The Beauty of two Beagle Puppies

      January 13, 2010

      You can never go to the bathroom alone, or without asking permission. Unless they are in their pen.
      Often, there will be a pup or two on a leash dragged along for the ride. (Like after a 2-mile walk.)
     
      Hide the toilet paper or keep it elevated. Same with paper towels.
   
      If you are inside, and they are outside, they want to know what you are doing. (Your screen doors will be worn out.)

      I am teaching the word DRESSING as I race thru the house naked looking for my dog clothes.
      As I run past their window they are known to go find something else to do. Wonder why.
 
      Laundry on the floor is fair game so you had better keep everything you are fond of picked up.
      They are fond of underpants and underwire bras. But a blouse or shirt will do nicely, esp. if it has buttons.
 
      Food on your jeans (where was that kitchen towel?) will require cleanup. With a pair of raspy tongues.
   
      However, clean clothing requires muddy paw prints.
     
      Never leave a closet door open. Use the hamper. Get another clothes rack if necessary. Of course, the cat knocks down the laundry hamper.
   
      Shoes must be rounded up and elevated. Stockings must be hidden. Especially nylons.
     
      Food must be prepared and eaten in front of them while chanting "Mommy's food", because beagle pups are ALWAYS interested in food. Unless they are sleeping.
      Try to remember to feed yourself FIRST and get them used to that. (ha ha ha) (Pack-Leader behavior).
      Learn to eat quickly. Standing helps.
   
      Their food must be served in their bowls at the same time in different locations (rooms) or -- you must stand between the bowls. Until the amount and the medications match.
     
      Make them come, sit or do some other job before handing over food. They must earn it. Wonder if that would work for my diet?
     
      If you don't feel like walking them, you are reminded at once that they have a lot of energy and must expel it somehow. Younger puppies are like hummingbirds. (Thanks heavens they slow down! OR are supposed to----)
     
      You cannot chase them and catch them - they must be tricked with treats.
     
      Fast running puppies can take out carpets and pillows (hiding cords) at will - stealth pooping.
      I don't know how they do that-----
     
      Tired puppies can be quiet for 10-15 minutes!
   
      Bills, books, and magazines must be read quickly and never placed on the sofa or sofa back or a table they can reach or climb on or anywhere else in reach because beagles are magnificent shredders. (And climbers.)
      After all, these pesky things take your attention away from THEM. Same rule for CDs and DVDs.
      They can be broken into so many pieces!
      Putting a book and your glasses down on the patio table while you sneak a run to the bathroom will cost you.
     
      Never run out of bully sticks. NEVER. And never have just one (unless it can be cut in half).
      Beagles are power chewers. A 12" bully stick can be devoured in an hour or less. But that's a QUIET hour.
     
      They make toys now for power chewers. Got one or two. Lasted more than 5 mins but it is looking sad.
   
      After a certain established age--- anything that squeaks cannot be given to them. They will hunt the squeaker. Anything with stuffing will be unstuffed. My backyard was re-fluffed this morning.
      Anything soft is destroyed in under 3 minutes. The younger one watches the older one and learns these things.
   
      Like children, two beagles mean two treats at all times. The command WAIT will be ignored when food is involved.
   
      While one likes to walk alone with you and have an adventure, the same one will howl and complain when you walk the other one.
     
      You learn quickly that there are more important things than muddy paw prints on the newly washed kitchen floor.
     
      Kitchen throw rugs spend more time in the washer than they do on the floor.
     
      Old towels have a new life.
     
      Driving home from work requires a stop at [PetCo, PetSmart or Petfood Xpress] (pick one) to pick up [pet food, pet toys, bully sticks, potty pads] (pick one) regardless of how much decaf or green tea you drank before leaving the office. Riding home on a potty pad crosses your mind often.
     
      Cuddling on the sofa requires a beagle in each hand. Regardless of the size of the beagle.