Rest In Peace Foozeball

I am sad to say that yesterday we had to say goodbye to Foozeball. It's always hard to say goodbye to someone who has been such a big part of your life for the past 14 plus years, but that  time had come.

I'd like to say that we're very proud that we were able to give him a really full life. Just a pup, the SPCA was going to put him down because he was turned in, and was biting everyone who worked there.

We took him in and it took time, but we were able to help him get over his bad habits. Plus he had friends to hang out with always and a yard with a fence, and plenty of squirrels to bark at.

He got to travel from Maine to Florida, with many stops along the way. We took the dogs on camping trips and road trips to see grandma in Cape Cod. We went for walkies on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail.

He even was able to get together with my daughters dachshunds for the holidays a few times as well.

He's the one with the Star Wars shirt on. I know, it's a bit of a melee. Reduces the clean up time though!

I know it's My Three Doxson's, but for awhile it will be just two. If you want to get technical it was four for a long time. Life is always in changing and we'll miss the "Old Man", because he was if nothing else a bit of a character, which is why he was Foozeball. All he really wanted was a warm place to be, a heater vent, a sunbeam, but mostly my lap. I'll miss you Mr. Foo.

 

Foozeball: Still Spinning after all these Years

 Foozeball, the old man. That name makes you think that this guy is a little bit different. You would be right. Fooze does this thing, and I'm sure there are other dachshunds that do this. Maybe even other breeds of dog that do this. I've personally known 10 dachshunds, and he is the only one who does.

Foozie spins for his supper, or basically anything edible, sometimes just the refill of the water dish. He has done this since he was a puppy. There is usually a certain amount of whining, yelping, shrieking that goes along with this display that digestables are to be celebrated everyday. No matter what it is.

This is a little film I did from 2012. So Foozie is only 5 years old and Spaatz seen briefly mixing it up with Fooze is a mere pup of 2. This is when I was coming home to their dinner time, which can be crazy.

 One morning when I was feeding them, it was quite early, I hadn't turned the lights on, Fooze was spinning as usual, he tripped over my husbands boots and crashed pretty bad. I laughed so hard, and I wasn't even awake yet. Not to worry, he got right up and continued on with his happy dance and food.

Nowadays with Fooze being 14, and Spaatz being nearly 10 things have slowed down quite a bit, and the boys can usually be found just chillin. That's what they do best. Chillin in the hot sun.

Hot dogs chillin in the sun. If there is a ray of sunshine available, these guys will find it. I do spend and unusual amount of time repositioning different dog pillows and beds about the house as the sun moves throughout the day. This is particularly so during the cooler months of the year. 

Now as the days get warmer they will be seeking the sunshine, then looking for a cool place to lay as it will just be too hot, even for the heat seeking dachshund to lay in the sun all day.

The spinning happy dance is about to commence because these guys are starving, and waiting for me to even come close to the food bowls. sometimes the celebration starts early and I tell them it's "too early". They know this translates to "No food now", so they just start waiting again. Such is life, hurry up and wait.

 

My Right Hand Man

 Spaatz is my right hand man, literally. He is nearly always by my side, next to me, on my lap, sleeps at night with his head on my shoulder. If I let out a big sigh, he does it too. Which makes me laugh.What's really crazy is that he will be 11 years old this year. Where has the time gone? Seems like not too long ago he was a little puppy who was a bit of a jerk and I wasn't too sure about. I confess the reason I got him, sight unseen was a cosmetic one. That blue eye. I wanted a dachshund with different color eyes. Dachshunds are a breed of infinite coat color and fur type and even eye color combinations.

That makes an already fun breed to have so many possibilities. The different coat types even have different personalities. I do love the wire hairs so much, they are more laid back than smoothies, a utility dog, into hunting. That said, Spaatz lives to hunt. It may be that he grew up with Miss Peaches, my golden girl wire. She taught him well, and carries on without her, keeping us safe from vermin.

Dachshunds are known for their devotion, and Spaatz decided I am his person and I find it rather touching. We currently have 3 dachshunds, Spaatz being my hero, Sandie who loves my husband and he is her person, though she gives her love to me as well. Foozeball is a bit of a weirdo, who seems to love the heating vent more than anything else, but after supper he NEEDS me to sit down somewhere so he can sit on my lap. Otherwise he will sit on my foot, or attach himself to my ankle.

Spaatz has been so great during the pandemic to have by my side. My pack is an endless source of love and entertainment. Probably a couple of the most needed things in the time of this, hopefully, once in a century plague. I am so grateful to have them, and look forward to many more good times with them.

