Current Category: Goddamned Dog

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.

Goddamned BeagleGoddamned Dog

Oh Really, Wendy?

Dear Goddamned Beagle, We have been fogey-sitting now for days. Many days. Hundreds and hundreds of days. I move from couch to table as I work ...
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ColleaguesGoddamned BeagleGoddamned Dog

Seeing Eye

Dear Goddamned Beagle, You're aware, I assume, of the exploits and heroism of some of your colleagues. There are dogs that run into terrifying situations to ...
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ColleaguesGoddamned BeagleGoddamned Dog

First Things First

Dear Goddamned Beagle, Today we received a note from a couple of your colleagues asking for an update on your status. I must admit I've been ...
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Goddamned BeagleGoddamned Dog

So It’s Come To This, Beagle

Dear Goddamned Beagle, I have missed you. I have. I've been traveling too much, doing my part to contribute to my field, but it takes its ...
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Goddamned BeagleGoddamned Dog

Parental Controls

Dear Goddamned Beagle, I have concerns. When we go to bed at night, me under my covers, you leaning against my leg and cocooned within your ...
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BlueGoddamned BeagleGoddamned Dog

Tools of the Trade

Dear Goddamned Beagle, Once again I've delayed in catching up in our correspondence. This is mostly due to my untenable workload, but partly to blame is ...
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BlueGoddamned BeagleGoddamned Dog

I’ve Been Remiss, Beagle

Dear Goddamned Beagle, You must forgive me. It's been a very busy few months, and I simply haven't had time to write. I can hear you ...
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Goddamned BeagleGoddamned Dog

Good Thing I’m a Professional

Dear Goddamned Beagle, I spend an inordinate amount of time on video conferences and on the phone. You might not know this, because all of that ...
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Goddamned BeagleGoddamned Dog

Not So Fast on the Rebound

Dear Goddamned Beagle, This was your third Somerville Dog Festival with me; three September Sundays of riding around a fairground filled with thousands of human, and ...
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BlueGoddamned BeagleGoddamned Dog

Change Is For Slot Machines

Dear Goddamned Beagle, Today is National Dog Day, so I feel I should try to clarify recent events out of respect for the holiday. Thing 2 ...
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