Beagling

Determined nose a patchwork coat

ploughing through a jungle of couch,

hedge parsley and gorse. A high energy

missile more deadly certain than lead

from a Holland & Holland. Hares beware   

the Bunny’s ancient nemesis. The Beagle

In-bred persistence, paid tribute by Darwin,

abandoned for fashionable foxes and hunting

pink, but still a working class hero providing

cheerful company and food for the meagre

tables of those with the patience of hunger.

Nowadays, your single-minded skills protect

us from terrorist bombs and back-alley pushers

of death. A sad-eyed dappled pet, a ready to

please comic friend who doesn’t always listen.

Small in stature, cheap to feed, and easy going:

Your own worst enemy through no fault of your

own. As low as worms in hard-nosed laboratories

injected with poison; smeared with caustic creams;

sacrificed in thousands so those you’ve loved and

helped for centuries can use non-allergic perfumes.

http://www.pinterest.com/veelyy/s-o-s-beagles/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXcL_gt7L-A

http://www.petitions24.com/dont_use_the_beagles_for_research_astrazeneca