Nothing Speaks Louder than Silence...

Well, ya'll can probably predict what is on my mind this morning. I lay there chomping on my Z-Ridge Bone last night (quite oblivious) while the president of this country gave his "State of the Union" address. I suppose in retrospect, I was not the only one of the two mentioned here that was in oblivion!

Did I listen? No. I didn't have to. I figured that since I am more of a cyber mutt - I'd read the recap in the news today. Spares me having to look at that expression I can only interpret as "smugness" from someone who potentially could be harvesting the compassion of an entire nation -- and offering it to the world. I may be a dog, but I don't see kindness, sincerety or even genuine concern in that face... EVER.

My original home in Louisiana was probably demolished from the face of this planet by Hurricane Katrina. The people who lived there (not to mention us animals) lost SO MUCH in that storm. The outpouring of affection, volunteers and money in response to that need was truly the most heartening thing many of us have witnessed in a long time. And the president (ie: elected leader of our nation) did not mention ONE SINGLE SYLLABLE about the rebuilding of New Orleans... something still needed and far from complete in the gulf of our country.

NEW ORLEANS - Gov. Kathleen Blanco angrily criticized President President
Bush on Wednesday for not mentioning 2005's destructive hurricanes in his
State of the Union speech, and said Louisiana is being shortchanged in federal
recovery funding for political reasons. "I guess the pain of the hurricane is
yesterday's news in Washington," Blanco said at a news conference.

You hear judgement in my tone I am sure. For that I sincerely apologize. But what of this war that we are willing to ramp up, amp up and pursue at the cost of our soldier's lives, the reputation of our country on an international level (once perceived of as a friend to the world) and the unimagineable monetary consequences... (except maybe for the fortunate "higher ups" of Haliburton.) Yet in our own back yard... people remain displaced, dispaired and dismissed.

It is obsene. And I know that it is my karma to be a dog in this country during this event, so I can't point my paws at anyone. But shame on you Mr. Bush. I reserve my right to express my opinion, and in my humble little doggy mind - you have blown every opportunity (that you have ever had) at showing that you have America's interests truly at heart. You want to denounce my family, ignore my city of origin in its time of need, and take money out of my people's hands for a cause that YOU KNOW FOR A FACT (assuming that the ability to read is a pre-requisite for the position of President of the United States of America) that the majority of your country does not support in it's current unfolding.

You should look up the meaning of president - and reconsider whether or not you are living up to that title. But then again... why should you care?

WASHINGTON - The Democratic-controlled Senate
Foreign Relations Committee dismissed President Bush's plans to increase troops strength in Iraq on Wednesday as "not in the national interest," an unusual wartime repudiation of the commander in chief.

Love ya'll like the freedom of speech, press and voting in a beautiful democratic society.

Yours drooly,
Joy Beagle

Groove is in the Heart...

... but worms are not!!! I am officially HEARTWORM free. Woo-hoo.

Now Daddy keeps saying something about "the vet gave me the okay to get her fixed". But I didn't know I was broken? Confusing no doubt, but it must have to do with my gender cause Chris and John keep saying "bye bye girly parts!"

It was a stressful run to the vet on Tuesday. Chris forgot the timing of the appointment so we left Sedona 30 minutes late. With the heavy traffic between Sedona and Prescott, there was palpable stress coming from him in the driver's seat. Then a rock tapped his windshield and made one of those pretty little "stars" in the middle of his windshield. He said something in French or Russian or something cause I'd never heard that word before!?

Anyway, we arrived in the waiting room where I like to growl at every other dog and let them know that I am one tough little girl! (I did survive a Hurricane at 6 or 7 months old... give credit where credit is due!) The vet could not understand why Chris was so stressed out when we were asked to wait in the lobby again for the blood test results. So I just continued my growling routine! (Think there is a correlation?)

Finally, two more booster shots (rabies and distemper), a six month supply of Heartguard, and $120 of Chris' hard-earned dollars later (which made me laugh cause he thought this was just a follow up visit)... and we were on the way home. I am not sure if Daddy was showing tears of happiness or total exhaustion as we drove the hour and a half back home. He was really quiet... probably he was concerned about how to get me "fixed" if I ain't broken!? Who understands human emotions anyway.

Well, gotta go chomp on some more treats! (I'm milking this new healthy dog status for all it is worth!!)

Love ya'll like a good prognosis of a previous ailment!

Love,
Joy Beagle

(PS: Saw an ad in the classifieds today: "Heartworms seek chamber on upper east end. 4 legged, single tailed hound with plumbing. Mosquito ridden areas preferred, meals provided by host. Healthy dogs need not reply..." so I tossed the paper on the floor and peed on it just for good measure!)

My millisecond of fame...

So if you have a computer that can play "You Tube" -- watch this video about the Sedona Stupa, and Sarah and I are the two dogs you see scurry past the camera about halfway through the video. (I think the timer reads 2:45, if you blink - you miss us. ) And right after we scoot by on leads behind Chris and John, the next interview is John for a few words!

