Beagles - 6, Rabbits - Still Winning

Ah, Tucker and I caught another of the wicked wabbits this morning! Mom let us out at 6:30 a.m., then heard the squealing of a small creature. Sure enough, Tucker and I had pinned down a bunny that should have been home in bed. Soon, the rabbit wasn't the only thing squealing. Mom was yelling for Dad, and both of them raced out in whatever they could find to through on over their jammies. Tucker and I got sneaky, and wandered about the yard as if we were just casually partaking of our morning sniff. Dad gave Mom a dirty look, believing that if there ever WAS anything in the yard, it had got away. Mom got us back in and breathed a sigh of relief.

Later, Mom gave in to our pleas to go out again before she got in the shower. When she opened the door to let us in, I marched proudly to the house with my prize in my jaws. I wanted to bring it in the bed to show Dad! Mean Mom made me drop it outside before I came in. Then Dad put on 2 pair of gloves, grabbed 2 garbage bags and a shovel, and that was the last I saw of my -- ok, OUR, rabbit. But Tucker and I keep checking.

Mom & Dad on Vacation - Sunday, July 16

Dear Mom and Dad,
Aunt Cindy tells us you are coming home tomorrow-- be sure to bring yappers or squirrels from the south if you want to be coddled by your favorite beagles. I am sorry to say that last night Tucker blew it. We went outside before bed and shortly after we were tucked in by Aunt Cindy and given nice treats he went and pooped a triple batch on the floor. Aunt Cindy was not happy. Today Maxwell is running around the house bragging because he was notified that he will be on the main feature page of his group "For the Love of Pug"- otherwise known as FLOP. They have put his beach picture on display with a caption of "rubber ducky, you're the one". You should check it out-- I told him he is not the ONLY pug with his picture on the page so it is no big deal, but he says it is too! Tonight Aunt Cindy topped our dinner with ham and we were all very excited-- Aunt Cindy yelled at me because I left the food after I ate the ham and tried to take everyone else's ham. As you know, I enjoy the finer things in life-- what's wrong with that? Aunt Cindy went to the theatre last night and came home very happy-- she said it was the best show she has seen in years.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow and I will do my best to keep Tucker from pooping again. By the way, neither one of us have tried to run away at all! However, I must admit, I have tried to wake the neighborhood up in the middle of the night on several occasions-- last night being the worst-- I was trying to tell everyone that Aunt Cindy was home and we were celebrating, but she was not happy with me. I will make it up to her.

Love (with reservations based on what you bring me)

Buska (and Tucker)

Mom & Dad on Vacation - Saturday, July 15

Dear Mom and Dad,
It's Buska here-- I've decided to update you on the news from the Grandpaw whom I spoke with today. First of all, we all know he had no squirrels worth chasing. Then, he cat-trapped the local cat so I lost out on that bit of furry fun. Now, wouldn't you know it-- the yappers have moved away. I ask you, what fun will it be for a beagle to visit Grandpaw anymore? Must he take away all the joys of life? Grandpaw seems very pleased that the yappers have left but I am left feeling hungry and rejected. He could have at least trapped one in a cage and saved it for me-- I'm sure their mom wouldn't have noticed. On the other hand, maybe a Chihuahua will move in next door (like the rat that lives next door to Cindy's). One that is so stupid it will crawl through the fence to explore Grandpaw's yard only to be caught in the jaws of this beagle. Aunt Cindy is going out for dinner and the theatre tonight-- we have promised her we will all be very good boys. Last night she gave us delicious marrow bones that we chewed on for about three hours. Irving says his jaw is tired but I could gladly chew on another one. It is 100 degree's outside and humid. Aunt Cindy's feet hurt and none of us beagles and pugs are fond of how it feels outside when you're wearing a fur coat. She broke open the pupperoni's this morning and we all sat together on her bed and had little bites one by one as we chatted about the day. We all liked the pupperoni's and the nice chat we all had together. Gotta go--- if you see any yappers on the road please bring them back for me to torment.

Buska (and Tucker)

Mom & Dad on Vacation - Friday, July 14

Just a note from your former fine beagle Buska who is very hurt that you sent Aunt Cindy a note (which she read to us) but did not read or respond to my writing efforts of which I tried so very hard to compose. Aunt Cindy tells me only three more days until you come home and I assure you that you better bring treats from down south or else! After dinner tonight we are having marrow bones to celebrate the fact that Aunt Cindy has air conditioning because it is very, very, very hot and humid out. Not fit for man or beast. Aunt Cindy has told us that so far, we have been the best beagles we have ever, ever been and she is very proud of us. Tucker hasn't pee'd anywhere (it's always him you know- never me), and only two stuffy toys have gotten destroyed-- of course one was less than 24 hours old. Last night we helped Aunt Cindy make a roast chicken but she wouldn't even let us taste it to make sure it was done-- bummer. I have decided I would like to audition for American Idol which will be holding tryouts in September here in Minneapolis. Please prepare to take the day off so I may attend. Should I get a recording contract I will be the envy of all beagles. Failing that, I would like for you to contract my services to the big brother house as they desperately need a dog to talk to. Well, I've given you enough food for thought...now I'm hungry.

