Nothing to See Here. Move Along.

Hello Hops!

2008-09-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

The Front and the Back of one of the Poperinge Hops Fest Floats.

These kids were all hopped up on something...LOL. the costumes were incredible at this parade. The Parade told the "story" of hops. Even the USA was represented.
Truman gets a treat for being his good self.

WHOO!

2008-06-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Come to America with Truman

2008-06-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

!
Well, we wish he could have come with us, but it is a long haul for a little guy in checked baggage. And he wasn't much help packing. Maybe next time...

Contemplative Truman

2008-06-15T13:12:00.000-07:00

This photo cost me 60 euro cents.

2008-06-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

Midi Station, Brussels on a Sunday. This guy was so proud!

Thanks for the sweater, Terry!

2008-06-08T05:02:00.000-07:00

This is what shopping with Joe looks like.

2008-06-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

There's sort of a no-uncontrolled-dogginess rule in the beer shops.

No Puffin?

2008-05-24T05:07:00.000-07:00

Japanse Pankcakes

2008-05-24T03:43:00.000-07:00

In Amsterdam we discovered a strange and interesting food form . The Japanese Pancake World restaurant was an outpost of Okonomiyaki , a Japanese specialty food. Our neighbors tell us it is along the lines of festival food. Probably this merits more research on my part, but I wanted to share the photos.I think that this chef thought we were nuts taking photos of each step in the process, but he put up with us.
It took about 30 minutes to get from a basic crepe to the final smashed down "pancake" and it was totally worth it.
These are layers of pork, mushrooms, sprouts, cabbage, onions and some cheese on top of a crepe-like base.
Here is the action - the big flip!The final product is doused in mayo and other sauces and served in a cast iron skillet. Yum!

Working on new tricks

2008-05-24T03:32:00.000-07:00

Truman has proven to have some patience - he can wait while holding the treat on his nose for at least a minute, which is an eternity for a beagle to be so close to food.Saturday Morning! Note the intensity of the beagle post-training.

The Return of the Katja Plus Truman

2008-03-30T10:40:00.001-07:00

Here's Truman on an average afternoon doing research with Joe. This is a nice pub in Brussels/Marolle. Although he hasn't updated the blog since December, it doesn't mean that he isn't busy!

this is the official portrait of Truman and Katja celebrating the 3-day event, "Return of the Katja" in front of the lilac bush.

And below, a confusing photo. Although it is true that the more beagles one sees , the more luck one has, this kennel full of beagles looks odd. We can only hope that they are a pack on their way to the freedom of a hunt in the fields of Flanders for the day.

Truman Loves Trash

2007-12-20T12:00:00.002-08:00

This is Truman working the room...
He loves the trash.

And finally, Truman at rest.

As Joe said, we had a little drama today...

2007-11-14T10:38:00.000-08:00

Truman is a nice dog and always really friendly with other dogs. So when he met a Jack Russel Terrier mix on Tuesday, he wanted to play. Unfortunately, that dog kinda went ape on him. But Joe didn't notice any problem as they walked away until Truman started to cry.
This is your normal Beagle ear.
This is 15 cm of stitches in your normal Beagle ear. He is a real trooper about this, just an occasional head shake now and then. As I type this, he is eying my beer and I have half a mind to share...

Truman at Dinner

2007-11-09T11:21:00.001-08:00

Truman gets in this same position every night while we eat dinner. Either he is on his back or on his side, but his feet are up on the wall and he drags his blanket in that corner to lay on.

He lost another toy under the cabinet. This is a daily event.

Joe and Truman have a new Contract

2007-10-21T02:37:00.001-07:00

It works like this: Truman can hang out on the twin bed while Joe works. I think it is obvious who got the better deal here...
At the very least he is a happy little beagle.

Orval Abbey

2007-10-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

We took a trip to visit the Orval Abbey. Orval isn't just about beer - it is about fish finding the queen's ring in the lake and about religious contemplation. But we still got a case of beer on the way out and it is aging in the cave right now.

Greece 2007!

2007-09-16T13:11:00.001-07:00

Acropolis NOW!
These photos are mostly from the island of Santorini in Oia.

What can I say, Greece is beautiful!

So much for the rabbit...

2007-08-30T23:20:00.001-07:00

In less than 24 hours, Truman has gutted his new pet rabbit. I think he almost looks proud.