This spot ran on the air in Phoenix over the summer and then was on Sedona Now Network (owned by former child star Glenn Scarpelli andhis partner Jude Belanger). Now it is up on You Tube fot the world to see. And me without a cute little outfit on! P'shaw.

Anyway happy viewing! (You might even get a sense of what a stupa is! Sarah and I always try to go for the pet blessings there!!)

Love ya'll like a few minutes of glory!

-Joy Beagle

What up Dog?

Months go by so quickly, I am just amazed! I have been pretty "dog tired" from the holiday hoop-la, but I figured I better shout out to my blog posse.
So I was much more into this whole Christmas gig this year. Sarah showed me how to sit patiently and wait for the people to bring us a pile of gifts. We got a plush goldfish that makes "bubbling" noises, a plush goat/sheep that goes "baaaaaah", some natural jerky, some treats from Chris' workplace... and probably some other stuff that I am forgetting!

I saw my grandparents at Thanksgiving. Pops and Mooches came to Sedona (a very pet friendly town I must say...) and even brought me and big sis some squeaky toys! I love being a grand-dog!!!

Chris is actually away from home this week. He is house-sitting on the other side of the highway for 2 other Katrina rescue dogs! They moved in with Maggie (my friend the Shiba Inu) and Chris is loving getting to know Luna and Bailey. I sure hope he comes back home - he gets really spoiled staying at these nice homes for pet-sitting.

Okay, I'm rusty on the creative writing, so let's just end it here for now. I will be back... but probably not this year!

Love ya'll like the Big Ball dropping over Time Square.

-Joy Beagle

Hey Weeza... Remember Me?

Now there is a bit of trivia for y'all... can you name the movie that title is quoted from? I'll give you a hint... at one point Dolly Parton says: "We're a CHAIN!"

So anyway, I figured it was time to blow the dust off the keyboard again. I just woke up from a week and a half coma - self induced by turkey consumption. (Don't I wish. As always the boys were quite reserved in the amount of poultry that was given to Sarah and I. We barked, we drooled, we lay on our backs... hoping they would believe we were at death's door from starvation. Damned if they didn't see through all our best tricks though!)

Pops and Mooches came to visit us! That's what we call Chris' parents. They came in for a three day visit and we initiated them into the Three Dog Bakery family! They also got to go see the Stupa here in Sedona. All in all it was a wonderful visit - and they brought Sarah Basset and I both a new plush CHEW TOY!!! We are squeaking ourselves half mad with that blissful abandon that only a new chew toy can bring.

Gotta go sleep now. Chris is housesitting for six dogs and four cats across town... so I figured it was safe to venture out to the Arizona room and get online... but dang it's cold up in here. So I'm gonna head back to my futon and snuggle up next to my home-girl and sister Sarah B.

Peace ya'll.

Love ya like a big downy blanky on a chilly December morning!

-Joy Beagle

Grab a Donkey and Dance Ya'll!

This is an exciting night for all us pups who have hopes of a
different government and trajectory in this country!!! I tried to sneak into a polling place today and cast my
canine vote... but alas, even the little old church ladies that volunteer for
election day recognize a non-human form protruding from the mouth of my elegant
disguise.


I had hoped to appear menacing and intimidating, like a GOP volunteer trying to prevent a legitimate minority from voting... but alas, they saw through my rouse. I was tempted to bite them all in the butt... but I suppose our election results could do that for us!!

I love democracy... especially when it looks more democratic**.

Love ya'll like a crazy ole donkey trying to dance circles round a pachyderm...

Big lick,

Joy B.

** - the political views of the dog writing this blog entry are her own, and do not necessarily express views shared by her humans. Oh who are we kidding... you know those two big ole nelly queens are totally gonna be DEMOCRATS as well!!!!

FROM Reuters / Mary Milliken:

Only Arizona voted against its marriage amendment, but analysts said that does
not mean voters favor gay marriage.
"They were voting against a measure in
the amendment that would have denied benefits to domestic partners," said
Arizona State University analyst Bruce Merrill.

Home is Where the Kibble is...

Alright, alright... at this rate I am going to disappear from all the search engines - only posting once a month. But what's a girl to do?

We are now officially moved into the new digs, but I gotta tell ya... I see no end in sight to the unpacking. These humans accumulate so much junk it is UNBELIEVABLE. We're talking about more dishes than any household could EVER require for a dinner party. And clothes... oy vay. My two dads could clothe a small continent with all their apparel. Sarah and I feel quite fortunate that we can just walk around in our bare-assed beauty - especially seeing all the toil and labor that goes into washing, folding, ironing... (at least we hear some people do this. I have yet to witness my people undertaking these activities!)

Yes there are benefits to a simple life.

So what did we last talk about? Oh, who are we kidding... let's just pick a random topic and move on to today's post.

