Dogs News

We could use some levity around here.  Our very first post after our introductory post almost 6-years-ago was called Doxie Chat, and featured a fun and informative video roundtable of New York Dachshund Lovers discussing our favorite canine. 

Flash forwarding to 2013, enjoy a Doxie Chat with a Dachshund Lover versus his "on-the-fence Dachshund Lover roommate."  These guys could talk all day, but clearly the handsome Dachshund 'Portillo' is in charge of this situation.   Watch out for the profanity, but Portillo is well-loved.

By youtuber GameOverGreggy. 

Thank you, from the very bottom of our hearts, for the kind words and notes of encouragement after the passing of your 'Long and Short of it All' host 'Joey.'  It's been a tough month or so for so many good folks.  Thank you so much for just everything, we're having trouble putting into words, for all the wonderful comments and personal notes, cards, tributes on other sites, and also the many donations in Joey's name, from MWDR all the way to Rolling Dog Ranch.  It's wonderful that his memory can live on by helping out more of his long brethren.
We apologize for the lack of posts as of late - we've never been so idle in nearly six years.  We're probably looking at retiring the site, as it was always Joey and Maggie's work.  Rowdy sure helped out over the last year or so, but his insistence on writing on the subtle variations of chicken vs beef vs peanut butter rawhides didn't garner much attention.  We kid.  He's such a great little guy.  He looked for Joey for several weeks after he passed - he would be laying in his bed and suddenly dart up and run to a strange corner of the house, wagging his tail and sniffing - thinking that he heard Joey.  Maybe Joey's ghost was visiting us - who knows?
Thanks to all the wonderful Dachshundists who have stood by us over the years, thank you.  There may be an odd post from us every so often, but it won't be a day to day affair - unless we completely change our minds and start up 'The Long and Short of it All version 2.0'. 
In the meantime - Carry On, and Love Your Dachshunds.


Yours in Dachshund Love.

It's with great reluctance, sadness, and pain, that we report that we laid our beloved 12-year-old Dachshund 'Joey' to rest on Thursday.  My boy.  My sweet, wonderful, handsome, tail-wagging, perfect little spotted boy. Joey was your Long and Short of it All host for nearly 6 years, along with his littermate sister, sweet Miss 'Maggie,' who passed away on September 13, 2011.  He loved me more than anything else in the world, to the point where it was actually a little strange - eyes on my eyes, always watching my every single move, doing whatever was the right thing to do without ever being asked to do so, and so, so brave and stoic to the very end. I loved him just as much as he loved me. 

Something has been up with Joey for the last several weeks.  He was losing weight even though he was still eating the same. He was refusing a little jump over a 1/2 inch high piece of wood through the little door in the doggy gate, and refusing stairs.  I took him to the vet to examine his back, but there were no apparent issues.  We ran a series of tests, including a new one which looks at the overall stress of his heart, as sometimes the heart works so hard that it can cause muscle wastage.  This test came back as "medium," and we know Joey does have a murmur, but doesn't exhibit any signs such as coughing after exercise.  X-rays showed the heart was more enlarged than last fall, but there was no fluid build-up we could see. 

On Tuesday, I came home from work, and there was that cough.  It was very bad, and Joey seemed in some distress when breathing, as his abdomen would reflex when he would take a breath.  He was hungry for dinner though, so I decided to take him to the vet the next day.  He continued to cough all night long, and couldn't get comfortable in the big bed.  He couldn't lay on either side, but was able to lay on his stomach and find some rest.  I didn't sleep at all that night, but watched him closely, crying, and stroked and hugged him tight, as I suspected in the back of my mind that this could be it for Joey.

My veterinarian is closed on Wednesdays, but he is such a wonderful and caring person that he gave me his cell phone if I ever needed him.  I needed him that day.  He met me in the office and didn't have any techs with him, so I gowned up in the lead vest to help hold Joey in various positions while he took x-rays.  He ran a series of blood tests and other tests for over an hour, but nothing was jumping out at him.

