The Lonely Beagle:
Before you think I've gone all soft and squishy, please note I am a cold and heartless DBAG. One icky post should not be enough to shatter an image I have spent years meticulously constructing. Ahem...
Continuing with the story... I was dropping off payroll to my brother yesterday, when Lexi the beagle runs across my sister's yard to greet me. She rolls over and yelps out the most pitiful cry. Her cries cut right through me because I know she needs to be loved.
My brother-in-law bought Lexi as a puppy for his kids. She was made to be an outside dog. The trouble is that my sister's family is never home. Between work and the children's rigorous school, gymnastics, and baseball schedule, Lexi often spends her time alone. For a beagle, a social dog, it's misery. :(
I always pick up Lexi and give her gobs of smooches. She's a welcome guest in my home. Lexi plays well with my dachshunds Boudreaux and Pierre. Whenever I keep her, she relaxes with us on the couch in the evenings and sleeps peacefully in our bed at night. We are one big happy loving family!
As we played the jumping in my vehicle game yesterday, I couldn't help but hurt for Lexi. She so desperately wanted to come home with me. I'd take her out my vehicle and she'd jump back in over and over. When I thought I had finally won, she placed her cute little head between the door and floorboard. I couldn't close the door. Her eyes... determined... desperate... left me defeated.
I took Lexi home and texted my sister that she would be staying with me for the night. To my surprise, Lexi has slowly adapted to the social norms of my household. She was on her best behavior and did very little play biting. Lexi did make ME yelp once when she bit the bulge showing in my boxers. OUCH! Gawd dammit!!! Don't worry -- "Slab" is okay.
My sister has realized Lexi would have a better life somewhere else. She has offered the dog to me. I already have two dogs, so one more will not terribly alter my lifestyle. One drawback is two small dogs are sometimes manageable to travel with, but never three! Also, having three dogs would be considered a big negative in the dating department. I already worry if my house smells like a kennel to others. I dunno. Does it?
There is another person that has agreed to take Lexi. He'd like to make her a rabbit hunting dog. My question is... what would her life be like? Would Lexi be treated as a member of their family? Would she be their only dog? OR... would Lexi be locked up in a cage sadly remembering the only time she was ever happy (in my home)?
Humm....
posted by Brettcajun at Thursday, August 18, 2011
24 Comments:
You need to nut up and keep her!
You have the ability, the space, and te resources to care for her and give her the good life she deserves! Plus, your family or trends can watch 3 small dogs just as easy as two.
Do the right thing-- you know in your heart you want to.
She wants to go home with you!
Confession - I have 2 beagles (rescues), so I'm probably a bit prejudiced. One of the dogs is dog oriented and the other is people oriented (it is not a lifestyle choice for them). Your story suggests that Lexi is a people oriented dog. She probably won't be a good hunter at this point of her life. Take her in. Love her, and if you have to travel ask your sister to take care of her. It will still be a familiar and caring environment. With your two other dogs, it sounds as though you were about to start buying Febreze by the case at Costco/Sam's Club anyway. Just take her in and get on with it!
What a dilemma! Easy for me to say but I wonder how ANYONE with a heart could refuse to take her in - and live with that knowledge. But then I went 'soft and squishy' a very long time ago, like from birth.
Hope you can come to a decision that's right for YOU - and Lexi! I certainly don't envy you with the problem. Do let us know the outcome.
Lexi nees to stay in your home with you . She needs to be loved on everyday and have the others play with her. You can always Tell the men in the dateing world that if they want you they have to accept the fact that you have an already made family ....DONT LET HER BE TREATED JUST AS A HUNTING DOG !!!!!! She is your Family DAMN IT !!!!!!
OMG! You better do right by Lexi, or I will hunt you down and cut your ass!
Take her in... we took in a third... ours is a beagle mix... and if you date someone who does not like dogs, then you probably would not last anyway...just sayin'... smooches!
Don't give hear to the hunting asshole!
There are fewer negative stereotypes involving ownership of multiple dogs than there are involving ownership of multiple cats. I've heard people refer to "the crazy old cat lady," but never to "the crazy old dog homo."
Does your house smell like a kennel? And if so, is it fair to blame it on the dogs? They're not the ones who are constantly coming home all sweaty from the tennis court. Just saying....
no question about it ..... she needs to be with you! 3 dogs is definitely a "man magnet" and Frebrezze comes in gallon refills
Why does she have Michele Bachmann eyes?
Brett,
You need each other.
That photo is soooo cute.
Lexi appears horrified in the photo.
This post just tore at my heart strings. You see, I had to put my dog down today. After ten years of a loving pet/owner relationship, she's now gone and my cheeks are tear-stained from crying.
CB is right - Nut The Fuck Up and take that cute little dog into your home. And tell her to stay away from "the slab". That's mine when I come to visit.
I agree you need to keep Lexi and have your sister watch her when you vacation. If you don't take her and something happened you'd feel terrible!!!
There's always room for one more!
Just come here for the first time from Sean's blog JAJG and I'm hooked. How can one not be totally smitten with a guy with such a big heart who can't resist a sad puppy look! So cute!
*wiping out a tear*
Major dating material! ;)
Salut!
Jon
Offer Lexi to RG. He needs her.
That smell in your house...it's not the dogs, it's you...it's your man smell. Don't sweat it, that's what you get for having a 'slab'.
Sounds like with all your testosterone, you need a Lexi in your life. Problems with dating? Dogs are man candy. Man up and take the bitch in...you'll be thanking her when you find a wife. ;0)
On hunting: some dogs love it and would rather hunt than do anything. Others don't... and most of the guys who run dogs are just going to shoot a dog who won't hunt. Given what you've said about Lexi, I'm thinking that she'd be better off with you... but if there's a hunter you know well (well enough to get a promise not to just kill her if it doesn't work out), then you might give that a try.
Oh, and... rabbit dogs work in packs. She would definitely not be an only dog, and almost certainly living in a kennel. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it could be if she doesn't take to it.
what a splendid photo!
If you really need to get rid of her. I'll take her in. I have a loving home with two other dogs who would love to have her. I do have a large yard, but she would only be out to pee, chase squirrls and poop. Not necessarily in that order. She would spend the day inside and sleep with me at night.
They're BOTH so cute...looks like a match made in heaven.
Since it's been some time since your post - I'd just found your blog via Ray's - I hope you've pulled your balls out of your purse by now and taken Lexi home with you! Beagles, like many other breeds, are affectionate critters that give their heart and soul to their "owner" - and (by what you wrote) that's been you all along. Here in KC I'm surrounded by people like your sister - buy a dog, throw it outside, and that's the end of their interaction. I could flog those people! As for "dating" - if the man has heart and soul enough for loving, that will include the 4-legged children as well. If he doesn't, he's not worth your time. Take it from a "crazy old cat lady" - that unconditional love and devotion is yours for a lifetime. Men?... not so much, unless you're gawdz-awful lucky.
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