Wait there is one order of blog business... our friend "the chicken lady" has moved her blog. Be sure to update your bookmarks to the Dakini Valley blog. Ani Kunzang has met a formidable challenge in the wire eating squirrels out at the valley. I would chase and eat them for her, but alas... my Chris won't have me killing little beasties in any way he can prevent it! (Actually, I'm starting to enjoy the benefits of a karmically upright life.) I needn't harm any little critters these days... because there are home cooked meals aplenty in this new house. So nowadays I am saying prayers for those little rabbits in the yard and not even paying attention to the DELICIOUS... oops, um... I mean adorable quail under our fig tree.

It being 4:00 AM, I feel way too pooped (mentally) to post anything of interest... but I felt the call of my readers (you all are still reading this aren't you?) So for you, my beloved peeps... I type for you!

Random photo share: Chris' family at his cousin's wedding-



Love you like the endless bowl of kibble...

-Joy Beagle

Today's post also bids a congrats to Chris' dear friend Michael Granberry who is an animated film-making genious these days... check out his twisted wit at Red Hatchet Films !!

Dog Tired

Hey Ya'll, Sorry about the "few and far between" posting. There is a saying that "life's a bitch... and so am I" - well that applies quite LITERALLY to me. Chris and John hope to have me spayed very soon. I have gone into heat a second time (which really wreaks havoc on the linens and carpets when it comes on unannounced!)

Next month I get my followup since having the heartworm treatment... and if all those little chest raiders are out of my system - I get my girly parts adjusted. Woo-hoo!

The boys have been in a downward spiral of pure chaos. Sarah and I watch them toil and labor to get the house packed up and they keep talking about this place they call the "new house". Quite frankly it sounds divine! We gals haven't been over to see it yet... but there is this thing they call the "secret garden" that I look forward to pooping in. It's an outdoor fenced in courtyard with flagstone and a terrace that has an attached area (also fenced in) with an herb garden. The boys are all excited about their grilling deck, but Sarah and I just want to sniff, pee, and poo in that herb garden area!!! We will have a doggy door and access to outside ALL DAY LONG from the Arizona room. (That would be the California Room if you lived in San Diego or somewhere I bet!) This outdoor access thing is going to be new for me. Maybe I'll stop leaving the boys "gifts" in the living room!? Jury's still out on that one.

The other novel feature of this house will be... (anticipation building drumroll...) a lady and 2 kids!? That's right, our friend Rabden and her children Ethan (6 year old boy) and Aviana (5 year old girl) will live there with us. That's gonna mean extra snacks according to Sarah. She lived with them when they were 2 and 3 years old and says they constantly have food in their little paws, and are willing to share it! I'm sure Chris will have his work cut out for him monitoring what the little whipper snappers feed us.

Anyway... once we move there are rumors I'll have high-speed Internet and so hopefully I will post more efficiently and frequently!

Til then my friends... I love ya like a new rental unit with an attentive landlord and faux hardwood floors!

Love, Joy Beagle.

PS safe travel to Chris who flies to Maryland tomorrow for an exciting weekend at the Poolesville, MD KPC Buddhist temple!!!!

The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire...

... actually, the roof is on the floor. Sarah and I were just snoozing away one day on the futon mattress we have comandeered...

when suddenly there was this sound like a ruckus! (Could you describe the ruckus!?) Like a wayward scud missile might have entered our attic!

When John ran to the bathroom to investigate the all too familiar crash... hwe found this:

Eeh gads! And so we bid farewell to our Hummingbird Home. Details on that to follow...

Love ya'll like Chicken Little under a fallin' sky

-Joy Beagel

igive.com, do you?

Hi there folks. I am trying to help Chris out with his fundraising efforts. He has the fun job that many of you humans do... raising money for worthy causes.

This method is pretty fun though. Do you shop online? I do. (At least when I can locate my dad's credit card... nobody knows you are a dog online, so they will actually sell to you!) This is a passive way to do what we do anyway, and help support a 24 hour prayer vigil, events that promote peace, animal rescue operations and more...

I'm supporting Kunzang Palyul Choling of Sedona just by shopping online for brand-name stuff at over 640 well-known online stores. And I'm getting free deals and coupons just by being an iGive.com member.

HOW IT WORKS:

1. Join to Support Kunzang Palyul Choling - It's FREE, private, & easy. http://www.iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?memberid=455822&causeid=36384

2. Shop the Mall at iGive.com. You'll see familiar stores like Lands End, Office Depot, JCPenney, Neiman Marcus, Expedia, Barnes & Noble, and eBay to mention just a few!

3. Watch the $$ roll in for Kunzang Palyul Choling! Up to 26% of EACH purchase gets donated!

----------------------------------------------------
Use this link to JOIN FOR FREE and begin supporting Kunzang Palyul Choling: http://www.iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?memberid=455822&causeid=36384
----------------------------------------------------
GREAT STORES AT iGIVE.COM And just in case you're thinking, oh yeah, who wants to buy something from Never-heard-of-it.com, here are just a few of iGive.com's 640+ stores:

Office Depot, Lands' End, JCPenney, PETsMART, Expedia.com, Gap, Barnes & Noble, Neiman Marcus, Best Buy, Dell, Vitamin Shoppe, QVC, Shop NBC, Drugstore.com, Orvis, Hallmark, Staples, and more!

