Ricky, Joan, and Toby talk shop So it turns out, bion1, that Ricky and I are not the only dog/human pair within a 3-mile radius of Devon Road who like to drive cross-country! We’re at Southport Harbor yesterday for our daily destination walk, and Ricky trots over to a large-but-very-friendly Golden, who’s rolling around on his back in the grass and shaking himself off after a swim in the sound.  (Ricky, take notes:  Normal dogs actually do go in the water.)  Since dog...

Nolan & Philip They call my friend Nolan a “beagle mix,” but forget that.  A beagle’s a beagle.  And this is one cool beagle. Nolan lives in Alexandria, VA, with Maggie and Philip, Beagle Man’s friend Jeff’s daughter and son-in-law.  Okay, let’s go back a couple of years to when Philip was about to propose.  It’s Christmas, so of course he dolls Nolan up in a Santa outfit — flashing lights — everything.  Cheesy, but on a...

Got an e-mail earlier this week from my wife on the intra-Herman distribution list (Carol, Matt, Greg, Robby, Luz, me):  “OMG . . . I’m crying.”  The subject line read:  Joyful beagle sees owner after 6 months. Sounded great — but I was in the middle of something and couldn’t watch the video at the moment.  A few minutes later Matt replied all:  “And that is why dogs are the best . . .”  A few more superlatives were flung around and, okay, I...

Brodie I had my first-ever sleep-over at Brodie’s.  He lives in Somerville, MA, with Lang and Marilyn — Beagle Man’s good friends.  Brodie’s a big Golden — look at him! — calm and dignified, and much older than I am.  I kind of looked up to him as a role model.  But I was just a puppy back then, and I constantly wanted to play.  Way, way more than Brodie wanted.  After awhile, I got the feeling he was trying to avoid me.  Especially after I peed...

It’s 11:30 AM.  I’ve been at my desk since 9.  At least in theory.  I’ve been hard at work.  Again, in theory.  In Iced coffee: Will it work? reality, I haven’t done much besides checking my e-mail repeatedly, and the weather in Westport, Montauk, and other spots of critical interest, like Santa Monica, CA, and Grinnell, Iowa. Time to take Ricky for a walk.  Thank goodness! As most of you already know, by “a walk” I mean a drive to a walk.  (A...

Judge Ricky: Concentrating fiercely just outside Alexandria, VA We didn’t get through the entire Top 100 that Saturday night.  In fact, it wasn’t until lunchtime Monday — Memorial Day — that we finally  reached the Top 10.  By then, as the holiday weekend wound down, the crowd was a little less raucous and celebratory, and a little more judgmental.  (Sort of how they were on Saturday Chef Beagle Man, right; sous chefs Greg & Brian: Listen while they...

Lauren: My only support, bless her heart, for inclusion of "Springsteen" by Eric Church “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” the Beach Boys great 1966 hit, came on first.  I experienced a moment of trepidation, but the song drew a rousing ovation.  Numero 100 was a hit with the crowd!  Phew!  I felt gratified — and relieved.  If #100 got this kind of reaction, imagine what it would be like when we reached the Top Ten! Matt: "Sweet Child O' Mine" I...

Woodstock, Shmoodstock: This crowd could say they were there for The Big Reveal The excitement had been building since Thursday night, when the first wave of Memorial Day weekend revelers began showing up at our beach place in Montauk.  Arriving earliest were Robby and a bunch of friends, already socked in and watching Heat vs. Pacers, Game 6, when Carol and I got there.  As the trickle continued throughout Friday — Matt and girlfriend, Greg and girlfriend, buddies galore...

Selection Friday: Love at first sight August 12, 2003 had finally arrived. The day that had been circled on the calendar. The day we’d be traveling up to Templeton, MA, to pick up some very special cargo. It was the culmination of a flurry of activity that had been going on for months. Years, in fact: The 2,000+ times that Robby, starting at age 8, had asked, “Dad, can I have a dog?” The upwards of 30 inquiries I’d Sneak preview: Robby and Ricky...