Country Piebald

While perusing the pages of the new November, 2011 issue of Country Living, your Long and Short of it All host Joey let out a couple of big woofs when he turned to page 101 to discover a beautiful Piebald Dachshund named 'Dot' gracing the pages.  "Woof Woof!"  said Joey.  That means "Dot's Hot!"  Above, Dot lingers below a Pottery Barn clock in the family's mudroom. 

Here, Dot lounges on an estate-sale bench covered with oilcloth.  "I'd like to snuggle up next to her," Joey was heard to exclaim.  See more of Dot's Mission Hill, Kansas 1930's Colonial Home in the November issue of Country Living. 

Dachshunds are everywhere:  Country Living's Editor-in-Chief Sarah Gray Miller

Saturday Night Special: Dachshund Dragulous

The Unconditional Love of a Dachshund 

Vintage photo circa 1920s(?!) - source unknown.

Those Special Dachshunds: Meet Charlie!

Deep Thoughts

Thanks so much to Stephanie Rand for writing in with the tale of her beloved handsome 'Charlie.'  Boy was he lucky to find such a wonderful home with his new human.  She writes:

Dear Joey and Rowdy,

First welcome Rowdy! You're adorable and I look forward to getting to
meet you and see you grow-up with your new pal Joey.
I have been reading your blog on a daily basis since adopting Charlie,
my older rescue Dachshund, on December 4th of last year.
I was thinking of adopting a dog for about a year prior to finding
Charlie - I did my research and found him on Petfinder. A lady - who
usually rescues cats - was forwarded an email saying Charlie was going
to be euthanized by the end of the day. She rescued him immediately
and then, after making sure he was socially adjusted, put a listing
for him on Petfinder. I was the first person to reply to her ad and I
met him a day later and then he moved into my home.

When Charlie first entered my apartment - after sniffing out the place
- he stood in the middle of the kitchen and peed while smiling and
looking right at me. It was as if he claimed territory to my apartment
- I loved his spark of personality from the start. I had been living
alone for about a year after a long-term relationship break-up. I
can't begin to express how much laughter and fun the little guy has
brought into my life on a daily basis. I like to take him to work from
time to time, we've gone to both Dachshund gatherings at Washington
Square Park and he has made some new friends on my block as well.

This summer my apartment was broken into and Charlie happened to be
home at the time. He wasn't hurt but he has stepped up his growling
and barking when he hears any noises in the hallway to make sure we
both remain safe. He has also become an extended member of my family -
this summer I took him up to Vermont to spend a week in a cabin on a
lake with my Dad and sister. He went in the lake for a swim and really
enjoyed all the new sniffs and life in the woods. He loves to visit my
Dad's house and run around the yard and take naps with his granddogdad
on the couch.

Charlie at Work

Who's a Good Boy?

Teresa Berg/DFW Dachshund Rescue on CBS News!

(If you can't see video embedded here, click the title of this post to view)

This was on CBS Sunday Morning News a few days after our Maggie's passing when we were taking some time off the blog, but thanks so much to reader Jo Anne for writing in to remind us to post this!  It's awesome!   She writes:

Hi Joey and Rowdy!

I'm just one of your many loyal blog followers and I came across a really neat video about a lady using her skills to increase adoption rates. I had never thought of doing so before, and after watching the video I sure want to follow in her footsteps!

We have featured Teresa Berg's work here in the past, and also many stories on DFW Dachshund Rescue.  Ms. Berg was featured again this week on Dogster:  Teresa Berg’s Five Tips For Better Dog Photography, so be sure and check that out.  Also, fans of her work will want to know that her 2012 Picture A New Life Calendars are ready for delivery at DFW Dachshund Rescue.  100% of the proceeds go to Dachshund Rescue.

Dachshund Humor

Smiles everyone, it's Friday!  Thanks so much to 'Tootsie,' the Bicontinental Dachshund for writing in:

Dear Rowdy & Joey,

We were so saddened by the passing of Maggie. I have loved reading your blog with my humans since they rescued me.

