This is a story about a beagle that I know. He’s just turned eight, got a good home and is allowed to laze about as much as he wants. He goes on long walks, gets to see all sorts of places local to where he lives and even gets tickles and love from people who live nearby. The beagle in question is, of course, my brother Lenny.
If ever there was a beagle who wandered into a house, scented their new surroundings, played happily with their brother (that’s me by the way) and then fell into comfort and safety, then Lenny is the beagle. It took me so long to feel like I was somewhere safe and secure when I first arrived in 2013. Lenny bounced into the house in 2019, ran round the garden like a fur possessed, came back into the house and then slept like a zombie for what seemed days. We since moved house twice and both times he has walked into the new place, sniffed, explored and then collapsed into a satisfied heap on a sofa within twenty minutes. I’ve been checking the new homes out for weeks.
When he goes out for a walk, he scents all the local critters and then decides that most of them aren’t worth chasing. Of course if it’s a cat, then that’s a different story. He watches as squirrels cavort through trees and rabbits stroll about the garden hedge. Even when he’s in the garden he wanders around, sniffs and then returns to have his paws wiped. Sitting nicely before being leashed isn’t a problem for him, in fact he even wanders toward the dad shaped object to have his harness and lead put on.
I used to wonder if Lenny was actually a beagle, given his seeming lack of naughtiness, but I think I have come to the conclusion that he’s one of the most chilled out and calm beagles I know. There are others like Griff and Sasha and I always remark to them that they’re chilled out when we see them. Lenny is on another level though, especially in this house where there are so many distractions.
And look at those eyelashes.
I think Lenny is top dog despite not being like me temperamentally. I think I will let him stay here a while longer.
Dexter 