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.

Dear Goddamned Beagle,

Since your arrival here, you’ve had the privilege of working and living alongside world-class scientists. You’ve watched as they employed cutting-edge technology, as some of the finest minds in genetics and biology have unraveled the mysteries of evolution and history. You’ve sat in on symposia as experts in numerous specialties have discussed and argued, debated and researched in a joint quest of exploration and discovery.

You’ve been more than an observer. In pondering the best, non-aversive, most effective ways to collect samples, the experts were stumped. How best to collect cells and DNA from puppies both lupus and familiaris? It was you who suggested the power of the common chew toy. By wrapping teeth and mouth around the simple tool, plenty of material could be readily available, extending the wisdom of the ages to the gentle gathering of the ties that bind your regal ancestry.

Thanks in part to you, the bounds of knowledge and technology will be broadened, leading to leaps in potential for relief from disease and suffering. A proud moment, Beagle. So proud.

Love,

Your Person

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcfJ44F_HQg&feature=youtu.be

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