And welcome, welcome Rowdy to the able companionship of the J-man.

I think your rowdiness, dear Rowdy, has already inspired much fun. We love your posting about the Wiener bitch.

To welcome you, I herewith enclose one of my cartoons from my own dog blog.

We look forward to many more barks!

In admiration,

Tootsie

Make sure and check out Tootsie's adventures on her blog!  She's an American by birth and a naturalized Swiss citizen who has some wacky adventures!

Vintage Dachshund Pride

Up on a pedestal - where every Dachshund belongs.  Aren't you proud of your Dachshund?

Vintage photo circa 1910 - source unknown.

I Have My Morning Coffee In My Bed

Do you prefer the German or the English version? By youtuber Detlef Cordes
who notes: Dachshund Hella having her morning coffee in bed.
 

Wiener Racin'

It's our favorite time of the year - Dachtober! - and all the Dachshund events are in full swing around the country and the world.  We're not so sure where these Wiener Races were held, but the light-hearted video will kick off your week with a smile.  By vimeoer Backyard Auter who notes:  After breakfast today I saw a bunch of people walking dachshunds around downtown. I was informed that it was an annual wiener dog race. I quickly drove home and grabbed my GH2 and came back to catch the action.

Please Welcome Your New 'Long and Short of it All' Co-Host!

Who, Me?

We're pleased to announce that the exhaustive search for your new 'Long and Short of it All' co-host is now over.  Ladies and Gentlemen, please put your hands together and give a warm welcome to.....black and tan wirehaired 'Rowdy!'  Yep, things are about to get a lot more "wirey" around here!  And the search wasn't really that exhaustive - we weren't looking for a new Dachshund, but Hot Toddy (his foster name), appeared on our MidWest Dachshund Rescue facebook feed, and we immediately fell in love with his soulful little eyes.  We can't thank MidWest Dachshund Rescue enough for all that they have done to bring some joy back in our lives after the loss of our beloved 'Maggie.' 

Rowdy was born on May 2nd, so he is just over five months old.  At the vets yesterday, he weighed in at 9.4 pounds, and the vet thinks that he will be about 16 pounds when fully grown.  Rowdy came in through MWDR with 10 other puppies as a result of a few puppy mill/large breeding facilities which closed down in Missouri.  He has been fostered for several weeks by a fantastic family near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Joey and Dad went to visit him a few weeks ago to see if he was a good match for us, and Joey took to him right away - they played some, and when Joey had enough, he let out a little growl, and Rowdy respected him and went and played with his toys.  So, Joey does like to play some, and he will also teach Rowdy how to be a great dog.

He is doing well in his new home.  Potty training is a work in progress, obviously, for a young pup whose world has just been turned upside down.  But in almost 3 days, he has had just one accident in the house.  He is distracted by the city noises when we go outside to take care of business, although he is less and less distracted as each day passes.  He loves to play, he loves his toys, he loves to snuggle, and like any Dachshund, boy does he love his food!  We're slowly switching him over to raw food, which he loves.  He hasn't had any diarrhea or stomach upset, so the transition is going well.  He is fascinated when Dad is in the kitchen - he'll just sit on the floor and watch in amazement at what goes on, and his eyes light up every time a cabinet door opens. 

Naming him was a tough job, and it was down to Rowdy, Barney, Harry Callahan (call 'Cal'), Cowboy, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (call Henry), Iggy, Teddy,Wiley the Wirehair, and Murdoch (Murdach?) the Dachshund.  Rowdy, after Rowdy Yates, the Clint Eastwood character in Rawhide was always near the top though, and it sounds a little like Toddy, and he was responding to it, so Rowdy he is, both in name and spirit.  It probably didn't hurt that there was a photo of Clint Eastwood on the sidebar to your right when the decision was finally made. 

And so, a new era has begun at The Long and Short of it All. 

