KLINGER

Hi Everyone,

While still on the subject of puppy behavior, I though I would share a funny story of my "wild child", a Beagle name Klinger.
I brought him home at 7 weeks, (have since learned, never bring a puppy home before 8 weeks). He is now 8 years old and has accumulated names such as "devil dog" and threats of "I'm going to make Beagle Stew out of you"!, but boy do I love him!

Klinger acquired a new nickname during the visit of my dad and Aunt Marie. It is"Kleptomaniac". During my relatives stay he managed to drag a number of articles through the doggie door. Some of those articles were: my Aunt's bathrobe, my pajama bottoms, my aunt's purse (with articles strewn throughout the yard), my sneaker's, Gene's sneakers, a few unmentionables?, screwdriver, flashlight, Aunt Marie's sandals, Gene's sock, my socks and last but not least, my Dad's brand new camera. I happened to step out the back door, there stood Klinger with those beautiful soft brown Beagle eyes looking at me.

With an innocent face that said, "What mom, I didn't do anything", my Dad's camera encased in leather dangling from his mouth. I panicked, trying to quickly think how I could retrieve this camera before my Dad discovered it's whereabouts. As I started to sweet talk Klinger into dropping the camera, I heard a booming voice inside "THAT MANIAC HAS MY NEW CAMERA!!" To late we were caught. But by the time Dad came barreling out the door, I had retrieved it from Klingers grasp. Luckily my dad is as much an animal lover as I am, so Klinger came out of the incident with all body parts still attached. Once my relatives arrived back in California, Aunt Marie called. It seems not only did Klinger carry her purse out to the backyard, he also chewed the inside up. Aunt Marie threatened to sue Klinger and I told her I would hire him a lawyer.

Actually Dad and Marie were in hysterics their entire visit over Klinger's antics There is never a dull moment with him around. Although Aunt Marie has replaced her purse, I'll be making a trip to Wal-Mart to purchase another one and send it to her with love from Klinger. Moral of the story: When you have a puppy, shut closet doors, shut bedroom doors, put your shoes away, hang your clothes up, put your tools away, buy a bathroom trash can with a lid, buy a hamper with a lid and for gosh sake's put your camera up, if it's not tied down, it will be out the doggie door with Klinger for sure.


Animals are such agreeable friends they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.
George Eliot