Get Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog's New Activity Book and Help Dodgerslist!

If there's a youngster in your life, or if you yourself are young at heart, you don't want to miss this limited opportunity:  Through July 2nd only, Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog is running a special promo to help as a fundraiser for Dodgerslist, your IVDD resource, and will be donating 30% of sales to the group for new activity books purchased. Sweet!

We happened to see an advanced copy of the new coloring and paper doll activity book, and we must say, it is very well done, and you won't be disappointed.

For those of you who don't keep up with Frankie on her blog, she does some pretty amazing things - from visiting schools to nursing homes - all with the message of no matter what challenges life may give you, always be positive, and always make a difference.  We're lucky to have such a canine advocate who just happens to be a beautiful Dachshund!

52 pages of fun and inspiration may be purchased at Joyful Paws for just $9.95. 

Back cover of the new activity book

Frankie (who, me?) and her new activity book

Dachshund News Roundup!

The countdown is on!  With four days to go til Spring, we couldn't be more excited to reacquaint ourselves with all the wonderful sights and smells the warmer weather brings.  This is a Dachshund News Roundup on a relatively cool March 16, 2011.  Sixty-degree weather is right around the corner!   Above, dog owners take advantage of the nice weather at the dog park at George Ward Park in Birmingham, Alabama, Saturday, March 12, 2011. The city of Fultondale has a new dog park making it the third municipal dog park in the area. A Dachshund runs with a ball as a Doberman closes in.  Source.

This Dachshund was so important to someone that he received a bust! (Rosa Bonheur Memorial Park, Elkridge, Maryland).  Via The Symbolic Beauty of Elkridge Cemeteries, the Elkridge Patch.

On Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 AM, eight local heroes and one organization were honored at the American Red Cross' signature event – the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions in Portland, Oregon.  While 'Missy' the Dachshund had no formal training, her barking definitely made the difference when her owner collapsed.  This is her story via the Oregon Red Cross:  An 11-year-old dachshund, Missy is a tiny dog with enormous persistence. Last September, she showed up at Charles Mitchell’s house, barking furiously and refusing to leave until he followed her across the street to where Missy’s owner, Charlie Burdon, a heart attack survivor, had collapsed in his bedroom after suffering dizziness and nausea. Burdon had managed to reach his wife at work, who called 911, but by the time she and the paramedics arrived, Missy and Mitchell were at his side. Burdon, who was later diagnosed with vertigo, rewards Missy with her usual treats, walks, car rides and trips to Home Depot. The two men, who have known each other for years, both agree that sometimes the biggest hearts come in the smallest packages.

And finally, when the Schoch family’s 5-year-old dachshund, 'Happy,' goes for a run, the little dog actually goes two wheeling.  Recovering from back surgery, the Baytown, Texas, black and tan has her own custom wheelchair to help her get around and boy, does she get around.  Here, Sarah Schoch and son Christian, 9, go on a walk with Happy.  Source. 

Remember, if your Dachshund shows signs and symptoms of back issues, or goes completely down where they can't walk, there are options out there!  Take your dog to your vet immediately, and listen to the good advice offered at Dodgerslist, your Dachshund disc disease/IVDD resource.  There's always a link to them in the links column on your right. They have a very active discussion list, and are real pros when it comes to offering advice for IVDD Dachshunds and general Dachshund health.

All Will Be Better Soon Piper

Please keep our Colorado Springs, Colorado, pal 'Piper' in your thoughts and prayers as she undergoes surgery today for IVDD,  Intervertebral Disc Disease.  Here's to a complete recovery Piper!  Her human, Cynthia Morgan wrote us last night:

Just because I feel like I know you and Joey and Maggie, I wanted to ask for prayers. Piper got up today and couldn't walk. She is going into spinal surgery tomorrow. The prognosis looks good, but it is still worrisome. I have lots of good thoughts about surgeries and getting better from your blog. Thank you for sharing your babies with me and the rest of the world. :)


Remember, if your Dachshund shows signs and symptoms of back issues, or goes completely down where they can't walk, there are options out there!  Take your dog to your vet immediately, and listen to the good advice offered at Dodgerslist, your Dachshund disc disease/IVDD resource.  There's always a link to them in the links column on your right. They have a very active discussion list, and are real pros when it comes to offering advice for IVDD Dachshunds and general Dachshund health.

Those Special Dachshunds: Meet Max!