Mr. Crazy-Eyebrows

Joey and Rowdy

Sing it Clint! Rowdy by Clint Eastwood.

A Note From The J-Man

Joey, Autumn 2008 

Dear Gentle Readers,

We'll be on vacation for a few days, but we'll be back later in the week.  Have fun in the archives while we're gone. 

Yours in Dachshund Love,

Joey.....

Molly

With heavy hearts, we report the passing of our friend 'Molly,' who hailed from McLean, Virginia.  Long-time readers of The Long and Short of it All will remember reading about this sweet gal way back in December of 2009.   Her human, Melinda Fancher, writes of her beloved one:

Dear Joey,

I was so saddened by Maggie's passing, but am glad to see the blog is back up and running.

My sweet little Molly passed away suddenly, at just 8 1/2, on September 21, 2011. She was diagnosed with IMHA, a blood disorder, on Tuesday, September 20, so losing her was a complete shock. There is a line from a Lyle Lovett song, "she wasn't good, but she had good intentions." Molly was always a bit mischievous and never let the opportunity for a good time go to waste. She had an intense love for playing with balls and destroying stuffed toys. She was a true friend to my mother when she was terminally ill, sitting quietly in my mom's lap in her final hours. I was lucky to have been her friend.

She was a grand Dachshund. 

We're so saddened with the passing of Molly and many of our Dachshund friends over the last few weeks and months.  It was painful to read about them in the comments of Maggie's passing, every single one touched our hearts.  Now, it's really time for all this to just stop.  Hug your furry friends tight and live in the moment like all dogs do, because these wonderful little animals are often with us for such a short time.

Cute Dachshund Puppy Destroys Home

Poor Lucy....Dad may seem a little rough on the little girl, but boy did she make a mess!  An unlisted video via youtuber BusterBay, who notes:  Yes this cute 8 month old Dachshund Puppy decided to do some redecoration. Within just a few short hours she pulled a 5 gallon bucket of dog food thru the house and ate her dog bed.

If you liked this, you'll love Little Guy's Big Mess

Happy 20th Anniversary to Dachshund Delights

We'd like to send the warmest of congratulations to our friends at Dachshund Delights on their 20th Anniversary!  20 years is a long time to provide us long dogs with the best in Dachshund harnesses and doggie supplies.  Head on over to their site for contests, prizes, and specials throughout the month. 

And for those in the NE Ohio and surrounding areas, they will be hosting their Wine & Hallowiener event again, Oct. 22 (1-4pm), at The Candelight Winery in Garrettsville. Don't miss it!  Please RSVP number of people and dogs to info@wineandhallowieners.com. Follow them on Facebook for more details.

Fond Remembrances: Itty Bitty Paintings for Joey and Maggie

'Joey' and 'Maggie' on canvas in front of Frankenmuth Dachshund

Continuing on with yesterday's theme of being taken back by the kindness of people, one day last April we got a package in the mail from our good pals 'Turbo' and 'Lily,' two long dogs who work closely with and volunteer a lot of their time for MidWest Dachshund Rescue.  We had no idea a package was coming from them, and when we opened it, we were absolutely shocked at the beauty inside:  itty bitty paintings of your 'Long and Short of it All' hosts 'Joey' and 'Maggie,' complete with itty bitty easels to display them on.  Apparently Turbo and Lily had a relative (we apologize that we can't read the artist's name on the back), paint several small paintings to be sold at MWDR's big "Cross Town Bark Around" Fundraiser in May.  In the process, two special paintings were created for Joey and Maggie, and they are just beautiful.  Joey's is great, and Maggie's is just awesome - the artist really captured Maggie's "look" - that wonderful "glare" that she gave Dad when she was tired of getting her photo taken, or any time her dinner was a few minutes late.  Again, these will be something we will treasure for the rest of our lives.  Thank you so much Turbo and Lily! 