And so, it was off to the veterinary referral center.  Cardiologists and radiologists finally determined that he had either a cyst or clot on the left side of his heart.  This was causing the right side of his heart to become extremely enlarged, as it was over-compensating, and the lungs and liver to become sluggish.  It was decided that they would treat it as a clot, and he would hopefully have some improvement after a day's worth of treatment and stay in an oxygen tent.  I went with a friend to visit him that night, and he did not seem much better.  I got the call in the morning from his internist that he had not improved over night, and they could run more tests if they took him to another specialty center, but his prospects were not good.  I opted to not perform any more tests.  It was time.  Lord knows he had been through enough in his life.  I called my good friend, and we headed to the center for his euthanization. 

Throughout all of this, surprisingly, Joey didn't lose his appetite.  That's what made this even harder, as usually dogs will lose their appetite when they are quite ill.  Must be the Dachshund in him.  I stopped at Burger King on the way and picked him up a Whopper with cheese, plain, and a small fry.  This would be his last meal.

We spent about an hour with him before the procedure.  Unfortunately he had an oxygen tube stapled down the front of his head and into his nose, and this was bothering him.  But he was able to work around it to gladly eat up whatever we offered him of the Whopper and fries.  We had some good quality time and talked with him about all the things that he loved.  He got lots of kisses, hugs, and strokes.  Joey continued to struggle to breathe when the doctor and the technician came in the room and asked us if it was time.  It was.

As he lay in my lap, his most favorite place on the planet, looking into the eyes of one of my dearest friends, the good doctor began to push in the propofol to relieve him of his suffering. Tired as he was, and struggling to breathe, he sat up from his laying position, as if to say "No, I can't go, No, I have to take care of my Dad and my little brother Rowdy. No, I am Joey, I am Dachshund, and I won't leave this world lying down." We soothed him with sweet words and caresses to relax, and in just three seconds as the drug began to take effect, he cradled his warm little head into my hand and rested peacefully, knowing that everything is gonna be alright. Faithful and true to the last beat of his loving heart. God I'll miss you Joey.
Thank you to all of Joey's friends here for your love and support over the years - I know a lot of folks here are gonna miss him too. And I know that his littermate sister Maggie was the first to greet him on the other side.

 

In the sky above Chicago, the world headquarters of The Long and Short of it All

Thank you to our dear friend Liz Kearley, who made this amazing image of Joey and Maggie, Together Again. They truly are. I can't wait til the day I can snuggle with them once more. 




I Am Weary (Let Me Rest) 
by The Cox Family

Kiss me mother kiss your darlin'
Lay my head upon your breast
Throw your loving arms around me
I am weary let me rest

Seems the light is swiftly fading
Brighter scenes they do now show
I am standing by the river
Angels wait to take me home

Kiss me mother kiss your darlin'
See the pain upon my brow
While I'll soon be with the angels
Fate has doomed my future now

Through the years you've always loved me
And my life you've tried to save
But now I shall slumber sweetly
In a deep and lonely grave

Kiss me mother kiss your darlin'
Lay my head upon your breast
Throw your loving arms around me
I am weary let me rest
I am weary let me rest

We can't think of a better way to kick-start your week than with this exciting video sent in by Derek Prowse.  He writes:

Dear Joey and Rowdy,

Thrill! As my dachshund Tater and the Roomba continue to battle day in and day out.. Both are equally single-minded in the performance of their duties, be it guardianship or vacuuming. WHO will win the prized dominion of the dining room carpet?? WHEN will the fighting stop?? WHY did I tape a video camera to the vacuum cleaner?

We spied Mary-Kate Olsen walking what appears to be the same Dachshund back in July of 2011, now it must be Ashley's turn.  Via Celebrity Gossip:

Taking time out of busy schedule to give her pup some exercise, Ashley Olsen walked around the West Village in New York City on Saturday (February 2). The 26-year-old mogul had her hands full in a black overcoat, multicolored scarf, and black pants as she carried a couple of handbags, her coffee, and her little dachshund. Giving his stubby legs a break, she carried the pooch in his knit sweater for awhile.

