The Voyage of the Beagle

It is about time that I write a few words to commemorate the passing of Bujo’s Indiana Jones.  This was his registered name, and the “Bujo’s” part came from his sire.  At the time it seemed very official and significant to include that, just in case Indiana turned out to be a champion or something.  We usually called him either Indiana or Indy, although my sister Kara called him many different names.  These included, “Howard” (inexplicably), “Nanapoo,” and others that I am sure that I’m forgetting.

Indy joined us in January of 1998 to replace Barney the Beagle, who had run away a from home.  Barney broke the Beagle barrier in the Newcomer household and paved the way for Indiana’s successful career as our family’s dog.

Indy began his career as the Auxiliary Dog, with Skippy the Schnauzer holding down the position of Primary Dog until his passing in late 2004.  As an auxiliary dog, Indy performed well, if not always cheerfully.  (Despite the murky accusations implicating him in the death of Skippy, he was never convicted of any wrongdoing.)  Most importantly, Indiana contributed youthful vigor, cuteness, and velvety soft ears, which Skippy was either beginning to lose or never had to begin with.

Once Skippy died, Indy’s approach to the Primary Dog role was unique.  It is possible that all of the torture he endured as a puppy (see picture above) is what gave him a more surly disposition, but I think he was born that way. Instead of playing the part of the slobbering, tail-wagging companion, he was more like the needy old uncle who lived upstairs.  He was always around (especially at meal times), could be counted on to bark at strangers, and you didn’t want to sit in his chair.

Indiana’s life also represented another milestone since he was the second consecutive canine to live out the extent of his natural days with the Newcomers (this is not counting Cody the Lab-Chow Mutt who came as a stray and eventaully strayed away).  The flipside of this is that he accrued more veterinary bills than any other pet.  Who knew Beagles were so fragile?

It’s difficult to eulogize a dog, but I am glad to have known Indiana Jones.  He was a very doggy dog, and that is really all we could have asked of him.