Good dog hunting, Beagle adoptions

GREAT BRIDGE

Snoopy would be proud.

The folks at Beagles to the Rescue do just about anything to save the darling hunting dogs that make ideal family pets.

The charity run out of Family Dog Club on Centreville Turnpike since 2008 is dedicated to finding forever homes for beagles and "wannabe" beagles while educating the public about responsible pet ownership.

Newport News prosecuter Laurel Uhlar, a softie for any dog, is president of the group, roped into the position when a lawyer was needed to draft tax-exempt status. Now like the rest of the volunteers, she fosters reguarly and owns one (named Trouble for his uncanny ability to sniff out chocolate). Uhlar thinks nothing of hopping in the car to drive a long distance to save an unwanted beagle.

"Beagles are treated as throwaway dogs," Uhlar said. "I know there are good hunters out there, but we get a large number of our dogs at the end of rabbit-hunting season, because they aren't worth feeding till the next year's season comes around.

Rita Phoenix keeps many of the rescued beagles at the Family Dog Club, where they enjoy a massive fenced-in area while awaiting somebody who wants to take them home.

All of them come with stories. Lemonade was a research-lab rescue from a flea-control experiment; Maggie's elderly owner was unable to care for her any longer. Sam is a hunting dog that refused to hunt or mate. Iowna is blind.

Beagles to the Rescue tells plenty of success stories along the way, including close to 200 adoptions since the group started.

Hope, once so starved she couldn't stand, is actually a bit pudgy now. Maize, deaf, almost toothless and infested with heartworms when found, lived out his final year with owners who loved him. Three surgeries later, Bella can romp without pain.

AnnaLee Long - who adopted three-legged Eilean - takes care of the orphan pups the group finds, which can mean bottlefeeding every three hours. She is currently fostering Shyann and her six babies that were born a month ago.

The adorable pups are only a tad bigger than guinea pigs and will likely be adopted out quicker than the older dogs.

Virginia Beach foster parent Myra Jennings has four beagles of her own and loves how forgiving they are.

"They're wonderfully adoptable dogs and they're always willing to give people a second chance," said Jennings, currently fostering year-old Frannie, a docile beagle who has never had a permanent home. "They're so mellow and even-tempered. They are wonderful with children."

Vicki L. Friedman, (757) 222-5218, vicki.friedman@pilotonline.com