Beagle for sale..

So, if anyone had ever told me all the things that go into having a pet, more specifically, a beagle. Well, I probably would have reconsidered. Sorry, Bax. I never remember the dogs we had when I was a kid having so many issues, but there's that whole "lucky me" in this story. If ever there were an insane breed of dog, you better believe I'm going to be the lucky one to get it. 

I just want all my friends with babies to know, I feel your pain. Baxter has been a newborn baby going on 3 1/2 years now.. waking me up in the middle of the night cause he has to pee, and then right when you're back to sleep.. scratch scratch on the door, cause he wants in. I believe when I eventually have a "real baby" someday that will be the easiest adjustment for me. Sleep? What a funny word. 

Some of Baxter's other highlights would be:

 - His barking. Oh how sweet the sound... Its a rare blend of your average bark, a dying seal, a howler monkey, with a pinch of his own little addition depending on his mood. Oh, and its amplified by like 1000. Whenever I go to the dog beach, the second I take him off the leash, its like a bullet firing from a gun. He takes off running and screaming. I believe in his mind he's saying "Wooo Hooo, I'm free" but to the human ear it sounds like he's being murdered. And the looks from innocent bystanders? Mostly shock that something that loud is coming from something that small. I believe he gets that from his mama. I'm puny, short and little, but I'm loud. :) Everyone tells me that this is just a phase, and the barking will stop. Save the date for when that happens, I'm having a party.

 - His love of animals. Definitely the best part of having a dog is the cuddling part. Baxter in particular is a major cuddle bug. I carried him everywhere when he was a pup so he is constantly needing human contact. Or so I thought. Apparently, any species will do. The one that tugs at my heart strings the most?? Without a doubt, the dead possum. My absolute favorite is when he decides to carry them into the house, and especially when he puts them on my bed. What a thoughtful dog he is. I always thought I wanted a man that surprises me with gifts. Be careful what you wish for, I guess. 

 - He's eco-friendly. Baxter doesn't like to add to the waste with poop bags, so he's potty trained. Or wave-trained, I guess. Normal dogs poop in the sand at the beach. But not Baxter. He walks out into the water... usually just deep enough where I can't grab it before it floats away, and just shallow enough for everyone to see what he's doing. Its probably one of the sweetest things to see Baxter run up to a little kid playing in the water, lick his face and then proceed to pop a squat and contaminate his play area. Its amazing that I haven't gotten into a fight with a furious parent yet. Knock on wood... And Baxter also only plays with gifts from nature.. pine cones, twigs.. pretty much anything that will cause a mess when he breaks it into tiny pieces and sprinkles all over the carpet, couch and my bed. 

 - He's a performer. Whenever I have people over, Monty always hides out in the other room. But Baxter feels out the crowd, and then proceeds to put on a show. It varies. Sometimes he humps a blanket. Sometimes a stuffed animal. But the real crowd pleaser is when he takes one of my guests jackets or sweaters, props it up on a chair or step, and then goes to town right in front of everyone. I believe he learned this from his Uncle Chris. No more slumber parties at his house. 

And the one downfall to this "Best in Show" (you know, a beagle did win last year...)  :

  - This face. Cause its impossible to stay mad at this. Cause he looks at you with these big, sad, brown eyes but his tail is wagging a million miles an hour cause he loves you so much. 

I think that's what being a parent is about after all. No matter how much torture they put you through, it would be even worse torture without them. Thank you, Baxter for teaching me that lesson. Please, for the love of God, no more gifts.