ELLE Editor Picks: The Best Memorial Day Deals of 2025
With what feels like every site launching some kind of promotion, Memorial Day sales can be pretty overwhelming to navigate. Where do you even start when seemingly everything is marked down, and how do you determine what's truly worth it? Well, you can take a deep breath; we've handled the hunt and already curated the best finds.
With a discerning taste and a knack for deal-hunting, ELLE editors purveyed all your favorite sites to unearth the real gems. Because while there's no shortage of markdowns out there, finding the really great ones (the kind you'll be smug about for months) is an art form.
Let's be honest—few things rival the rush of watching the item you've been obsessing over finally hit major markdowns. Whether it's the holy grail sunscreen you now evangelize to all your friends or those breezy twill pants that magically make your whole wardrobe look cooler, this is the time to pounce before the best picks disappear. Below, the deals ELLE editors are actually shopping, including our tried-and-true favorites now offered at major discounts. Scroll on to discover summer-ready fashion finds, timeless staples you'll wear for years, beauty must-haves that deserve a spot on your top shelf, and more.
'I've been keeping an eye out for the perfect twill pants in a neutral shade—something light enough to complement every chic summer top in my rotation. This pair has an effortless drape, but the tailored pleating makes them suitable for the office, too. Plus, they're over 50 percent off!'—Laura Tarafa, commerce writer
'I'm on a mission to fill the gaps in my shoe collection, and I think these sweet mules with a block heel will be both versatile and comfortable.'—Meg Donohue, associate fashion commerce editor
'Maybe it's the Met Gala's influence, but Theory's blazer dress feels like the epitome of effortless style—perfectly tailored, yet relaxed enough to look put-together without seeming like you're trying too hard.'—Claire Stern Milch, digital director
'Ever since my colleague Madison Rexroat mentioned this as a must-have designer bag, I can't stop thinking about it. And now, it's on sale. I think that's a sign.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor
'I love a fun ballet flat, and this standout pair is already in my cart, set to add just the right amount of edge to all my warm-weather looks.'—Laura Tarafa, commerce writer
'Consider these the Mary Janes to end all Mary Janes. Rothy's take on the classic is the perfect blend of form and function: a soft, flexible knit fabric, a slim strap that stays put without pinching your foot, and machine-washable insoles for easy upkeep. They're comfortable enough to wear as house slippers—but so good you'll want to wear them everywhere.'—Claire Stern Milch, digital director
'Check out this chic find—a super soft cardigan with charming crochet floral details. I think this would make the perfect layering piece for chilly summer evenings, and would look so elegant styled with a midi skirt.'—Laura Tarafa, commerce writer
'I'm a sucker for anything that includes beautiful draping, especially this Brandon Maxwell top that's straight off the runway.'—Alexis Bennett Parker, commerce content lead
'I, just like every other woman, love me some Supergoop! A facialist recently advised that I stick to mineral formulas, so I'll be giving this one a try.'—Meg Donohue, associate fashion commerce editor
'Mermaidcore is nothing new for the summer, but I love the iteration it's taking in 2025, which feels a little more subtle than in seasons past. Case in point: This Chan Luu charm necklace, which features a chic starfish pendant, an abalone shell charm, and pearls.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor
$111.00 with code EMP40
'Finding a staple shoe is a small feat. You might ask yourself, 'Do I want Mary Janes or driving shoes? A loafer or ballet flats?' Why not a perfect combination of both? These G.H. Bass Weejuns are a necessary addition to any wardrobe, no matter the occasion or season. They're built to last and effortlessly polished, perfect for the office or a day in the park.'—Alexandra Hildreth, fashion news editor
Our team swears by Tumi's high-quality luggage, so when this sleek duffel popped up, we had to add it to the mix. It's the perfect size for weekend getaways or overflow travel needs. When you're not using it, it folds completely flat for easy storage. Made from durable nylon that's easy to wipe clean, it's ideal for stashing souvenirs and gifts or bringing along those extra outfit changes.