Hey there Mr. Big Brown Eyes

Thanks so much to Susan & Tom Spencer from Montreal, Quebec, Canada for writing in and sending such a nice photo of their handsome black and tan smooth 'Max!'  They write:

Dear Joey and Maggie,

This is our sweet, sensitive 6½ year-old Dachshund named Max.  He had surgery 2 years ago for a severe herniated disc, and all has been well until he started showing signs of discomfort again this past summer.  Our hearts sank imagining him having to undergo a second surgery.  However, because he wasn't exhibiting extreme symptoms like last time, the vet chose a course of anti-inflammatories and pain meds, and told us to keep him as quiet as possible.  Well, it paid off.  Max didn't need a second surgery.  But it is more clear now than ever before that he has, and always will have, issues with his back, and we simply can't allow him to run and jump around like the wild man he used to be.  Sorry little fella. He doesn't seem to mind too much.  As long as he gets to play with his ball, he's a happy guy!

Controversy in the Motherland

Meet Michael Künzel and his sweet nearly 16-year-old red longhair 'Dalia,'  who hail from Mönchengladbach, Germany.  They are in a bit of a bind with local authorities after Dalia's vet has stated that the deaf girl should not be using a leash due to her IVDD issues - any sort of strain could lead to acute paralysis.  And even though Herr Künzel has a written certificate from his vet which explains the issue, he has racked up 700 € in fines, nearly 1,000 US Dollars for walking Dalia untethered. 

After going to court twice to fight the fines, Künzel must pay in full or go to prison.  "There are no exceptions to this law," the city has stated.

Read more (you may need to translate the link) at RP Online.

Those Special Dachshunds: Meet Chili!

Your 'Long and Short of it All' host 'Joey' is restraining himself from letting out a "woof!" after getting such nice photos in his inbox; that would be rude, wouldn't it?   Thanks so much to Brittany Dunlop for writing in about her handsome beloved red smooth rescue 'Chili.'  She writes:

Dear Joey and Maggie,

Three years ago, Chili came into Dachshund Rescue of North America foster care grossly overweight and with a series of other issues. I volunteer with DRNA and ended up adopting Chili after fostering him for a few months. About 6 months later, a disc in his back ruptured and I was told he would never walk again. Together, Chili and I worked hard and on his post-op exercises to prove the probability wrong. The recovery was intense, but with the help of so many people in the NYC community (including his daycare, Paws in Chelsea, to his incredible veterinarians at West Chelsea Animal Hospital) he began to move those little legs!2 Years later, Chili is now up and RUNNING on all fours. He is a true inspiration to all handicapped dogs and their owners. I NEVER gave up on him and in turn, he only gets stronger every day. Fashion photographer Justin Clynes took these photos of Chili and me on his 9th birthday to celebrate Chili’s great journey and the bond between us.

We're so glad to hear that Chili is doing so great after his bout with IVDD.  Hope he had a well-deserved grand birthday celebration. 

Joey can't stand it anymore.  Woof, WOOF, WOOF!!!  If only for Chili's inspirational tale!

Super Lance Revisited: Paralyzed Pooch to Therapy Dog

We're sure that you remember handsome red smooth 'Lance,' the Florida therapy Dachshund on a mission to brighten the days of the patients at Miami's Children's Hospital.  Lo and Behold, The Associated Press has recently done this Video Essay on Lance!    They note:  when their 6-year-old dachshund became paralyzed, Caio Stinchi and Claudia Machado had a specialized wheelchair made. Now little Lance has become "Super Lance", a therapy dog visiting sick children in Miami.

Keep up with Lance at his super website. 

Boy Meets His Heroine: Frankie The Walk 'N Roll Dog

Our busy friend 'Frankie,' the Walk 'N Roll Dog is in the news again, and this time she made the day of one of her admirers, a young Illinois boy named Cameron Thien.  Cameron was traveling with his family and visited Elkhart Lake, Illinois, when he was fascinated by Frankie's book in a gift shop there.  Turns out the owner of the shop knew Frankie's mom, Barbara Techel, and set up a chance for Cameron to meet Frankie!  Here's an excerpt from Fox 11 News:  Barbara says the most valuable lesson Frankie teaches is no matter what life struggles you face, you can be happy. Barbara says Frankie has given her a new outlook on life, and believes fate brought them together to help others, and bring happiness to kids just like Cameron.

Frankie is also in the current edition of Woman's World magazine, so be sure and pick that up!  Thanks to our buddies 'Kate' and 'Allie' for sending in such nice pics!  They write:

Dear Joey and Maggie,

Dachshunds are popping up everywhere. The July 19th issue of Woman's World (look at the supermarket checkout) has the story of Frankie the Dachshund, owned by Barbara and John Techel. Frankie injured his back and now uses a cart and has been visiting schools and hospitals to teach about disabilities ever since. (Page 40--the Inspiring Animal column)

We thought it was neat that this story appeared in WW, since it has a huge circulation and the ability to get a Dachshund story out to a large audience!