JOIN NOW - Use this clever link below (ugly as it may be) and join with Kunzang Palyul Choling already selected as the cause you'll support.

http://www.iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?memberid=455822&causeid=36384

Love ya'll like a great online bargain that helps bring peace on earth!

Joy Beagle

P.S. iGive.com would like you to know that all thecauses at iGive.com have been listed by members for their own and others' benefit. They don't endorse the causes, and the causes don't endorse them. But I DO! So, c'mon, click on that link above.

Thanks Mary for this gem...

Our pal Mary shared this and I thought it appropriate for my blog!!

THE DOG'S DIARY

7 am - Oh boy! A walk! My favorite!
8 am - Oh boy! Dog food! My favorite!
9 am - Oh boy! The kids! My favorite!
Noon - Oh boy! The yard! My favorite!
2 pm - Oh boy! A car ride! My favorite!
3 pm - Oh boy! The kids! My favorite!
4 pm - Oh boy! Playing ball! My favorite!
6 pm - Oh boy! Welcome home Mom! My favorite!
7 pm - Oh boy! Welcome home Dad! My favorite!
8 pm - Oh boy! Dog food! My favorite!
9 pm - Oh boy! Tummy rubs on the couch! My favorite!
10pm - Oh Boy! People's bed! My favorite!

THE CAT'S DIARY

Day 183 of my captivity. My captors continued to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps
me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from clawing the furniture.
Tomorrow I may eat another house plant. Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving
around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded - must try this at the top of the
stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself
to vomit on their favorite chair - must try this on their bed, (or car.....)

Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body in an attempt to make them aware of
what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear in their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was. Hmmm, not working according to plan... There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food. More important, I overheard that my confinement was due to my powers of inducing "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage. I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird, on the other hand, has got to be an informant and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait; it is only a matter of time...


Love ya'll like the cat that ate the canary...

Joy Beagle

Phoenix Phear

My goodness... I live in Arizona and I am shocked to have heard some news about Pheonix on CNN tonight. As a dog, I find the human experience to be a perplexing observation. I hear about this serial killer (and true, initially I was compelled to protect my Cheerios... but Chris straightened me out on the topic) and I simply get depressed. Here is some person, fortunate enough to have landed a human life (a VERY difficult task in Buddhist cosmology) and he wastes it killing other humans.

I cannot imagine the complex neurosis that must constitute this type of psychosis. I pretty much focus my time throughout the day concetrating on eat, sleep, affection and play. But somehow the human experience has become so jaded for some persons that they seek their happines through exterminating random strangers.

Can you imagine? What it must take to compel somebody to take a life... what tortured habit of mind could justify these acts? Ironically, most of us reading this post would consider ourselves incapable of such an action. And I agree, most of you are peaceful, loving people... you are good kind-hearted folks (not saints mind you... we are realistic here.) So, it might rub you a little odd to stay... have you murdered in this life? It's a provocative question that holds no judgement, but challenges you to consider potentially the TOUGHEST of all esoteric teachings. Have any of us swatted a fly? Or stepped on some pesky ants. Have we euthanized a beloved pet, or put on an antibiotic cream? (Oh come now Joy Beagle - you surely cannot consider these acts the same as a SERIAL KILLER can you?)

There are many high level spiritual beings who have taught the equality of all living beings. All of them state that every living creature, with no division into castes, or species, or even behavior categories... is deserving of our most precious love and compassion. This teaching (as my puppy brain understands it ) has never stated that it condones the activity of a serial killer... but it has argued that the nature of that individual is no different than the nature of Mother Theresa. Obviously their expression and use of their lives are markedly different, and that is where our judgement (unfortunately) has room to seep in.

But likewise, a cockroach in your attic, a fluffy bunny in your back yard, a deer in the crosshairs of a hunter's rifle, the very hunter with a finger on the trigger, a healthy bouncing baby on a grandmother's lap, or a confused and angry gangster member in "the hood" are all equal. According to the most blessed information ever to be spoken by a Buddha or Bodhisattva... these beings all enjoy the same capacity to become enlightened. Are they all in the same position right now to accomplish that enlightenment? Absolutely not. But the beginnings of our ability to love unconditionally start with our understanding of the equality of all that lives.

