The game always begins with Mattie's very thorough inspection (i.e., sniffing) of the playing field, with Homer not-so-patiently following along. Once she's given the all-clear, the race is on (see photos). It's hart to tell who is actually the faster dog, because Mattie must always be first, and if she feels she's close to being overtaken, she outwits poor young Homer (who is twice as tall as she) by running under the deck furniture that he ends up sliding or just running into at full speed. Homer likes to play other games like fetch, or keep away, or whatever, but Mattie lays down the Beagle Law that dictates sniffing or chase. That's it. But, Homer doesn't seem to mind because he adores her, and she feels the same about him.

We often spend time with the neighbors, and Mattie continues to tolerate (mostly ignore) the yappy Pomeranians across the street, but recently established the very strict rule of "You're risking life and limb by coveting my treat -- grrrrr -- you better not sniff at it either. In fact, don't even look at it OR me while I'm eating it." The rule was enforced with a very quick and toothless (Mattie has no front teeth) throw down, of which Mattie was the emphatic victor. When offered treats now, Hansie, the offending Pomeranian, graciously accepts his and wisely exits the room to avoid tempting Mattie's wrath. He would never admit it, but he was quite humiliated by the reprimand as he had previously coronated himself King of the Street.

Since Mattie demands nightly belly rubs -- often several throughout the evening -- we were very lucky to discover a teeny, tiny, just beginning mammary tumor. It was literally smaller than a pencil eraser. The vet was amazed that we found it, and it was removed without incident a few days ago. Other than that and a little tartar build up, Mattie continues to enjoy excellent health. Z Update received 4/26/08: Mattie continues to settle in nicely and provides me with many laughs. She has lots of quirky little rituals -- things like trying to hide the very best treats from me. These are the same treats that I gave her, mind you, but she still feels compelled to hide them. I guess the thinks that they're so good I'll want them back at some point. z She just loves meeting other dogs, but then ignores them after a cursory sniff, sniff; all except for Bailey, her blue tick beagle boyfriend. She gets very excited when Bailey comes around to visit. She adores everybody she meets and everybody adores her -- especially my mother! Mattie has enchanted my mother so thoroughly that she now plans to adopt a rescue as well!! Probably not a beagle, but that's okay, because before Mattie, my mother intended to buy (gasp!) a puppy. Way to go Mattie!

Update received 3/21/08:
At the first visit to our new vet last week we discovered a mammary tumor and a bit of needed dental work, along with an otherwise excellent health report. Mattie's even feeling kind of spunky now because the vet said that she has "sexy" curves that aren't typical of a beagle her age (i.e. her weight is just right!)

So, on St. Patrick's day, Mattie was happy to return to the vet to say hello to the staff and other doggies. Little did she know the first visit was far more sinister than just holding court (everyone LOVES Mattie). Her surgery went fine and she was even happier when I picked her up that evening. Strangely, she seemed very excited to return the next morning to say hello to everyone (again) and pick up the evilcollar we had forgotten the evening before.

Besides her hatred of the evilcollar; desire to incessantly lick, lick, lick; ;and running around as if she hadn't any surgery, all is well. She ended up having 7 teeth extracted, and the histology showed the tumor to be benign! So we only have about another week with the stitches and evilcollar, and then it's back to moments of great energy interspersed with many naps on the comfy furniture. We just wanted to say "hi" to everybody and let you know that we're doing well. Take care, Mattie and Katy January 10, 2010

Success Story:   Update received 10/08: It's been about 7 months since Mattie took over my household, so I thought it about time to send an update. I continue to enjoy Mattie's company immensely and she has lapped up the luxurious life of a beagle who's found her retirement home.
While she loves lounging on the sofa, my bed, or her bed, but never the floor, I'm sure she thinks there are not nearly enough games of "chase." We only see her chase partner - my mom's new adoptee, Homer, a young (8 months or so) sheltie-collie mix -- a couple of times a week. Since I'm no good at the game, Mattie politely consents to my attempts a chase in the house, but she can't wait to get to the best place (the only place, in fact) for the game, which is my mom's 1/2 acre backyard. Now, when she bolts out the front door of our home, she stops and sits by the passenger door of the car -- I assume in hopes of traveling to the chase venue.