Special Beer

2007-08-27T12:39:00.001-07:00

Let's face it, this is just a teaser for our beer-loving friends...but behold the secret beer cave!
Is it weird to like a beer this much? I am saying it here - I want this little beer sign for Christmas. This is the logo of the De Dolle Brewery in Belgium. They have some great beer, my favorite being the Oerbier.

Notice the grimy bottles? This is the secret source of Joe's beer cellar. Here you can buy OLD vintages of beer and the price seems to be about the same as a new bottle.
Check out the tasting area. Looks like an original "man cave" to me!

Welcome Home!

2007-08-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

This is our street...can you see the friendly faces?Truman likes to monitor the street from the balcony - but he's always happy when you show up.
You should see the tail wagging that goes on!

Bouillon, Belgium

2007-08-18T05:40:00.001-07:00

We went to this great castle in August. We've seen a few castles over the years, but this one was really special. The river below is the Semois, which is curvy like a snake.
The first mention of this castle is in the late 900's! It had some incredible passages and rooms carved right into the rock.
There was also a condor/owl/hawk demonstration of falconry.
This is a view over the Semois - next time we are renting canoes and taking a float trip!
Finally we got home to Truman. Maybe next time he can come along.

Dinat BATHTUB Regatta

2007-08-18T01:48:00.001-07:00

Dinat, BelgiumWe went to the Bathtub Regatta on August 15 in Dinat, Belgium with Truman and the neighbors. These bathtub boats look more like fancy barges.

Dinat is where the inventor of the saxophone came from!

Beagle Stats

2007-08-06T09:50:00.001-07:00

Truman Beagle, born November 24, 2006
Current Weight: 33 pounds
Height at Shoulder: 15 inches
Ear Length: 7 inches
More to come...

Suggestions for a New Truman Movie?

2007-07-30T05:48:00.001-07:00

These two look sad - is it because they stayed up all night reading Harry Potter and now the book is over? Maybe they want a new Truman Movie? Hard to tell - but if you have a suggestion for a Truman-themed film, please send it on!

Farewell Drink with Bill & Yvette

2007-07-21T03:37:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you make good friends but then they have to leave. These nice people always let me jump on them and lick their faces and called me handsome. I'll miss them a lot, even though they maintain that Beagles age prematurely.

Every Beagle Morning

2007-07-05T12:07:00.001-07:00

It seems like it took forever to create another Beagle Movie. And while there are some that argue that a half-grown dog is not as cute as a puppy and therefore not worthy of a 4 minute movie, to them I say, watch this!

Beagle Wasting Time...

2007-06-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

Truman Returns!

2007-06-24T11:01:00.000-07:00

Truman is bigger than ever - after 18 days in the Kennel he is looking rather grown-up. He gives a lot of thought into the face he wants to present to you, typically that is his most serious face.

Road Trip in Belgium

2007-05-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

This is a Belgian Blue Bull and his lady friends. I am impressed - he looks like He-Man and She-Ra's pet calf.

Beagle-Style Welcome

2007-05-18T15:40:00.001-07:00

When you visit us in Belgium, there is one friendly face to greet you every time you come over - Truman likes nothing more than for you to have a seat on the foyer floor.
It is fun to try to make the same face as the Beagle. What do you call that Look? Pleading, please-give-me-a-treat Look? Likely the Beagles have some technical nomenclature for these things.
Whenever someone comes home, there is a warm Beagle welcome awaiting them here. Have a seat on the floor for a free ear-washing!

Truman takes in the City

2007-05-08T12:06:00.000-07:00

Springtime in Brussels means lilac trees in bloom and allergies are full-force!Truman is on the way out to the secret dog toilet - secret because you can't see it from the windows of the apartments . Puppies need Kisses!
Out and about in the neighborhood taking in the fine building details.

Truman Meets Terry and Simon

2007-05-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

So this last week was a lot of fun because my slave's sister came to visit! Terry, Duchess of Bobcats, sure knows how to make a puppy feel like, well, a puppy. Luckily, I have been working hard at Beagle School and I passed all of her tests. I would do anything she asked me to do - she really knows how to connect to a little beagle like me. Anyway, as soon as Terry and Simon (her consort) arrived , I took them to my favorite beer cafe: Moeder Lambic. I think that they liked it.

Later we hung out on the balcony and I sat in everyone's lap. I am getting a little big for this, but the people don't seem to mind so much...

PUPPYWARS!

2007-04-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

Vote for Truman on PuppyWar!

