Cooper, circa 2002. 

The Gentle Canine - by Dad

Remembering our search for which dog breed would best fit our family, I remember a few phrases from the numerous books we consulted that made us confident in picking the Beagle. Here is one of them.

The "Beagle Handbook" by Dan Rice, D.V.M, states:

"The gentle tolerance of Beagles for children is legendary".

I witness this "tolerance" everyday as one of my children snuggle up with a sleepy beagle, wrap their arms around his neck, hug him, rouse him from his sleep, and generally bother his solitary repose, again and again. The Beagle takes it, relishes the companionship. The Beagle is a gentle canine.

It's Not a Treat, It's T- R- E- A- T - by Nicole (age 6)

When we say the word "treat" Cooper comes over to the treat bag. So we don't say "treat", we say " T-R-E-A-T ". Don't you get it? He understands different words like "treat".

Eyes are the Window to the Soul, circa 2004

Cooper Celebrates his Own Birthday - by Nicole (age 6)

Cooper's birthday is on March 3rd. Cooper gets treats as a present. On his 1st birthday we made a chocolate and vanilla cake for us. For his 2nd birthday we made cupcakes and put some beautiful decorations on them. Cooper is going to be 3 years old very soon. Does Cooper blow out the candles? No, we do. Cooper also loves to celebrate anyone's birthday. Does your dog love to celebrate his/or her birthday?

Not All Dogs Eat Everything They See - by Elizabeth (age 9)

You may think that dogs eat everything they see. Well wrong. One thing for sure that I know Cooper will not eat is mushrooms. Whenever someone drops a mushroom he will sniff it and back away. He doesn't do this because they don't taste good. I'm absolutely sure he does this because mushrooms that grow outside are poisonous, and it's his instinct not to EAT MUSHROOMS!! This is proof that not all dogs eat everything they see.

( Once again I tested this theory out. While my mom was cooking with mushrooms, I threw a piece of mushroom on the ground to see if he would eat it. Immediately Cooper came over. At first all he did was sniff it. Then, he picked it up and started playing with it. Throwing, catching, running, but no eating.)

Bucking the System -- by MOM

Well, he knows he's not suppose to sit on the living room furniture. I've probably kicked him off the couch 250 times in the last two months (after all, Cooper was not allowed full run of the house until then). Of course, he always had the freedom to 'hang out' on the den furniture. But that's where I draw the line. I'll allow him to shed in the den but I'm really trying to limit this doggy problem and keep it from taking over the entire house. They say Beagles are stubborn. I agree. But they're also very clever. When I'm around, he's learned to lounge on the den furniture or in his bed like a good little boy. When I am not around, however, he will sit wherever he damn pleases. Thus, Cooper has learned to 'buck the system'. When I return home from being out I see his cute little head leaning on the armrest of the LIVING ROOM COUCH after which he quickly gets off and hopes I didn't see him. But of course I did see him... and besides the seat is warm. He is caught "red-handed". Will that stop him from doing it the next time? Not a chance.

The Alert Beagle, circa 2004 

The Security Guard - by Mom

We have an alarm system, we have outdoor lighting, we lock all our doors and windows... but none is as effective a security system as is Cooper. He makes his rounds walking around the house and looking for trouble-- that is, looking for a reason to bark and groul and defend his (or our) territory. Problem is, he thinks his territory involves anything he can hear or see out our windows including the neighbors' houses, the street, actually the entire neighborhood. People outside (including the neighbors themselves) are targets of his aggressions. It goes without saying that visitors who ring our bell are fair game for him. And the mailman-- well, he's a daily source of rivalry for Cooper. It's amazing how violent and vicious he becomes when he sees him coming or sees him parking his truck on the street. It doesn't matter that it's just paper being thrown through our door slot, Cooper is there to guard and defend to the death.

It can be real annoying at times, especially when we try to greet a guest at the door. But have no doubt, if we ever need protection and security in this house-- Cooper is there to give it to us.

