Like the morning Tennessean or breakfast at Merridee’s, beagles are an essential part of a perfect day in Franklin for Lynn Pryor.
Lynn’s one of the many people who stick with a particular breed for much of their lives.
“I don’t know why I’ve always been partial to beagles. It may go back to my childhood affection for Snoopy and Underdog. Or,” Lynn theorizes, “it may be tied to my ambivalent attitude toward dog hair and carpet.”
During their first year of marriage, Mary Pryor’s dog-loving husband bought her a beagle. “We had already chosen the name Murphy,” remembers Lynn. “So when we met the breeder and her litter of pups, we called out the name Murphy. The puppy that came to us is the one that lived with us for the next 14 years.”
Even now, after Mary and Lynn’s two sons are grown and out on their own, the “pitter patter” of little paws is still heard around their home.
“After Murphy died, Molly joined our family. All was well until two years later, I came up with a bright idea: Molly needs her own dog. Apparently I caught my wife at a weak moment, because she agreed, and Madison (Maddy) became resident beagle #2.”
Fortunately, it’s been more than just a tolerant co-existence that Mary has shared with Murphy, Molly and Madison through the years. They both celebrate “all that’s good” about their dogs.
”I love my Franklin beagles,” Lynn says. “They are friendly dogs and they love to be around others. That’s why they make great company for each other.”
When Lynn comes home from work, he knows that Molly and Maddy expect the first order of business to be a visit into the front yard to sniff out the rabbits and occasional squirrel.
“We live on a busy street with lots of dogs being walked, and Molly and Maddy enjoy greeting the other dogs. They’re sort of like those older men who serve as greeters at church, but without the bad comb over,” Lynn explains.
Lynn and his “girls” are part of each others’ day – every day. “I love my Franklin beagles because I have no need for an alarm clock — even on holidays. Their internal canine clock knows when it’s 5:30 and time for breakfast — even on weekends and holidays. They know when I’m about to come home, and they know when it’s time for a walk. Molly gets so excited to see me that she pees on the kitchen floor.
“No one else in my family does that,” says Lynn. ”Now who wouldn’t love dogs like that?
“I could give you more reasons why I love my Franklin beagles,” Lynn offers. “But I need to go clean the kitchen floor.”