'Not to toot my own horn, but I was using Camp Snap before it went viral. It functions like a disposable camera, except it isn't disposable and you don't have to fuss with getting film developed; you can upload your photos directly to your laptop. Whether you're hoping to document the best summer ever or looking for a great gift, I highly recommend.'—Meg Donohue, associate fashion commerce editor
Flattered, the Scandinavian brand we spotlighted in our recent ballet flats roundup for its timeless silhouettes and commitment to sustainability, currently has its buttery-soft leather flats marked down 20 percent. They're a versatile staple, perfect for pairing with your favorite denim or a flowing summer skirt, and polished enough to become your new go-to comfort shoe for the office.
'Summer whites are a staple in my seasonal wardrobe. So, of course, I couldn't turn down these tailored trousers by Max Mara.'—Alexis Bennett Parker, commerce content lead
Every product featured on ELLE.com is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.
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Washington Post
35 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Can't stop talking about Netflix's bonkers ‘Sirens'? Join us.
Hey, hey: If you've perused Netflix at all in the past week, chances are you've encountered the new dark comedy 'Sirens,' starring Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy and Milly Alcock as a trio of women locked in a battle of power and status on the fictional New England island of Port Haven. The streaming platform reported that the five-episode series debuted at No. 1 over Memorial Day weekend, which would explain all the buzz and fan theories floating around the internet. The other reason is a plot salad whose ingredients include: photographic blackmail, suspected cult activity, gruesome bird death and people falling off cliffs (both in real life and in their dreams). And more! Moore stars as Michaela Kell, an ambitious lawyer turned socialite who hires 25-year-old Simone DeWitt (Alcock) as a live-in personal assistant on the island estate she shares with Peter (Kevin Bacon), her husband of 13 years. Fahy plays Simone's older sister, Devon, who still lives in their hometown of Buffalo and tends to their father, Bruce (Bill Camp), who has early-onset dementia. Eventually, Devon shows up at the Kells' property looking for Simone. The DeWitt sisters had a rough upbringing, especially after their mom died, so Devon is stunned to discover her sister's new life of luxury. Audiences might be just as surprised by the show as a whole. Because while 'Sirens' has all the trappings of a prestige TV hit, it is also — how best to put this? — completely insane. Creator Molly Smith Metzler (Netflix's 'Maid') based the series on her 2011 play 'Elemeno Pea' and takes advantage of the expanded runtime. She leans into soap opera dramatics, all of which build to a jolting crescendo. This is the sort of show you'll want to discuss as soon as its bonkers finale fades to black, so we — Washington Post senior video journalist Allie Caren and Style reporter Sonia Rao — thought we'd get the conversation started. There are plenty of spoilers ahead, obviously, so don't say you haven't been warned. Allie Caren: I'm a sucker for so many things in this show: ultra-wealth; sweeping, pristinely manicured oceanfront real estate; complicated family dynamics; and 'summering' in a coastal town. What's not to like? Sonia Rao: 'Sirens' certainly belongs in the thriving genre of rich people doing silly rich people things, similar to HBO's 'The White Lotus' and 'Big Little Lies.' At times, it can feel like a counterpart to Hulu's 'Nine Perfect Strangers,' especially when Devon starts to believe — deep breath — that Michaela a.k.a. Kiki somehow killed Peter's ex-wife and is now the leader of a spiritual cult that ends each meeting with a strange phrase: 'Hey, hey.' Rich people, cults, luscious aesthetics — it sort of comes off as an SEO dump of what makes for a popular TV show these days. Not to say it doesn't have its merits, but … didn't Nicole Kidman already make this? AC: There are definite similarities between 'Nine Perfect Strangers' and 'Sirens,' down to the significance of something as small as a smoothie. In the former series, Masha (Kidman), the director of a remote healing resort, micro-dosed her guests' smoothies. Kiki, on the other hand, is much too preoccupied to take a single sip of the daily blends her personal chef, Patrice (Lauren Weedman), whips up. She waves it off in one scene like it wouldn't cost 20-something dollars at Erewhon. Hey, Patrice, I'll take it! SR: Julianne Moore was the main reason I decided to watch 'Sirens.' She so carefully navigated her performance in Todd Haynes's 'May December' as