Cooper as a Pup, circa 2002

I Want to Eat Now Mom! - by Nicole (age 6)

Cooper always looks at Mom when he is hungry. He looks at her very early. He starts staring at Mom at 3:00pm but his dinner isn't until 4:30pm. I wonder how hungry he really is when he is "hungry"? Cooper should be hungry because he doesn't eat lunch. When he eats dinner, Cooper eats really fast - but he might get a tummy ache!

Does your dog do that to your Mom?

Indecisive Beagle - by Michael (age 12)

Although Cooper sleeps for most of the day, he is sometimes the most awake in the early to mid part of the night. Well, that's when he seems to become energetically indecisive. I'll explain. Once in a while, usually around 7:00 P.M., my family will be in the den with Cooper. Well, this happens almost every night. But what makes these nights so different is that for a few minutes, Cooper entertains us with what looks like indeciseiveness, although he's really only trying to have fun. Anyway, the family will be sitting in the den when all of a sudden, Cooper will bolt from the den into the kitchen at a speed faster than 186,000 miles per second(that's the speed of light for you high school drop outs). Then, he immediately darts right back into the den. Then, he turns around and slingshots back into the kitchen. Then, he bullets back into the den. Often, this goes on for several minutes before he stops. It appears that he's trying to make up his mind on something, but really, he's just trying to have some quick fun. Sometimes, I guess dogs are a little smarter than they seem...

The Real Dish-Washer -- by Mom

If you start with the premise that a Beagle is always hungry then you'll understand this next post.

Funny how Cooper is a constant presence when I'm filling the dishwasher. He's there to catch all the drippings and lick all the crumbs off the plates. By far, his favorite is the milk from the cereal bowls. He absolutely lives for that. In fact, if I'm busy and can't quite get to cleaning up right after breakfast he will follow me around until I do. In the event that the kids all had waffles or licked their own bowls clean of milk I can't help but feel sorry for the dog and pour a little bit of milk into it before I dump it into the dishwasher. (Please don't tell him 'cause I would hate for him to know that I did that. Sure don't want a spoiled Beagle around here). Anyway, perhaps the most amazing thing is that Cooper could be out like a light on the den couch but when he knows I'm about to fill the dishwasher he makes sure to get himself perfectly situated before I enter that first dirty dish. He will not waste his time waiting when I'm only emptying the dishwasher, however-- he comes when he hears the forks and knives being taken out. That is his clue that the clean phase of dishwashing has been completed and the next phase of dripping culinary delights is about to begin. Lap it up Coop!

Sleep - by Dad

Ah sleep, we never seem to get enough of it; it's never deep enough; and there is always something to accomplish, so get up! This post is being started at 5:47am as I wait for the Starbuck's caffeine to kick in, and Cooper is fed and off to bed - again.

Let me describe a Beagle's, our Beagle's sleep routine:

8:00pm - bedtime, Coop is out for the night

5:30am - wake up, do his business, eat breakfast

5:45am - back to bed

8am-2pm - witnesses, who are sometimes home at these hours, say he alternates between sleep and wandering the house during this time, we'll estimate he sleeps half of this time

2pm-8pm - Cooper is up, fully energized by plenty of deep REM sleep

So if you add up these hours, Cooper minimally gets 14.75 hours of sleep per day.

I am jealous.

The Napping Dog, circa 2004 

Chicken Special - Elizabeth ( age 9 )

A couple of nights ago my family had chicken for dinner. We didn't want it to go to waste so we gave it to Cooper tonight mixed in with his dinner. First, my mom put his normal food in his bowl. Then she started to sprinkle little bits of chicken into it. There was still some chicken left to add but my mom couldn't because he wouldn't move his head! He was enjoying it so much. Finally Cooper realized there was more to be put in his bowl and he moved aside. Because we almost never give him people food, he devours it. He sure loves chicken!