So, I suppose as I watched this CNN story about the Phoenix rapist/serial killer... I am having a difficult time finding that space in my mind where I can love this person who is commiting this awful act against humanity. And yet I do understand that my confusion and anger towards the subject of this news story,is an energy that is only describeable as hate. Even if it "appears" justifiable because that person did something "bad" to someone "good" so we should all band together and stop this evil person. Well, I cannot disagree that people should make every effort to stop this heinous activity from continuing, so that this karmic hell that the criminal is creating for himself (and those who react to his actions) can end. But it is more crucial than it has ever been in history that we find compassion and understanding in our hearts and minds. Because angry energy - in any form - is a seed that grows into a large tree. As a tiny impotent seed - anger might look like "righteous indignation" towards someone who deserves it (or a gross little bug in our clean environment, or a 10 point buck that will beautify our hunting lodge). But when that seed meets with the conditions to grow into a full tree - it may express itself of a much larger scale - such as a North Korean Dictator, a war hungry leader of a democratic country, or a serial killer on a spree in a hot town in the southwest. Afterall... wouldn't those people have it somewhere in their mind that these people "deserved" what they are getting. "Right or wrong" is subject to argument... but the act of taking a life (in any form) is easily defined. Something is alive, some being takes that status away from it. Now that being is dead.

It's a dangerous topic I discuss tonight. There will be emotional reactions, perhaps. I still want to entertain you, engage you, and invite you into my blog world... and I love you all. But I would be a socially, spiritually and politically irresponsible dog if I did not encourage us to discuss these tough topics on occasion.

Love you like an insightful thought in the middle of a silly daydream.

Joy Beagle

Happy 4th of Drool-y

Today is clearly a day for celebration. We may not all be completely enamored with our country's "leadership" or the direction of some current political emphasis. [Don't even get me started on the image above where we portray "innocence and freedom" as a kid with a gun in his hand... alright, back on track now.] But unless some bone-headed few destroy the rights of all, we do enjoy many freedoms in this country that are unique to democracy. So in an effort to show my appreciation of that diversity, I (Joy Beagle - the Buddhist dog) present some Christian literature right here on my blog...

On the First day, God created the dog.
On the Second day, God created man to serve the dog.
On the Third day, God created all the animals of the earth to serve as
potential food for the dog.
On the Fourth day, God created honest toil so that man could
labor for the good of the dog.
On the Fifth day, God created the tennis ball so that the dog might or
might not retrieve it.
On the Sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep the dog happy and
the man broke.
On the Seventh day, God tried to rest, but he had to walk the dog.

There you have it. The Testament shared on a Buddhist Hound's website. Now THAT is freedom of religion and speech in essence.

Love ya'll like one nation under dogs with liberty and justice for all!

Joy Beagle

Hounding for Hollywood

Back in the Spring, Sedona hosted it's annual film festival (which is growing to be along the lines of a Sundance or Cannes festival more each year.) Although I did not personally attend, what with the whole dog thing working against me... my dad was there and got to rub elbows with some nifty big screen personalities. He was working as a "cord-carrier" and assisting the film crew of a local TV station as they covered the event.

Ned Beatty, a seasoned actor of "Deliverence" fame and much more, was just an arms length from Chris as the NOW network (remember them from the "Stupa-fied" post) conducted an interview at the gala. Also there was that lady from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" , Lainie Kazan. It's always cool to meet someone in the flesh, who you've seen on TV or in movies. Apparently my Granddaddy (a/k/a "Pops" - Chris' dad) was briefly in a movie called Turk 182. It was a crowd coverage shot at the Meadowlands where he ran across the screen (as himself) when he still coached for the New York Giants - but hey... it counts.

Anyway - I just saw the Sedona Magazine tonight with some photos of the festival in it and thought I'd share:

The Cover of the issue is shown at left. The center picture is my dad et al [L-R: Glenn Scarpelli, Dara Tokarz and Chris]. The picture to the right is actually a different event covered in the same issue of Sedona Magazine, but it is two friends and former co-workers of dad and my auntie Dara so I included it [L-R: Kathie Waide, Kim Meller]. Lots of fun photos in this summer issue that highlights friends and famous folks alike. It gives us a pleasant distraction from all the Sedona Fire coverage!

So how do I tie-in a recipe to this post? Hmmm, how about this (follow closely):

My dad works for Three Dog Bakery in Sedona. The original Three Dog Bakery in Kansas City has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey show. Oprah is famous, and so are Mark and Dan the founders of Three Dog Bakery (and the dogs Gracie, Dottie and Sarah!) My dad has met the famed Mark and Dan (who know Oprah) so naturally all this fame means we should share a Three Dog Bakery recipe with you. But Three Dog Bakery Recipes are PROBABLY trademarked - so I'll link you to where you could find the book by Mark and Dan from AMAZON.

There... that counts doesn't it!? I thought so.

Love ya'll like a random encounter with a big time celebrity...

Joy Beagle.

PS- Comment here on your Close encounters with celebs !

Belle Weaver-We Salute You!

Now some may call me a literary master! (Or maybe that is just the delusional voices in my little puppy head?) But of all the talented Beagles I have ever heard of - this dog is a TRUE hero. (And just to clarify, I am joking about the literary master thing!)

Belle Weaver, a/k/a "super beagle" saved her human's life. She is trained to check his breath for ketonic indicators of a diabetic seizure onslaught... and in worst case scenarios she can call 9-1-1 on his cell phone. The latter is EXACTLY what she did recently to save his life.

Tails up to you girl-friend! Any Beagle who saves lives is an ace in my book!

