Sweet Fluffy Muffins

 Oh Sandiepoo, so sweet and funny. She is Miss Fluffy Muffins, and we love her. Not the sharpest tool in the shed by any means, but the sweetest by far. I usually keep Miss muffins trimmed up, except for the signature beard and eyebrows that let us know that we have a wire haired dachshund.

Right now though she has gone full "O-Cedar", and I let it happen. Ordinarily in the winter I will keep her groomed so she doesn't get matted and we keep all that fur under control. Then she wears a sweater.

This year I had intended to shave her, but kept putting it off. Then it was so dang cold I decided to let her go with the fur. I know I will regret this at some point. I don't want her to go on full mop like before. Here she is, her first winter with us. Now, I at least keep her "nosehairs" trimmed so we can see her eyes

All that fur does give her protection from the elements. She goes out in the cold and snow and basically has a good time rolling around. The boys are both smoothies and not up for the real cold.

Spaatz gets to shivering out in the cold if he's not busy with something. I would love to put a sweater on him, but he just hates any type of clothing at all. His body language stiffens up and he is miserable until you take it off. Fooze always has some type of shirt or sweater on. He is getting pretty old now at nearly 14 and really would rather not go out in the cold if he can get away with it. Believe me, he tries.

Soon it will be getting warmer and we will have to think about giving Sandie the big shave. It will take me over and hour and there will be fur everywhere, including stuck to my nose.

She behaves pretty well during the process. Getting her legs done nicely is the biggest challenge. That and her undercarriage. Ever try to shave the underside of a dachshund? There's not a whole lot of room

Afterwards she is so sweet and "doughy" and she runs around like a new dog and is so happy. It makes it all worthwhile. Whether her coat is short or long she's always the sweetest little muffin you'll know.

Foozie, Spaatz and Sandie, aka Miss Fluffy Muffins

Miss Peaches- Down, but not out.

We've had dogs always, since 1980, and dachshunds since 1997. So far we had been really lucky. Unfortunately that changed on Monday. I'm not sure when the actual moment it happened, we knew her back was bothering her. We had taken her to the vet and were helping her up and down and hoping we could avoid a bigger problem. Monday, I was going to take them for a short walk, Peach was excited as usual. We got out the door and as far as next door when she put on the brakes. We went back home, she walked back, but it was terribly apparent something was horribly wrong. She was in major distress and dragging her back feet. I called my husband, we rushed her to the vet. They referred us to an awesome veterinary facility in Yonkers. If we to save her we would have to act quickly, we left directly. They gave us the low down, an MRI and spine surgery. My husband made the call, we would go ahead with it.

The MRI showed 95% compression of the disc, she couldn't rehab back from this. The surgery went well, after removing the damaged disc the spinal cord looked good. I drove the hour to see her on the two days she had to stay in the hospital. I was happy she chowed down some food while I was there on the first day as they said she hadn't eaten. I thought I wouldn't visit as I thought she might be upset to have me leave her again, but my daughter said her dog really got better sooner when she visited him. So I decided I would. I know I felt much better seeing her and I think she really felt better seeing me. Besides Peachy visited me once in the hospital (my daughter snuck her in her bag), so I owed her.

My sweet Peachy is home now and we are helping her with her physical therapy. The first night was tough, she cried a lot. mostly because she had to stay in the crate instead of next to me. It will be one day at a time now for awhile. I know what it's like to be paralyzed and have to learn to walk again and get your strength back, so I am going give her all the help she needs. She's got a lot of spirit and drive so we actually need to keep her from doing too much. On the way home she wanted to put her head out the window, but I just held her so she could smell the breeze. As we pulled into our road she picked her head up and was obviously very happy because there's no place like home.

The Other Reason Dachshunds Have Short Legs

We all know that the dachshund was bred to hunt vermin down low and underground, which is why they are the low riders they are today. My theory is that they have developed the short legs to make the distance to the ground shorter. I have noticed when I go to pat my dogs that before my hand gets to their back they've

flopped down on their backs and are offering the belly for a good rub. So the real reason for the short legs is to prevent injury, whilst increasing the amount of belly rubs immeasurably. Then when you stop patting them they will stay in that position and give it a little wriggle that is an invitation for more of the same.

This tactic often works. It does with me anyway. They know how to work it. Eventually you have to get something done, but they will keep drawing you in with their cuteness that is hard to resist.

It's okay, you can justify it. I'm just lowering my blood pressure. It's almost like exercise. Yeah, that's it. Think of the health benefits. Just a few rubs makes you feel better and the dog happy too! It's all good. Now go out and find yourself a dachshund and reap those benefits that are there for the taking.

There's Actually a dog Under all that Fur

We went to England, had a wonderful time , but now we are back. I felt that it was time to give the girls their summer cut. This was a new thing for Sandie as far as I know, she's still the new kid on the block around here. As you can see Sandie-Poo is pretty much a mop. If I could only get her to walk under the bed in a grid pattern we might have something here. Although she does like to spend a bit of time down there, she doesn't quite get the job done. So I got the electric dog shaver out and got down to business.