The Whirr of the Tail

Anxiety - Maggie giving Dad that glaring look

Fond Remembrances: The Wiener Wagon for Maggie and Joey

Sometimes we're a bit taken back by the kindness of people.  Take for example this awesome "Wiener Wagon."  We got a note in January from a reader of the blog, Grace Liesa, who asked us for our address and said she had something special to send us.  And boy, did she!  It was Maggie and Joey's very own Wiener Wagon!   Grace hand-crafted and sent this to us solely out of the kindness of her heart, in honor of Joey making it through his surgery last year, and Maggie and Joey's birthday, which was last December 23rd.  We tried to get photos of Maggie and Joey beside it to post on the blog, but we could never get a good photo of both of them that also detailed this wonderful sculpture.  As time moves along so quickly, we never got the chance to post it to the blog, even after several more photo session attempts with Maggie and Joey.

We would like to rectify that situation, as something so special, especially after Maggie's passing, must be shared with everyone.  It means more now than it ever did, and will be something we will treasure for the rest of our lives.  Thank you so much Grace.

Grace noted to us:  I know you all had a rough one in 2010 (I realize that was an understatement), so I hope this cheery sculpture will bring smile to your face. May Joey and Maggie have a much smoother ride in their Wiener Wagon in 2011.  Take care, and send our doxie kisses to Joey and Maggie, and tell them although we've never met in person, we surely love them in our hearts, and think loving thoughts of them all the time. That was how this special sculpture was created.

Get your very own Wiener Wagon in Grace Liesa's etsy shop:  CJ Doxie Custom Sculptures.

Thank You

Living the High Life with a Good Looking Man About Town

Thank you for all the wonderful comments, emails, photos, cards and remembrances in the loss of our beloved Maggie, your Long and Short of it All hostess.  Each was read, appreciated, and loved.  Such kind words mean more than you could know.  It's been two weeks now since we lost her, the house is incredibly lonely, but each day gets better, at least that is what they say.  And it does...somewhat. 

Maggie had such an extraordinary presence - when she walked into a room, heads would turn - and it was no different than the large yet calming presence she had in her own home.  So it's a bit empty, and you think that you keep seeing her here and there (and everywhere!).

Having Joey, Maggie's littermate brother, around has provided great comfort.  He's doing OK.  He seems to sniff around for Maggie sometimes, but he's mostly adjusted.   For several days after Maggie was gone, Joey would come to the head of the big bed (which he hates, he'd rather be at the foot or in the center), and would just stand there while staring at the wall while dad would pet and talk to him.  He seemed to want and need the consolation, standing there still in silence for a good ten minutes or so each night for several nights.

Joey did get to go out for lunch with friends at a local restaurant a few days after Maggie's passing (see photo above) and provided great comic relief with his sly smile and clever ways.  He was such a good boy sitting in his own chair and waiting patiently for little bites of BBQ and sweet potato fries.   He also got to have a playdate with 8 of his Dachshund friends which he greatly enjoyed. 

There's a message on the answering machine we haven't checked yet, but coming from the vet's office, it most likely means that Maggie's ashes are back.  We still have to order her permanent urn, which will come from atpeace.com and will be similar to Louie's, which we got there some 11 years ago.  They provided the urn, and the beautiful white Dachshund statue came from a little antique shop in Amsterdam.  We were happy to find that the website was still in business after all these years.  A fine vintage bronze longhair Dachshund will sit proudly atop Maggie's urn. 

There are rumors that another Dachshund may soon come into our lives.  We weren't searching for another, but there he was, we fell in love with his eyes, he can help fill this hole in our heart, and we can give him a great home.  It seems incredibly soon after Maggie's passing, which we are really struggling with.  When is too soon?  Days, weeks, months, years?  How soon is now?  We've learned after Louie's passing that it can take many years to fully come to terms with the passing of a beloved furry friend.  But that furry friend will never leave your heart, and would never want you to be sad, crying, and moping around the house.  Dogs live in the present as they say, and they want you to as well.  So, as you never know what life is going to send your way, there may be a new Dachshund in our lives in the next few weeks.  Joey needs another buddy.  So does Dad.