For Belle Weaver - today's recipe is a HERO sub. Sure, we dogs can't really eat those because of the salt and stuff... but a little table scrap is due in this case.

Thank you Belle Beagle. And thanks to KT, my dad's friend in Maryland who brought the Belle Weaver article to our attention in the comments from my last post!

Love ya'll like a favorite super hero saving the day at the last minute,
-Joy Beagle

Mother Nature is Stalking Me!

What is it with me and natural disasters? I barely escape New Orleans after Katrina ravaged the place, and now Sedona is poised to light up like a tender box!

Granted, the fire is sticking mainly to the National Forest and has not breached or compromised any physical structures yet, but in my heart I hear the pleas of my wildlife friends who cannot possibly all be outrunning this blaze which lept from 300 acres (when Chris was evacuated from work in uptown today at 5:30) - to 1,000 acres now (around 11:00). The photos here are some photos courtesy of Arizona Republic Website (credited to JD Maddie and Janessa Hilliard).

So far only a few areas have been evacuated, but the blaze you can see from most of West Sedona where we live is a little un-nerving. This is a close up someone else took:

and below is Chris' horribly unfocused photo but gives a point of reference from where we live (the top of the shot is the blaze, the red light in the middle is the shopping center about 1/4 mile from our house):

It was a strange day indeed. Chris tells me he got a call at work from the owners of his shop. They were packing their home at about 1:30 PM watching the blaze and pillar of smoke just North of their neighborhood in Rim Shadows. They packed their valuables into the trucks and brought their two dogs and their cockatiel to the bakery. Chris says that at about 5:00 the police and forest services shut off the neighborhood where they lived and also began shutting down traffic through Oak Creek Canyon (between Sedona and Flagstaff - where Woody Fire made the news this week.) As Chris drove away from the bakery at 5:45 - the official fire sirens were going off to close the canyon and evacuate residence to Flag or Sedona.

With the planes and helicoptors all around, Chris and I were reminded of post Katrina New Orleans (although there were no Hum-Vees or camouflaged soldiers to speak of. )

So today we will discuss our "Recipe for (avoiding) Disaster!"

Every pet should prepare for evacuation - because these days between the hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, politcal potentials and insanity of our world... we could take a lesson from those boy scouts who claim to "be prepared!"

This is our evacuation ready kit (which rotates periodically as things with expiration dates require.) We started this around the famous "Y2k"days, but have found on a couple occasions (like when Chris had to pick up in the middle of his life and scoot to New Orleans to help rescue pets like yours truly) that effort of "being prepared" made it easy to respond quickly to the needs of others.

Our basic Evacuation Recipe (all stored in a portable plastic bin):

a six pack of wet dog food cans (stewed beef - if you must know) and a can opener

a small bag of kibble (we like Beneful healthy weight these days)

3 gallons of fresh water and a ketadyne water filter

2 collapsable kennels (this # should be adapted to the number of dogs/cats in your home)

additional "people supplies" in our kit are:

a week's worth of camping food

toilet paper - in case housing is an issue and we must camp

a tent/sleeping bags

2 plastic plates, cups and cutlery for two

3 large trash bags and a clean sponge

a flashlight with batteries

3 ready to eat cans of chili, a box of saltines, and 3 bottles of Gatorade (electrolytes!)

An unopened pack of daily vitamins, shampoo, conditiner and soap

A Bath towel

Now this my seem "extreme" to some people, but have you been watching the news lately? It seems on any given day there is some population of our planet inconvenienced by an event. This is a way to be "ready to move into action" and help a hungry/stranded friend, neighbor or area pet who was not as prepared as you were.

Tonight we'll sleep pretty easy knowing that the firefighters are doing a great job "holding off" the spread of the "Brins Mesa" Fire. But should the need arise due to a shift in wind or fortune... this household is ready ro go with our "Recipe for (avoiding) Disaster."

One more though tonight. If you are a pet whose people "think ahead" - you should have them choose a person that you approve of to be a keyholder to your home. In the event that your person was unable to get home quickly, you could be assisted by that friend of your people to get into your kennel and rejoin your human companions at one of several pre-decided locations. We all learned from Katrina that sometimes our people can't get to us in time - and maybe planning your emergency alternatives will help reduce your stress and our dependency on rescue organizations in future emergencies!

Love ya'll like a good night's sleep from knowing you are prepared for the next day!

Love,

Miss Joy "Ain't-no-Disaster-Gonna-Bring-Me-Down" Beagle...

Stupa-fied Joy

Hello everybody. I thought I'd post this week's message and let Joy have a rest. Besides, we don't want her to get car-paw tunnel from the typing. (Eeeeew that was LAME!)

I wanted to announce a way you can see Joy Beagle "in action" from a television commercial. She and Sarah Basset are the dogs that "flash" across the screen in the Amitabha Stupa commercial (More on this shortly). If you don't know what a Stupa is, I recommend the website (that the commercial is on) as a resource.

