You’re not gonna believe this, but last week I overheard Beagle Man and Matt talking about LA/XC-3 — the 2013 cross-country road trip.  2013? Didn’t we just get back? Not that I’m complaining.  I could be on the road 365 days a year and be perfectly happy.  The thing is, though, I’m not sure I like some of the ideas they were kicking around.  For one thing, B-Man was talking about alternating huge, 750-mile days — “mega-mileage days,” he was...

Last Sunday, Ricky and I discovered a brand-new hiking area.  Well, all right, we didn’t actually discover it.  My friend Sarah, who has China the chow chow, told me about it, but Ricky and I did have the whole place to ourselves on Sunday.  Well, all right, not exactly to ourselves — but there certainly weren’t many others, considering what a perfect fall day it was.  You already know I can’t reveal the name of this secret spot; that wouldn’t be much of a...

When Beagle Man introduced The Roof Rack Report in early September, he said I’m more of a “political animal” than he is.  He got that right.  But I gotta be honest with you:  After the election, my interest in politics does, well, tail off a bit.  So I hope you won’t mind if I veer off-track to a really weird item in yesterday’s New York Times: “Finally, a Place in Brazil Where Dogs Can Go For Discreet Sex.” Please!  Hey, I might not be an...

Sleep Yesterday on the FAN, Joe and Evan were analyzing the Jets’ dwindling playoff chances.  I have to admit — earmuffs, Robby — they were more bullish than I am at the moment.  Their conversation brought to mind a recent family discussion about what Ricky likes Snow most.  Of course, we then started ranking those “likes,” pitting playing in the snow vs. sleeping; going for a walk vs. playing with other dogs, etc.  As I’m sure you’ve noticed,...

Oh, sure, I was around in 2004 and 2008, but I didn’t take part in those elections the way I did this year.  I mean . . . my own blog? And actually being allowed inside the polling place? They didn’t know quite what to make of me at first:  B-Man asked a campaigner outside if it would be all right if he brought his dog in, and the guy mumbled, “I don’t see why not.”  Ditto for the woman in the front hallway.  Finally, an old lady volunteer came charging...

Bummer!  No debate this week.  Though I couldn’t have watched it, anyway; we still have no power, thanks to Hurricane Sandy — or “Super Storm Sandy,” as they’re now calling it on radio.  Cute.  Come to think of it, how am I going to watch Brad and Carrie hosting the CMA’s tonight?  I suppose we could go over to Rick and Susan’s — but that means dealing with Archie, their humongous, overly affectionate so-called “puppy.”  Hmm . . . just...

Higher ground: Ricky makes do with the parking lot at Greens Farms Congregational Church with his other haunts already flooded Yeah, yeah, yeah — the beagle actually landed four weeks ago.  I know that.  I thought of this title the day after writing “It’s a Wrap,” my first post LA/XC-2 report, and have been wishing I’d used it ever since.  Sort of the way Barack felt, I’m sure, on October 4, when he thought of all his great comeback lines a day late. ...

Yes, of course this title is a play on Keith Urban’s I Want To Kiss A Girl. You know I pretty much spend my life riding shotgun in Beagle Man’s car, and I know every song on his iPod by heart.  So today Dogster ran a headline — Do You Kiss Your Dog?  You Might Wanna Stop — and it went on to say that you exchange bacteria when you smooch your pup.  Well, B-Man and Mrs. B-Man and Robby kiss me all the time, and I kind of like it — so let’s just keep this little item...

Three debates down, one to go.  Lots of late nights for moi! I liked hearing Barry growl last night — though howling would have been even better.  My personal opinion?  He kicked Seamus’s dad’s butt.  Of course, it didn’t hurt having that Candy lady on our side.  🙂   Actually, I thought both candidates looked kind of ridiculous pacing around the stage.  Dogs are good at pacing.  Humans are good at a lot of things, but walking while talking isn’t one of...

Mrs. Beagle Man thought the veep did real well last night, holding down the fort while Barry licked his wounds and got ready for next week.  “Sort of Biden his time?” B-Man said.  They both thought this was a riot.  The thing that impressed me was what a great guy old Joe is.  I’ve always liked him — but to give his time Color-coordinated: Red bandage, red collar, red leash and go on TV and debate a high school student?! (Actually, wasn’t that kid a...