The Easter Beagle

2007-04-08T11:27:00.000-07:00

Truman went to Brugge and met some Milka Chocolate Rabbits. (too bad the picture won't rotate)
Truman took the tour of a brewery - 200+ steps are hard on a little guy!
Truman takes the beer menu very seriously. Hey, it was one of the best beer cafes in Brugge!

He is a good customer at the bar...at least he is pretty polite!

It is tough to stay awake after a long day, but there is no better place to pass out than on Joe's lap!

Growing like a Weed

2007-04-07T02:23:00.000-07:00

He is getting pretty big to be a lap dog. But certainly he is getting more handsome, too!

Truman Comes Clean

2007-03-24T02:17:00.000-07:00

He Wants to Destroy Stuffed Animals, Even His Own Kind!

2007-03-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

A cute little beagle toy is no match for Truman!
And he spent a lot of time "undressing" this little bear.

Karin's Dogs' Cousin, Stella

2007-03-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

Truman met Stella on Saturday; she was a lot of fun to play with.
At first, there was a lot of kissing, but then the roughhousing took over. Stella is a cousin of my colleague Karin's dogs. Brussels is very small!

A young DC United Fan and Beer Lover

2007-03-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

Truman discovered that we have been keeping a beer stash from him. He is left to just lick the bottle tops!
You didn't share your St. Bernardus with your best friend?
Truman looks good in red and black - maybe for Christmas he needs some DC United gear?

Truman Around Town

2007-03-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

We don't have the greatest weather in Belgium, so when it is nice, you have got to get out. Being Belgian for Truman means taking in the local architectural scene. The neighborhood has some interesting homes and buildings to check out. This is a tile mural a few blocks away from our house.

Here Truman visits the Chatelain in Brussels.

He would like to have lunch at La Maison Berber, but we were too busy.
There was a lovely park where Truman kissed all the children. One little Spanish girl asked her mother, "will he eat me?"

We Have Guests

2007-03-08T12:18:00.000-08:00

And Truman seeks to endear himself by showing his love of their trousers...

Truman Loves Joe Best

2007-03-06T11:14:00.000-08:00

Seriously, he loves Joe the best.

Truman Update:He Weighs in at 10 Pounds!

2007-02-27T12:26:00.000-08:00

WILDCAT!

2007-02-20T12:14:00.000-08:00

See Truman in his latest movie, WILDCAT. He'll be huge in China in no time!

Thank you, Lesley!

2007-02-11T12:12:00.000-08:00

Beste Lesley, dank u voor mijn rubberschoen! Als u, spreek ik het Nederlands aangezien ik in België groeide. Mijn slaven, Joe en Kelly spreken het geen Nederlands. Ik leer langzaam het Engels. Ik houd werkelijk van mijn nieuw stuk speelgoed en wilde u voor het zeer danken.
Dank u opnieuw!
Truman

Truman at 10 Weeks Old

2007-02-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

http://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.photo.gif

Truman is all ears!

Hans Jaegermeister Heard We Were Getting A Puppy...

2007-02-04T12:51:00.000-08:00

So he sent us a message. Not only is he the World's Greatest Living Beagle, he also has an e-mail account. Wolfie and JR are his sons and they help run the family business, rabbit hunting, that is.



	date			Jan 8, 2007 1:24 PM
	subject			awrooo!
	mailed-by			gmail.com

rello kely,

sari i have not ritten for many hunts. have been busy working, theez kids today like jr and wolfy, they are soft and bad hunters, i roooo! the day when they take ovur fammly biznus. ennyway i heer u r gettng a Beagle to be yur new favrit hownd, gud fer u, fine, go ahedd, i see u r mooooving on, nevrmine me, i will be ok, but mebbe u comvisit un of theez days, i woodd lyke to meet ur dog n see if he can hunt, i sereously dowt it.

luv hans bark bark

Hans and Wolfie in action:

Truman Stars in His First Film Short!

2007-02-04T05:53:00.000-08:00

Truman does many things, but they all fall into the same 3 categories: sleeping, pooping and chewing. His first film short is about chewing - now let's hope that there won't be a "Number 2" movie!

First Meeting with Truman

2007-01-30T13:05:00.000-08:00

We met Truman on January 26th,
2007 in Lommel, Belgium. He was literally the pick of the litter.

Or did He pick us out?

We looked each other over carefully - will you be my new best friend?

But in the end, Truman decided to come home with us.

The Long Awaited Arrival of Truman!

2007-01-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

Truman relaxes a lot. He has about three speeds: pooping, chewing, and sleeping.

Behold the Majesty.

2007-01-29T02:36:00.000-08:00