a Mary Kay Letourneau analogue married to a much younger man, and Kiki seemed similarly stubborn about sugarcoating her rather transactional marriage to Peter. We do learn as the show goes on, though, that Kiki is far more in touch with reality than she lets on. AC: Moore pulled me in, too. There are so many personas wrapped into her character: first, an emotionally unpredictable boss you're scared to cross but determined to please; second, a mysterious, witchy conservationist who finds purpose in using her wealth to help nature; and finally, your best friend, stand-in mom, confidante, running buddy and sometimes snuggle partner who comforts and consoles and protects you. Kiki has range. What did you make of Simone and Devon's relationship? SR: That was probably the most intriguing part of the storytelling for me, as one of two sisters with a similar five-year age gap who (thankfully!) grew up in a much happier household than theirs. Simone and Devon's mom died when they were young, numbing their father, Bruce, and forcing Devon to become Simone's primary caretaker. Bruce continues to emotionally abuse and neglect Simone once Devon goes to college, and child protective services eventually places Simone in foster care until Devon decides to abandon her studies and return home to Buffalo. It's brutal on both sisters, given that Simone suffers post-traumatic stress disorder and Devon feels like she never got to lead a life of her own. Simone's behavior early in the series makes sense to me — she yearns for a stable maternal figure and latches onto Kiki, who shows her kindness — but Devon is an enigma. I get that she coped by developing a sex addiction, which is only worsened by her attempts to abstain from alcohol, but I just cannot move past her licking a complete stranger's neck when he was trying to give her a platonic hug. And why is he so chill about her doing that? Devon is exceptionally weird and rude to everyone on the island, even people who never mistreated her in the first place. Fahy is innocent in all this. She and Alcock are really believable as sisters with resentments simmering just below the surface. I wish they'd received a stronger set of scripts. AC: Simone's PTSD dramatically affects her relationship with Devon, too. In fact, if you rewatch the series, you'll realize it's present before the viewer even learns about its cause: Their mother tried to kill herself and Simone by piping in fumes to their parked car. (Devon found Simone in time to get her help, but their mom died.) The sprints Simone makes on the stretch of beach between the Kell property and the home of her boyfriend, Ethan (Glenn Howerton), makes for good symbolism: Simone is constantly running from her past (and eventually, her present). She runs, more than once, on the sand along the water's edge between these two spots; rushing out of Ethan's home, racing across the sand, flying up four flights of stairs (plus landings! She must be a StairMaster queen!) before dashing across the Kells' expansive back lawn to reach the back door. (In fact, there isn't much of a 'runner's high' in this show at all: running is almost always associated here with negativity and racing — physically or figuratively — from someone, something or oneself.) SR: We should probably talk about the water, too. While Devon and Simone use the code word 'sirens' with each other as an SOS, it doubles as an allusion to the seductive female creatures in Greek mythology, whose voices lure sailors to their doom. Sirens are often thought of as mermaids, but they're sometimes depicted with the lower body of a bird — making Kiki's obsession with the animal all the more meaningful. Devon, Simone and Kiki are all alluring women who are, at different points, accused of leading men to their demise. AC: And Kiki has a mermaidlike appeal to her, doesn't she? With her porcelain skin, auburn hair, and flowy gowns and ensembles? Even the colors of her matching running sets fit the fin — er — bill. A majority of the other costume and wardrobe decisions are far less subtle. The only place I'd expect to find a larger collection of Lilly Pulitzer is a brick-and-mortar store or the Kentucky Derby. (Hope the brand got a kickback.) Costume designer Caroline Duncan shied away from quiet luxury and instead leaned in fully to the oversaturated, bright, preppy palettes so often associated with coastal towns. SR: Part of it might be my personal distaste for the Lilly Pulitzer aesthetic, but I found this show really hard to look at. Beyond the color palette, many of Kiki's scenes were blindingly bright — which, paired with a slight blur effect, is clearly referencing the mythological Sirens' hypnotic quality. But the Vaseline lens aesthetic is deployed inconsistently and kept making