 I must say she's a whole different dog now. It was a lot of work, and she was really good for her first time. She did get a little fed up towards the end. There was so much fur, and I was covered with it. I did Miss Peaches next. She was a breeze. She's been done many times so she just lays there and lets me do it. Took a fraction of the time.She didn't start out with as much fur though.

So we're ready for summer, trimmed up, got the cushion on the lounger, here comes the dog days of summer

Happy 7th Birthday Foozeball !

Foozie, Sandie, Spaatz and Miss Peaches

Well the gangs all here to celebrate Foozie's 7th birthday. We went for walkies and had some extra biscuits. The sun is shining, so it seems like it would be a good time to lie around and soak up some rays. There are few things Fooze likes more. I did mention we already had biscuits, and I imagine there will be more later. Foozie is a classic red dachshund , he probably is the best behaved of the group, although he is a little off. He will growl at you sometimes when you pat him, although he's not serious about it, and he's known for rubbing against your legs like a cat. He is also the best howler in the group, which is truly a hysterical thing to behold. Happy birthday big guy! His muzzle may be turning grey,but we love him just the same.

Dachshund Bedtime Story

The day had gotten long

The hour for me to sleep

On to the snoozestand I did creep

I brushed and I washed

I might have even flossed

On with my jammies

I did toss

I sauntered to the bed

though not with dread

Someone here before me

had gotten instead. 

Big lumps in the bed, I did see

Pulled back the covers

It's my dachshunds three

Spaatz and Peachy

Mr Foozeball too

No room for me

Now what am I to do?

Move over sweet dogs!

I know that your little 

but I've got a space 

and it's called the middle

 Spaatz by my heart 

Fooze by my knees

Peach by my ankles

if you please

Settle down my puppies

for the hour is nigh

and we all went to sleep with one last sigh

Can You Read This Dachshund's Mind?

Spaatz's expressive little face is clearly saying to me anyway " Mommy, I need my corduroy moose toy very, very bad, right now. Would you please, please get it for me now or I will jump over there to get it and crash and maybe hurt myself." That may seem like a lot for a facial expression, but take my word for it, that is definitely what he is thinking. He is also standing on the arm of a sofa, calculating his trajectory to the little table that will not hold him. So to prevent my foolhardy little dachshund from making a big mistake, I will quickly take his photo, get his toy for him, and send him happily squeaking on his way.

Whatever he needs, its always very important.

What you call a "pack animal"?

Foozie-B, loves to be with his Dad. I know why dogs get the name Shadow, that's what he does, but to be safer on the mower I stuffed him in a backpack and he was totally content to hang out, being close to Dad, and the altitude was an added bonus. Dachshunds do like to have a bird's eye view, so to speak. Gives a guy a whole new perspective, instead of straining to see over the tops of the grass if its not been cut in a timely fashion you can see everything. I joke that Fooze should be duct taped to Jerry's back to he can be as close as possible, the pack works just about as well, I zipped him in all snuggly. Either that or we wrap him up like a papoose. I'm sure he'd be fine with that.

DACHSHUND BOWLING

This will be about as close as Miss Peachy is going to get to bowling. Its a funny thing, I used to have a standard wire hair dachshund named Watson. He would always sleep like this with his head out of the dog bed on the floor. I used to have to ask him to pick his head up so I could go by with the vacuum. Now here's Miss Peachy laying the same way, her head just happened to end up in the bowl. My two smoothie boys don't ever lay like this, but both my wire hairs do it regularly. I wonder if anyone else has noticed this behavior.

Rango Project Continues

Rango Tango, as we call him has been our foster dog for about 3 weeks now. He's doing real well and could probably move on anytime now. I think he'd be best with a experienced dachshund owner. We think he was abused where ever he started out because of the way he cringes if he thinks he's in trouble, even when there is no reason. I think eventually he will get over this the way our Peaches got over being a scaredy cat. He is real sweet and lookin for love. We hope the right person comes along.

Raining in NY again, so I made them a nest

Well, we have been caught in a weather pattern for sometime here in the Empire State. The dogs are even thinking "why even get up?" So they had hunkered down on the bed, so I figured I'd make them real comfy, and make a nest around them with one of their favorite crocheted blankets. They really seemed to enjoy it and stayed there for quite a while. Ordinarily they are sitting in the sunshine watching the birds and hoping a squirrel might happen by. Unfortunately we are forecast a nasty storm ala hurricane Sandy. The dogs might be hanging out in the nest so much they're gonna feel like birds.

No nest

                                                           Like bugs in a rug. All 3 are here.

Foozeball a Derpy Dachshund?

They might have been thinking of Fooze when they conjured up the word. I mean, if you manage to get the name Foozeball instead of Oscar or Frank there is definitely something up. The guy is a nut, but look at that face. Sweet, if somewhat demented. One of the things I love about this guy is that when the evening comes and we're watchin a little TV, and the dogs are sacked out on me, Foozie will let me pat him and pretty much do anything to him. He just keeps on sleeping. In the photo I have him sitting up in whatever position, pose him, stroke his handsome face. He just sleeps. Peaches wants to left alone if she wants to sleep, Spaatz has to be under a blanket, even in summer. If I'm watching something real exciting I will find myself patting Fooze and playing with his ears A LOT. It's all good, he doesn't care, he just keeps zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

A little cranium scratching is good.