We're hoping that your Sunday Morning is just as lazy as Tia and Teaka's, seen here in a new video by vimeoer Tamara C.

It's Friday and it's time to sing!  Thanks to Turnout Pete for sending in the link of his pretty little red longhair 'Loekie' out on a stroll on the streets in Belgium. 

Fan of The Big Bang Theory?  We're fans too!  Thanks to an Anonymous Dachshundist for sending this in.  It's making the rounds on facebook, but no one seems to have credited it back to its origin over at Captain Leisure - T-shirts, hoodies, and other super stuff. 

"Bigger breeds are making their move," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The popularity of the pint-sized, portable pooch just gave way to a litter of larger breeds in the Top 10. These predictable, durable, steady breeds, like Labs and Goldens, are great with kids and offer the whole family more dog to love."


Falling in popularity isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the more popular a dog, the greater likelihood that their numbers will increase in Rescue. And we are still in the top 10 after all.  Barely.

Thanks to vimeoer Malcolm for sharing some great old footage of his grandparents with their beloved wirehair 'Seppel' at Jarflotta, Sweden, 1935.

Hundreds of long dogs and their humans descended on Lummus Park in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday for the 11th annual South Beach Dachshund Winterfest. Activities included Dachshund Fortune Telling, Doxie Funhouse (tunnels, Odor-ama, scary badgers!), a Talent Show, Singing of the Dach Song and The Grand March! We're so jealous. 

Catch a slideshow of photos at NewTimes Miami. 

The 2013 Krewe of Barkus parade kicked off at 2 PM Sunday in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana - a sign that Mardi Gras celebrations have begun!  Above, The Glitter Queen Dachshund leads the way.  Photo source.


This red smooth might look a little glum only because her Dad is wearing a more outrageous outfit than she.  Photo source.

We want to stop and take a little time today to honor a great friend of Dachshunds who passed away this week, Helen LaBuda, of Cedar Lake, Indiana.  Maybe you are lucky enough to know someone in your life who is so incredibly passionate about animals, dogs, Dachshunds, that their entire life is devoted to their care and well-being.  This was Helen La Buda.  She worked tirelessly with MidWest Dachshund Rescue to rescue, transport, vet, foster, and rehome the canines that are dear to our heart, especially those with special needs.  Without her help, hundreds of Dachshunds would have perished, and would have never brought such joy to their new humans' homes and lives. 
We would ask that you consider donating to your local dog shelter or Dachshund rescue in her honor today.  Beacuse even in her passing, she will save more lives. This is what her life was all about.
If you have a few moments to spare, please head over to Happy Tails Books, where you can read a short story that she wrote for a book titled Lost Souls: FOUND! Inspiring Stories About Dachshunds.  Her wonderful sense of humor and love for Dachshunds really comes to light in just a few short paragraphs.  Here's the link. 

Thanks to our pal 'Princess Lea,' who hails all the way from snowy Slovenia for sending in the latest Drabble.  She says:  Drabble gets it on the spot again with the end of their vet series…

Read more Drabble at GoComics or keep up with Wally at his blog. 

Attorneys from both parties confirmed the settlement but said a confidentiality clause prevents them from commenting publicly on the terms of the agreement.
“Even though there’s a lot more to it than that, that’s the most I can say,” says animal law attorney Geordie Duckler, who represents Oregon Dachshund Rescue. “The terms of the settlement I can’t disclose. The only term we’re agreeing we can disclose is that Vanatta keeps the dog.”
The case was resolved relatively peacefully, and both parties are going their separate ways, says James McCurdy, who represents Vanatta.
Vanatta, an emergency medical technician who worked previously as a certified veterinary technician, took in the dog in August after responding to a plea from ODR. She promptly put him on a diet, and his weight-loss plan attracted national attention, including an appearance on the "Today Show" in September.
In October, ODR filed suit in Washington County Circuit Court, demanding that Vanatta return Obie to the rescue.
ODR founder Jenell Rangan claimed that Vanatta was supposed to take the dog only on a temporary basis. She maintained that Vanatta exploited him because of his weight, and failed to provide proper medical care for him, putting his public persona above his health.
After hearing testimony from both parties, a judge ruled at the October hearing that Obie should remain with Vanatta temporarily because he had no evidence either side could prove ownership. Obie has been staying with Vanatta since then.

