Mom’s been home a lot lately and she sings the word “sabbatical” all the time.
The first day, I thought this word meant “go to the park” and it was awesome.
The second day, I thought it meant “walk through the neighborhood” and it was awesome.
Today, I realized it means “work the poor doggies until they crumple into a heap of tired bones on the cold tile floor.”
I don’t know why she’s so happy.
Medieval Torture Device, originally uploaded by pixielove.
Dad has one-upped me in this game.
The tiny box startles me when I’m in the outdoor chat room talking with other dogs. It sometimes sends a sharp sting if I get into heated debate with an intruder in my territory.
Mom disapproves, but she makes me wear it in the car. I spit on the dash to show my feelings about this. But then I worry she might think I do not love her, so I stand on the back of her seat all the way to the dog park and pant in her ear.
That’s love.
For my fellow Austin canines, follow me on Twitter to find out what park we’re hitting next!
Twitter ID: jackthebeagle
Summer is hot in Austin; we’re in a record-breaking heat wave. Barton Springs is where you’ll find me these days–just outside the gated area in the spillway. Mom & Dad call it ‘White Trash.’
Today, a giant Rottweiler pooped in the water. Some of it sank; some of it floated away. All of it was disgusting.
I dream of running loose on the other side of the creek. Today, I jumped into the water and went for a swim. I swam all the way across and tried to make a dash for the stone stairs, but Dad caught me before I could get to the other bank.
One day. Then they’ll be sorry they taught me to swim.
My parents are rude. Mom most of all.
Dad gave me a bath today; Mom took pictures.
Rude.
I only get to sleep when the humans are away. They’re suspicious creatures, not to be trusted…so I always have one eye open when they’re home.
To prove my point about how untrustworthy they are, Dad caught me in a weak moment asleep on my favorite chair. I couldn’t help myself – it’s usually covered with Mom’s clothes and bags and shoes and things so I can’t get comfortable enough to sleep. But she finally cleaned it off and I snuggled up for a nap. I thought I was safe because everyone else was asleep.
Never trust humans. They photograph you while you’re sleeping.
There are strange small furry creatures that live in my house. They have sharp claws that often hurt my nose. Two of them seem to be in love–Mr. Burns and Zelda.
You might not believe it by the way Burns treats her in front of the camera,
but they always make up later.
I love to ride in the car; it takes you to the park. I know I have a good chance of going to the park when Mom and Dad sleep until the sun shines really bright through the windows in their bedroom. On those days, I have to bark to wake them up or they might sleep all day!
Once they do get up, I show them that I’m really excited about going to the park…just in case they forget that I like to go to the park.
I often have to race Townes and Mom and Dad to the car. They always claim the good seats and somehow I get stuck in the back. One day, I will win.
During the ride in the car, I like to talk to the cars going by and tell everyone that we’re going to the park. The more, the merrier.
Once we finally got to the Beagle Brigade, they locked me up with the other beagles. I didn’t like being separated from Townes–he’s my best pal.
Eventually, I got a good Beagle chase going that made the trip worthwhile. But I think I would prefer Mom & Dad to take me to a bigger park next time.
Running through the woods is my favorite pastime, although sleeping on Mom’s side of the bed pulls a very close second. I love to bay…it’s what I do. I will bay to tell you I’m happy, and bay to tell you I’m mad…I’ll bay to let you know the possums are back in the yard, and bay to tell you they’re gone. You can count on me to bay all day and all night, and if you don’t hear me bay it means I’m up to no good.
I came to live in Austin in April 2007, riding the car down from Dallas during a freak Easter blizzard that blanketed the entire city of Waco in snow. Waco is where the big hand-off happened that sent me from one sister’s house to another and landed me in the cushy Austin pad I share today with Townes the Lab, Burns the cranky orange cat, Zelda the mysterious tuxedo cat, and Max the feisty old barn cat.
My new Mom is good for snuggling and wrestling, but don’t nip at her or she will bear her teeth and growl at you. Pop is good for treats, food and trips to the park; not so much for wrestling and if he catches me barking he’ll spray me with the cayenne pepper water. His behavior is a bit strange, but nothing so strange as his crazy mustache.
It’s a good life. Enjoy the ride.
Adventures of a Wayward Beagle 