I know this looks like a Beagle who's not doing anything, but actually blind Willie (who recently came back to us) is about to wind himself up for a morning whirl. Most mornings now, as soon as Alayne lets him out of Kelly's Cottage, he goes off to pee and then comes back around the cottages to do a whirling happy dance. This is really quite a contrast with his usual demeanor, which is shy and timid, and he has a body posture to match -- he often slinks low to the ground when he walks. But suddenly in the mornings, it's as if someone pops a champagne cork ... and off he goes whirling in a circle. (The only other one who does this is blind Widget, who might have taught him how to loosen up a bit.)
Alayne tried to capture a full 360° set of photos showing the whirling dance, but the camera was struggling with the dark dog on the white snow and the flash kept going off, slowing down the shutter, so she only managed to get one frame of "the whirl":
Although still meek (he'll let a Dachshund push him away from his food bowl), we were delighted to see how much he's starting to enjoy himself. A whirling Beagle is a better Beagle!
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Please vote for the ranch in the Shelter Challenge -- and you can vote every day! Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT, for Montana, and it will bring up our listing.
Vote in the Shelter Challenge here.Last year we won $3,000 in the first round and then won the $20,000 Grand Prize in the second round, so your votes really do add up and make for a wonderful gift for the animals here.
Thank you!
Awww....sweet Willie. He's always been one of my favorite. That's OK, Willie, my Emmett is not a boisterous Beagle either. Glad to see you whirling. Much, much love from MN.
Posted by: Heidi, Emmett the Beagle, and Moxie the kitty | January 31, 2010 at 10:24 PM
For followers that missed Willie's return story, go back to the blog entry for December 21.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | January 31, 2010 at 04:28 PM
I also think I missed a paragraph...or a chapter? Willie came back from...an adoptive home? If he's whirling in the mornings, maybe he's that happy to be back at the ranch!
Posted by: Vicki Small | January 29, 2010 at 12:38 AM
Perhaps Willie would like you to change the name of the Ranch to The Rolling and Whirling Dog Ranch.
Posted by: Chloe | January 28, 2010 at 03:15 PM
Sweet boy must get a feeling of joyous abandon every morning. I hope he keeps it up once the snow melts............months from now.
Posted by: Evelyn | January 28, 2010 at 03:15 PM
Willie is darling - maybe he will shirl right out of his shell! I voted for Otis and RDR this morning!!
Posted by: sharon | January 28, 2010 at 12:45 PM
What a cutie Willie is - such a sweet demure pose in the top picture. I would have serious trouble getting work done at the ranch due to multiple and constant hug breaks.
Posted by: Angela | January 28, 2010 at 11:05 AM
I just adore Willie....His whirling around just shows how much he loves life with you all.
Posted by: Rena | January 28, 2010 at 11:05 AM
Where did Willie go and why is he back?
Posted by: Kelly | January 28, 2010 at 10:21 AM
SO glad you have the return policy... good to see him.
Posted by: gayle | January 28, 2010 at 08:54 AM
Oh come on everyone moves when a dachshund wants to eat!!!
Posted by: Lori Leduc | January 28, 2010 at 01:14 AM
Please remind me/us how Willie came to being back home at the ranch?
Posted by: Craig from Great Falls | January 28, 2010 at 12:49 AM
How absolutely cute! Glad to see Willie coming out of his shell a bit and having fun whirling around
Please don't forget to vote in the Shelter Challenge!
Posted by: Ann | January 27, 2010 at 10:40 PM