my cousin Chief…

We finally made it back to beagle racing today, it's been too long, hardly anyone recognised me, I've grown so much. Some people thought Furry-face and Chewy had traded me in for a different model?

As I'm getting a bit older now, I was allowed a really big run up the track today. I had the chance to try out some of the different running styles I've seen. I seem to favour the manic, three-legs-in-the-air-at-once style, although the laid back style of some gave me time to look at the spectators, I quickly remembered why I was there, that land-squid was getting away from me. I caught it as it ran past Furry-face, but because I wouldn't let go, I think I snapped Furry's finger again, whoops! Still, the spectators seemed impressed, a few of them said "he's going to be fast!" What do they mean "going to be"?

I met a cousin of mine there, Chief, he's very fast, even managed to beat my mate Murphy, but I think Murphy was just tired after his holidays, we'll see next time! Cheif's a good fighter, we wrestled for a while, he let me think I was winning for a while before he pinned me down and stomped all over me. He fights dirty though, he bit my ears, they should've called him Tyson!!! Anyway, Chief has a neat little party trick, he can do something called a 'handstand', now I'm not sure what 'hands' are, but he balances on his front paws whilst waving his back paws and tail in the air, it's very cool, but I can't think of anything it would be useful for? Perhaps it's the first part of a dance move or some kind of martial arts self defence technique? That could come in handy!!!!

Show & Smell

Beagle Racing was early today, we had to be there for 10am, something about a fun day with shows. I was hoping for a cabaret or even a comedy hour, but instead, we got dragged around a wet field getting muddy, smelly and very soggy.

I can't resist a roll in the wet grass, especially if there's mud or poo in it, so by the time our show was meant to start, I was black! I wasn't even allowed to get any popcorn or ice cream? Mind you, I got plenty hot dogs for behaving in the ring. Which is an odd name for a square bit of field? Anyway, My 'class' was called, I was hoping it was 'cunning' or 'toy-testing' they taught, but only walking to heel and in a straight line. I'm no use at that, so I ran, bounced, barked, growled and chewed my way across the ring. I wasn't impressed with the lady that tried to steal my ears though. I gave her a paw, then the other, but she didn't want them, I suspect she was looking for sticks or stones that I'd stored in my jowls for later snacks!

I must have scared off all the competition, as I was the only beagle puppy in my class. I won! Best Beagle Puppy!

I was being bullied by a Plumber Terrier in my other class though, so I fought back (from behind Chewy's legs) and I suspect that's why I didn't get a prize that time.

My hero Murphy did really well too, he won the Best Racing dog and also got first in the Beagle Derby, again! He got a funky green coat to wear and a HUGE trophy. I could've fitted inside it, well, maybe six weeks ago. His older sister, Babycakes, won quite a few little chewy rosettes too. She's cool too!

I celebrated in style with a short run up the track, the land squid was very fast today, but so was I! I nearly escaped too, Furry-face almost didn't catch me, I was going so fast. 20 yards I got today. I think I impressed a few whippets! No photos though, Furry-face was too busy trying to catch me!

Racing in the Rain

After two days of a break from Chewy and Furry-face, they treated me to another day at the racing. A few of my friends from last time were there, but some were sadly missing. I had long chats with some of them, but their giants kept interrupting us. They kept getting my name wrong though, they seemed to think my name was "Heesgrown". A few even thought I was a different puppy, must have been the way I had my hair combed?

I hoped to get another wee run to try and catch that red and white land squid. I waited patiently for ages, watching the others try to get it, I got a little bored, so I tried to chew through my chain, I was nearly through when I got carried on to the track. The squid was fast this time, but I was faster, I caught it twice, even growled at it a few times whilst running. Although I didn't manage to stop the second time, it tripped me up as I grabbed it and I tumbled tail-over-snout. Very sneaky this squid, I'll get my revenge next time!

Then we all had to run, no squids to chase, but there seemed to be a flood coming from the sky.

dreams come true

An early start for us all today, to help us forget the tragic events of the last few days, we set off for a trip to a car boot sale, at Kill Ross. Now, I'm sure the red tank already has a boot, but anyway, we wandered around. There were some second-hand books, jewellery, old toys, no boots, but there was this great table cover that had some old jewellery sitting on it. I had to have it, so I wandered off with it. Chewy caught the stuff from the top, and Furry-face wouldn't let me keep it, said I had covers already.

Then, they had a surprise for me… a short trip to a Kings car den, a large field with a fenced-off strip, numbers on vests and beagles, other beagles - Beagle Racing!!!

There were these two nutters, Biggles and Beanie, they shouted a lot, so I joined in, they dug up grass, so I joined in, they had a huge play fight… I watched from behind Furry-face's legs. We walked to the track where lots of giants made their dogs jealous by rubbing my fur, then we heard a loud "GO", followed by a sudden blur behind the fence. Aren't whippets fast?!

More beagles appear, some form near the HQ, might need to go sniff them out soon. Then my mate Murphy appeared, he looked ill. The beagles pulled on their coloured numbers, lined up using their servants as a starting block to push off, another loud "GO", they're off… well, some of them, they were chasing some strange red and white land-squid, it's very fast, none of them could catch it. There were quite a few races, then Chewy picked me up to get a better look, then walked around the fence, "wow, what a view I'll get." I thought. We walked up the track, I was placed in front of the squid - he said it - "go" - I ran, I sped as fast as my wee stubby legs could take me, Furry-face had the black, gadgety, clicky thing with the strap, ten giant yards away, "get out of the way Furry, the squid'll get ya!" But I caught it in time, I actually caught it. It was slimy and slippy, then Furry rescued it. It wasn't a dream, I was really there. But I was too small for a full race. I qualified though, fastest puppy!

I got to watch Murphy racing - I have a LOT of practice to do, he's cool AND fast, like lightning! Can't wait to see him when he's well.

(that's me eating my "first" rosette)
I know who I'm dedicating that to!!

Sleeprunning

I was beagle racing, all of us chasing a remote controlled hot dog. I was out in front, even had managed to pick up the most passing things in my mouth, including a large stick, wads of freshly-cut grass and three rubber balls. The finish line was in sight, still in the lead, breathing frantically, legs flailing behind me, but as I approached the finish line, I realised the world ended and there was a huge drop over a cliff.

I straightened my legs, dug in my paws as I skidded over the line, winning but falling, heading for a giant lake of marshmallow topped with sprinkles. As I hit the lake, I awake with a start, upside down and totally exhausted, furry-faced giant laughing at me uncontrollably, how embarrassing.

Still, I'm glad I was on my back and my legs were flailing above me, I might have ended up in the next town over!?