Ms Vanatta also posted on Obie's facebook page yesterday:

Yes, you have heard correctly that a settlement with ODR has been reached. Obie went to his lawyer's office today and made it official. Today is a wonderful day in Obie's journey. Obie gets to stay with me and his brothers and continue his legacy. I cannot discuss the details of the case and ask for respect with that piece of the settlement. I know Team Obie will be happy to continue to support his journey to a healthier dog. Here's to the next stage of Obie's life! Thank you all for your amazing and endless support!

Obie has lost an astounding 28 pounds since he has been fostered.  He most recently weighed in at 49 pounds, down from 77.  Keep up with Obie at facebook.

Related:  Obie the Obese Dachshund

Poor Wally....we've been there and done that, little guy.  Thanks to the Slovenian Princess 'Lea' for sending in the latest Drabble cartoons.  She reluctantly says:  Looks just like me....don’t like vets much ;) 
There have been so many Drabble cartoons featuring Wally lately that we can't even share them all!  Keep up with all of them at GoComics.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. ~George Santayana

On Tuesday, April 23, 1918, Philadelphia's Evening Public Ledger ran a series of WW1 photos with the title: PICTURESQUE ECHOES OF WAR AND THE GRIM REALITY ARE CONTRASTED BY THE CAMERA'S EYE.  Included among those was this shocking photo. 
The caption read:   YOU ARE CHALLENGED by this grizzled but valiant Civil War veteran to "do your bit" in helping him hang the Kaiser's pet dachshund to the gallows specially created for the purpose at the Penn Square Post office.  The price is as many Liberty Bonds as you can buy from this doughty G.A.R veteran, George Good.

Thank Dog It's Friday.  Turn up the volume and stretch those little legs because it's time to dance.  It's time to sing.  It's time to party!  It's time for a Wiener Dog Party!

By youtuber ianmonat

Everybody needs a best friend.  Who's yours?

Video by youtuber instinctiveshooting.

When I first met you on the third of July
I was amazed that, though little, you stared into my eyes

All through your life, every picture I took
Your eyes were on me with that same special look!

I was never alone with you by my side
Whether happy or busy or just when I cried

You found a best friend in Miss Murphy Brown
And I know that you missed her when no longer around

When we went to grandma’s to mow and to chop
You followed me faithfully til it was time to stop

You made us all laugh with a rug on your head
And when you stole stuff you ran under the bed!

When I went to the hospital and came home to rest
You stayed by my side and snuggled…you were the best!

When we went to Auburn to fix up your spine
You were so brave…not a whimper or whine!

You swam in the tub and flexed out your paw
Of your will to recover, I was amazed and in awe!

With all the hard work we at last had success
You walked and you ran about four years, I guess

But again your back failed and you couldn’t stand up
Just one more challenge for my brave little pup!

We got you a wheelchair made specially for you
With your unstoppable spunk, you mastered this too!

For three more years we traveled together
We went out for our walks no matter the weather

I became your legs when you couldn’t walk
But you were and ALWAYS will be MY HEART!



Thanks so much to a special reader for sending in these beautiful words.  