me feel like I needed to wipe some gunk off my glasses. Not to mention the fact that Devon is shot in some of the harshest lighting I've seen on TV since the last season of 'The Bear.' Again, I understand the symbolism, but the back-and-forth ended up distracting me more than anything. I'd love to hear your perspective, though. What did you think? AC: I was captivated by the over-lit, mesmerizing, dreamy effect of the close-ups especially. They force the viewer to be a bit uncomfortable — and I think that was the point. I also deeply appreciate a well-spent drone budget. Bravo to the bird's-eye look at Simone running on the beach (again and again and again) and to the closing shot of Simone reigning over her new domain in a silky, icy blue dress at the miniseries' end. The incredibly deliberate cinematography captures the beauty and excitement of late summer so well. It makes me want to book a trip to Bar Harbor, like, yesterday. SR: I'm absolutely with you there. The show takes place over Labor Day weekend, but it feels like such a blessing that it's coming out at the very start of the season for us. I'm not suggesting I'd want a long weekend resembling theirs, though. My jaw dropped at the finale, in which Simone — after breaking up with Ethan — decides to shack up with Peter, who sends Kiki packing the very same day. The seeds were planted for this crazy development: Kiki compares her marriage to a business transaction in an earlier conversation with Simone, who gets fired after Kiki discovers she kissed Peter earlier that weekend. Simone is a survivor who will clearly do whatever it takes to get out ahead, but I still don't find it believable that she would go after the husband of a woman she absolutely adored. She is supposed to have an undergraduate degree from Yale — can't she get a different well-paying job? Also, what's the deal with Peter's kids from his first marriage? There is an entire subplot where Kiki thinks Peter is cheating on her when, instead, he's spending time in secret with his estranged children, who apparently dislike Kiki. He announces they're coming to the estate mere moments before dumping Kiki and getting together with Simone — whom the kids would dislike even more, surely? I wish we got to see his two adult children meet his latest girlfriend. AC: The whole seeing-my-kids-and-new-grandson-in-secret thing was a forced subplot for me. You could have removed the cheating allegations, the chocolates 'from Tokyo' and the lying and instead filled it with the interactions you suggest. I would have even been happy to see the kids interact with Kiki before her demise. I honestly had no idea Kiki would end up the victim ('victim') in the end. I thought she'd begin the villain and remain so — maybe that's what they wanted me to think; maybe I just fell for it. SR: Yeah, I think that's the intention. Sirens are a mythical manifestation of men fearing women with power, and by the end of the show it's clear that Peter's nice-guy shtick is all a ruse. He can't stand the idea of Kiki holding anything over him and gets rid of her as soon as he senses her influence growing. I'm a little confused what the show wants us to think of Simone. She seems to be the ultimate villain in the finale, manipulating her way to the top, but Kiki ends up telling Devon on the boat leaving the island that neither she nor Simone are monsters. Is Simone truly a victim of circumstance? Surely there were other, more moral ways out of her situation. One of my friends told me from the very start of us watching this show that she was on Team Kiki. Maybe I should listen to that friend more.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Russell Wilson had a ‘whole plan' to stay single after divorce — then he met Ciara
Russell Wilson revealed how Ciara 'changed everything' and ruined his plan to be single for 10 years following his 2014 divorce from Ashton Meem. During an appearance on Carmelo Anthony's '7 PM in Brooklyn,' the new Giants quarterback explained how he manifested his relationship with the 'Ecstasy' singer. 'I was always a perfectionist, you know, I think you're always hoping that everyhing goes great and there's a relationship before and I was young and everything else and then all of a sudden I'm single,' Wilson, 36, said. 7 Russell Wilson explains how he manifested his relationship with his wife Ciara during an appearance on Carmelo Anthony's '7 PM in Brooklyn' podcast on May 29, 2025. YouTube/7pm in Brooklyn 'I had a whole plan for my life. I was like, 'I'm going to be single for 10 years.' C[iara] came, just changed everything.' Wilson and Meem, who were high school sweethearts, went viral at the 2012 NFL draft when the internet was buzzing over her excited reaction when his name was called. 