Dachshunds Can Make Laundry More Fun!

Spaatz in particular loves when I do laundry. He will follow me into my room when I'm carrying the basket. Today I did him a big favor and just dumped it on top of him. He got busy snuggling in.

Then as I fold the clothes the pile starts to dwindle a bit and I kinda feel bad because he is so content.

The good news is that his tummy is now more accessible for belly rubs. So the second part of this operation has it's benefits too. This also makes the job of laundry folding take much longer because he is irresistible. He knows this, counts on it, and I am defenseless in the face of such handsomeness.

There are not a whole lot of household chores that a dachshund can actively get involved in, but laundry must be top of the list. Oh, maybe the dishes,vacuuming, on the other hand is something completely different, there seems to be a complex dynamic of desires for them, between not liking the machine and it's noise and their need to be close to me at all times. But that's another story.

Rest assured that having Spaatz there to "help" IS help because his participation makes it more fun. Laundry folding has a fun factor of zero, so any help is a big improvement.

Happy Holidays to everyone out in dachshund land!!

Sandie just snapped....again

Sweet, sweet Sandie poo. Such a sweet doggie. Everybody loves her. She may bark at you like crazy when you get here, but soon she 'll be giving kisses and winning your heart. She's a lover girl. Then..

Well, something happens. Now this has happened maybe a half a dozen times since we've had her. We are her third owners, but she's been with us for four years now. Ordinarily she is on the gentle side. When it comes to playing with toys she always lets Spaatz get his way. He gets the toy, lays down with his head on it, and she will just sit and stare at it, for a really long time. Really long.

Spaatz is "Mister Game Over" because when he gets the toy the game is over unless we take it away from him. Anyway, I was telling some family members of the phenomena of Sandie snapping and they couldn't believe it, and how it hasn't happened in a long time and then the next day we got a demonstration.

It was Christmas day and I was packing a cooler to go to in-laws for dinner. I had the cooler on the floor (mistake), and was loading it. Suddenly both Sandie and Peachy decided to take ownership of the cooler, and things went downhill and got very ugly. I grabbed Sandie by the back haunches and lifted her away to split them up. Unfortunately Miss Peaches was being lifted too because Sandie had a grip of her face in her mouth. Everyone was watching this unfold, and Sandie finally let go, and I tossed her in the crate that was close by.

We took Miss Peaches in the bathroom and cleaned up her small puncture wound. The cooler was removed of course, and Sandie was let out and all was normal again. I have no pictures or film of the incident, but hopefully it will be a really, really long time before Miss sweet and mild mannered goes all incredible hulk on us again

Now Sandie has never ever been aggressive towards a person. Its mostly been towards Peachy. I guess perhaps because they are both females. Ordinarily they are best girl friends, one always standing by while the other gets washed or shaved or some other doggie maintenance done. They can go for a year without a moment of any kind of being competitive, Miss Peaches is the Queen here and everyone knows it. Then snap.

The Golden Girls, Peaches, Sandie in full mop.

Boo Boo and her Magic Belly

Miss Peaches naturally has an assortment of nick names, she is the only dog here affectionately known as Boo Boo. Somehow that name is natural to her, just as Sandie is Miss Waggers. That's pretty self explanatory. Anyway, I thought that I would share the wonder of the"Magic Belly". Peaches has had it all her life, she cannot help it.

Rest assured if your having a rough day all you need is to rub the magic belly and you start to feel better. And Peachy will pretty much be available as long as she is needed. The service is free, and as far as I can tell, there is no time limit. You yourself may have a dachshund with a magic belly and find yourself among the fortunate.

 Sandie has a pretty magical belly too, but she hasn't quite the legend status as Boo Boo. Sandie has a very "doughy" quality about her that is nice, and she is usually willing to lend a tummy when needed. Then you might be real nice and throw a toy for her 100 times.

Spaatz, well he is a boy so he does enjoy having that big dachshund chest rubbed quite a bit. That's only available on a limited basis as there may be a squirrel outside that needs to be barked at. This dog has an agenda and a mission, so he may have to leave at a moments notice.

Foozeball, aka Mr Foo is the oddball here. Not really into tummy or chest rubs. He does like a good cranium scratch and is fond of having his rear quarter panel rubbed, and if your on the toilet he will come and stand on your foot until you do so. Then if he's really into it he will extend his leg straight back and get the inside of his leg. That's as close as you will get to a belly rub with him.

So as we find ourselves in the midst of the holiday season, you may find yourself stressed with so much to do and just little time. Don't forget to take advantage of the tummy therapy that is available to you. You'll be glad you did and your dachshund will be too!

