Nuffnang

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Beagle Identity Crisis (Fighting Like Cats and Dogs)

I'm a lil' concerned about who I am. I know I am supposed to be a beagle. My MKA certificate confirms that. When I look into the mirror, I see the features and markings of a tri-colour beagle. My keen sense of smell and stubborn trait jives with most other beagles. So, why am I facing an identity crisis?

As you know, traditionally, beagles are hunting hounds. We accompany our humans who would be on horseback as we embark on a hunt for foxes, hares or other game animals. Herein lies my problem. I freak out at horses! Here's what happened.

During the year end break, my humans & I ventured into the hills for a hike. I was going my own merry way, nose to the ground, happily taking in the scents of the tropical jungle. Then suddenly, my peaceful jaunt was shattered when I heard loud clomping.

"What on earth is that???" I caught sight of strange-looking beasts on the trail on top of us. From where I was standing, they look like giants (I am a medium-sized dog after all). As it turns out, a couple of horseback riders were using the trails. Naturally, I went into protective mode, barking frantically, at a very high pitch at this new threat. My humans had to hold me back! "Let me at em..." Unfortunately, they didn't have the presence of mind to take photos or video of my encounter with the horses so I can show this to you... Instead, they gave the lame excuse of trying to hold me back from scaring the horses. Go figure!

After the very eventful walk, my humans pondered over my strong reaction to the horses. Despite my beagle ancestry which has a long-standing relationship with horses, they concluded that I am a product of my environment. After all, I was raised in the city. Loud engine noises from whizzing cars and trucks don't bother me one bit. Noisy honking is like water off a duck's back. But horses and me are like cats and dogs. (Note: The complete idiom is "Fighting like cats and dogs". However, I have used literary liberty with this phrase since everyone should know what this means). Actually, the horse couldn't give two hoots about me. On the other hand, I am so irked by the horses for what my humans deem as no reason at all. So, what do you guys think? Am I facing a beagle identity crisis? Or am I just a product my environment?

14 comments:

River said...

I vote for environment! I bark at everything that comes up to our fence, cows, donkies, horses, woodchucks, whatever. My mom writes historical romance and she found the phrase, Love me love my dog was first written in 1839. Can you believe that??

love & wags,
River

Unknown said...

My dear friend Kess, we vote on environment. We know that Giant Schnauzers were bred to herd CATTLE in Germany, but Madison seems to think that her job is to keep the LIZARDS headed in the right direction. Definately an environment issue, lol.

Sapphire said...

Hi. I'm new here. My beagle goes crazy when she sees cows. will not settle for hours. mad cow disease?!

kess you look great (:

Lorenza said...

Hi, Kess!
Yes, it is the environment!
Don't worry! There is nothing wrong with you!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

i said...

It's the environment! You are as normal as you can be, Kess!

Dughallmor Beagles said...

We see horses all the time here on the beach and we still bark at them, it's fun! (our Mum doesn't think so and the horses don't always think so either!) We don't bark at sheep much anymore, but motorbikes.....sheesh!
Also the Beagle was bred to be followed on foot rather than on horseback like our larger cousin, the Foxhound, but I bet if they'd never seen a horse before they'd bark too, those things are big...and scary!

KEY WEST COLLIES said...

Let's see you are a identiy of your environment, err product of your crisis. Oh dear, that doesn't sound right either. Woof..

We believe you are product of your environment. That is what we think.

Dog Speed,

Esseex & Deacon

Twinkle a.k.a Chicken Little said...

Kess, its ok. Everyone say Im weird coz I dont mixed around with dogs, I kinda hate dogs. I prefer hooman. So dont be sad coz we are unique!!! hehe

slurpy licks,
Twinkle

Dughallmor Beagles said...

Hi Kess and Mama! We have something for you over at our place....can you guess?
Slobbers xx

One Little Birdie said...

Bacci really freaks out at motorcycles and bicycles. We'd bet if he ever came across a horse, he'd freak out about that too. Shiloh and Guinness are okay with sharing the trail with a horse, however. So, we think you're an okay beagle in our book.

Amber-Mae said...

Oh, I have no idea Kess. It's hard to say. But I'm sure there aren't anything wrong with you. We bark at anything that comes to the gate but that's just a routine for us. We bark at horses too but not to scold them. We actually want to go closer to them & say hello! Oh my, now I'm beginning to feel there's something wrong with us!

Butt wiggles,
Solid Gold Dancer

Mary said...

It is obviously the environment! From our end, everything here looks perfect!

Kathryn and Ari said...

Kess, we think you're perfect just the way you are--and you're 100% beagle. Our little guy came into our life because he 1) hated hunting and 2) hated guns. So someone dumped him on the side of the road as a puppy: that was good news for us; we got to spoil that beagle for 10 years. We're still grateful. I bet your humans are, too.

Lindsay said...

Totally environmental, Kess! You are a pawsome example of a Beagle! Holy puppy-paws, what doggy wouldn't bark at horses when seeing them for the furst time?

I love to bark at horses!
Wrooo!
Dannan

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