BUSKA & Tucker

Mom & Dad on Vacation - Wednesday, July 12

Dear Mom and Dad,
How long does it take to go south? Isn't it time to go North? I hope you received my greeting card yesterday and understand the seriousness of my intentions.
Last night Tucker and Maxwell started wrestling on Aunt Cindy's bed-- as I was lying on the bed to act as a counterweight you would have thought it would be fine but they got overly excited and bounced poor Irving off the bed and onto the floor on his head. Irving did not look so good afterwards and Aunt Cindy put a stop to the wrestling. Also, on Monday Tucker was chasing Maxwell around the corner into the kitchen and as Tucker turned the corner planted his big paw on Aunt Cindy's broken foot-- in the exact position as the break. She howled. Later as I was trying to line up to be first outside I took her other foot out!! Mom and Dad, we need to get some serious counseling for Tucker. Today Tucker saw himself in a full length mirror. He began growling at himself, the fur on his back stood up, he then started to bark and weave back and forth-- the beagle in the mirror did the same thing!! This went on and on and finally the pugs and I decided to check it out-- we tried to tell him he was fighting with himself but he did not believe us. He has finally run out of steam to fight with the dog in the mirror but I'm sure he'll go round two shortly. Well, that is all I feel like sharing for today, I am going to resume my nap as it is a difficult life. Thank you again for having the consideration to bring my stairs with me- I am finding them quite useful even if they do slide a bit on the hardwood floors. You will owe me many, many neck and ear rubs after this...

Buska

Mom & Dad on Vacation - Monday, July 10

Dear Mom and Dad,

The glow is off of our visit at the house of pug. It began at 5:45 this morning when Aunt Cindy was awoken by the sound of Irving barfing beside her in bed. After she cleaned it up, and then cleaned up the second and third mess he made on the floor, it was difficult for any of us to get any quality snoozes. In fact, Tucker became so upset by the entire scene that at 9:30 this morning he decided to barf as well- twice, all over the newly refinished hardwood floor in my bedroom. The day seemed to be improving with all beagles and pugs feeling fine (except for Aunt Cindy who is still crippled from physical therapy) until Tucker started chasing Maxwell around the house, came around the corner into the kitchen and slammed his paw down right on Aunt Cindy's broken foot!! In fact, right in the very spot the foot is broke!! She howled like a beagle! Then, to finish her off, I decided to take out her right foot an hour later. It was my way of showing her I did not appreciate her hesitancy to feed us as many treats today because of the issues of the morning. Sure enough, we got more treats after these incidents then the entire day before. Who said I was a dumb beagle. Aunt Cindy still is telling us you and dad have went south-- I'm thinking it must be an awful, awful place as you would always take us anywhere good. Just to make certain though, next time we go up north I am going to sniff around oh so good, just to make sure you didn't go up there without us. Aunt Cindy's pug-pal from Texas sent her a yummy, easy recipe for peanut butter ice cream for pugs (and beagles). She says it will be much cheaper than Frosty Paws and we will try it soon. Maybe if we do not barf or break her feet anymore she will let us take it home. On a positive note, no beagle or pug has pottied or pooped in the house so far-- Aunt Cindy lets us go outside whenever we want but her yard is much more boring than ours -- except for the middle of the night-- then truly, excitement reigns!!

Licks and Kisses,

Buska (& Tucker)

P.S. Irving said for you to bring him teeth back.

Mom & Dad on Vacation - Sunday, July 9

Dear Mom,
Just wanted to know that Tucker and I are doing fine. I helped Aunt Cindy by waking up the neighborhood at 5:45 this morning so they wouldn't have to use their alarm clocks. Aunt Cindy and Uncle Bruce went to see a movie today-- something about devils and Prada and I thought if she wanted to see devils she could have stayed home. But I am not mad as when she returned she brought freshly, custom cut marrow bones from the grocery store for us!!!!! And, after she gave us each one (and Mom, they’re huge!) she wrapped the package back up and put it in the fridge--- that means there must be more!!!
We are still munching on the applesauce cookies and finding them very, very tasty. Maxwell's friend Jave Cheesy Britches from Texas is going to send him a snack recipe so maybe Aunt Cindy will make that for us too! Thank you so much for sending my stairs with on this trip, I am using them and appreciate your thoughtfulness regarding a beagles comfort and dignity. Hope you're having a good time down south... Give dad a neck rub for me.

Luv

Buska (and Tuck Tuck)

Mom & Dad on Vacation - Saturday, July 8

Saturday, July 8
Aunt Cindy keeps telling Tucker and I that you have went down south. She says it is not at all like "up north" and we are not to be envious. I have to admit, this first night at pug camp was pretty pug-delicious. Even an ever hungry beagle was content. After a good dinner Aunt Cindy rounded up a few bones to for all of us to chew on at our leisure but we really didn't need them. Uncle Bruce came over and he brought.....gasp.....PEANUT BUTTER FROSTY PAWS! Then, Uncle Bruce and Aunt Cindy made applesauce bone-bone cookies. After they cooled we got to taste them and we all ran off to eat them away from each other. TASTY, TASTY, TASTY. Then, Uncle Bruce portioned out the Peanut Butter Frosty Paws and Aunt Cindy topped them each with another bone-bone cookie. After going potty outside (and I didn't even bark), we all snoozed in the living room while Bruce and Cindy talked. It was late when we finally went to bed but we still got a vanilla wafer-- the pugs were very excited and we didn't quite understand it until we tasted it-- oh my, my. Just to reassure you, every time I go outside I still go and check out down the driveway to see if you are there yet-- but I will bravely make do here at camp pug. Don't forget to bring me back a southern souvenir-- and you can tell Tucker and I all about the south when you get back.

Neck Rubs and Butt Scratches,

Buska and Tucker