7 Russell Wilson and his ex Ashton Meem during the 2012 NFL Draft. X 7 Russell Wilson with then-wife Ashton Meem at an ESPN party in 2013. WireImage Wilson and Ciara started dating in 2015, a year after his divorce from Meem. During his appearance on Anthony's podcast, Wilson did not mention Meem by name. 7 Russell Wilson and Ciara attend the Met Gala on May 5, 2025, in New York. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP 'I remember three days before I met C, I remember being at church with Pastor Judah [Smith] and I was talking to him and he said something in a sermon. He said non-negotiables … I said, 'I'm going to write my five non-negotiables down,'' Wilson said. 'The first one was, I want a woman of great faith. She's got just great faith. She's a believer. That was important to me because believing in Jesus, all that meant a lot to me. That's No. 1 thing. 'No. 2 was I want a woman who was faithful, not just to me but to everything that she does to anything and everything that she does,' Wilson continued. 'The third thing is I want a woman that was going to love me the way my mom loved my dad. Just how my mom, my dad was on his deathbed. Just like she was willing to do anything and everything for us and for him. I think that you want a woman that's got grit and that's going to be there when it's thick, when it's tough, when it's hard and things aren't going well, whatever it may be in life when my dad has leg amputated or whatever it may be. 7 Wilson and Ciara at Game 2 of Knicks-Pacers. Jason Szenes / New York Post 'I think the other thing was I wanted a woman who was independent, didn't have to be Ciara but had the right identity, wanted to volunteer, wanted to be a doctor, wanted to be whatever it is, but at the end of the day had their own identity. Didn't want to just be Russell's wife, but just had their own identity of what they wanted to be and create and do in life. 'I think the last thing was I wanted a woman who would tilt the room when they walked in the room, all the furniture slides her way. You know what I mean? Everything slides her way. I just remembered that I wrote that down. We prayed over it and three days later I met C.' 7 Ciara on the red carpet at the American Music Awards at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas on May 26, 2025. Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA The Super Bowl-winning quarterback proposed in March 2016 and the pair tied the knot that July. She was already mom to Future Zahir, 11, from her previous relationship with rapper Future. Wilson and Ciara went on to welcome daughter Sienna Princess, 8, son Win Harrison, 4, and daughter Amora Princess, 1. 7 Giants head coach Brian Daboll and Giants quarterback Russell Wilson during practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center, East Rutherford, New Jersey, May 28, 2025. Anne-Marie Caruso/ / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Wilson, Ciara and Future Jr., 10, sat courtside for Game 1 of the Knicks-Pistons first-round series of the 2025 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 19. The Knicks beat the Pistons,123-112. The couple also attended Game 2 of the Knicks-Pacers Eastern Conference finals. The couple has been busy making appearances around New York and beyond after the Super Bowl champion quarterback signed a short-term deal with the Giants in March.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Network of auto writers driven to carry out cross-country beagle rescues
Paul Eisenstein spotted the text message while in Paris celebrating his 72nd birthday and 17th wedding anniversary. The words delivered a plea for help. Eisenstein had been tapped as part of a rapid response team of beagle rescuers needed in Omaha, Nebraska, to make a trek to Portland, Oregon. His trip would include stopping at dog-friendly hotels in Laramie, Wyoming, and Salt Lake City. On this mission, the team broke off — one group went to Seattle and the rest to Portland. 'They needed drivers. It was pretty desperate,' Eisenstein said. 'Normally they have months to prepare for things like this, because the dogs are coming from foster families. But we had just days to rescue these beagles. I looked at my wife and we had plans for the Memorial Day holiday and I said, 'I don't know what to do.' And my wife said to me, 'You know you've got to do it.'' So Eisenstein and his wife, Jennifer Queville, an ad executive who works from home in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, returned from France. She flew to Detroit. He flew to Dallas, for an important four-day Toyota event. From Texas, Eisenstein (and Toyota) re-routed his ticket to Omaha. He met up with a handful of other auto reporters — friendly competitors in everyday life but part of a single team committed to beagle rescue. Rescue vehicles usually have two humans each. They met up early on Friday, May 23, to take 14 dogs, including a very heavy adult named Big Booty Judy whose foster parents had a new foster beagle. Judy had to go. 