It all started with Oscar, the most adorable black & tan smooth puppy I had ever seen.
Oscar (a/k/a Pie and Monkey Butt)
Oscar is my canine "soulmate". If I was a dachshund my personality would be just like his (except I probably wouldn't lick the kitchen floor, chew my toes or eat lizards). We both are avid readers, generally well behaved and introspective. Oscar loves destroying toys, chewing bones endlessly and is the world's best napping partner.
Louie (a/k/a Gooby, Dorkster and Cow Dog)
Louie was adopted from the Rescued Rescuers Dachshunds & Friends of the Emerald Coast. His original owner became ill, had to be hospitalized and was no longer able to care for Louie so he was dropped off at a shelter. During his shelter stay he became extremely ill with an upper respitory infection. Fortunately the shelter contacted rescue and they busted him out of the shelter, got him the proper vet care and placed him in a loving foster home. Louie is a monumental snuggler, an infinite tail wagger and a champion snacker. He is also a world class digger and would probably be running around in Beijing if I didn't thwart his efforts. But I doubt there is a sweeter weenie on this planet (or any other) than Louie. He is a true gem and I am so happy we found each other.
In Memoriam
Charlie (a/k/a Binks, Mr. Frosty Paws and Wise Old Owl)
Charlie was my first rescue in 2002. I was instantly smitten with this senior boy who had been neglected by his owner and dumped at a Jacksonville Humane Society. Charlie had a severe periodontal disease, his breath was so foul it could be smelled across the room. The Humane Society knew they could not afford the cost of his vet care so they contacted Dachshund Rescue. Rescue took wonderful care of Charlie, they had him neutered, brought up to date on his shots and had him heartworm tested. Most importantly they got him the necessary surgery for his mouth. He had to have all of his teeth extracted, some were so rotted they literally crumbled out of his mouth. Due to the loss of teeth he was very drooly when I first adopted him and his breath was still quite foul. His tongue was always slipping out the side of his mouth. But soon he adjusted to his lack of teeth and the drooling stopped and his breath got better. He now gives sweet smelling sideways kisses! A year after I adopted him he had to have back surgery and then hernia surgery. And after all that he had a severe neurologic reaction to some medication. But through it all he remained a happy, happy boy with his tail always wagging. Recentlyhe has again been experiencing some back problems but with a great neurologist and lots of crate rest he is still able to get around and do his special Charlie dance. And most importantly he is happy and content. Yes, I spent over $10,000.00 in vet bills but I would have spent 10 million, he is worth every cent!
Update: My beloved Charlie went to the Rainbow Bridge on June 18, 2010 leaving a giant Charlie size hole in my heart. Godspeed Mr. Binks, you were truly one of a kind and I'll miss you every single day for the rest of my life.
My next rescue kid was Jacob an 11 lb chocolate boy.
Jacob (a/k/a Bean, Bean O' Ween, Butter Bean, Jake the Snake and The Snakeinator)
Poor Jakie, he was found lost and alone, wandering the streets in Jacksonville, clearly he had been abandoned and had been on his own for quite some time. He had lost most of his fur, his nails were so long they had grown over his paw pads and he was also covered in waste. Dachshund Rescue to the rescue! Initially the vet thought Jacob was about 15 years old but once he was cleaned up and got some fur back his age was estimated at around 6. While in foster care his foster mom discovered something else: poor Jakie was ill, he suffers from epilepsy and was having seizures (this is why he was covered with waste when they found him). Can you imagine being a tiny 11 lb doxie all alone on the streets and having seizures with no one to comfort you? His story broke my heart and I had to adopt him too. He was a scared crusty little guy for many months after he came to live with me, but as soon as he felt secure and knew I was going to love him forever and not abandon him he turned into the most loving cuddlebug.
Update: Jakie went to the Rainbow Bridge November 2012. He suffered from Congestive Heart Failure and kidney disease and dementia. He was an endless source of amusement and he was always the one who stuck right by my side, foregoing all else, to keep watch over me when I wasn't feeling well. I really miss his grumpy curmudgeonly self and even though he's no longer here I still find myself checking to be sure I don't throw q-tips in the bathroom trash lest they be eaten.
Next we have Heidi Lou Who, an AKC registered smooth chocolate & tan dapple girl who I was fostering for Florida Dachshund Rescue.
Heidi (a/k/a Star Belly Sneech, Louis, Lou Lou and Loopy Lou)
Her family dumped her just before her 3rd birthday because they got new carpet. Unimaginable to me! As soon as Heidi walked in my door I knew I could never let her go. She is the sweetest, kissiest little girl. I believe she was abused by her first family because when she first came to live with me she was very submissive and would cower and roll over whenever we would try to pick her up. Since she's been with me she has learned that the hands in this house do not hit but offer only soft petting and tummy rubs.
Update: Heidi went suddenly and unexpectedly to the Rainbow Bridge on 2/27/14. After a few days of not feeling well the vet decided upon exploratory surgery and found her abdomen full of blood and a very aggressive form of cancer. She had never been sick a day in all of her 11 years so it was quite a shock. She was very smart, very wiggly and was the only one who appreciated my singing. It's just not the same around here without her special light.
And then along came...
Vinnie (a/k/a Vinster, Stirry, Vin-a-Min, Vinnie the Lip )
The local Humane Society called me and asked if Florida Dachshund Rescue could take in a senior red male. He was a stray with no identification and after a week in the shelter no one had shown up to claim him. So of course I rushed over to pick him up. He was literally skin and bones, I could count his vertebrae and ribs. He is also missing all of his top and bottom front teeth. The missing teeth give him comical expressions, his lips get hung up on his incisors which earned him the nickname "Vinnie the Lip" and his tongue sticks out in front as if he's giving a big ol' raspberry. Poor Vinster has also been diagnosed with a high grade heart murmur. So far it's not affecting the quality of his life, he's a spunky little guy but the vet suspects he'll eventually need to be put on heart medication. Vinnie is the sweetest, most laid back doxie I've ever met. He may have a "boo-boo" heart but it is 100% full of love. I've never bonded with a ween as quickly as Vinnie. He is a gentle soul with wise, understanding eyes. He was supposed to be a foster but after only a few days with him I knew he was meant to stay right here with me and the gang.
Update: After a long illness and battle with congestive heart failure, kidney disease, blindness and deafness, my sweet Vinnie went to the Rainbow Bridge on 1/6/15. Never have I seen a dog persevere with such willpower and grace against the unfair cards that were dealt him. But finally his illnesses became too much for him to bear and I had to let him rest in peace. As I held him in my arms for the last time at the vet's office he raised his face to mine, and though he was blind and couldn't see me, he touched my nose with his nose three times. I think he was trying to comfort me. I imagine him now at the Bridge, restored to health with razor sharp vision and perfect hearing, his big old heart beating strong and true while he runs and plays and chases lizards, squirrels and bugs. Forever in my heart.
I'm passionate and dedicated about dachshund rescue. There are so many doxies in need and with vet expenses and surgeries, spay/neuter costs, heartguard medicines, flea medicines etc. it always seems there are more doxies needing help than money to help them. That's why we donate merchandise for fundraisers and hold raffles to help support Dachshund Rescue. Rescue work can be heartbreaking but it is also the most rewarding thing I've ever done. Thanks to folks such as yourself who are taking time to read this and who have shopped at What's Up Dox Dachshund Shoppe we can make a difference every day in uniting an abandoned, abused or neglected doxie with the perfect forever adoptive family.