Everybody loves Sandie

Well who would have thunk it? Certainly not me, but guests that we've had here over the holidays and this past summer, all love Sandie. Now she looks like a Muppet. That's what happens when a long hair and a wire haired dachshund get together. But everyone loves Muppet's, so she's got that going for her. When you arrive Sandie will bark at you longer than the other dogs, so that is longer than anyone wants to hear. Dachshunds do love to bark, but when they've all quieted down Sandie will be the one laying in someones lap with her feet in the air. When you get down to it she doesn't have a mean bone in her body. We thought our niece's might try to sneak her out in a suitcase after Christmas. My son said he would take her home too. Turns out she will fetch a Frisbee pert near forever. That's the make of a perfect dog for him. Plus the lap dog thing.

The Christmas hustle gives everyone but Sandie the look of concern.

 We're expecting our daughter her next week. She has four of her own dachshunds, but figures Sandie will be her stand in while she's away. I think she'll be the best. Even though Peachy was originally her dog, her and Spaatz and even Fooze are pretty much attached to me at the ankle. So little Sandie, the dog we saved from a cat lady has found a home where she not only gets love, but gives a lot too.

Dachshunds- The gift that just keeps giving!

Merry Christmas from Sandie, Spaatz, Peaches and Foozie

Dachshund's truly are the gift that just keeps giving. They truly have been my support staff as I try to get everything done for Christmas. Their devotion is unwavering and bountiful, and no matter what they keep me laughing every day. Mind you it's not all fun and games. I went to the back door to let the dogs in the other day a caught Peaches and Sandie killing a bird. You wouldn't think a height challenged dog could do such a thing, but here I am yelling to Peachy and she looks up to me with feathers in her mouth. But day after day they're  here by my side, keeping me sane while I try to get holiday projects done. There is humor too. You may have seen Dinnertime with Foozeball .Well the other morning it was still a bit dark and Fooze was doing his spinning routine as usual, but this time he wasn't watching where he was going and he crashed into a pair of my husbands boots and wiped out. You probably have to be there , but for me, it was hysterical. Almost 8 years of watching this dog spin around like a top for his meals and he crashes.
We'd like to wish you and yours the very Happiest of Holidays and a prosperous new year.

Is it Christmas yet?

Thanksgiving with 8 Dachshunds

Last week we went to Florida to see our kids and mother in law for Thanksgiving. That meant that there had to be the great convergence. Of dachshunds that is. My 4 and my daughter's 4. I know, it's like a sickness. Unfortunately I failed to get the"portrait" of them. Just went into relax mode after dinner.  I do have a little video of them cleaning up the carving platter after the bird had been stowed. You may note there are only 7 dachshund here. Little Olivia, a rescue, sometimes misses out on events because she is very shy and prefers to keep her feet on a rug not tile.

 There was a lot of barking as one would expect at first, then they settled in. Six of them have met previously. Love to run a muck in grandma's backyard, after a lizard or two, maybe a squirrel. A couple years ago we had a Christmas dinner at my mom's house in Sarasota, and after dinner we had enough dachshunds for everyone to hold on their lap. Isn't nice when you have enough for everybody? No one has to feel left out, including the dachshunds.

Have a Wienerful Christmas!

Yes, I saw this inflatable dachshund Christmas decoration and decided that I must have it. Seems there is a number of dachshund items to decorate your home with this holiday season. There going fast, so don't delay.

This pillow was essential too. I'm glad I didn't hesitate on this one. Another lady was looking for it soon after I picked it up. Oh no, Its mine! Ha ha. We chatted up our dachshunds, she had two, while I'm up to four. Showed each other photos on our phones, she'll just have to order the pillow. My sister was sweet enough to give it to me for an early gift. Otherwise I would have to buy it myself. While I don't usually pick up all dachshund merchandise, there is a lot out there These were a couple I really liked.

Here is the gang from last year, I will have to work on a new photo for this year that will include Miss Sandie

Have a good holiday season!

Dachshund Adventure: NY to Florida and back

Hello! It's been awhile, but we're back in the Empire state again. Went to the sunshine state for the holidays. I must say the dogs were really good. I can't complain. We got stuck in some terrible traffic on the way down, in the car for 15 hours. Here they are in the Subaru we put on the road the day before we left, ready for another 1000 mile ride. They slept most of the time, although in Pennsylvania they were up and were bugging us for something. I checked the time, 5:05, oh excuse me didn't hear the tummy alarm. I did get them a special dog bed that is heated and pressure sensitive. I can plug it into the wall or the lighter in the car and its only on when they get on it. They liked that on the way home as it was very cold as we got back. It was their Christmas present, probably the best gift I ever got them, practical too. Happy holidays everyone

 

Christmas Turkey Dogs

Happy Holidays everyone!! My Three Dachshunds wish all a special holiday season. We will be on the road so you may hear from us while traveling. Hopefully the only turkey dogs you encounter will be under the table pining for a bit of real turkey. Don't get me wrong, I do actually like turkey dogs, but for Christmas we hoping for something a little extra special. We will be getting together with my daughter so we should have some photos of all six dachshunds together. It doesn't get much more fun that that. Ho Ho Ho!!