Work It, Girl!

As has been pretty well-documented on this blog, there are not many dogs, be it a breed or an individual dog, that I don't love, or at least like a lot.  There are a few breeds that leave me feeling a little lukewarm, although I won't name them here lest I unintentionally offend someone.  Point is - big or small, short coated or long coated, scruffy or sleek ... I heart dogs.  Almost universally so.  And there are a few that I heart big-time ... and yet, much as I love them, wouldn't necessarily want to live with one.  Beagles are one of these breeds.  Every time I see one I melt ... those big, soulful brown eyes, that happily wagging white-tipped tail, those big, velvety-soft ears!  Squee!  I mean, come on ... who doesn't love Snoopy?  My grandparents had a Beagle, and my best friend J has had three in succession over the twenty years we've been friends.  I have loved them all, even though, on balance, Beagles would not be a breed I would choose to live with.  I can't really explain why, I just know that as much as I love them, I prefer to love them at someone else's house.  

J's current Beagle, Stella, is perhaps my favorite.  And she, like almost every Beagle I have ever known, will shamelessly try to manipulate you into giving her whatever she happens to want at the moment (a bite of your food, ALL of your food, some belly rubs, etc.).  Stella's favorite tool in her arsenal of manipulation is to fix you with her big brown eyes and just WILL you to capitulate.  This girl knows how to work it.  Observe ... 

I am lying here so nicely at your feet.  Don't you want to rub my belly?

I NEED belly rubs!  Do you see how SAD AND PATHETIC I look because you are not giving me any belly rubs?  I am almost about to CRY!  Even though I am not a Basenji and can't REALLY cry, I am crying on the inside.  Trust me.

You are still not petting me?  You just might be the meanest person I've ever met.  How about I give you a kiss?