The game always begins with Mattie's very thorough inspection (i.e., sniffing) of the playing field, with Homer not-so-patiently following along. Once she's given the all-clear, the race is on (see photos). It's hart to tell who is actually the faster dog, because Mattie must always be first, and if she feels she's close to being overtaken, she outwits poor young Homer (who is twice as tall as she) by running under the deck furniture that he ends up sliding or just running into at full speed. Homer likes to play other games like fetch, or keep away, or whatever, but Mattie lays down the Beagle Law that dictates sniffing or chase. That's it. But, Homer doesn't seem to mind because he adores her, and she feels the same about him.

We often spend time with the neighbors, and Mattie continues to tolerate (mostly ignore) the yappy Pomeranians across the street, but recently established the very strict rule of "You're risking life and limb by coveting my treat -- grrrrr -- you better not sniff at it either. In fact, don't even look at it OR me while I'm eating it." The rule was enforced with a very quick and toothless (Mattie has no front teeth) throw down, of which Mattie was the emphatic victor. When offered treats now, Hansie, the offending Pomeranian, graciously accepts his and wisely exits the room to avoid tempting Mattie's wrath. He would never admit it, but he was quite humiliated by the reprimand as he had previously coronated himself King of the Street.

Since Mattie demands nightly belly rubs -- often several throughout the evening -- we were very lucky to discover a teeny, tiny, just beginning mammary tumor. It was literally smaller than a pencil eraser. The vet was amazed that we found it, and it was removed without incident a few days ago. Other than that and a little tartar build up, Mattie continues to enjoy excellent health. Z Update received 4/26/08: Mattie continues to settle in nicely and provides me with many laughs. She has lots of quirky little rituals -- things like trying to hide the very best treats from me. These are the same treats that I gave her, mind you, but she still feels compelled to hide them. I guess the thinks that they're so good I'll want them back at some point. z She just loves meeting other dogs, but then ignores them after a cursory sniff, sniff; all except for Bailey, her blue tick beagle boyfriend. She gets very excited when Bailey comes around to visit. She adores everybody she meets and everybody adores her -- especially my mother! Mattie has enchanted my mother so thoroughly that she now plans to adopt a rescue as well!! Probably not a beagle, but that's okay, because before Mattie, my mother intended to buy (gasp!) a puppy. Way to go Mattie!

Update received 3/21/08:
At the first visit to our new vet last week we discovered a mammary tumor and a bit of needed dental work, along with an otherwise excellent health report. Mattie's even feeling kind of spunky now because the vet said that she has "sexy" curves that aren't typical of a beagle her age (i.e. her weight is just right!)

So, on St. Patrick's day, Mattie was happy to return to the vet to say hello to the staff and other doggies. Little did she know the first visit was far more sinister than just holding court (everyone LOVES Mattie). Her surgery went fine and she was even happier when I picked her up that evening. Strangely, she seemed very excited to return the next morning to say hello to everyone (again) and pick up the evilcollar we had forgotten the evening before.

Besides her hatred of the evilcollar; desire to incessantly lick, lick, lick; ;and running around as if she hadn't any surgery, all is well. She ended up having 7 teeth extracted, and the histology showed the tumor to be benign! So we only have about another week with the stitches and evilcollar, and then it's back to moments of great energy interspersed with many naps on the comfy furniture. We just wanted to say "hi" to everybody and let you know that we're doing well. Take care, Mattie and Katy January 10, 2010
It's been clear since she came to her forever home on April 4, 2008, that she's suffered from considerable abuse as we'd been told. Severely skittish and shy at first, she's warmed up considerably over the past 9 months and has become the wonderful loving dog we saw behind the initial facade of terror. A little TLC is all it took - that plus the developing knowledge that she'll never be abused again. An unexpected loud noise (a healthy sneeze!) will still send her running for the hills, though. Right now, she shares our bed in the evening and is a welcome "canine yule log" as cold as it has been.