By Pat Robidoux

What would I do if I had two? That thought never entered my mind until April 1994. I'd always been a one-beagle woman, and I couldn't imagine my husband John as a two-beagle man. We'd just celebrated two years of wedded bliss, and John didn't even know what a beagle was until I marched into his life with aging, but resilient Reggie. One beagle I knew I could handle, but TWO? Get outta here!

Blame the darn Sunday paper for the whole thing. There it was: AKC BEAGLE PUPS FOR SALE. I read the ad and then tossed the paper aside. I knew I couldn't be tempted by something so irresistible. Some things you just can't defend against -- like perhaps the alarming cuteness of the most adorable puppies God ever put on this earth.

But naive John, my oh-so-curious husband, thought it would be "fun" to "just go take a look." I warned him. "I'll come home with one." I pleaded with him not to subject me to the torture of gazing in those dark chocolate brown beagle eyes only to have to walk away from a litter of love. But foolishly, John couldn't let sleeping dogs lie.

John was persistent. He reminded me that Reggie, 13, was aging. Perhaps he needed a little playmate. No! Never!! Reggie would not allow it!!! He was the TOP DOG. Our house was HIS HOUSE, and no intruding little creature would be competing for our attention.

Well, it wouldn't hurt just to look. I knew what to expect. They would be cute all right, but I was prepared. No soft spots in my heart. No piddling little puppy, no matter how adorable, was going to christen my carpeting.

Coki came home with us five hours later on April 24, 1994. John was terrified. He never thought I'd actually do it, and I even surprised myself. But once we got there and saw five healthy beagles all competing for our attention, my defenses crumbled and I relented. John wanted to take a lunch break to "think it over." I pouted a bit as we started back to town and kept repeating, "You're driving away from the puppies." He finally turned the van around and then stood helplessly by, watching in horror as I added another four-footed companion to our little family.

Introducing a new puppy into a household that already had an older dog might have been disaster. I had no idea of how Reggie would act. He was slowing down, and Coki was a "wiggle worm," full of fire and endless energy. What was I thinking?! But much to my relief, Reggie seemed to delight in having a new four-footed admirer. Whatever Reggie did, Coki mimicked. She shadowed his every move. He even initiated play on many occasions. And she didn't disappoint -- always ready and willing.

Just as their friendship began to bloom, Reggie's body finally shut down. A beagle buddy for just two months, Reggie was suddenly gone, succumbing to cancer on June 18, 1994. Coki, still 100 percent puppy, became my rock. In her eyes I saw Reggie's youth. In her movements I saw Reggie's antics. In her spirit I saw Reggie's heart.

For the first time in her short life, little Coki was suddenly without beagle companionship. I swear she actually grieved for him. But life goes on -- one beagle or two.

We became one close-knit trio. Coki got the bed. Coki got the sofa. Coki got the whole dang house. But she never took anything she wasn't offered. If she had stolen a particular December 1995, Sunday paper, our lives wouldn't have taken another unexpected turn.

AKC BEAGLE PUPS FOR SALE. There it was again! And the phone number was the same. I knew destiny as it stared me in the face.

Spencer had barely opened his eyes when we got our first glimpse of him at 18 weeks of age. Of course I knew he wouldn't be coming home until after Christmas, and the wait was excruciating. Every week I had to slip over and see how "our Spencer" was doing. The changes from week-to-week amazed me. My little "baby" was growing up!

When I wasn't visiting him, I was planning for Spencer's arrival. His Christmas presents sat under the tree, and his stocking was brimming with puppy toys. Next to Coki's crate sat another. Oh Spencer! Hurry home!!

The big day finally arrived, but it was not without a bit of thought and preparation. We knew Coki would probably accept her little brother, but realistically we couldn't expect her to take an immediate liking to him. With that thought in mind, we took Coki's crate upstairs to our bedroom and confined her while we went off to bring Spencer home. Our intentions were to introduce Spencer to his new surroundings gently without Coki's monster sniffer in his face.

Actually, I wasn't as concerned about Spencer's adjustment to our home as I was about Coki suddenly acquiring a sibling. How was she going to respond to sharing the household with her tiny brother? Would she accept the new boundaries and routines? How could we make her feel like she was still a very important part of our lives while we were fussing over a tiny puppy?

To alleviate some of these problems, we decided we would establish Coki as the dominant dog. We would feed her first and extend her extra privileges. She would get "quality time" alone with each of us. The last thing we wanted was a sibling rivalry.

I felt like a mother taking her newborn from the hospital that frigid January morning. Spencer had never been outside because our winter temps had hovered below zero for several weeks. I held him close as we pulled into the driveway, my heart racing. Was I nuts? What on earth made me think that I could ever handle two?

We spent about an hour introducing Spencer to his basket and toys. He seemed overwhelmed by all of the attention, but loved every moment of it. First the squeaky turtle, then the ball and finally the fuzzy hot dog. He frolicked amidst a mountain of toys, oblivious to the real life furry monster upstairs.

Finally it was time. I decided to put Coki on her leash for the introductions. She had a decided weight advantage with Spencer weighing in at less than 4 pounds. I couldn't risk a possible injury. First impressions could make or break this future long-term relationship.