As far as the "state of the blog," Dad has always said that if anything ever happened to Joey or Maggie, that the blog would cease to exist - it's their blog after all.  We're not so sure of that at the moment, maybe we'll be back soon - there have been some great Dachshund stories recently that we felt an urgent need to post.  Whatever would we do without this site and our wonderful friends here?

Thanks so much again.

Yours in Dachshund Love,

Joey and his Dad......

Beloved Maggie - December 23, 2000 - September 13, 2011

Dad's Little Girl Goddess

Our hearts are overflowing with unbearable pain and sadness as we relay the passing of our sweet baby Maggie, your Long and Short of it All hostess.  We're hoping to be able to write something to honor our beautiful girl in the next few days, but for now...we just can't, and nothing would ever be good enough, so how do we even proceed?   Suffice to say that you may not hear from us for some time.  Maggie's ultrasound today showed that she had liver cancer - unrelated to the Cushing's disease, and not treatable.   The tumors were "too numerous to count" and did not exist just 4 short months ago when she had her last ultrasound.  She was put to rest just a few hours after the ultrasound results with friends and her Dad at her side on the floor with her, as she lay comfortably and content on a warm blanket.  We were hoping to have Joey by her side as well, but sometimes things just don't go as you would like them to.  We've got a good feeling that "Joey knows."   We spent a lot of time reminiscing with her, loving her, stroking her, hugging her, kissing her, caressing her, and telling her of how special and beautiful she was and how all her friends - both near and far, loved her very much.  She passed quietly in our arms.

Now if only the pain would pass - oh God, the pain.  Our home is empty and cold.  Please hug your little ones tight.

I wandered today to the hill, Maggie
To watch the scene below
The creek and the old rusty mill, Maggie
Where we sat in the long, long ago.
The green grove is gone from the hill, Maggie
Where first the daisies had sprung
The old rusty mill is now still, Maggie
Since you and I were young.

And now we are aged and grey, Maggie
The trials of life nearly done
Let us sing of the days that are gone, Maggie
When you and I were young.

A city so silent and lone, Maggie
Where the young and the gay and the best
In polished white mansions of stone, Maggie
Have each found a place of rest
Is built where the birds used to play, Maggie
And join in the songs that were sung
For we sang just as gay as did they, Maggie
When you and I were young.

They say I am feeble with age, Maggie
My steps are less sprightly than then
My face is a well written page, Maggie
And time, time alone was the pen.

They say we are aged and grey, Maggie
As spray by the white breakers flung
But to me you're as fair as you were, Maggie
When you and I were young.

When You and I Were Young, Maggie; words by George Washington Johnson, 1864.



It's unfortunate that the original video we posted here, a beautiful acapella version of When You and I Were Young, Maggie, was removed from youtube, but this version by Donna Stewart and Ron Andrico is also quite beautiful.

Dad's Little Girl

Your Long and Short of it All hostess 'Maggie,' photo taken a few weeks ago

Tears are streaming down our face, and it's hard to compose ourselves as we read all the beautiful comments and e-mails from all over the world for our sweet little Maggie  Thank you so much.  We printed them out and read them to her last night.  It's painful to write that she is still not eating on her own - she is actually being force-fed as of yesterday to give her some nutrients to allow her pancreas just a little more time to turn around.   We're not so sure how we feel about that, but she is keeping the food down, and her pain is being controlled on pain meds.  Dad doesn't want a tube feed for her, or any TPN's, or any sort of surgery for her, she has just too many medical complications stacked up against her due to the Cushing's.  The veterinarian agrees with this.  We discussed a PPN with the vet yesterday, which would be partial parenteral nutrition in an IV, but he decided that at least if we force feed her she is getting complete nutrition.  We are no longer giving her the trilostane to control her Cushing's in hopes that, as Cushing's dogs are ravenously hungry, it will help her to eat.  The extra steroids she would produce may also help her.  She gets visits with Dad and Joey and some of her favorite friends every 12 hours.  On Monday morning the vet was positive that Maggie may still turn around, but with each passing hour that hope diminishes. 
Dad is going to work just a half day today and then take her to a veterinary specialty center this afternoon for an ultrasound so we can see exactly what we are dealing with, and hopefully have an answer as to whether or not she will be able to turn around.   Maybe a tumor has grown since she had her last ultrasound in May, or who knows really, but hoping that the ultrasound will provide some clues as to what exactly we are dealing with - liver, adrenal, pancreas, or gallbladder issues. 
She is getting the best medical care that she can, and all the wonderful vets and technicians love her, and are making sure she is comfortable - even putting a little blanket over her when she sleeps.  Sweet little girl.

