Once a child who couldn’t resist “borrowing” the neighborhood dogs, Marjie Alonso grew up to make her passion her profession. She spent decades as a dog trainer, behavior consultant, and executive director of animal behavior nonprofits. Over the years she shared her life with Emma, an American Eskimo, Betty and Addie, a pair of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Nellie, her first beagle, and now Alice, along with countless foster dogs. A devoted parent and storyteller, Marjie writes with humor and heart about the joy, mischief, and everyday conversations that make life with dogs so deeply meaningful.

 

Marjie has just completed a memoir about taking her sons to meet their biological mothers in Paraguay and a reckoning about adoption. She writes essays for publication, and has a weekly Substack.

13620288_10157205592360381_3311422859792585929_nDear Goddamned Beagle,

I don’t know what’s up with you today. Perhaps it’s the weather, maybe the impending trip, maybe the lack of available Things to focus on, but if you don’t mind me saying so, you’re completely off your head.

Growling at anyone carrying anything (other than food) seems foolhardy, as you never know what might have food *in* it, after all. Howling at all passers by, at the door, at nothing in particular certainly serves to let me know things are not right, but in no way helps me know *which* things, as you’re kind of doing it non-stop today.

Your heavy breathing and snorting is alarming, though you’re never exactly genteel.

Regardless, while I’m sorry you’re having a bad day, I just want you to know that I appreciate your instant response to being burritoed by yours truly.

I get it. Some days you just need someone to put a blanket over you, feed you some eggs and place you near a convenient window sill.

No problem.

Love,

Your Person 13592263_10157205592355381_2069505939321525258_n

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top