Tuesday - All Things Ellie

 

"Ellie at the schoolyard

When Glen and I talk about the beagles we have had over the years, one thing we discuss about our first beagle, Grunt, is how athletic he was.  We have a double driveway, and Grunt could fly over it with room to spare.  He could do a vertical jump and look you directly in the eyes.  He was a muscular, powerful dog.  He was definitely the most athletic of our dogs. Ellie, while smaller than Grunt, is athletic, too, but not on Grunt's level.  

Ellie loves to walk.  The longest walk she has done was 10 miles.  It was in Virginia on the Virginia Creeper.  She had previously done an 8-mile hike with no problem.  We watched her carefully for signs she was overworked, but she actually looked like she was ready for more when we finished.

Ellie also loves to run.  When we go to the nearby school, she knows she can run more in the huge, fenced-in part.  Once we go through the gate, she takes off flying.  I am always amazed at how fast she can go.  We keep her on a 30-foot leash, and I am at the other end of it, running to keep up.  I would just drop the leash, but I know there are places where she could easily fit under the fence, and one has a pretty significant drop-off near it.  But I do love watching her run.

Well, not one time.  We were walking in that field, and she spied, or smelled, something in a tree about 30 feet away from us.  She took off.  She went so fast that it pulled the leash out of my hand.  As she neared the tree, a squirrel in the tree jumped down and ran away, and the cat that had been at the bottom followed.  So did Ellie.  

They were headed for the corner of the lot.  I didn't know what else to do, so I shouted, "Ellie, STOP!"

I was totally surprised when she stopped, but she had also reached the edge of the lot.  Both the squirrel and the cat had easily scaled the old fence and escaped whatever Ellie was planning to do if she had caught them.

I was very pleased that Ellie had stopped, and very displeased at myself that I had let the leash get out of my hand.  And I was surprised at the speed our beagle could obtain when chasing something.

Another thing Ellie loves to do is play Tug-of-War.  She will bring a favorite toy several times during the day and drop it at my feet.  I know what will ensue next.  As I pick up the toy, she will try to get it from me.  If she succeeds, she is headed to the den.  If she doesn't, she is still headed to the den with me leading and holding the toy in my hand.  She expects us to chase around the chairs a few times and likes it if we change directions in the process.  Then I sit in the chair, and we tug on the toy.  She shakes it on her end and tries to get it away from me.  I usually don't manage to get it away from her!  Then I will give her the "Drop it!" command, and she will obey.  Mainly because she knows what is coming next.  I will toss the toy across the room, usually on the couch or a chair.  She will effortlessly jump up and grab her toy, and then the process starts all over.  She loves this game, and I love playing it with her.  I wish I could play with her like this all day.