Miss Peaches, Sandie, Spaatz and Foozeball

My Sweet Peaches

 My sweet Peachy is really starting to show all those years, all 14 of them. She sleeps most of the time, only getting up when she has to go out, or to get a drink or eat, of course, her favorite thing.

She's got that skinny old dog look, which if they hang around long enough I don't know that you can avoid it. She is definitely eating enough. I'm doing the best I can to keep her comfortable.

Miss Peaches is the oldest dog we've ever had, she has been the matriarch of the dog family here even though she's never had a pup herself. She still asserts herself occasionally, but Spaatz is officially top dog here now. He has a very dynamic personality, a born leader. He and Sandie are each ten years old 

so we don't have any pups in the stable. They are both very energetic dogs. To me they seem like they're maybe 7 or 8 years old. Spaatz hunts woodland creatures most of the day, while Sandie is his backup.

Sandie tries to help out when it comes to hunting rodents, but she really is just too silly and not the sharpest tool in the shed. Which actually, is her main appeal. The complete goofball is her tactic.

Then there is Foozeball, who is 13 and pretty deaf, so if you try to tell him anything it's probably waste of time. Sometimes he heads out the front door and just keeps going to the backyard despite yelling at the top of your lungs to come back. He does eventually do so, so not to worry.

So that rounds out the crew status report. Miss Peachy continues to hang tough.. She can stay as long as she is able and not hurting. I'm helping her out a lot, carrying her to and fro. She knows to bark for me when she needs help. Dachshunds are known to be brave to the point of "foolhardiness" but this old gal is just taking it smooth and easy from here on out.

New Senior Dachshund Milestones

April is a big month, here in the land of My Three Doxsons. Miss Peaches turns 13, and Foozeball is officially 12. They are known as the"old dogs", while Sandie and Spaatz will be 9 this year

Sandie, Miss Peaches, Spaatz and Foozeball

I must say, 9 years old hardly seems like a youngster, but Sandie and Spaatz really seem like they are maybe 6 or 7. Still very active, still giving the squirrels a run for their money.The above photo shows the dogs before I gave them a little birthday treat. I realized as I was attempting to break this dog cookie up that it was very hard. Fooze had a hard time with it because he is deficient in the tooth department. Took him about 40 minutes to finish eating it, but he was a happy boy..

Fooze does live to lay in the sun. This is his favorite place to be. Dogs look so happy when they're sleeping, and at the age of 12 sleeping is his major occupation. But on to Miss Peaches.

Miss Peaches turning 13 is a huge deal because over the years we have had many a dog, I will include my in-laws dogs because we lived next door for 18 years. All of the dogs lived to be 13. Our goal is for Peachy to be the first one to make it to 14 and beyond! She made it through major back surgery a few years back and we're hoping she has a few more in her.

Unfortunately she is a little under the weather right now. She has injured her front leg. I am at the "wait and see" stage. Usually this happens when she forgets her advanced age and goes barreling down the ramp like she's going to catch a squirrel with the "young" dogs. I'll give her till tomorrow to get back to her old self, if not, it's off to the vet. For now I'm doing extra dog carrying.

Soon, I know I will be running a senior home for dachshunds. I'm halfway there now, but we will do our best to take good care of the old dogs, and Spaatz and Sandiepoo will be keeping the energy high here for now in the land of "My Three Doxsons.

Some like it Hot

I think most dogs enjoy a warm place to lay down, the mighty dachshund is no exception. Foozeball has taken this to the next level in his quest to keep warm during the winter months.

You can see Fooze is not fooling around as he has his head pressed up against the kick heater in the kitchen. We have two of these that blow hot air, the other is in the bathroom. He will often go back and forth between the two of them. I can hear his toenails clicking as he trots from one to the other.

He also has taken up using his nose as a fifth leg as it were. You never know quite what you will walk into when Fooze is soaking up the heat.

Ordinarily I find both of the boys sitting together in front of the heat. Spaatz is being nice here and sharing the warmth. He can be a heat hog, then Fooze gets whatever he can when Spaatz blocks the vent.

Spaatz really likes warm laundry, which can really cause a dilemma because he's so happy and comfortable and to be honest I don't really want to fold this stuff anyway. So I can make all of  us happy and let him enjoy it and I will enjoy making him happy and not fold it just yet.