I Don't Want to Go to the Vet - by Nicole (age 6)

Cooper does not like to go to the vet. He loves us, so he does not want to be with someone else. Whenever he goes in the car he cries - because he thinks he's going to the vet! I always hopes he behaves at the vet. We know how he behaves at check-ups because we are there. He used to think that we would leave him at the vet forever, but now I think he knows that he doesn't stay there forever. Cooper can play at home but he cannot play at the vet. Cooper is not used to the people at the vet, but he is used to the people who live with him. Cooper is the best dog and we don't like him going to the vet, but he has to sometimes. Cooper definitely loves his home more than the vet!

Cooper, circa 2004

Earning His Keep - by Dad

I never owned a dog growing up, so getting Cooper and living daily life with him is a new experience for me. Things I did expect of the "dog owner" life were the vet bills, the walks, the feedings, the "gotta get home to take care of the dog" days, the doggy "hospital" visits, and the countless other responsibilities. Yes I did forsee these things - as a contemporary middle class suburban dad with a house, three kids, bills, long hours at work, you kinda see new responsibilities coming - very clearly, and you choose them carefully.

Now what did I not forsee? Mainly, Cooper the Beagle gives alot back. He gives a wagging tail when you arrive home. He gives a warm furry body for a kid to snuggle with before bed. He gives friendship to any friendly person. And he'll listen to anything you want to talk about. And for all that what does he ask for in return? A warm bed, 2 cups of food a day, a walk, and companionship. All in all Cooper - you're earning your keep.

Star Chart - by Mom

You know, Cooper is not just a dog. He's sort of like one of the kids. And that is why I have developed a "star-chart" for him based on good behaviors. He can earn his stars by doing nice things, really really smart things or sometimes just by doing something really cute. When he gets 50 stars he will earn a reward (a meaty bone or some other special treat). Of course, he doesn't really know he's earning stars-- he just gets them. And anyone in the family can issue stars to him, not just me. I'll just need to initial it so I know there weren't frivolous stars being given out! Right now Cooper has 18 stars. I'll keep you posted on his progress.

Talking Dogs - by Michael (age 12)

You would think that because Cooper is a dog, he wouldn't annoy us too much by constantly asking questions. Right? Wrong. Although he may not be able to ask in words, he finds other ways to ask us for things. There is one in particular, however, that mainly corresponds to me.
Cooper loves to get the bottom of his arm scratched and massaged over and over again. I'm the one who usually takes on this role since he loves it so much. But although I have the satisfaction of making him happy, there is a down side. Often, usually at night, he'll come up to me, sit down, and pick his paw and arm up, trying to tell me to scratch it. So, I do. Maybe I'll do it for a minute, then I'll stop. But as if it wasn't bad enough that my own dog dog has learned to ask me for a massage every now and then, but when I put his arm down, he often picks it right back up and waves it in front of me. He's a lucky dog. He has his own way of asking this "machine" for a massage any time he wants. Wouldn't you like that?!

The Pancake Batter - by Elizabeth (age 9)

This morning I had pancakes for breakfast. When I was cleaning up and putting the pancake batter bowl in the dishwasher, as always Cooper came over to lick the bowl. He stuck his head into the bowl and got pancake batter all over his face.

Later on in the day I decided to clean him up. Somehow he knows when I'm going to give him a bath. With a Doggy Bath Wipe in my hand I called Coop. As soon as he saw me with the wipe he ran as fast as lightning away from me. Believe me he does not like taking baths.

Finally I got hold of him and gave him a bath. He often runs when he does not want to do something, but he always comes around, eventually.

The Alert Beagle - by Nicole (age 6)

Once I was playing with a piece of ribbon and I dropped it on the floor. So Cooper came to me and told me that I dropped it. And after, I picked it up. Then Cooper went back to his kitchen bed (where he was before). This is an example of Cooper telling us of "things that happen"!