lovemyshiba wrote:
"I have Abbey, a beagle cross--no idea what she's mixed with, but she sure is a love bug"

She's a doll. Looks just like the beagle I had when I was a kid. His name was Sam, and in those days there were no leash laws and the neighbourhood dogs just ran free. He used to walk me to school every morning, and meet me at the school gate after school. What he did inbetween we had no idea! He was a love bug as well, slept in my bed every night and loved to be cuddled.

Do you have a fenced yard for Abbey, or do you always have to keep her on leash? Like most hounds, Beagles have a tendency to follow their nose if not kept on-leash. Or is she one of the exceptions?

I'm fortunate to have a large field and wooded area near my home that Henry can run and hunt on. When I first got him, I had such a problem getting him to come back and get back on leash when I needed him to, that I eventually resorted to an electronic collar, which he now wears whenever he's out there. Otherwise, I always keep him securely on-leash -- though it's one of those retractable ones, and the very longest one you can buy -- 30 ft -- so he doesn't exactly feel confined on it.

Is Abbey a "vocal" beagle? Henry sure can bay and howl up a storm when he's out hunting in the field. But he's generally quiet inside -- only howling if he hears thunder or firecrackers....