Update, and Seamus's First Birthday!

Where does time go? All the doggies are well, Pepsi still as mad as ever, Ellie is now much more at ease and comfortable with herself and people. Seamus is such a lovely boy, he is laidback and confident and very bright. He has been good for the other dogs too. Pepsi was so depressed after his big brother Max died and now he is back to his happy self with his new little brother! And Ellie, well Seamus has taught her how to play and they race around having great fun, it's so good to see Ellie finally being like a dog and having a good time playing. So little Seamus has been so good for the other two dogs. And of course he is a sheer joy for me and I love him to bits - even though at the moment he grabs and chews anything he can get his jaws on!!

The other week Seamus turned one and I made a doggie cake for him and the other two. I can't believe he is already one, time flies. He was spoilt rotten and enjoyed every minute of it. Here's a photo of him with his cake (which was a big success and soon wolfed down by the trio).

Seamus is Six Months Old

Seamus at Six Months

Well my sweet pup Seamus is six months old! how that time has flown by, he's nearly all grown up and looks more adult than a pup now. He's still a lovely natured boy, confident and bright and quiet - unlike most daxies he doesn't bark much, thank heavens he hasn't picked up Pepsi's noisy demeanour lol. They are best buddies and love nothing better than cuddle together. He's friendly with Ellie too and has taught her how to have fun and play which is so wonderful to see. I must say I'm totally besotted with this little fellow as you can probably tell :).

Seamus is Growing Up

My dogs are loving their dog walker, so am I, she's absolutely wonderful. She really cares for the dogs and goes the extra mile for them. I've got over my anxiety of leaving my dogs in someone elses hands as I have complete faith in her.

Seamus enjoying the sunshine

Seamus is growing up, he's 16 weeks now and I can see that he is starting to form the dachshund barrel chest. His fur is growing too, and his silky wire beard is starting to form. He has a sweet, laid-back temperament, which is great as Pepsi is a bit hyper! He and Pepsi are good pals, and now he's bigger I let Ellie around him and they love to play together. Ellie is a rescue and spent two years locked in a crate so didn't know how to play. So now Seamus is teaching her and so, at nearly four Ellie is learning what fun it is to play. I love to see her so happy like that.

Me having Seamus was meant to be. I tried for two rescue daxies before I got him and both didn't work out through no fault of my own. Then the day after the seconds one fell through I saw the ad for Seamus and his siblings and the rest is history! Puppies are hard work initially but it's more than worth it, I'm so happy to have Seamus as part of the family.

An Anxious Mother!

I recently started a new job, in which, although I only work 16 hours a week, every two weeks I have a long shift. It's too long to leave the dogs, initially friends and family would pop in to let the dogs out, but people have their own lives and I realised that I needed to find someone who would be able to walk my dogs regularly. A friend recommended a dog walker called Barbara. She called round, met me and the dogs and she was lovely, immediately having a good rapport with the dogs and I was happy to employ her.

So, today was the first walk and I must admit that I was anxious, after all I was letting a relative stranger take out my beloved dogs! But I needn't have worried, it all went well and she even sent me a text telling me how the walk went which was really thoughtful and eased my worries. She took this photo of Pepsi and Seamus and it says it all really, they look so happy and relaxed!

Seamus - The First Walk

On Monday it was finally safe for Seamus to go outside so I took him and Pepsi for a first walk. He was really good, nothing bothered him, he was just fascinated by everything around him as he happily trotted along behind his big bro Pepsi, he even did a pee! Since then he has been out a few times and done equally well, he is a confident little chap.

Also Seamus's relationship with Pepsi has moved on in a positive way. They have now played together twice and had great fun, though I must say I did feel sorry for Pep when Seamus hung onto his "beard" but Pep put up with it and seemed to enjoy playing as much as the pup did. Great to see they are becoming good friends now.

Puppy Class

I took Seamus to his first puppy class last week. It's held at my vets and is a chance for pups up to the age of 14 weeks to socialise and have fun. It was a small class, just three puppies, the other two were bigger than Seamus (of course!) but that didn't faze him at all. Right from the start he wanted to play with the other dogs and toys, he wasn't at all shy or unsure. When one of the other dogs tried to boss him about a bit he wasn't having any of it and stood up for himself, I was really proud of him!

