One Happy Beagle

This is my little red beagle, Isabelle. Here she is with a friend, Toby. I'm so glad we were able to capture this moment.

We bought Isabelle when she was about 2 or 3 years old (the vet estimated) from the local humane shelter, and by her actions and fear, we supposed she'd been abused. Our thoughts were also that she must never have been allowed to play, or was strictly beaten for doing so.

After a couple of years with us, she "tried" to play, but that uncertainly stayed with her, as though she couldn't believe she had the freedom to be herself. My husband said it was like her spirit was broken.

Because she was a beagle, she enjoyed using her nose and smelling all the delightful scents. It took about six years before we were able to move somewhere that we could put up a fenced yard. All those years without one, poor Isabelle always either had to be on a leash, or tied to a chain. That nose would simply lead her all over creation and we couldn't risk losing her!

When we moved to our current location and the fence man finished his job, I opened the door for Isabelle to go outside. As she'd learned for so long, she waited to have the leash clipped to her collar. She seemed to not quite know what to think when I urged her out without it.

That first day, free from restraint, she explored the yard for four hours before she came to the front door. Oh, the happiness that shone in her eyes!

This photo is so precious because it shows that despite the horrid start Isabelle had, she had a joyous, loving finish. I'm so glad we were able to provide that for her.