This dog couldn’t sleep with all the activity going on in the house.  The “big gal” was cooking delicious food that I can’t eat.  People were wrapping last-minute gifts and Christmas is upon us.

To all of my dog and especially beagle friends and their families, have a safe, healthy, crazy, and Happy Christmas and Season’s Greetings from the Crazy Beagle.

My owner was flipping through the cable stations last night and happened to settle on a 1975 movie starring a very young Don Johnson (of Miami Vice fame) called “A Boy and His Dog.” It is a post-apocalyptic tale based on a novel by Harlan Ellison. The boy, played by Don Johnson, communicates telepathically with his dog as they scavenge for food and sex. They stumble into an underground society where the old society is preserved. The daughter of one of the leaders of the community seduces and lures him below, where the citizens have become unable to reproduce because of being underground so long. They use him for impregnation purposes (I can only wish and imagine what that is like), and then plan to be rid of him.

I like the movie because the dog, name Blood, seem like the smartest character in the movie. Blood was always one step ahead of everyone else and would think of ways for the both of them to survive. Also Blood was very witty with his telepathic comments and seemed to rule the boy during the exchanges.

However, it was not one of the most uplifting movies you would want to see before the holidays. Overall, the Crazy Beagle thinks it was a change of pace movie that is interesting to see once. This dog gives the movie three paws up.

It was reported that convicted dog fighter and NFL quarterback, Michael Vick, is seeking a dog as a pet. This has started a heated among dog lovers and others on whether he should have a dog.

Well, this Crazy Beagle is stating for the record that Michael Vick should have a dog as a pet. This Crazy Beagle is not crazy for saying it. Just think about it, his dog will be the best treated pet in the world. Everyone will be watching him to see that he treats his dog right. If the dog barks too long, people will notice. If the dog poop is on the ground too long, people will notice. If the dog sneezes and Michael Vick is not there to wipe the dog’s nose, people will notice.

Not that the Crazy Beagle is looking to leave his palace (just in case my owners read this), but if I were Michael Vick’s dog, I would be treated like a king. So Michael Vick, the Crazy Beagle says, “Go get your dog!”  I am saying this even though Michael Vick led a comeback against my New York Giants, 38-31.

Sonic the Crazy Beagle is letting all of my do friends know about a new pet food recall.  This new pet food recall affects over 19 states. The foods were sold at Krogers. There are several brands affected – and the concern is that there is a fungal toxin that may be very dangerous.    Please read the following:

CINCINNATI, Ohio, December 18, 2010 – The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.

Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.

Stores the company operates under the following names are not included in this recall: Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., and Food 4 Less stores in California and Nevada.

Kroger is recalling the following items:

• Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128

• Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357

• Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 111108815

• Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580

• Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903

• Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566

• Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074563

• Kroger Value Cat Food sold in 3 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111000018

• Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 15 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071559Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code:1111000108

Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. If your pet shows any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.

The safety of our customers and their pets is important to Kroger. The company is using its Customer Recall Notification system to alert customers who may have purchased these recalled products through register receipt tape messages and automated phone calls. Customers who have purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls.

Dog health symptoms of toxicity from this food may include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and jaundice (a yellow color to the skin {easiest to see on the inner ears or the white of the eye}).

Sonic the Crazy Beagle says to all his dog friends to take heed and watch what dog food your owners are feedings.  Hopefully you have your owners trained by now.  Take care my dogs!

Here’s a dog joke for you to brighten up your Monday:

A local business was looking for office help. They put a sign in the window, that read:

“HELP WANTED. Must be able to type, must be good with a computer and must be bilingual. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

A short time afterwards, a dog trotted up to the window, saw the sign and went inside. He looked at the receptionist and wagged his tail, then walked over to the sign, looked at it and whined.

Getting the idea, the receptionist got the office manager. The office manager looked at the dog and was surprised, to say the least. However, the dog looked determined, so he lead him into the office. Inside, the dog jumped up on the chair and stared at the manager.

The manager said, “I can’t hire you. The sign says you have to be able to type.” The dog jumped down, went to the typewriter and proceeded to type out a perfect letter. He took out the page and trotted over to the manager and gave it to him, then jumped back on the chair. The manager was stunned, but then told the dog, “The sign says you have to be good with a computer.”

The dog jumped down again and went to the computer. The dog proceeded to demonstrate his expertise with various programs and produced a sample spreadsheet and database and presented them to the manager. By this time the manager was totally dumb-founded! He looked at the dog and said, “I realize that you are a very intelligent dog and have some interesting abilities. However, I still can’t give you the job.”

The dog jumped down and went to a copy of the sign and put his paw on the sentences that told about being an Equal Opportunity Employer. The manager said, “Yes, but the sign *also* says that you have to be bilingual.”

The dog looked at him straight in the face and said, “Meow.”