Because her beagle-loving Mom almost ran her over on a busy road when she was about 8-12 weeks old (pictured right).  Coming home from shopping one day day in August 2010, I saw a small black animal frantically running across a grassy median on a very busy 4 lane road across from a mall. I wasn't even sure exactly what animal it was, but another vehicle was stopped, and the driver was out of her car looking on the median, so I pulled over as well.  I was close enough (or so I thought) to just scoop up this little animal and hand it over the person who had stopped.  Once my car was pulled over, we heard a horrible screaming sound from my back tire.  I thought I had perhaps run over the animal, but then realized that it had run up the tire well of my rear tire and was tired and frightened it was screaming! The other person who had stopped confirmed it was a kitten (not hers, but one she saw running across the highway), and I thought we could get it out, hand it over to her and my good deed for the day would be done.  Trying to get the little black kitten out from my tire well on the hot asphalt on a hot August day was not really fun, but after laying on the ground and blindy reaching in to grab it (hoping and praying it wouldn't bite me), I scooped out a tiny black kitten who almost just seemed to be in shock. I tried to hand it over to the other driver who pointed out that she had a loose dog in her car, and after trying to get some of the other bystanders who had either stopped or come out of their stores, to take it, I realized that the empty dog crate in my car was not giving me an excuse not to take it.  In my mind, the 9 beagles who were in my home at that time, in addition to me having NO desire to ever have a cat were reasons enough, but I decided that my groceries were already defrosting and my evening disrupted, so I plopped the kitten in my empty dog crate, and made a call to my vet in NJ as I started on the hour long drive there.

Of course the vet tech who runs Feline Rescue Mission was not at the vet when I arrived. Figures.  I was hoping she would be able to take her.  I paid for the kitten's immediate vet care - negative for feline leukemia and FIV, vaccinations, a bit thin and covered in fleas, but otherwise OK.  Her little 2 lb. self did nothing but purr in everyone's arms.  The vets and tech, who know me for the avid beagle lover (aka DOG LOVER) that I am, seemed to chuckle at this interesting experience, and I was told there was a bet being wagered that I would be keeping it.  Yeah right.  I ended up having dinner at my parents' house that evening, and when I asked if I could bring a kitten with me, I told them I would explain when I arrived.  This is "Dora" (named that evening by my sister for Dora the Explorer) that night having her first water and food (given to me with some litter and advice by the vet staff  to get me through her first night).

Long story short, 11 months later, I am now writing Dora's webpage.

After making calls to the Bucks County SPCA, a few rescues, and posting for possible adopters on facebook, no owner could be identified. The SPCA told me the kitten was better off with me.  Possible adopters were available in about 2 weeks, so I had to deal with a kitten in my home for about 2 weeks.  How to break this to the pack of BEAGLES (yes, those little hunting hounds!) in my home?

The beagles fascinated with this new creature in the house.	Rosie eventually took over "Dora Duty" and would not let any other dog enjoy the fun.

Interestingly, Dora had her own ideas about meeting the pack, and forced me to integrate  her into my home before I wanted to.  Despite trying to keep her segregated in a back room, she began venturing out and I found her everywhere. Of course, in that timeframe, I found it ever more difficult to rehome her.  By the time that 2 week time came around, I wasn't sure I could hand her off to a stranger.  As the weeks and months went on, she adjusted so well, as did the beagles, that she eventually just seemed to "fit."  

Dora is about a year old now and has been with me for 11 months.  Having never had a cat, this has been quite a learning experience for me (complete with rushing her to the vet thinking she was having a stroke when she actually was going into heat!!)  No worries, though, we had her scheduled for her spay the next day! Dora is a healthy, well cared for cat who thinks she is a beagle.  She is so very different from a beagle, but has her moments of being adorable and affectionate.  I truly think she loves the dogs. She is 100% attitude, but I am learning that just means she is being a cat.  She makes me laugh every day and I am not sure the house would be complete with her anymore.




Since Dora arrived, another new permanent addition was made: Coconut.  After losing Rosie, I adopted another beagle from BREW, Coconut, who has become Dora's BFF.  After a rough start integrating Coconut into the pack, she and Dora have become fast friends.
11 months old, and approximately 8 lbs...Dora is now a beagle, um, cat! :)