It's been a long time, too long, since we've had a dog in our house. Big Dog is on a permanent loan from our truck driving son. Big Dog is about 8-9 years old and a pure bred rabbit chasing beagle.

There is something very special about raising a dog from a pup but this dog has adapted very well to living here. He's had only one accident in the house and that was when we first got him. I don't sleep late like I used to as I know the dog needs to go outside. I attach a twenty foot leash to him whenever we go outside. Once his nose hits a scent, his brain drops out of his head and lands on the ground somewhere and I don't want to lose him once he starts an earnest run. He gets plenty of exercise with the leash and that's helped me to loose 15 pounds!!

We don't crate him,but he is put into our downstairs bathroom at night with the door left open and a kiddie gate installed. He always greets me in the morning with his tail wagging and eager for that first romp outdoors.

We've kicked up plenty of rabbits here and I love to watch and listen to him when he's on the scent. I will visually track the rabbit's path and that dog does not swerve an inch when tracking bugs.