One thing for sure is that during the winter months all of the doggies will be doing their best to find whatever warm spot is available. Some days I will move the dog bed several times as the sun moves across the sky, and when all else fails they can rely on plenty of body heat to stay warm.

Sandie, Peachy,Spaatz and Mr. Foo

Keep Your Hot Dogs Chillin

Wow, as we work towards a day of record breaking heat ( 10AM, 89 degrees in the shade), it's always a good idea to keep your hot dogs chillin. I got the crew a little cabana to hang out on. They've been a little resistant to it, preferring the chaise lounge that they're used to, but it doesn't have the shade, so that's why I got it.

I bought the larger model, so if they wanted to, they could all be on it together, That event hasn't happened yet. I think we're up to three of them on it at once. Spaatz really likes the lounger because he uses it for a look out. Specifically for squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks and bunny rabbits.

Mr Foo, (Foozeball), the old man, really is a sun worshipper so he will go out and bake himself for a little while, then come and check out one of the many dog beds available with a ceiling fan running.

Miss Sandie Poo was really turning into a mop again so I gave her her second shave of the season. She cooperates very well until we get to the feet, which she decides all bets are off. That's when I sit on the floor with her laying stretched out on my legs and I finish her up.

Miss Peaches had been experiencing a little back problems, but she has rested up and is doing much better now. otherwise everyone has been doing well and I for one am looking forward to the fall and some cooler weather.The doggies don't get as much outdoor time in this heat, so I think they'll agree.

Happy Birthday Miss Peaches and Foozball 2018

The beginning of April every year finds us celebrating the birthdays of our beloved "old" dogs, Miss Peachy and Foozie.  Fooze's birthday on the first because it seemed appropriate. Not sure of the real date, we know it's in April. Peaches is officially on the 2nd.

Peaches is 12 years old now which clocks her in around 84 years old. She has a lot of spirit and hopefully she will live to be our oldest dog ever, beating out the 13 year mark by plenty.

Mr Foo is 11 years old now. He seems to be showing his age a bit more as he has become pretty deaf. I can walk in and out of the house several times, carrying bags and the other dogs dancing around excitedly without him hearing enough to disturb his slumber.

 Peaches still has a whole lot of spunk for a 12 year old dog that has recovered from major back surgery four years ago. If there's an adventure to be had, this girl is game.

The two of them have definitely slowed down. They have gotten so they don't feel like getting up for every little thing.I did insist this morning that if Peaches wanted a slice of frozen banana she would have to get out of my bed and come into the kitchen. She did.

They should still have many sunny days ahead for them, many doggie adventures still to be had.

Peachy will always be up for a good hunt as long as there are critters in the garden.

Mr. Foo as a dacshing youngster.

Spaatz and Sandie, both 7 years old are our youngsters.

Miss Peaches: Swiffer for the Planet

I recently took the dogs for a little hike on the local Greenway trail, which was very nice and the dogs thoroughly enjoyed it. Part of the trail is all leaves and sticks from the past fall. Which can be problematic for Peachy. I have to remove a variety of leaves and debris from her underside afterwards

If you find yourself lucky enough to own a wire haired dachshund or two, you may be all too familiar with the phenonmenon of the canine swiffer. Miss Peaches, in the photo above has just had a bath after a walk. As you can see, she can't do a thing with her eyebrows after a bath.

Now I'm sure the same could be said for the long hair dachshund as well. Rupert here, my "grand dog" would experience the same issue I'm sure, but he's in Florida and hasn't been on any trails in New York as of late.

Some of you may recall Miss Peach has a similar problem with snow. The worst part about that is, while you might think you could "brush" the snow away. You would be sadly mistaken. It quickly becomes embedded and has to be pulled out, snowball by snowball.

Soon, with the warmer weather I will have the ritual "shaving the Peach". It helps keep the bugs down and her undercarriage a little more tidy. My other wire hair, Sandie, I keep shaved year round.

As you can see, while she is very cute, the fur is very fine and prone to matting. She hates to be brushed, and will run away if she sees the brush. She is very cooperative for the shaving process, so it works out better for all this way. I like to say she is part "O-Cedar".

She does clean up very well I must say. Then there are the boys, Spaatz and Foozeball, or Mr. Foo.

They don't have these problems with their short fur. That can cut down on the number of dogs that need to washed after a hike. While we have the whole process down to a science, it can be a lot of work and towels. The hazards of having a bunch of low rider dogs. It's okay, they're totally worth it.

I wouldn't change a thing.

My Golden Girl