Sweet Maggie

Maggie, September 9th, 2011

Thanks so much for all the kind comments and emails for your Long and Short of it All hostess 'Maggie.'  She is still in the hospital dealing with her most recent bout of pancreatitis.  Dad and Joey have gone to visit her every 12 hours this weekend.   She seems to have declined a little while in the hospital, she wouldn't pee last night for us, and no longer sits up and acts excited when we come to visit.  She is on pain meds, anti-nauseants, and IV hydration.  She did poop this morning, it was firm, so that was good, and there was no blood in her stools or anything which happened last time she was in for pancreatitis. 

As far as her lab values go, her liver is messed up pretty bad, and when she is discharged the good veterinarian wants to start her on a neutraceutical with SAM-e in it, says he has seen good results.  Another liver value is pointing to a blockage somewhere, possibly in the gallbladder, so she will also be started on ursodiol for that (Joey is also on ursodiol for his "gallbladder sludge").  And finally, since her pancreatitis has become chronic, we're going to try an antibiotic for 6 weeks that they give humans with chronic pancreatitis.  There are no guarantees that it will do anything, you really can't treat pancreatitis, but we will try. 

The plan was to bring her home on Monday morning, which would be 72 hours in the hospital.  We were to trial her with a few bites of food today, and if she was eating well Monday morning, then she could come home.  She wouldn't eat any of her food this morning though, so she probably won't be home tomorrow.

We're hoping and praying that she turns around quickly.

A Note From Joey and Maggie

Maggie, September 9th, 2011

Your Long and Short of it All hostess 'Maggie' is in the hospital again, took her in yesterday morning.  Her appetite has been decreasing for several months, she often won't eat a meal, or will eat just half a meal; she is fed twice a day.  The last few weeks have been worse, she will skip a meal, and then hardly eat any of the next meal, but then sometimes she would eat a whole meal.  She didn't eat anything at all Wednesday or Thursday - her raw meat, tried plain raw turkey from the grocery store which she likes, tried cooking it, and that seemed to help, and then added some cooked fat free eggs, and she would like that, but only maybe 5 or 6 very small bites - and chewing it instead of gulping it.  Even tried kibble and canned dog food - she wouldn't touch it.

With her Cushing's disease, you would think that maybe she is being overdosed on her meds, which would cause her to not be hungry, but she was also drinking lots of water the last week like a Cushing's dog would do, and even had a few accidents in the house because of it, which is totally not like her. 

So took her in for an ACTH stimulation test to see where her levels are for Cushing's, and also a blood panel.  It turns out that her pancreatitis is back, which Cushing's predisposes her to.  This is bad news because now it seems that her pancreas is becoming a chronic issue. Her diet hasn't varied at all, she gets her low-fat raw food, and low-fat snacks, that's all. 

Not sure how long she'll be in the hospital - her amylase and lipase values are very high, and the vet usually keeps pancreatitis cases in for 4 days with no food, just IV hydration, to let the pancreas rest and hopefully get better.  She was drinking water at home this week though, so maybe she can come home early since she was doing that, and continue her on the no-food for a few more days and then look at her amylase and lipase values again.  Will know more by tomorrow probably.

Her pancreas simply must get better.  Damn Cushing's Disease.