Beagle and Friends: Part I

Maximilian the Beagle has some close doggy friends (as any gentleman Beagle should do). Of these friends, perhaps the most velcro-y/needy/possessive/loving of them all is Grace.

Grace is half Australian Shepherd and half Vizsla. And her third half is something bigger and more than either of those two breeds. (Yes, she has three halves - if you met her, you'd understand.)


This is Grace when she was a puppy. Since then, her nose has gotten pointer (all the better for bopping you with), and she's gained about 50 pounds.

Grace developed a near-violent love for Maximilian from the beginning. She wanted to play with him and chew on him and run around with him. But Maximilian, being the regal Beagle that he is, would only willingly partake in one of those activities - allowing Grace to chew on him.


She would nibble on his ears and his neck like she was grooming him. The photo above is, I believe, her being caught in the act and saying: "What? What am I doing wrong?" Maximilian is clearly in a posture of acceptance. It's a good thing Maximilian's Beagle ears are fairly thick.


This is Grace, being a little more kind. Instead of chewing on him, she is trying to spend time with him by partaking of one of Maximilian's three favorite activities, napping (the other two being eating and walking). Grace can never ever be close enough to anyone - ever. Even if it's uncomfortable for both parties. Notice, that Maximilian is again displaying acceptance posture, but is getting his snooze on nonetheless. To be fair, Maximilian has taken over her chair.


This photo is from some years later - Grace has obviously mellowed out a little. But her need to be (very) near the people and things she loves has not been daunted. And on a hot summer's day, this is apparently enough physical contact to keep her happy.


My favorite picture of the Beagle and the Vizsla-Australian Shepherd is this one. I'm pretty sure Grace also prefers this type of activity to napping (I couldn't say for sure about Maximilian). This is during a walk around a pond in the middle of a hay field. Hot and happy dogs.

They will see each other soon - we can only hope that one of them (who shall remain nameless) won't piddle on the floor in excitement.