After our first beagle, Patches, passed away, my husband and I were reluctant to get another dog. A year or so later, our next-door neighbor asked us to come over to see their two new beagle puppies. We went. Long story short, a week later we bought the last puppy from the litter. We named him Mr. Peabody, as in the cartoon dog. The name was soon shortened to Peabody.
It's been said that beagles aren't exactly the smartest dog breed. I disagree. I think they're supremely stubborn. They know exactly what you're saying to them. They just don't give a fat rat's butt!
Our previous beagle had the sweetest disposition. Stubborn, but sweet. Peabody, however, had a mischievous streak that often got him into trouble. Digging up the neighbors' flower beds, terrorizing our cat, chasing after squirrels and rabbits, chewing up shoes and throw pillows, tipping over the trash can in the kitchen... these were just a few of his favorite pastimes.
The funniest thing he ever did was one Christmas a few years after we brought him home. We had opened presents that morning, and Peabody was in his doggie bed, gnawing on his new chew toy that Santa brought him. My parents were expecting us for Christmas dinner at noon, and we were running late. I hurriedly stacked our gifts back under the tree and went upstairs to get ready.
I forgot that some friends had given us a Hickory Farms sampler.
When we got back later that evening, Peabody didn't greet us at the door like he normally did. We called for him, but he didn't come. When we went into the living room, it looked like a bomb had gone off. The sampler's cardboard box was in tatters and strewn everywhere, along with cheese wrappers, mustard packets, and a pound of Columbian Dark Roast coffee. Apparently, the coffee wasn't to Peabody's liking, but he had a grand time with the bag.
He'd eaten everything in the box, including a huge summer sausage. All that was left of it were the little metal nubs that twisted around the ends.
We found him passed out on our closet floor, snoring loudly. His belly was so distended I don't know how the poor dog could breathe! He waddled down the stairs the next morning and skipped breakfast, but after sleeping most of the day, he was ready for his evening kibble.
Do you have a funny Christmas memory of your pet? Tell us your story below or drop me a line at www.cheryllsnow.com/contact