The video/commercial is an amazing 5 minute piece that was put together by Skip Thomas here in Sedona and has aired all over the state on "Good Morning Arizona" and is cycling every two hours during June on the Channel 18 NOW network here in Sedona.

So hop on over there to The Stupa Site which is beautiful (thanks to Dawn Blanchard) and click over on the left panel midway down ("watch the Stupa Video") to see it in Quicktime. You'll get a brief glimpse (we're talking a milli-second or so) of John and I walking Sarah Basset and Joy Beagle... and John even got interviewed!

For fun here are 10 goofy facts about this blog entry:

1) We took Joy Beagle to the Stupa one day for a pet blessing ceremony.
2) It was Joy Beagle's first day ever at the Stupa.
3) Sarah Basset went as well.
4) Skip Thomas happened to be filming that day.
5) Two of the three times that Sarah has gone to the Stupa she's been in the Newspaper or on TV - strictly by coincindence.
5) The TV station is The NOW Network (Channel 18 - Sedona, AZ)
6) My friend Dara works there - she blogs too.
7) Glenn and Jude own the NOW Network.
8) Glenn used to be on "One Day at A Time" the sitcom
9) John and I met Glenn and Jude at PRIDE in Flagstaff in 2000.
10) PRIDE 2006 in Flagstaff was this weekend.

WOW life is crazy isn't it!?

Ya'll take care now... ya hear!

Six Degrees of Separation

I was having one of those doggy dreams today... you know the kind, paws are twitching... eyes rolling around in their sockets, and little dream barks quietly emitting from the throat. Anyway... in this dream I was chasing a rabbit, but I couldn't catch it. My Dads were yelling at me to leave the little fellow alone... and in the dream my feet would "run" but not make contact with the ground. It was surreal. When I came to, Chris was petting me and comforting me. I guess he is used to this because my sister Sarah Basset has what he calls "squirrel chasing" dreams all the time.

Sarah and I were talking later and we were curious why our Dads always discourage us from eating the bugs, chasing the cute little furry animals in the yard and doing all these things dogs are "supposed" to do. We couldn't really come up with a good answer, but Sarah says she's heard our people talk before about "parents" and that a lot of time you can't understand why they demand certain behaviors of you... then one day you look back and go "OH... I learned to behave differently because of that." Well, whatever it is, I suppose if I can't actually be allowed to hunt, at least they bring me those great toys that I get to rip the squeaker out of and de-stuff all over the living room!!

Moving right along to today's post topic: Sarah and I thought of a game (since our Bistro Bulldog updates aren't going as quickly as we originally hoped, we are "vamping" to entertain you!)

We call this idea the "Six Degrees of Seperation". We'll take a different twist on it though: in an effort to promote conversation between our reader's.

We hope you will each answer the following questions and we'll see if any of our paths have crossed in the past -- before this blog came into being! (I'll assume the obvious connections since a few of you do know each other.) In the comment section after the post, you can list the numbers and answers for yourself. Then we'll see if any of us had close karmic encounters prior to Hurricane Katrina. Here goes:

1) Where were you when my Dads were born? That would be October 1970 (Chris) and January 1971 (John).
2) Where did you live for any part of the Bicentennial year (1976)?
3) Where did you live when my Dads graduated from highschool (June of 1988)?
4) List a job you held or a place you visited the year my Dad's met - 1997.
5)Where did you spend New Years Eve 1999 into 2000? [Anybody remember Y2K?]
6) Is there anywhere else you've ever lived/visited that you feel like mentioning here?(Include years if you can remember them.)

These 6 questions are fairly arbitrary but we dogs are interested in how much you humans move/change and explore different surroundings. It is facinating. Maybe you'll find out you shared some "time and space" with someone else here, or maybe you'll learn something interesting about someone you already know!

Now for the random food tie-in to keep my blog true to its content... feel free to enjoy some apples and carrots while you answer the "quiz" (they are a favorite snack of Sarah's and mine when our Dads slice some up and share with us! Collard stalks are something we enjoy that surprised the boys- they cut up collards, apples and other fruits/greens for the Iguanas. We get little nibbles while the preparations are made. Nibbles of the fruits and such, not the iguanas! Just wanted to be clear on that!)

Well, thanks for dropping by and hope you'll fill in some answers!

Love ya'll like a wild run around the house after one of those terrible "baths" that Dad likes to give me.

Bone-appetit,
Joy Beagle

Telly-bration in Sedona, AZ

All us dogs know that someday we must depart this Earthly plain. My buddy Telly is close to his occasion of passing. I pray that he can pass naturally without his people having to euthanize him. But I cannot control the universe. I have my personal doggy prayers, and I have my Dad to take me to the stupa to pray!

Today my Dad's boss sent him this montage of the "Celebration of Telly's Life." My dad's place of work is a dog bakery in Sedona, so they hosted a party and Telly got to come and bring lots of dog friends. They made him a cake, and all the dogs had a grand time! I could not go because I still want to growl and bite other dogs that I don't know... apparently that bugs my people. But I sure felt like I enjoyed the party vicariously through this posted montage! Good job Emily (Telly's mom)!!

