Okay, Rabbit, here I come

Toby Beagle had instincts, of course, like all beagles. His most important one was chasing rabbits and he wanted to show his owner, Brandon he could catch one. Unfortunately, to date, he was batting zero.

 It was humiliating.

One day, Brandon took him out in the country to run and explore. Ecstasy! Toby, nose to the ground, zigged and zagged all over the place trying to scare up the long-eared object of his dreams.

At one point, he nearly gave a lady gopher a heart attack when she poked her head up from her burrow, to be met with Toby’s nose coming straight at her. Talk about a fast retreat!

He sniffed around some more. They must have known I was coming, he thought, consoling himself.

However, he was beginning to get discouraged when he saw movement across the way. Moving closer, could it be …yes! a rabbit in the bushes! It was as still as a statue, trying its best to be invisible, but it didn’t fool Toby. The rabbit’s wiggling nose gave him away. With the stealth of a panther, the beagle crept forward, his eyes never leaving his prey.

Suddenly, the rabbit took off like Wile E, Coyote’s nemesis, Road Runner. Be-beep! He was gone! Springing into action, Toby charged after him.

Now, to give credit where it’s due, Toby was no slouch. He could run with the best of them; however, he had been eating a lot, lately, and had put on a few pounds which might have affected his speed. At any rate, the rabbit was running for his life. Makes a difference.

Still, Toby was having a wonderful time out in the country, fresh air and all, but he didn’t want to go home empty-mouthed. It would be an insult to his breed, and worst of all, he’d feel like a failure.

 So, when he saw Brandon heading back to the car, he knew he had to catch something, quick. Anything! As long as it was breathing. He checked out the bushes around him. No long ears, (no ears at all) but hiding on a small branch was a lizard. (Pitiful, but …) Toby quickly grabbed him in his mouth.

Trotting up to Brandon, he offered him his catch. His expression was nonchalant, as if that’s what he’d wanted all along. Brandon grinned. “Good catch, Tobe!” He held out his hand to accept the gift.

As soon as the lizard hit Brandon’s hand, it was off like a shot.

Toby was disgusted and howled out the window of Brandon’s truck all the way home. Brandon laughed. Every time Toby howled, Brandon laughed. After a while Toby realized hey, I may not’ve caught a rabbit but I made Brandon happy, and that’s a good thing. Yawning hugely, he settled down on the seat and went to sleep.

There are more important things in life that catching a rabbit.