New York, NY – August, 2006.
Sunlight streams through the window of an apartment on Manhattan’s upper east side.  The young beagle pup known as Sammy casts a furtive glance, curious but slightly annoyed at nature’s intrusion on his naptime.  Eventually convinced that no threat is imminent, the canine slips back into his slumber, dreaming of food bowls, trees, and the ever-enticing scent ofanother dog’s backside.  Life is good.