Kaufmann started her film career at the age of seven in the 1952 adaptation of Im weißen Rößl (White Horse Inn). The film which brought her fame was Rosen-Resli, released in 1954, when she was only nine. She gained international recognition when she starred with Steve Reeves in The Last Days of Pompeii (1959) and with Kirk Douglas in Town Without Pity (1961). The following year she appeared in Escape from East Berlin.
In 1963, Kaufmann married Dachshund Lover Tony Curtis, whom she had met during the filming of Taras Bulba (1962). They had two daughters, Alexandra and Allegra. They would divorce in 1968. Kaufmann resumed her career, which she had interrupted during her marriage. Kaufmann is also a successful businesswoman, promoting her own cosmetics products line that sells well in The Motherland. She has written several books about beauty and health, as well as two autobiographies.

Read more Drabble at GoComics.

If you've got bad taste, or maybe just an odd sense of humor, you might appreciate the newest Bad Taste Bear figurine:  Dachshund.  It'll cost you about £18 and is available on the Bad Taste Bears website or eBay.

Thanks to an Anonymous Dachshundist for sending this in!

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of a legend - Miss Patti Page - who passed away Tuesday at the age of 85.  Regular readers of the Long and Short of it All will know our fondness for her fine voice, often featured amongst our boring old posts over the years.

As we stated in 2008 in Dachshunds in Pop Culture:  Patti Page:   While we don't think that Ms. Page was ever owned by her very own Dachshund, her accomplishments certainly require that she has a special place in Dachshund history. The above promotional photo was taken in January of 1953; she is "holding a dachshund in a pet shop, trying out her new song, How Much Is That Doggie in the Window."

Miss Page would go on to re-release and re-name that iconic song in November of 2008. Have a listen:  Patti Page Releases "Do You See That Doggie in the Shelter"

We would even romanticize our friend Geneva's 15th Birthday on Cape Cod:  Dachshund Relaxation: Geneva's 15th Birthday!



Which leaves us with one of the finest songs ever recorded, Tennessee Waltz.  What a huge impact Miss Page left on so many peoples lives through her art.

It must be the beginning of a New Year, because as sure as that big ball dropped in New York City (ball...did someone say BALL?!), Dachshunds converged in Key West, Florida, on Monday for the 8th Annual Key West Dachshund Walk. This year's event attracted about 200 long, short, and agile canines, and about 30 impostors!  
Video by:  KeysHomeShow

Can you spot the impostors?  

Photos by: AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau.

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. who passed away December 27, 2012 in Tampa, Florida, at age 78. Mr. Schwarzkopf was a United States Army general who, while serving as Commander of U.S. Central Command, was commander of coalition forces in the Gulf War.  With all politics aside, when notaries pass, we often have to ask ourselves "were they a Dachshund Lover?"
Well, it turns out that he was.  Mr. Schwarzkopf had a beloved wire-haired Dachshund who responded to the name of "Grizz."  Mr. Schwarzkopf would later reference Grizz in lectures on leadership, this one in 1996:

"People say to me, `you've got a lot of nerve talking about leadership,'" he said. "`You're talking to very successful business people who are obviously leaders,' and many of you in the student body are leaders."
Schwarzkopf debunked the myth that people must be born leaders to be effective.
"There is no such a thing as a born leader," he said, "They are made."
To illustrate his point, Schwarzkopf explained how Grizz, his "wire-haired Dachshund who weighs 15 pounds and looks like a dust mop," is the "undisputed leader in the Schwarzkopf household," and his other dog, a 90 pound well-bred German Shepherd, is not.
"Grizz has never looked at the mirror," he joked.
"It doesn't matter whether you're tall or short, or whether you're brilliant or not... if you start thinking like a 90 pound German Shepherd then by-golly you are going to be a leader," he said.

Best for 2013,
Joey and Rowdy,
The Long and Short of it All

What a perfect vintage postcard from around 1910. 

But wait...EVERY YEAR is the year of the Wiener Dog!

Read more Drabble at GoComics.

