Monday, June 17, 2013

One Lucky Beagle


This adorable stray found her way to my back step a few days after we moved into our new home.  Where I live, hunting with dogs is very popular.  Although there are hunters that take good care of their dogs, it is a sad truth that many hunters see their dogs as equipment instead of family.  If you walk into any shelter here in North Carolina, you will see a plethora of unwanted hunting dogs.  It is so sad to see as hounds make wonderful family pets.  I can personally attest to this.  My sweet girls, June & Willa, are simply the best!   


We called this stray "Beagle" for her first few days with us while we tried to locate her owner.  I had a strong feeling we wouldn't find her owner due to her breed and condition.  She was very dirty with long nails and no collar.  I called all of the local shelters and left my name and number.  I also left my information at the local vet just in case when I had her checked for a microchip, which she didn't have.  No one came forward for her.  This little love bug had no one that was missing her.  I just don't understand how anyone could let her go.

I immediately thought of my parents when I took in Beagle.  They had taken in their own stray beagle, Barney, a few years back.  They had also recently adopted Ryder, a black lab mix.  Even though my parents had a full house, I still thought they might have room for one more.

I called my mom the same day Beagle showed up.  "If her owners don't claim her, do you want her, Mom?"  She replied, "You talk to your dad."  Easy enough!  I called my dad with Facetime on my Iphone.  I wanted him to be able to see this little bundle of cuteness.  He told me how pretty she was and that it would be up to my mom.  Well, it sounded like they both might be up for adopting another beagle!



After talking things out, however, my mom and dad called me later that evening to tell me they weren't ready for a third dog.  I understood, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed.  So I called Paula with Sea Dog Rescue to see if we could adopt her out.  Since we had waited well over 72 hours, which is the stray hold at the shelter, she decided we could make her a Sea Dog!

As any bad loving daughter would do, I continued to text my mom multiple cute beagle photos daily.  I knew she wouldn't be able to resist that cute little face!  Two days after we made Beagle a Sea Dog, my mom texted me.  "Arrange the transport for Betty."  They wanted her!!!  I was ecstatic!  I had fallen in love with this sweet girl and was so glad she would be staying in the family.



As you can see, my parents named her Betty.  Barney & Betty.  Mr. & Miss Beagle.  I loved it!   A little while longer, and Betty would be in her forever home!  And the Bruner household would be back down to four dogs.  That makes a happy husband!

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How would you handle a stray showing up at your house?  Please share your stories and advice.  I would love to hear from you!

8 comments:

  1. i cant help,have never try to get a stray dog. maybe with treats... anyway, Betty is such a handsome pup, though aint a beagle fan(i am a husky, malamute and german shepherd addict LOL.)

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    1. Thank you! She certainly is a cutie! Huskies and shepherds are adorable, too! I am a sucker for the big dogs :)

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  2. What a adorable cutie! I'm so happy that your parents decided to keep her! It was destiny!

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    1. Thanks, Francesca! I am so happy, too! I truly believe she was meant to be with them. Destiny definitely brought Betty to me so I could bring her to my parents :)

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  3. The stray that showed up at my house (Dory) never left! If Betty would have showed up at my place it would have been super hard for me to give her away. She is one of the cutest Beagles I have ever seen!

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    1. Dory was one lucky pup, too!!! And Betty certainly is adorable. I am so glad she went to my mom so I will be able to see her again. She definitely was hard to say goodbye to!

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  4. When we moved back to Ohio 8 years ago we came back with 1 less dog and cat...we had to say goodbye to Sammy our Golden Retriever girl and Daisy, one of our cats....Our family got smaller that year, but I guess it was for a reason...We had a beagle mix that had been coming around on garbage day before we moved initially from Ohio to NY...after many attempts, we got him!!! He was full of fleas, not neutered or anything...he spent the first night in the garage...that was his last! He is still going strong...we think the is about 13 now...vet said he was maybe 2 or 3 when we found him...then came the cats...ferals we trapped and spayed...yes all girls...well I kept them too...2 little sisters..insiders now! And then there was Einstein...a shitz-zu that just showed up in our drive...no tags...no microchip...had to get him fixed too! So we have a full house of those who had to find us....kitties and doggies and yes even 2 parakeets that the original owners didnt want any more! I wish I had a farm, some extra cash to spend because I would have many more that those people seemed to forget about! I love them all!

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    1. I am so sorry you lost Sammy and Daisy! Like you, I believe everything happens for a reason. Your new dogs and cats are proof of that! You are such an awesome person for taking them in. And you are super awesome for spaying them!

      Thank you for sharing your story! You are wonderful!!!!

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Thanks for your comments!
-Laura

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