Today friends came round with their daxie Bea. She is a rescue from a puppy farm and just gaining a bit of confidence. Seamus wanted to play with her but she was too shy, hopefully in time she will find the confidence to play and have fun poor girl. One of my friends took this gorgeous photo of Seamus, he's a handsome boy!

Pepsi is getting used to Seamus now, but still gets fed up of the puppy antics after a while! But tonight Seamus quietly got in the dog bed with Pepsi and fell asleep and stayed for half an hour and Pepsi was happy with that. They didn't get as far as snuggling together but it's a start.

Nearly snuggling!

He's Here!

He's actually been here for two weeks but just got round to writing about him and his arrival, he's keeping me busy that's for sure!

On March 25th my friend Justyna and I drove through to County Durham to pick up my pup, who was just then ready to go to his new home.  The trip was pleasant, across to Hexham and then onto the A68  through Northumberland and into County Durham, up and down rolling hills with some beautiful big country vistas.

The puppy was gorgeous in real life as he was in the photos and on video I'd seen, I met his lovely mum and dad as well as his human mum!  I had shortlisted three names, (all Irish as I'd bought him on St Patrick's Day), Paddy, Dillon and Seamus and when I saw him I just knew he had to be a Seamus, it was perfect for him. His full title is Seamus O'Sausage, just couldn't resist lol!

I had a first photo taken of Seamus and me before we set off home, unfortunately he is slightly blurred, when he's awake he's never still for long. Seamus was snuggled in a fleecy blanket for the journey home and slept all the way.

Once home I introduced him to Pepsi and Ellie, they were interested in him but I was careful as he was so tiny. He was lively, bright and had a hearty appetite. He also settled remarkably well, with only a little whining in the first 24 hours, pretty amazing since he'd left his siblings and the only home he'd known. But he quickly learned use the puppy pads and I think he will learn to do his business outside ok once he is able to go outdoors. He had his second set of injections yesterday so less than a week and I'll be able to take him out for walks.

He has been a joy, already in two weeks he has grown and put on weight and is very settled indeed. My other two dogs are getting to know him, though it will take a while for them to get fully used to this crazy little pup tearing around lol! He'll be going to puppy classes soon, there's no doubt he will be the smallest there - however, as with most daxies, he is big on attitude and personality! So, welcome to the family Seamus, you'll get lots of love here and I know you will bring much happiness.

New Daxie Arriving Soon!

I decided recently I was ready for another dachshund, I have my wire Pepsi and my rescue dog Ellie a daxie cross. Ellie is not a snuggler and my Pep needs another dog to snuggle with! I was looking for a rescue daxie and two that came along seemed perfect but fell through through no fault of my own. The last of those was on the 16th March, and on the 17th I saw gorgeous daxie puppies advertised online and I realised it was fate that decided the rescues were not to be and one of these pups was made for me! They were a mixed smooth (5) and wire (2) litter, dad was a smooth and mum a wire and they were situated in the North East so not too far away. I love all dachshunds but have always had an extra soft spot for the wires, their bright, friendly, funny personalities always make you smile. So I enquired about the wires, both boys, and one is coming to me on March 25th!  Isn't he just the cutest little fellow? As I bought him on St Patrick's Day he is going to have an Irish name - which I'm still pondering on. Watch this space! (Photos by Durham Dachshunds)

 

Happy Christmas!

Pepsi

Happy Christmas from Pepsi, Max and me to you all! I hope that it will be a special time to share with your human and your long, furry friends. Pepsi is in the festive spirit that's for sure, as you can see from the photo. however, I couldn't persuade Max to  pose, which is typical of him.  There's be more blogging here from us in 2013!

