My Boys!

My BoysTaken on Pepsi's 4th Birthday in October

I've been uploading loads of photos of dachshunds on various items so I thought it was about time I uploaded one of my own real dachshunds, Pepsi and Max! They are both doing fine though Max just hates this almost constant wet weather we are having, I have to literally shove him out of the door (a gentle push of his bum with my foot!) for walks and once he has done what he needs to all he wants is to get back home! Pepsi though is oblivious to the rain and blissfully splashes through puddles as Max gingerly walks round them. I know how Max feels, this year has given the wettest weather I've seen in all my life!

Dachshunds and Water

We've had a terrible summer here in the UK so far, our June was the wettest ever! And I can honestly say that I have never seen rain and storms like we've had over the last few weeks.  Apparently it's because the jet Stream has moved south of the British Isles instead of it's normal position to the north of the Isles. Places north of the jet stream have low pressures drawn in over them and that's why we are having the exceptionally wet weather.

My dachshund Max hates wet weather with avengeance, I have to literally drag him out for a walk when the weather is wet. Pepsi however doesn't mind it at all and happily splashes through the puddles.  I have the boys on a coupler lead and in this weather it's been a pain because I have Pepsi striding out enjoying his walk and Max pulling in the other direction back towards home!  So, to be kind to Max when it was really bad I let him do what he had to do and then put him back inside before taking Pepsi for a proper walk, Max was very happy about this LOL!

I've found over the years that my dachshunds have, in general, not been water doggies.  None have gone swimming - not even Pepsi - and only Jenny my long-hair went into water. She used to go into shallow water and then lie down with her head above the water with a blissful look on her face, she was a very refined girl, no swimming, just relaxing.  I suppose when you have very short legs, are extra long and full of heavy muscle it's not exactly easy to swim.

We've now had three lovely sunny days with little rain and later I'm going to take the boys on a long walk so we can all enjoy this touch of summer before Mr Jet Stream gets into action again or maybe he's moved to back to his own home?

An Introduction

Dachshunds have been part of my life since I was 14 (and that's a long time ago LOL!). That was when a wire-haired dachshund followed my mother and me as we made our way home one Christmas Eve. It was cold and he seemed to be wanting to come in so we let him stay with us over Christmas. After the holidays reported him to the police, but, surprisingly, no one ever claimed him so eventually he legally became ours. And so began eight wonderful years with a dachshund - he was stubborn, disobedient, plucky, greedy, liked the sound of his own bark, a big dog in a small frame, yet he was also sweet, loyal, loving and funny, in other words a typical dachshund!

When I left home and got my own place I eventually got a dachshund of my own, a gorgeous, gentle and shy long-hair called Jenny and she shared my life for 10 years.  Then I had a gap of a few years with no dog, during that time I always missed having one though.

In 1994 I decided I wanted another dog and oddly a friend told me that she had a friend who was looking for a home for a five year old mini smooth-haired dachshund that had previously been ill-treated.  I went to see the dog, called Toffie, and it was love at first sight and so began the most special relationship I've had with a dog.  She was totally devoted to me, knew my every mood and helped me through some difficult times.  I still miss her now, ten years after she died.

Handsome Max

So now I come to the present day and my lovely dogs.  First is Max, an 11 year old mini red smooth-hair. He's been with me from the age of 16 months, he loves to lie in the sunshine, eat and sleep! He can be a grumpy old man at times, but also can be very sweet.

And my other dog is Pepsi, who is four later this year, a mini wire-hair. He is the first dog I have had from a puppy, I could hold him in one hand when he was eight weeks old!  He's bright, full of energy and makes me laugh every day, wires have such lovely personalities. The lovely thing is that Pepsi and Max are best buddies, from the moment I got Pepsi Max loved him which is good as Max doesn't really have much time for other dogs.

Cheeky Pepsi at Christmas

So these two are my canine companions, and I'll be writing about their adventures on this blog. I'll also add interesting dachshund-related things I come across. Please feel free to send me your stories about your dachsies or your comments about my blog. Bye for now!