(click any photo to enlarge)

Those Special Dachshunds: Meet Barnaby (and Zoe)!

Thanks so much to Amanda Morrison for sending in the nice photos and story of handsome wirehair 'Barnaby' and his longhair "sister" who's named 'Zoe.'  Without any further ado:

Dear Joey and Maggie,


My husband and I adopted a wirehair Dachshund the weekend after we got home from our honeymoon (almost 1 year ago), as a playmate for our longhair mini Dachshund Zoe. Until we brought him home, he had his tail between his legs and was so scared - but the minute we introduced he and Zoe for the first time in the driveway, his tail went from underneath his legs to straight up in the air, and has remained that way ever since!!! We named him Barnaby (because of his old man beard, the name seemed fitting), and he has brought so much joy into our lives and Zoe's life. Zoe and Barnaby are the best of friends. We also love giving Barnaby a mohawk using the wire-hair on his head!

Here are some cute pictures of the two of them. One picture of Barnaby alone in the bed was taken while I was out of town - my husband sent it to me with the title "my replacement wife for the weekend."


Happy Wirehair Wednesday!!!
Amanda, Mike, Zoe, and Barnaby :)


Keep up with these 2 at their very own blog:  Zoe and Barnaby.  Looks like Zoe has had some IVDD issues, and could sure use some warm Dachshund thoughts. 

The "replacement wife for the weekend"

Dachshunds Don The Green And Raise Money For Dodgerslist

Handsome boy 'Kirby' is proud to be Irish for a day

Dachshunds and their humans got together on Sunday in Libertyville, Illinois, to celebrate St. Pat's Day and to raise money for a great cause:  Dodgerslist:  Your disc disease (IVDD) Resource.  The annual Luck of the Irish Dachshund Get Together was sponsored by The Suburban Chicagoland Dachshund Lovers.  Wish we could have been 2 places at once 'cause we were already partying with the Urban Chicago Dachshund Lovers. 

See more pics from the Dodgerslist fundraiser at Trib Local.

Thanks to our pals 'Kirby' and 'Wally' for sending in the link!

Harley Gets His Wheels - Now He Just Needs A Home

Meet 'Harley,' the red smooth Dachshund abondoned in Long Beach, California.  He was found to be without the use of his hind legs, but thanks to some kind animal lovers and Med ID Services, who donated his cart, he's ready for adoption to a special home at Long Beach Animal Care Services.   Read more about him and see a great pic of his handomse mug at Long Beach Report.

Does It Work? Doggie Steps

KLTV out of Tyler, Texas tested these "As Seen On TV" doggie steps at the Humane Society of Smith County, where the director volunteered her own Dachshund 'Bubba' for a trial run.  The steps were purchased at a local Bed, Bath, and Beyond for just $29.95.  Read more at KLTV. If you're having trouble viewing this embedded video (like we are! - there is a conflict with another news video on the page), you can click on the title of this post and try viewing it there, or trying at the link to KLTV.  It's worth the effort.

Ain't Too Proud To Beg, But Is It OK For Our Backs?

CRW_4401 by Teresa Stanton

You see it again and again in the Dachshund community - cute little wiener dogs begging or sitting up on their hind legs - looking so cute that you just want to eat 'em up, but is it safe for Dachshund backs?  We hear the reply again and again - NO! - but that's not what a veterinarian said yesterday in the Los Angeles Times.  In fact, this vet recommends the practice as a way to strengthen a Dachshund's back:

Jane's question: What are some ways to keep a dachshund's back healthy and strong? Other than preventing accidents, are there any exercises or supplements I can give my dog?

Heather Oxford, DVM: As you may know, many dachshunds have a hereditary back condition called Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). This causes the discs to slowly degenerate, which makes them less resilient shock absorbers. Any activities that cause compression through the spine are considered high-risk for disc herniations and neurological problems including paralysis.
Such activities include running down stairs, jumping down from furniture, or jumping up and down on the hind limbs. At CARE, we encourage spinal flexibility and core strength by dozens of exercises. One such exercise is sitting up, a.k.a. "begging." This is a core strengthener that helps protect the back from injury. Also, I recommend fish oils that have concentrated amounts of omega-3s such as DHA and EPA. Not all fish oils are created equal, so make sure yours is independently tested for mercury and other contaminants, and that it meets its label claims.

We really need to know the truth because every time we sit up and look incredibly adorable, Dad tells us to stop.  What's a wiener dog to do?