'I saw beagles in a various state of concern, confusion and excitement,' Eisenstein said. A team from Basset and Beagle Rescue of the Heartland sent a covert operative into an auction house in Missouri to bid on the beagle puppies and keep them out of medical testing. Then they met up with rescuers in Omaha — and headed west. Five beagles had foster homes waiting in Seattle. The nine other beagles went to Lee Asher at his 240-acre Asher House sanctuary south of Portland. Asher, a 36-year-old animal advocate and social influencer, supports his nonprofit with ads on his video channels spotlighting dogs and cats. The journalists tag team along the route. Some fly in to relieve those who needed to move on to other tasks. These busy reporters accrue airline points the way stones gather moss. Eisenstein has traveled to 50 countries and every state in the U.S., working up to 80 hours a week. He writes for Forbes, The Economist, Cigar Aficionado and his website and others. 'I don't get a lot of sleep,' he said. 'I love my job.' Nik Miles, 60, of Portland, is the man behind the curtain of Operation Frodo. What began with a one-beagle rescue after the death of a pet in 2021 led to the launch of an ongoing 'mission from Dog' — so named by MotorTrend senior editor Aaron Gold, 52, of Los Angeles — in 2022. Miles test drives cars all over the globe and may be spotted doing pieces for NBC Sports, Fox Sports, CNN and local stations in New York, Chicago and L.A. 'I spent years as a paramedic. I saw some of the worst things in the world. I have saved many lives and lost many lives,' Miles said. 'It's the hardest thing in the world to not cry continually when you're on this trip. I've realized that this trip isn't just saving these dogs, but saving ourselves.' Miles doesn't work alone. Harvey Briggs, 65, of Madison, Wisconsin, editor and publisher of overcame insane logistical challenges and put together the latest mission. Briggs, a board member of the charity that supports these rescues, he made five trips including the one this week. 'When you see the people on the receiving end, it really does add another layer of meaning.' Miles lined up a Kia Carnival, Ram Pro Master 2500 and a Volkswagen Atlas with just a few days' notice. It was up to Briggs to find people who would drive all or part of the 1,700 miles on a holiday weekend, plan hotels, meals and find supplies. 'We wanted to make sure we could deliver on the promise,' Briggs said. How this big beagle campaign came to life is better than a movie script. After Miles' beagle Joey died of respiratory disease, he spotted a look-alike named Frodo while on assignment in Germany and scrolling Facebook. He learned that the rescue group didn't have a physical shelter. It was run with foster families. Miles was intrigued. He talked to other journalists over dinner at a Toyota program in San Diego, and the conversation turned into a movement that has evolved over five years. Miles discovered that puppy mills produce a lot of unwanted beagles that end up dumped if unsold. Hunters also abandon beagles in the woods at the end of the season, too. One breeder told a rescuer said if the excess pups weren't taken, the breeder would just shoot them. 'That's one of the things that motivates us,' Eisenstein said. Beagles come from Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Meanwhile, people on the West Coast wanted beagles. As someone who drives as many as 150 vehicles a year, Miles told automakers of the crazy mission and many offered to help. Cars, trucks and vans came from Jeep, Nissan, Mercedes, Toyota, Ford, Ram, Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis and VW. The first commitment came from Nissan, which built an animal rescue truck. It led to the creation of the nonprofit run by Miles, who has donated about one-third of his automotive journalist salary to the charity over the past five years. While emergency rescues come up throughout the year, it's the Christmas delivery that's planned in advance because puppy mills always have too many unsold beagles. 'Several carmakers have asked if they could have only their vehicles (involved) and pay all expenses at Christmas,' Miles said. 'But this is not about a car company or an individual. It's about a movement. It's about everybody working together. It's about being better human beings, standing in line and passing buckets to put the fire out. You can't have one person do it. You've got to have everybody do it together.' Christmas is the big event every year: The team delivered four beagles in 2022, 12 beagles in 2023 and 20 beagles in 2024. 