Trust me...

While returning recently from (yet) another trip back to the US and something struck me as highly suspicious.

Anyone who's come into Australia knows how seriously the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) take protecting the place from outside infestations. These infestations can take the form of fruit flies, vermin, and even the odd chocolate biscuit.

Their first line of defense is the beagle. That's right, I'm talking about the little brown-and-white spotted dog.

While you're waiting for your luggage at any Australian port of entry, these 4-legged government agents wander at will, casting about for any food contraband in your possession. Should you be marked by the little beasties the agents praise them while they rifle through your belongings trying to find the offending leftover chocolate bar.

But that got me to thinking: who says the dogs are honest? I mean, they get praise lavished on them when they mark a bag, so who says they're not marking just for kicks?

Think about it: who questions the ethics of a detector beagle, looking as little and cute as they do?

Um-hm. I'm just sayin...

- Farmer Ted