Wow, what a nightmare I had last night. I dreamed it was a cool cloudy day. I was running four of my females over on the back side of my property. They were really making some noise. They were making every turn like they were following a painted yellow line. Just pushing through the briars and weeds with that steady CHOP-CHOP-CHOP, as if to say you can run rabbit but you can't hide. The race had gone on for about an hour and I was starting to get worried for the rabbit. After all, many hours and more dollars go into making sure the rabbits on my place have adequate food and cover. I want the dogs to run them hard and steady but I don't want them to catch them. what I heard next was a terrible commotion. I could tell that something was wrong at the house the Mastiffs were raising all king of sand. That was quickly followed by the sound of a kennel full of beagles doing the same. I hot footed it over to the kennels where I found 2 guys in suits looking at my dogs. I ask them what they were doing and they told me they were from the new government department responsible for the redistribution of wealth. Seems they had learned I owned way too many high quality female beagles. They said President Oboma needed to make sure some other beaglers who didn't have any quality females got one. They were their to seize all but two of mine so they could get them to those who really needed them. I told them I had been working on those dogs since I was a teenager, I told them I had worked really hard to invest in proper kennels and training grounds so I could improve them. Their only reply was to tell me I should feel good that now others less fortunate who didn't know how to get such good females would now be able to own a good one. I awoke in a fit of rage............
I sure hope America sobers up before next Tuesday!

The southeast is coming off of a huge beagling weekend. Last Wednesday we finally had some rain, in fact we had 3 inches of rain, and scenting was nearly perfect this weekend. Cove Creek Beagle club in Pickens, South Carolina held thier annual AKC license trial and any one who is anyone in the south east beagle world was thier for the big competition. I saw many friends from South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina. They were all thier for the same reason, to show off thier prize beagles.
What made this weekend different from most is the incredbly good scenting conditions the dogs had to work with. Nearly every pack ran like it could see the rabbit.
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of being accompanied by my oldest daughter Ashlyn. Ashlyn was a real trooper and went out with me every time we went to the field. Ealry in the day Ashlyn told me, " daddy, I hope we win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd." The day went on and the competition got tougher. Ashlyn and I were both pleased when the dust settled to find out our own born and breed Lady Bird got the 3rd place award. It was good judging and and quality dogs that made it a good time. I don't think I heard a single complaint about the field trial. I know I had one happy little handler with me when we got home and Ashlyn showed off the the trophy we recieved. It was sure a good time, leaving both Ashlyn and myself ready to go back for more dog running.