New Photos!

Just got pictures from "Meg's" family...take a look and tell me who you think Meg looks like! Gorgeous little girl! And so loved! It's so fun to see the puppies growing up and hearing stories about them...This made my day!

Sharing a Quote

"They are our friends, our partners, our defenders, our pets. We are their lives, their loves, their leaders. They will be ours, faithful and true, to the last beat of their hearts. We owe it to them to be worthy of such devotion." - Unknown.

Take care of your dogs. Teach them how to be good family members. Don't feed them "junk" dog food. Take care of your dogs.

Just a Dog

"Just a dog". Really? This morning I dropped my two year old female beagle Joely off at the vet hospital. Dr. Dalton is, in my opinion, an excellent vet and the facility is staffed by great people and is cutting-edge in equipment, techniques and care. But leaving Joely there for what is most likely a common surgery (spay & removal of some suspicious growths) was more difficult than I expected it to be.

Why?

Maybe because it is the same place and the same people where Rudy, my 11 year old beagle passed away when I thought I'd be taking him home for a little while longer. Maybe it's because it is the same place and people who took care of him and his sister & litter mate Libby for the last years of their lives, and where those two old hound dogs established a reputation that only very special dogs can leave behind. Maybe it's because it's the only place Joely has ever been, where she has had all of her puppy exams. Maybe it's because it was just seven short months ago that Joely delivered her first - and what will be her only sweet litter of gorgeous beagle puppies.

I'm sure that Joely is in excellent care. I'm sure that all will go well and she'll recovery quickly without any complications. But watching her walk away with the vet tech was almost too much.

Only people who truly have a connection with their dogs can relate to my feelings this morning. Joely represents all of those special canine companions that become so much more than our furry four-legged friends. They are family. They belong to us. We belong to them. They grab our hearts and steal their own little place there, never to be taken by anyone or anything else.

Just a dog...when people tell me that I usually don't respond. They don't understand. They are not capable of understanding for they have not been blessed with the gift, yes the gift, that opens hearts a little deeper, allows us to love more fiercely, and enjoy the wonderful dog companions in our lives as they are meant to be.

I will admit it...I love my dogs. I love them as much as I love the people in my life. More often than not, my dogs have been a source of companionship and comfort when loneliness and despair could not be consoled in any other way. They offer a source of entertainment, fun and play that I can't get from anyone else in my life

Rudy, Libby, Joely and Bronco...I love you. You will never know the great gift and blessing you are in my life.

Can Your Dog Do This??

This is so fun...Joely and Bronco are pretty much my "family" right now and so we spend a lot of time together. Whenever I leave, they are THRILLED to see me when I come home. And...apparently Joely is delving into a new career that involves tree-climbing!

Puppy Updates!

Great news! I've heard from all of the puppies' families. They are doing GREAT! As soon as I get photos from all of them, I'll post them. It will be fun to see how much they have grown. It's so fun and heartwarming to hear how much their families love them and how much they are learning. It is obvious to me that Meg, Bailey, Kida, Copper and Hobbes went to wonderful, loving families. Stay tuned for photos!

All Adopted

Little "Meg" went home today. She was the last of our babies to find her forever family, although at 9 1/2 weeks it was beginning to feel like we were her forever family! It's going to be quiet around here until things feel "normal" again.

On the positive side of things I feel very confident that Kida, Bailey, Meg, Copper and Hobbes are in families they will stay with for their lifetimes. They will be loved and played with, well-fed and kept safe and warm.

I wasn't as prepared for Meg to go as I was the other four puppies. With the others, there had been a few weeks knowing they would be leaving on what date. I'm sure I forgot something for Meg's new family because it just kind of happened but they are close enough that I can get anything they need to them.

It has been so great to see the families with kids that have adopted a puppy. That's probably the BEST possible set up for a beagle, to have kids to grow up with and play with. But the other couples are great people who love their new babies so much.

Best wishes to each of the families - Bartlett's, McCleary's, P & A, Anderson's and Rupe's. You've taken a part of our family into yours.

Homeward Bound

Well, it's about time to say goodbye to these sweet little hounds. Even with the lack of sleep, the "poop" clean up, a few worries here and there and the little bit of stress finding just the perfect families for these little guys and gals, it's been a fun ride. I have mixed feelings about them leaving- how could anyone not love these puppies? I've been the primary caretaker of them -well, besides momma Joely- since they were born. She pretty much turned over the big chores to me a couple of weeks ago but still keeps a watchful eye out for too much rough-housing and doesn't hesitate to put a stop to it.

I've watched these puppies grow physically and mentally and socially. From the day they were born and unable to see, hear or do much more than crawl with their front legs to now over seven weeks old and RUNNING everywhere they go. They each have a unique personality, each their own little hound doggy self, but each so sweet and lovable. They are fun, full of energy and seem pretty bright. I'm grateful for family and friends who have stepped in to help out and cared for them as much as I have.

It's going to be hard to let them go but I take great comfort in the fact that each family - the Bartlett's, the Anderson's, the McLeary's and A. Wilhelm love their new little four-legged family member as much as I love Joely & Bronco. I have no doubt that "Bailey", "Hobbes", "Kida" and "Copper" will be well-fed, kept safe and warm and if they get hurt or sick, given the care they need and deserve. I'm hopeful that at least for the first year each of you will send a photo now and then and short note on how your baby is doing. I'm sure Joely & Bronco, Grandma & Grandpa and all of the extended family will want to know how they are doing as well.

You'll notice I mentioned just four families waiting for their baby. There is one little gorgeous female still waiting for her forever family. She looks exactly like Joely, is very bright, healthy, energetic and interacts well with the litter, Joely, Bronco and everyone she has met. She is a special little girl that promises to provide a lot of love, fun and happy memories for the family that she chooses and that chooses her.

While we wouldn't mind at all keeping this little princess, I am pretty sure she would prefer a family with kids to play with and grow up with. If you know of a family that would love her and be thrilled to have this pretty little girl, please direct them to this blog and give them our contact information.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day as you remember and honor all who have given so much for our safety, liberty and peace.