"Dog's World"

This is a dog's world
It looks like this
Everything smells kinda good to me

This is a dog's world
I like my life
I can run around and be completely satisfied

This is a dog's world
And my day is so fine
I eat, I drink, I eat, I drink, I poop and then lick my behind

'Cause there's nothing on my mind
There's nothing on my mind
This is a dog's world

'Cause there's nothing on my mind
There's nothing on my mind
This is a dog's world

This is a dog's world
I don't ask for much
Kinda energetic now so I think I'll get into some stuff

This is a dog's world
I like my life
I can run around and be completely satisfied

This is a dog's world
And my day is so fine
I eat, I drink, I eat, I drink, I poop and then lick my behind

'Cause there's nothing on my mind
There's nothing on my mind
This is a dog's world

'Cause there's nothing on my mind
There's nothing on my mind
This is a dog's world

By youtuber Francois Dior who notes:  The goofy idea for this song came when watching my Jack Russell terrier playing in the back yard. Hope you enjoy!


(Hey all, we're still on holiday vacation, but we'll be back real soon, J &R.)

If you love to watch videos here as much as we do, you know we can't get enough of pretty little 'Gypsie.'  Here she is getting ready for Christmas. 
By youtubers Chaîne de Julia and Gypsie who want to add:   Have a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy every single moment with your family, friends and pets!

Now go ahead and turn up the volume!

Have you got those gifts wrapped yet?  Thanks as always to our pretty pal 'Princess Lea,' who hails all the way from Slovenia, for keeping us up to date all year long with the latest adventures of Wally in Drabble, by Kevin Fagan.

Read more Drabble at GoComics.

Oh, look - Dad's dragged out the embarrassing naked puppy photos again in honor of my 12th birthday.  How original Dad!  I gotta admit though, I was a real cute guy at just 10 weeks old.  Not that I'm not real cute today - but I'm just more sophisticated, debonair, confident, and you know I'm gonna say it - Handsome.  I'm a real wiener in fact.
We also pause to remember my beautiful littermate sister 'Maggie,' also born on this day 12 short years ago.  We were supposed to sail through this thing called life together as a team, but often things don't go as planned, huh? 
My new wingman 'Rowdy' keeps me young at heart though.  Thanks for that little bro. 

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near,
A little gift from one held dear,
Best wishes for the coming year…

These make a Merry Christmas!
~John Greenleaf Whittier

Mid-century photo source unknown.

Sing it Daks!

By youtuber Michon Creative.

As the horrific events of the world come crashing down around you this holiday season, just stop.  Stop, relax, grab a long dog and invite them on your lap.  Caress them, fondle their ears, hug them, and read with them this Dachshund tale of a Christmas Yore:

