Well, she’ll be joining our family down here in south Florida in a couple of weeks. We’re delighted, of course, and look forward to many happy years with her!

What happened to my plan to wait until we actually had her to tell you? Too excited, I guess…

It’s warm here and fat little Dachshunds tend to get hot quickly.

“Oh, bother!” Should have renamed her ‘Winnie’ after the Bear.

I really like these last two for some reason… a fact which I can’t even explain to myself.

To the birds who refused to return after I stepped outside: screw all y’all and the stick you rode in on.

Well, it helps fulfill her requirements for happiness.

All breeds have their special abilities and of course Dachshunds have an aptitude for hunting – not to mention killing. The time Zoe attacked a coral snake comes to mind; she just instinctively knew what to do… and did it.

Developed by Germans to scent and flush out prey, most notoriously badgers, they will go anywhere, do almost anything, contort their bodies into any shape possible, in order to accomplish their goal.

Dachshunds are special dogs; brave, tenacious, loyal and funny.

And alert.

…and protective.

Did I mention stubborn?

E. B. White:

“Being the owner of dachshunds, to me a book on dog discipline becomes a volume of inspired humor. Every sentence is a riot. Some day, if I ever get a chance, I shall write a book, or warning, on the character and temperament of the dachshund and why he can’t be trained and shouldn’t be. I would rather train a striped zebra to balance an Indian club than induce a dachshund to heed my slightest command. When I address Fred I never have to raise either my voice or my hopes. He even disobeys me when I instruct him in something he wants to do.”

I love Dachshunds.

Of course, not all dogs are interested in hunting.

Bree will rout the tree rats and give chase, but only because she recognizes them as a threat to home and family. Fortunately she sees no need to tear the mower apart, a fact for which I am grateful.

I love Collies as well and the disparity makes me laugh.

She’s got Bree’s coat, except Bree doesn’t have the fairy saddle…

One thing you can say about this dog: she’s always been her own little person. As a puppy she wasn’t keen on being touched and thought for sure she’d rule us all one day. Given her intelligence there were a few times I thought that idea plausible, even probable.

But she grew into a very Good Dog. Loves people, loves to be touched, even if it means you use her as a pillow, loves to help in whatever way she can. Always there for you, whatever. A funny, sensitive soul. Who woulda thought it?

I call her ‘Big Love’ because… she is.

Thank you to my sister-in-law Debra, who hounded the breeder until the poor woman’s ears bled, for gifting us with this amazing girl. We love her very much.

Anybody who knows me should already be aware of what I think about this…

EDITED to add: This is the direct link to the German Shepherd Dog Rescue that is caring for Berry and Porridge. I’m sure they’re in the process of vetting potential adopters!

Well, that was fun...

...I just didn't know it would taste that bad.