Today's yum-yum of the day: Three Dog Bakery Peanut Butter Cake with Carob letters that spell out "In Celebration of Telly!" (My Dad got to put the letters on the cake, he's all proud of that and keeps nudging me to mention it!)

Enjoy the show (and it does have sound if you are in a place where that might get you in trouble!! But we all love Louis Armstrong!)

Love ya'll like Telly clearly loves this cake!!!

G'night,
Joy Beagle



Telly's Celebration

Dog-claration of Family Values

Well, every now and then something strikes you and it knocks you for a loop. In those moments you have to reflect on something safe, and warm and positive.

Think back if you can (and I hope all of you have some variation of this memory) about a time when you were just a puppy, or a little human puppy as the case may be. Perhaps you were in your crate, or crib or whatever... and your mom or dad or person came and picked you up gingerly, rocked you and cooed into your ear. They held you close and made you feel warm and protected.

And maybe you remember a time later in life when you were hungry or thirsty and that family gave you an abundant meal or a big bowl of water to drink. I think of the days that I hear the family car roll up the drive way... I race like a bullet to the door... tail blazing back and forth like a metronome on "fast forward". My parents walk through the door with an arm full of groceries but still manage to stop and pet me and my sister Sarah Basset. They quickly put groceries away and grab the leashes and flashlight so we can get a walk around the neighborhood before dark.

I hear Chris talk about his memories of his parents and he remembers sleeping on the floor on a Sunday while they watched football in Athens, or a moment in New Jersey with his parents that they all sipped cocktails and played "Hearts" with a deck of cards.

I share his affection because right now I can hop up on the sofa between my parents while they discuss their work day, and one of them might pinch off a bite of whatever forbidden snack and sneak it to Sarah or me. And they keep talking or they might stop and play with us for a little while before they go back into the office to pay the bills, or before one of them heads off to cover a late night prayer shift, or meet friends out for a movie.

I blend all these experiences in my little doggy mind, how similar they are, and how I miss my New Orleans family and I realize how important home and family feels to everyone who has been blessed with a supportive scenario.

Okay - so then I read what these guys in Washington want to tell me. They claim that because my two people are not born with different genitals, that my family is an abomination, should be legally prevented and is in danger of leading to beastiality, polygomy or something like fathers and daughters copulating. At moments like this, I wish I... Joy Beagle, could be president. Or at least a minister in one of these "churches" that are all speaking such hatred. None of you would ever have to read such B.S. disguised as "values" in this lifetime again. Cause I'd never ever expect someone to give up this warm feeling of family that I am blessed with.. just because my parents both have "gender: m" on their driver's license.

I pray for your human species everyday! And for voices of wisdom to become more prominent and drown out these foolish men who abuse their authority. Tonight's bone-appetit recipe is "humble pie" and I am eating it in spades to have been fortunate enough to have a gay family adopt me!

Well, I gotta go. This soap box is getting uncomfortable, and my Dad's have some more affection to share with this family before the day ends!

Love ya'll like a gender blind partnership that gives love and compassion to all the people in their life, despite a media battle they witness everyday that would have them feel unworthy of even the slightest human dignity.

(a disheartened) Joy Beagle

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HERE IS WHAT HAS UPSET THIS LITTLE PUP:


Weekly Web Message: Is the FMA a threat? Listen to the extremists in their own words.May 2, 2006 - Transcript

President Bush: "Our nation must enact a Constitutional Amendment to protect marriage in America."


Read what Sen. Santorum said: " in every society, the definition of marriage not ever to my knowledge included homosexuality. That’s not to pick on homosexuality. It’s not, you know, man on child, man on dog, or whatever the case may be."

Sen. Orrin Hatch: As you all know, I don't believe in discriminating against anybody but when it comes to traditional marriage, I draw the line.

Rev. Pat Robertson: Self absorbed narcissists who are willing to destroy any institution so long as they can have affirmation of their lifestyle.

Bill O'Reilly: One of the arguments against gay marriage that we just spoke about is that if it becomes law all other alternative marital visions will be allowed ... you can marry 18 people, you can marry a duck... somebody's gonna come and say I want to marry the goat. you'll see it. I'll guarantee you'll see it.

Rev. Jerry Falwell: I'm against same-sex marriage but I'm against a Federal Marriage Amendment. That's like saying 150 years ago I'm opposed to slavery but if my neighbor wants to own one that's alright.

James Dobson: How about group marriage, or marriage between daddies and little girls? How about marriage between a man and his donkey? Anything allegedly linked to civil rights will be doable.

Rev. Lou Sheldon: Once you enter into the culture, into the music, into the gay bars, into the gay literature, into the gay theater, and all of that kind of - and gay travel - once you immerse yourself into that... only a sort of exorcism can release you from it.


Discrimination has no place in our country and certainly not in our Constitution. Stand up against the Federal Marriage Amendment. Go to hrc.org/VoteNo and fight back.