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

Goodbye Sweet Peaches

 With a heavy heart, I must announce the passing of Miss Peachy. A dog of indomitable spirit, who came to us as a tiny, timid little dog that somehow turned into a force within our doxie family never to be forgotten. She will always be my golden girl. When we first got her she was very timid, didn't like men, Which my husband took personally, him being the dog warden for our town, figures to be a dog whisperer. He did win her over with patience.

She learned to be a more self-confidant dog and really came into her own with our older standard dachshund, Watson who was a great, good natured dog. He was a excellent teacher and mentor.

Eventually Foozeball came along and we really had our own pack, and in time Miss Peaches would be the leader of the pack. A confident and strong presence that others, that came along would look to.

With the passing of Watson, Peachy was truly the leader at this point, there was no doubt about it. After a while my quest for a dapple dachshund with different color eyes was realized when Spaatz was added to the pack. He was a puppy, and learned the ropes from Peachy. He would challenge her from time to time, but for a long time was told in plain language to back down and wait your turn.

For about three years this was the makeup of the pack, and Miss Peach was there keeping the boys in line. She is unfortunately known for killing snakes in the garden. Going as far one day to bring one in the kitchen while trying to dispatch it. She inspired Spaatz to be the great hunter dog he is today.

Eventually, dachshunds happen, and My Three Doxsons ended up being my four dachshunds because a little dog that would come to be known as Sandie needed to be rescued. We went to see her, and when we did we brought along Peachy to make sure there wouldn't be a problem between them. Peach gave her the paws up and another dog would learn the joys of being a dachshund under Miss Peachy.

That was seven years ago. Over the past 14 years there have been, of course, many highs and lows in the lives of our pack members. We knew that this day was coming. We could see her slow down greatly, and eventually be a shadow of her former self. We made the call I know was right. To be honest, it all went as well as I could hope under all the circumstances. For her and us. We are sad now that she is gone, I cried when I saw the water dish outside that she liked so much despite her poor vision making it hard to find, but so glad that the other dogs are here, still being wonderful and silly and lifting us up. Doggies lives shine so bright, and they bring that to us everyday, I wouldn't trade any of it for not missing her now. She was wonderful, and I will treasure her memories always.

Love you baby

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.

Family Milestone: Miss Peaches turns 14

Miss Peaches has turned 14! This is truly a major milestone in our family. We have had many dogs over the years, some mutts, a doberman, a lab and several dachshunds. She's the first to make it past 13. Happy birthday Peachy, Peachypoo, Poohey, Pooh-bear, Booboo, Booface.

Our current crew can all be considered seniors. Spaatz and Sandie will be 10 this year, although they still seem like dogs in their prime. Spaatz the mighty hunter, Sandie tries but her goofiness makes her not quite the hunter he is. They are all great dogs with different doxie personalities.

Miss Peaches has gotten pretty persnickety in her old age. She wants, what she wants, when she wants it. She will definitely let me know when she wants something. Usually it's about food, but it might be to be put up on the couch, despite there being doggie stairs available. She also lets me know when she wants to go in or out. That may be a subtle grumble so you have to pay attention.

The communication is usually in the form of loud barking. If she wants dinner, she will come and find me and bark in a pretty forcefully. Her stomach clock tends to run a little fast. If I tell her "it's too early" while she doesn't understand what I'm saying, she gets that she's not getting food right now.

The old gal has plenty of spirit when she's awake. I love when she gets up off the couch in the morning and goes in the crate in the kitchen and snuggles down in the comfy dog bed like it's her day job. Happy birthday sweet Peachy, may you have many more!!

My Sweet Spaatz in Trouble

Spaatz, who is my personal sweetheart of a dog has come down with a scary and disturbing problem. A few days ago he started wobbling like a drunk, having a hard time standing and his head wobbling back and forth when he's sitting or laying down.

I have taken him to the vet, had blood work, stool sample, X-ray done. While he tested positive for Lyme, and we started Doxycyline, the titer has come out lower than what warrants continued treatment with that. He's also on an anti-inflammatory and Gabepentin. He seems to have gotten a little better, so I'm not sure what is helping. Or is part of it that he coping better. He pretty quickly figured out to steady himself on an object or another dog, or to just lay down which stops the movement.

I won't lie. This has been affecting me profoundly. This guy is my rock. 100%, always there for me. I love the other dogs, but Spaatz has decided to devote himself to me above and beyond Sandie, Peach and Fooze.

Miss Peachy, we have a long history together and share some different bonds than most people have with their dogs. Like we have both visited each other in the hospital while the other was paralyzed and been there for each other during recovery. She is my older gal who sleeps a lot and comes out when she wants something.

Sandie is my husbands dog. She is very sweet, silly and loving to me, but Jerry is her person. She waits for him to come home every night. Everyone loves Sandie, but she has her favorite.

Foozeball, Mr. Foo as I call him is a handsome old guy but he's just that guy. Every group has one, and he's it. He's gonna be 13 real soon, pretty much lost his hearing, so that makes communication just a little more difficult. He is learning some hand signals though.

I was really worked up about this problem with Spaatz though, very worried. We can't afford some crazy surgery or something like that. But does this really warrant that? He is seeming a little better. He otherwise is himself. Happy, following me everywhere. Still wants to play with toys, chase squirrels (which has been discouraged) and is not hurting. He getting around well. I feel better now with the signs of improvement and knowing that he's not going anywhere.

The Vigil

Just about everyday there is the event known as the "The Vigil". Suppertime is at five, so the vigil usually starts at four, but could be as early as three. It depends on how much their tummies are grumbling

Most of the time during the day if I'm home they're close by, but when the vigil starts I find myself alone, and I know it has commenced. It's best not to pay them too much attention or they will start platooning for an early dinner. You may know what that's like.

Those big puppy eyes, pleading with you. Perhaps the clock is incorrect! It must of stopped! We definitely know when it's time to eat. It must be time for chow!

I simply tell them that "it's too early", and while I'm sure I may sound like the teacher talking in a Peanut's cartoon. They seem to understand that translates into "your not getting food right now"

Much to their dismay they will settle down again, and commence will the vigil once more until the glad news that dinnertime is finally here, and they must wait no longer.

Then the next thing you know they're all sacked out without a care in the world. All that angst solved by a little cup o' chow.

Tag Team the Dachshunds

We actually went on a vacation a couple of weeks ago. It was an amazing adventure to Nicaragua for our son's wedding to a wonderful girl. Her mom is from Nicaragua and the family was incredibly warm and took care of everything, which we can't thank them enough for. It was wonderful.

The trick was putting together a crew of people to stop in and let the dogs out at different times and feed them, I even left a photo so they could know who's who. Miss Peachy and Sandie being the most difficult to keep straight. They're so close in color even we can mistake them on a quick glance.

I'm glad to say they made it through the week, we could tell they were a little stressed by having their routine changed and not having us around for sure, but at least they got to stay at home together.

So now all is back to normal, everything is right in the world again for My Three Doxsons.