Coki spotted him right away and pulled me over to his basket next to the sofa. Her tail stood straight back and the hair on her back rose at least an inch -- if not two. I braced for a forward charge. Then Coki suddenly lifted her tail and waved it proudly over her back. She sniffed an unsuspecting Spencer with the tenderness of a mother, and he responded with a tiny whimper and a lick. Startled, Coki jumped back and stared at him with the biggest eyes I'd ever seen.

Moments later it was play time! Spencer ran nipping at Coki's floppy ears, and Coki kept jumping on the sofa, away from his assaulting puppy teeth. But Coki was so gentle. She could have snapped his little neck if she wanted, but she was careful, deliberately jumping over him so he wouldn't be crushed under 30 pounds of pure beagle muscle.

I would have never introduced Spencer to the household unless Coki had taken numerous obedience classes. She responded well to commands, so I could keep her under control in the house. I knew how to handle a pup and what steps to take to socialize Spencer with children, adults and other dogs. Without these skills, I could have had two wild monsters!

Even with all the "saintly" behavior on Coki's part, she did experience a bit of sibling rivalry. Out of the blue, she would squat and "make a statement" on our bed or our best rug, looking both of us right in the eye. Her behavior was that of a spoiled child who suddenly found out that all of our attention wasn't directed at her. She didn't like it one bit and retaliated. But she never took her frustration out on Spencer. Oh sure, they had their little battles, but never anything to be concerned about. Unless food came into the picture.

As Spencer has matured, the battle for a kibble has become more of an issue. Although he is the submissive dog, he is very protective of food. One lip curl and "that look" starts it -- snarling, teeth flashing, the works. Then I stop it. I have no problem stepping right in and breaking up the ruckus. A firm scruff of the neck for each dog and a "time out" in the crates quickly defuses the situation. Then after a few moments, those dogs are their mannerly selves.

Just as Coki mimicked Reggie in her young life, Spencer mirrors Coki's every move, especially outside. Coki howls at squirrels. Spencer howls at squirrels. Coki runs to the window. Spencer runs to the window. Coki wants a drink from the bathtub. Spencer is right behind her.

Both are extremely loving -- snugglers on a cold winter's night. But don't be fooled. These dogs have totally different personalities. Spencer lives to play with his tennis ball. Coki ducks when I pitch it in her direction. Coki is always outside hunting for prey. Spencer goes through the motions. The minute he sees me, he'll race to the back door. Coki loves tracking. Spencer loves agility. Both tolerate obedience.

The key to living in a happy household with these two wonderful beagles is understanding each's strengths and weakness; likes and dislikes. We have our trials and tribulations, but the love these two bring into the home more than offsets the hard work it takes in caring for our wonderful companions.

I can't imagine our home without Coki and Spencer underfoot. They are wonderful dogs 99 percent of the time, but that other 1 percent... whew, it's double trouble!

1. Do you have a beagle that is obedience trained and gets along with people and other dogs?

If you already have a dog that has some behavioral or obedience problems, correct those before introducing a second animal. A second dog can easily learn those bad habits, and then you'll have far more than you've bargained for. A second dog will not suddenly solve problems you have with a disobedient pet. Many experts suggest that the first dog be at least 18 months older than the second. This way, you don't have two dogs to housebreak and obedience train at one time. Let the second dog learn from a good example. Have one dog under control before acquiring the second.

2. Can you financially support both dogs through their entire lives?

Double all costs. Both dogs need vet care, obedience training, food and living quarters. Accidents happen. Do you have the resources to handle unexpected vet expenses? Do you travel? If so and you board your pet, double those costs if you aren't able to leave your dogs in the same run. Our boarding bill for a recent two-week vacation was more than $350 for Coki and Spencer. Food costs double as well. I'm not trying to scare you, but be prepared.

3. Do you have room for another dog in the household without sacrificing the comfort of other family members or your other pet?

This may seem obvious, but really think about it. Will a second pet cramp your style? Do you physically have room for two? You don't if you live in a small one-bedroom apartment. Those dogs need space to exercise. Beagles can be very active and need room to run. Be careful not to squeeze your first pet out of its "space." Each dog needs a place to call its own.

4. Do you have time to devote equally to both dogs?

One dog is a huge responsibility. Two can be overwhelming if you aren't prepared. Each dog needs individual attention -- training, exercising and grooming. You will also want to give each dog equal time. Don't shortchange one for the other. My dogs have a way of knowing who is getting more attention, and each will let me know about it. Spencer will chew things to get more attention, and Coki will let her bladder do the talking.

5. If your dogs are similar in age, are you emotionally prepared for losing your companions within a short time of each other?

This is one of the most difficult things to face. When your dogs are young and healthy, they're fun to play with and have around. But when they are in their later years, health problems pop up. Can you give your aging companions the care they need when aging catches up with them? When the end comes, you will experience a compounded grief. Losing a pet is extremely difficult. Losing two close together may be too much for you. If this is too much for you to handle, consider adding your second companion when your first is well into adulthood.

All Regal Beagle Pages ©1996-2000 Patricia M. Robidoux. All rights reserved.
Page last revised June 23, 2000

Legal Beagle Stuff