1995, the Internet
was not a useful as it is today. He talked to beagle owners and also called the
Colorado Beagle Rescue
organization.
Dave knew that he wanted a 15" male beagle. It was
interesting that he settled on beagles, neither one of us had any experience with beagles.
We didn't even know any one who had a beagle; we had never touched a beagle.
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He had studied pictures of beagles and decided that he
wanted a beagle with a non-traditional look. He wanted a beagle with a solid-colored
face instead of one with a white stripe up the nose. The pet store was glad to see him
come in because he bought everything a puppy would need -- toys, chew bones, pee-pads,
harness, leash, bowls, carriers, etc -- you name it, Dave bought it. He even
bought an igloo-type-dog-house and wired it with a heating pad and a night light. He
read more books on training puppies. |
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Weeks before we adopted a puppy, he already picked out the
name "Bob." He had networked to find available beagles so when I returned home he had
a list of beagle to "go visit." So we hopped in the car and drove to find "Bob." |
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was a kennel that sold all kinds of puppies. They had several beagles including a
male that was 4 months old -- that was OK we really just want to see a beagle
up-close-and-personal, as they say.
Well, we walked in, Bob wagged his tail and stood up in
this pen. My first comment was, "He is so soft." Needless to say Bob
came home with us. And that is how we were
morphed from Cat-People into Beagle-People by a warm nose, wagging tail and soft fur.
Because Bob was 4 months old, all the "puppy-stuff"
that hubby bought had to be exchanged for large sizes. And, by the way, Bob never
would go inside the custom dog house, so we ended up selling it in a garage sale.
Bob the
Beagle Pics |
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When Bob the
Beagle was 5, it seemed that he needed a playmate. So we began looking for local
breeders that had Beagle puppies. We wanted to
adopt a female. We found a breeder, not to far from our house. We drove over
to see if Jenna had "Betty." Don't know if other people select the name and them
seek the puppy that matches the name.
Jenna had a few puppies and one was an 8-week female,
the runt of the litter. Jenna said that she may be the rut but she was the boss.
We fell in love with Betty and brought her home with us.
Betty Pics
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Bob was a great big brother to Betty.
With a 5 year age difference, we were cautious as we introduced Betty to Bob. We
weren't sure that he would accept another dog. After all he was "king of
the hill." But from the first night, he was very tolerant of her
and over time, learned to "play" with her.
Well, she lived up to her reputation as "the boss."
It is fair to say that Bob let her be the boss. He gave her his old toys.
Over time, they were inseparable.
Betty did eventually grow into those ears.
Bob developed back problems (herniated disks) and
didn't recover from the surgery to repair his ruptured disks.
At age 7 Bob died, leaving Betty as a "lost soul."
She moped around, lost her appetite and searched high & low for Bob.
We missed him too. Let's find a new brother for
Betty ... and the cycle began again ... |
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We adopted Billy
Bob in a similar way to the first two beagles. His name was selected, Billy.
Then we went out to find "Billy." Bob was added as a middle name in remembrance of the
big brother he never knew but we loved very much.
Billy brought much needed JOY into our little family.
Training him and teaching him manners was a full-time job.
Billy Pics
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| Betty's spirits
improved too. She assumed the role of boss one more time.
They spent hours running and chasing each other.
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Betty taught
Billy to go through the pet door. She'd go through; he'd watch. She would
entice him out with a toy. It didn't take him
long to figure it out.
Favorite Pictures:
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What I've Learned About Beagles
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