Which one is the Pumpkin?

Golly, they all look like pumpkins to me. Foober does make a pretty handsome hot dog I must say. Miss Peaches is the second best pumpkin because she is sooo sweet. Then there is Spaatz, well he is just a weenie, he can't help it
 

AWESOME DACHSHUND PHOTOS

Every once in awhile I will feature a photo that is worthy enough to be called "awesome" Don't you just love these guys?. Makes you want to jump in the pool and kiss their fuzzy faces. Maybe do it quietly so as not to disturb them too much.

EVERYDAY IS A TRIPLE DOG DARE

Everyday is a triple dog dare day here. Of course we wouldn't have it any other way. They dare you to resist them because they know you cannot. Ohh! people will exclaim. Look at the wiener dogs! They are so cute! Look into their brown eyes, or in Spaatz's case you will look at the blue one and next thing you know you will be patting their heads, then its the belly rubs, and all is lost. You are at the mercy of the irresistableness of the long dog know as the dachshund.

Peaches Word: Scrumpdillyumptious

Scrumpdillyumptious

Miss Peaches one word would be, scrumpdillyumptious. It just describes her perfectly. Sweet, soft and wonderful like a sundae at Dairy Queen. She's not goofy like the boys and she, on occasion, has to pull rank. Otherwise the boys wouldn't let her have anything. If you give them a plate with a little something special you know the boys will swoop down like vultures and halb everything up before she gets a chance. I have these tiny little Milkbones, I will toss one across the room to her, Foozie, who is standing next to me will run over there and get it before she can react. She will look disappointed and I'll have to hand her one. So when it comes to a dish, she will stride up and show her teeth and let out a growl that shouldn't be possible from such a small sweet dog. I try to discourage such behavior, but I do get her point. That's when I have to claim the plate as mine so all can share. By the way, scrumpdillyumptious is not on spell check. Neither is halb, around here that means to eat like a piggy vulture. Fooze does it best.



Canine Confection of Awesomeness

My sweet Peaches here is having a bit of a bad hair day. Its self inflicted though, she's not one to care about how she looks. She has been playing jungle huntress in my perennial garden. She loves it, and right now everything is very tall and lush so she can keep busy sniffing around for quite awhile. If it has rained lately she will come out of her jungle quite wet with her locks in disarray. We don't care either, she is always Miss Peachy, Boo-cakes, a sweet canine confection of awesomeness.

The Case of the Mysterious Harness Eater

Note the foot rest has become a dachshund hammock
 Last week I was preparing for our first camping trip in our new trailer, the first for M3D. I was concerned about how they were going to behave. The campground policies stated obnoxious dogs and their owners could be ejected. Fortunately they were quite well behaved. In preparation I got new harnesses and some tie-outs for them so they could be secured quickly if need be and so they could hang out and not have to be watched every second. I have harnesses that they wear usually but they are the vest type ones. Anyway, I put them on them and continued to get ready, I only had a couple of hours and much to do. After say 30-40 minutes I look at Spaatz and he's sitting funny and the harness looks askew. I check it out, and he has chewed through it already! Oh my, I was really very unhappy with him. I did manage to repair it on my sewing machine, but it was brand new! In the photo he is wearing his regular harness, I put the one he ate in with the stuff we were taking, but it disappeared, still haven't found it. This harness worked most of the trip, until he ATE THAT ONE TOO! So I ended up putting Foozies everyday harness on him, as you might guess, it also needs some repair now. He can chew through a nylon harness in literally seconds, so leather might be a good option for him, or it might just present him with a challenge.

Dogs really enjoyed the comfy chair in the camper.

Peeing Contest gets Complicated

This is what happens when you're not paying attention

Today as usual we were out for a walk. I got out early to beat the heat. We did have some excitement as we were walking down our road when 2 squirrels jumped out right in front of us and ran across the road. Well you can imagine M3D scrambling after the varmints. Good thing they were on leashes. The thing with leashes is they have their good and bad moments. Now take when we got a little further on our way and Fooze pees on a tree then Spaatz and Peach does her best to squat and lift a leg at the same time, the Fooze wants to go again, and Spaatz one more time. Well you can see what happens, we say they get "hornswaggled" which I know is not the definition, but the word seems to describe the situation so well. I know if I could invent a leash that would keep multiple dogs from getting tangled we'd do our walk on easy street.

100% Loyal and True

PeachyPoo, Foozie-B, Spaatzen

You know what I love about these guys? They are 100%, I know what to expect from them and they never let me down. They make me laugh everyday, and give all the love and affection I can stand. You know what I mean, sometimes you have to say enough with the kisses already. In return they ask for so little, cup o'chow and I enjoy patting them almost as much as they enjoy being patted. I don't know whose getting the best deal, but it seems like we're all winners together.