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Tails & Fins: How the “Land Shark” Design Started It All
My very first design entitled Land Shark was the impetus for starting Florida Keys Beagle. I had an idea for this funny graphic including a shark fin and a beagle tail. I scribbled my sketch on a blank piece of paper with a pencil. I thought, “That would be a really fun t-shirt!”
People are intrigued by sharks, even though they are sometimes a bit afraid of them, and who doesn’t love beagles? Plus, sharks and beagles have one thing in common: they are both expert trackers when it comes to their sense of smell and food.
If you’ve ever been out in the field with a beagle, you know how important that tail sticking out above the tall grass or brush is. Many times while out with my own beagles, the only way I knew where they were on off-leash excursions in the countryside was the white tip on their tail.
A beagle’s tail essentially acts like a “flag” allowing us to keep track of them when the rest of their bodies may be more hidden and camouflaged with their surroundings. In fact, a white-tipped tail is the Official Breed Standard for beagles according to the American Kennel Club.
Like a beagle tail, often a fin is the only way we can see that a shark is patrolling the area. However, as the iconic movie “Jaws” has been indelibly imprinted in our minds, seeing a shark fin on the ocean surface is not nearly as comforting as seeing a beagle’s tail in the grass.
It is important to note that most sharks pose no threat to humans. For divers and snorkelers here in the Florida Keys, shark sighting is a memorable experience. Sharks are easy to spot here in the Keys, mostly Nurse sharks which can be seen almost anywhere close to shore, around marinas, and the reefs.
The first time Cedric, my beagle, saw a Nurse shark he was mesmerized and so curious. He’s seen hundreds of them now, but he still loves to look down into the water and watch them swim.
Pirates & Beagles: Finding “Treasure” in the Florida Keys
Several of our designs include a pirate theme. Stories like “Pirates of the Caribbean” inspired these designs including: Beagles Tell No Tails, Run with the Rum, and Beagle Pirate. The pirate-beagle connection fits perfectly, especially since historically, the Florida Keys were a significant hub for legendary pirates like Blackbeard, Black Caesar, and Calico Jack Rackham & Anne Bonny.
During the Golden Age of Piracy (1650s-1720s), the Keys were used primarily as a strategic staging ground to ambush Spanish treasure galleons navigating the Florida Straits. The Gulf Stream pushed ships close to the reefs, making them vulnerable to small, fast pirate vessels.
So what do beagles and pirates have in common?
I remember one pertinent story that happened during the first week after adopting my current beagle Cedric. I was eating my dinner at a TV tray while watching television. It was a tuna wrap that I had cut in half. I was eating one half, and the other half was still on my plate, when with lightening speed, Cedric jumped up, grabbed the uneaten half and ran. He ran down the hallway and small as he was, squeezed under my bed so he could eat his half sandwich in peace. Of course, I couldn’t catch him in time before he devoured the whole thing. I don’t think he felt bad about it at all. I also didn’t scold him. Instead, I couldn’t stop laughing because Cedric showed me that day how fast, clever, and crafty he really was—very much like a pirate.
To this day, Cedric still schemes and plans how to steal food, aka, “treasure.” I always have to be at the top of my game!
Beagles, Beer, and the Island Vibe
Another theme that we include in our collection is beer. When we first moved to the Upper Keys and started exploring the area, we fell in love with two dog-friendly Florida Keys breweries and a local beach bar just up the street. Cedric has become a frequent visitor at these hot spots, and it gave me the idea for two of our designs: Beagle Drool and Keys Beagle Brewing—perfect for those seeking unique beagle gifts. What Cedric really loves about joining us on these outings is the atmosphere and island vibe. He loves to lay in the sand at my feet and people watch. He loves the attention he gets from the bar tenders and dog lovers passing by who want to pet him. He loves being a part of this experience with his family most of all.
It’s no secret that people come to the Keys to let loose. To get on island time. And libations of course are part of that experience. Tiki boats. Sunset cruises. Beach bars. It’s all part of the fun. And the best news is that dogs are welcome at most of these experiences. The Keys are a very dog-friendly community, and I’ve tried to capture this in all our designs for Florida Keys Beagle.
At a time when it is so easy to create graphics using AI, I really wanted to set Florida Keys Beagle apart by personally creating each design based on a little story I had in my head. As an author, I’ve been writing stories my entire life, so adding graphics to tell the stories was a new and fun way to express my love of beagles and their active, fun, mischievous personalities.
Even though you may not be able to be here in the Keys in person with your beagle, you can take the spirit of the islands, beagle love, and memories of adventures together wherever you go. So, ready to bring a piece of the islands home? Explore the Florida Keys Beagle Collection here!
