Chuck Newton

Mandy Newton, Trusted Legal Beagle, R.I.P

I have written about Mandy, our legal Beagle, before.  She was nine and had been fighting an autoimmune problem for some time.  She passed away today.  As they say here in Texas, she weren't people, but she were darn close.  She was dedicated, as all Beagles are, to sniffing, snoozing and snacking.  She was funny and opinionated and protective and loving.  She use to lay down in her spot next to my desk.  The kids would accuse her of sleeping on the job.  I would just say that she was contemplating the law.  It is sad really.  We get so attached to our pets.  I did not want a pet in the first place, but my youngest daughter just had to stop off at the Mall in the pet store.  The beagle puppy licked everyone on the face, and that was it.  We will have many fond memories.  For years I did refer to her sometimes as Mandy the Last.  Pretty much irreplaceable, and I think I intend to keep it that way.  This is she under the table wanting whatever was on my plate, and she usually got it.  Being a hound dog she she knew how to tree a fried chicken on the counter, so to speak.

This Pretty Much Describes My Beagle Mandy

Come to think of it, this pretty much describes and defines me and most other lawyers as well.

History In The Making!!!!!!

Okay! Okay!  It might not be the same as the first woman or the first African-American winning the presidency of the United States, but it is pretty darn close.

UNO THE BEAGLE WINS BEST IN SHOW at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Uno became the first beagle in history to win best in show, as a sold out crowd in Madison Square Garden jumped to their feet when Uno was chosen.

Our legal beagle, Mandy, is excited.  Now all beagles can hold their white tipped tails up with pride.

Experience the excitement below:

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Beagles And Solos

Find out what differentiates beagles from solo legal practitioners at Solo Lawyer.

Our Beagle On Many Friday Mornings

The Legal Beagle Shines

The entire point of downshifting and working from your home is to enjoy the simpler things of an ordinary life.  One of those things in the life of my family is the our beagle, Mandy.  We call her our "Legal Beagle".  Adam Schachter, one of the attorneys that works with my group, has a Barrister Basset named Langdon.  Beagles are those little hound dogs dedicated to sniffing, snoozing and snacking.  Mandy helps run our household, or at least she thinks so.  Beagles cannot much stand to be left alone, so as my family and I move around the house, Mandy follows.  As a beagle, Mandy is pretty much set on her routine.  She knows when it is time to go to work in the home office, and when it is time to tend to the personal needs of the family.  She positions herself accordingly.  She has a place in my office, just inside the storage closet, where she can also get sun from the window.  As she has gotten older she is more reserved, but she still does not care much for the FedEX man pulling up to the house.  I use to apologize for Mandy going off when I was on the phone, but it does not happen that regularly any longer.  Also, I have come to accept the fact that this is one of the "benefits" of working from home.  Besides, most of my telephone conversations are with consumer clients, and ambient noise from their homes when speaking with them is often amusing as well.  As for speaking with lawyers from big downtown law firms when Mandy speaks, I will just rack their opinions up to jealousy.  After all, not only did they have to likely endure a long commute to work, expecting to do the same after work, but they likely had to stop by the cleaners to pick up their crisp white shirts and expensive Italian suites.  This would drive anyone crazy.  You have to believe they would much prefer to be at home as well.  So far Mandy has remained silent during my telephonic hearings with the Court.