He Should Have Known
By Bart Reedy

So, you thought your Christmas was a tough one?  Wait 'til you hear about mine!
It began early in the morning - much earlier than I am used to being disturbed.  But all of a sudden my two sisters and myself were pulled out of our warm bed and three pairs of hands started to brush us and wash our faces and clean our ears.  I even had two toenails clipped.
I should have known right then and there that this was the day our mother had been telling us about.  She kept saying we were all going to other homes.  In fact, she kind of gave me a complex about the whole thing.
Every so often she's let out a snide crack like, "I don't see why one of you couldn't have been beautiful like me.  Then you could have stayed here."  You see Mother never quite got over the fact that she won all kinds of prizes in some beauty contests.  There's a whole cabinet at the other end of the room filled with silver cups and dishes and things.  She won them all - or so she told us.
Well, it was pretty obvious that this was the big day.  I was put in a box that was awfully dark inside when they closed it.  However, it had a couple of holes punched in it so I could get some air.  I got air all right - it was plain drafty and for a long time after we got into the "wagon" I sat and shivered.  I know it was a "wagon" 'cause I heard that nice guy, Johnny, who used to feed me, say, "This old wagon needs a good going over.  I believe the battery is about shot."
After a while, I was lifted up in my box and the next thing I knew everything was bright around me.  Four persons were staring at me.  One was a man with a silly grin on his face.  One was a woman, who looked as if she had tears in her eyes.  Then there were these two kids - a girl with long golden pig tails and a smart aleck freckled-faced boy that I knew right away was going to give me a hard time.
The woman lifted me out of the box, held me against her shoulder and kissed me - yes, she actually kissed me.  Now, I don't go much for this sloppy stuff - so I started to wiggle.  Wouldn't you?  Next she handed me to the man, who gave me a playful pat on the rear end - only it wasn't very playful to me.  That guy has a mitt like a rock.
Next the little girl took me and somehow I got my left foot tangled in one of her pigtails and it took everybody to get it loose while she let out a long loud wail.  All the time that freckled-faced boy kept leering at me.
This pawing and squealing and loud talking seemed to go on forever.  Finally, one of them, I forget which one, put me down on the floor and I took off.  I ran to the nearest hiding place, which was in back of a big tree in the room.  Then you should have heard it!  Everybody was on their knees trying to coax me out.  But I had made up my mind.  This was a bunch of kooks!
Just when I was feeling safe, that freckled-faced kid lay on his belly, reached under the tree and grabbed me by the back of the neck.  I let out a yelp and that started the noise all over again till the lady said, "Stop, you're hurting the little darling.  Give him to me."
Would you believe it, this sort of thing went on for hours.  One of them put some milk in a dish and insisted that I drink it.  But I didn't want it.  Then they dipped my nose in it.  I honestly thought they were trying to drown me....and did I struggle!  At another point, that freckled-faced kid kept rolling a big ball at me and I kept running away from it.  What do you think he was trying to do?
Then, all of a sudden, someone decided to take me outside.  So the two kids put on some coats and hats and took me outside and stood me on the cold ground.  There I stood and shivered.  I was thinking, "What kind of a nuthouse did I get into?"  Well, whatever they wanted to happen didn't happen so after a while they took me back in the house.
I was no sooner inside when I had to go - you know - go.  So I looked around but I couldn't find any paper.  Now paper is a very necessary thing at a time like this.  But there was none.  So I just went.  If you think they were noisy before, you should have heard them this time.  I don't know what they were so upset about.  It certainly wasn't my fault if there wasn't any paper around.
Sometime later, they gave me a dish with some food in it.  I tasted it and it was pretty good stuff, so I ate some.  That started it again!  This time everybody was happy.  Boy, I'll never get used to this crowd.
Oh, yes, I almost forgot to tell you.  Early in the day someone asked what my name was and.....this you won't believe.....even I don't believe it.....the answer was Hector.  Imagine, Hector!  Well, I've got news for them.  If they think for one minute that I'm going to pay any attention to that freak name, they have another jolt coming.
I did manage to get through the day somehow but it wasn't easy....and boy, was I tired when they finally put me in a nice soft bed.....kinda like a basket....and everything got quiet.
I'll just bet they thought I would object to being alone....but I fooled them.  I was darned glad to be rid of them.  The last one that said goodnight was the freckled-faced kid.  He kinda jabbed me in the belly with a fat finger.  He and I are going to have a showdown one of these days....I can just tell it.
So you thought your Christmas was a rough one!  How would you like to be a 10-week-old Dachshund puppy?

END

This article was originally printed in The Reading Times, December 26, 1969, and then re-printed in the December, 1970 American Dachshund magazine, and now, typed out once more for the readers of The Long and Short of it All, December 15, 2012.  Vintage photo circa 1950-60, source unknown.

Wait - Wirehair Wednesday was yesterday!  But we couldn't wait until next week to share this heartwarming holiday gem.

By youtuber 351gag. (some sort of Association of German Paper Mills?)

Thanks to our pals 'Koko' and 'Hershey' Allen for taking the time to write us with nice pics of the Dachshund goods you can get this holiday season at Bath & Body works!  They write:

Thanks to all the folks who sent us links to this funny little video - we can't even list everyone for fear we'd leave someone out! 

Have a nice Wirehair Wednesday.  Rowdy will. 

Thanks to our pretty pal 'Princess Lea' for sending this in. She notes that "Wally seems to be on a roll this week!"

Read more Drabble at GoComics.

As seen at the local Party City in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Thanks to an Anonymous Dachshundist for sending this in!