from Jim Birmingham

Jim Birmingham is a life-long animal lover, 

longstanding supporter of worthy animal causes, 

member of A-PAL, volunteer at ACAC&AC, 

Coonhound Guy, and Distinguished Old Gentleman.

Maggie probably could have easily jumped the fence, but she never acted like she would. Nor did she try to dig under it. She was a go-through-the-fence girl, and our fortified fence kept her contained. Maggie is no longer all that intent on getting out. Instead, she happily inspects her property several times daily. She enjoys checking every tree for squirrels, baying when one is spotted, and showing us continuously how she loves every square inch of her new territory. She digs trenches and deep foxholes throughout it, in pursuit of gophers-who, I hope, are mostly safe.

Maggie is forever a comedian and we can't go through a day, even a hard one, without laughing at her antics and the tricks she plays on all of us. She still loves tweaking the cats and likes it even better if they take a swat at her in the process. She jumps and bounces around them in circles. The more grossed-out they are; the better for Maggie.

It's been over a year and Maggie has come a long way. She serenades us daily with that beautiful baritone voice I really enjoy, although it is possible the neighbors do not. She's finally learned to sprawl on the porch and loves it, particularly when we accompany her. When we let her out first thing in the morning, instead of taking off on her inspection of the perimeter, she stares in the windows with that long, sad face only a Coonhound can make, until someone relents and joins her...pajamas, robe, slippers, and steaming coffee in hand. Rain or snow, it makes no difference to her. She's no longer content to "hunt" on her own--I have to come along.