July 21, 2025 eblast: 

The Importance of Being…Earnest

As Ernest Hemingway wrote, "The truth is rarely pure and never simple".

When it comes to this roughly 11 year old handsome little gentleman, the truth is unattainable.

We don't know how he spent the last 11 years or so of his life. But we do have a sense of its impurity, through no fault of his own.

We are sad witness to the aftermath of poor treatment and prolonged neglect.

But, as Hemingway also wrote, "The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places."

Beagles especially.

We got the email from our friends at the Humane Society of Hastings Prince Edward last week. Another sad tale of a deserted senior beagle covered in fleas and filth. He was also burdened by a makeshift collar made of heavy metal chain. Beneath that albatross was a horrendous sight. All his fur on his neck was gone and in its place, a severe case of Dermatitis exacerbated by fungal infection and endless flea bites. At least that's where you could actually see the thickened reptile-like skin in plain sight but it's everywhere, under an unhealthy coat of lackluster fur and swollen paws.

But the repair work started right away at this shelter filled with such compassionate souls, despite the daily demands and challenges of overcrowding which has sadly become the norm for animal shelters and rescue groups alike in the wake of the Pandemic. Somehow, these frontline responders always make time to comfort the animals they save.

The horrible chain was cut off and the soothing medicated baths began. Underneath all that filth and misery slowly emerged a beautiful and hopeful beagle well worth the effort.

The name "Ernest Hemingway"? We can't take credit for it.

One of the shelter staff chose it and we agreed, it was perfect! A distinguished name for such a distinguished gentleman!

How a beagle with such a tale of woe could be so charming and so generous of heart I'll never know.