'There just seems to be a cadence,' Miles said. 'Our first year, Jeep loaned us a Wagoneer to come back and we hit the worst snowstorm in 100 years. It was minus 70 degrees in Wyoming. We got trapped in the snow, slid off the road, ended up face-down in the ditch. You couldn't see your hand in front of your face.' So far, 62 beagles have been rescued by journalists with Operation Frodo, Miles said. His time-sensitive rescue alerts usually come from Kathi Ortmeier, 57, of Omaha, when Basset and Beagle Rescue of the Heartland foster homes hit maximum capacity; she finds veterinarians, homes and supplies to make the epic journey. 'We do 300-350 dogs a year,' Ortmeier said. This rescue at the end of May, however, was critical and significant. 'We have no open foster homes and the foster homes we have are getting burnt out. When we saw this latest batch come up for auction, we wanted to buy them and find homes so they wouldn't go back into breeding or medical testing,' Ortmeier said. '… If they hit shelters, there's no space. They'll die.' Beagles are good family dogs because they love people, train easily with food and don't require a lot of grooming, Ortmeier said. Miles has two beagles — plus two labradors, a golden retriever and a German shepherd. Eisenstein adopted a beagle after the Christmas rescue last year. Melvyn Torme, the dog in question, had a home waiting for his arrival by Dec. 25, but Eisenstein fell in love the dog and pleaded to keep it. Miles negotiated a swap with Melvyn's brother, Fred, during a break at a truck stop between Denver and Salt Lake City. Eisenstein cried with relief and joy. He hopped a plane to Detroit to deliver Melvyn and then flew Fred to Portland. The two dogs had been found in the woods of Tennessee, abandoned by hunters. 'I love Melvyn,' said Eisenstein, who has another dog and two cats. 'We bonded instantly.' The families of Melvyn and Fred have stayed in touch since Christmas 2024. Fred's new beagle sibling, Kirby, was among the 4,000 beagles surrendered to the U.S. Humane Society after a federal investigation into an Enviro research breeding facility in Cumberland, Virginia. The company was fined $35 million by the U.S. Justice Department for animal welfare and environmental crimes. Sara Stamper, 70, of Milwaukie, Oregon, is a retired vet clinic receptionist with two dogs plus Fred. 'He is sweet and gentle and funny. We're in love.' That rescue trek inspired stories to remember forever. Gold drove a Mercedes van on loan for review (for a year) from Los Angeles to Omaha to Portland with freelancer Jeff Zuschneide of Tillamook, Ore. They joined a dozen or so others to rescue 23 beagles, stopping in Denver and Boise. Puppies weren't beaten but they hadn't been loved, Gold said. The animals went from cowering in the kennel to racing outdoors to explore the world. 'On that last morning, I was lying in bed just bawling,' he said. 'I later learned that the breeder was going to shoot those beagles if we didn't take them. I'm glad I didn't know that. At home, if you ask my landlord, I have one dog. If you walk into my place, you'll find four dogs.' Cathy Faulkner, 58, of Beaverton, Oregon, said her heart was so broken after the loss of her 15-year-old beagle Sammy that she didn't want to ever get a beagle again. She had serious depression and adopted a yellow Labrador named Foster instead. But then she found Buddy online through Miles and his rescue squad. 'Beagles are just very sweet,' Faulkner said. 'They love so hard. I swear, Buddy sees into my soul. Sammy, my other beagle, was the same way … They have a lot of energy and they're so enthusiastic and they want to explore everywhere.' Rescuers sometimes name the dogs after cars — like Elantra, Nexio and Mercedes. 'Dogs make everything better,' said Gold, who is traveling in Korea this week. 'You can have the crappiest day where you feel unaccomplished and no one respects you and you feel like crying. You walk in the door — and no matter how low and how bad and how small you are made to feel — all you have to do to be loved by a dog is exist.' 'Nik told me, 'This will change you.' It changed me,' Gold said. 'I'll keep doing this until there are no dogs left to move.' To help: values financial contributions and the gift of time. Needs include legal, social media, IT, web development and fundraising support. Phoebe Wall Howard, who was a Free Press auto reporter for nearly seven years, writes a column on car culture, consumer trends and life that appear periodically on and in print. Her Shifting Gears column appears on Substack at Contact her at phoebe@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Auto writers are driven to carry out cross-country beagle rescues