Longue Dog Wine

A friend in Canada recently found some French wine called Longue Dog with a cartoon dachshund wrapped around the label, loved it, but thought it probably is not available over here. Then, there was me, wandering around the wine section of Sainsbury's looking for good offers, and I saw it, Longue Dog red wine! It wasn't very expensive and only says "red wine" as a description so not sure what it will be like, but I just had to try it.  It is 14% proof so that should be very nice thank you!

Here's a photo of Pepsi posing beside the bottle.

Make Your Bed and Lie in It

Following on from my last post about dachshunds being number one in the Top Ten of naughtiest dog breeds, my dear little Pepsi has lived up to that accolade.

The other evening I was on the phone for a while and when I finished I went back into the living room to find a disembowelled pillow with kapok scattered everywhere.  Slowly a black snout came out of the hole in the pillow and soon an unrepentant Pepsi, covered with bits of the pillow filling, was looking up at me. I must admit I had to stifle a laugh, he was looking at me as if to say, "Hey this is FUN!" 

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!

Who is the Culprit - A Canine Who Done It

The Evidence

The Crime:

Missing, one half of a £10 note - it was rather neatly torn down the middle and half is missing. A complete search of the area has not found the other half. No clear toothprints visible on inspection or any obvious evidence of who the culprit could be.  The note was one of my own that had fallen to the floor. Only myself and the two prime suspects were present when the crime happened.

Suspect 1 - Max

The Suspects:

Suspect number 1:
Max, an 11 year old smooth-haired dachshund that has an extensive past history of stealing and destroying items over the years. His crimes include chewing three leather purses, one pair of leather shoes, a camera, a mobile phone, a Radley dog, just to name a few of his heinous crimes.

Max does show guilt after his offences but it does not stop him committing further crimes.

Suspect 2 - Pepsi

Suspect number 2:
Pepsi, a 4 year old wire-haired dachshund who also has a criminal record similar to that of Max. Numerous chewing offences, with an extremely speedy sleight of paw and mouth when it comes to edible thievery especially. He also sometimes tries to hide his crimes by consuming the evidence.

Pepsi, unlike Max, does not show any guilt for his crimes, in fact he seems to think it is great fun to commit the offences.




The Verdict:

There is no forensic evidence as to who stole the half of the £10 note. It was done quietly while I was otherwise occupied.  But, on past history, I feel that Pepsi is the guilty party. When I found the remnant of the note Max showed no guilt at my dismay, neither did Pepsi.  This leads me to surmise that Pepsi is the criminal as he never shows guilt and Max does.  Also the fact that I could not find any remnant of the missing half of the note leads me to suspect that Pepsi has consumed it as he sometimes does hide the evidence of his crimes by eating it.

The Punishment:

Pepsi you have been found guilty of the crime of stealing half of a £10 note.  For this crime you will not get as many tickles as usual for 24 hours. Learn your lesson!

Deluge!

A Rather Wet Pepsi

Was out with the boys the other day and we got caught in one of the many deluges of rain we have been having over the last few weeks of dismal weather.


Max was very unhappy, tail down and giving me those "Please let's go home" look in his beautiful big brown eyes - Pepsi was not really bothered at all.  However, Max being a smooth-hair, was somewhat protected from the wetness with his dense oily coat, whereas Pepsi's thinner wiry coat really got soaked quickly and by time we got home he was like a drowned rat LOL!

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?

Vet Day!

Pepsi and Max were at the vets today, Max for his booster injections and Pepsi for a weigh-in (he's on a diet). The good news is that Pepsi has lost the weight he needed to and is now at an optimum 5.5 kilos, wish I could lose extra weight as fast! Shame he got so excited at the vets that he piddled on the floor ..... can't take him anywhere!!

Max, who was much better behaved I'm pleased to say, had his boosters and kennel cough with no problems.  He had his yearly check up and the vet said he is in good condition for 11 years old.  His heart murmur has not got worse over the year and is still classed at just number one on the scale of severity that goes up to six.  I was pleased to hear that, I had another dachshund that had a heart murmur classed at five, so it is good that Max's is so very slight and needs no treatment. Going to the vet is so expensive now, it cost me £50 just for the injections and check up that took about five minutes! But if you choose ot have pets you have to look after them properly.

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!