Maggie Mornings

Maggie, 6 AM, August 5, 2011

Miss 'Maggie,' your Long and Short of it All hostess, enjoys gardening with her Dad in the early morning while her brother 'Joey' snoozes away on the big bed until it's breakfast time.

Gauis Rocks the Henrico Pet Expo

We're sure that you remember our pal Gauis, the tricky little Dachshund who starred in the fun video Play?, and later went on to be the first-ever Dachshund to win a trick title?  If you're keeping up with him on his blog, Untrainable Dachshund, you know what a busy boy he is, but here's a great update from his mom:

Hey Joey and Maggie!

I thought I'd bring you some Dachshund news from the Virgina Henrico Pet Expo. Our little long haired miniature Dachshund Gauis Baltar participated in both the trick demo and the dog agility demo. He was quite a hit, especially since he was the only small dog to participate in the tricks demo. This video highlights some of the highlights of his performances (With a few new tricks since our last video).

Yours truly,
Elizabeth and Gauis

Gauis jumps over his friend 'Lindie,' a black and tan lab.

Go Gauis!

Deaf Dachshund Learns Sign Language in Prison; Adopted by School for the Deaf

Meet 'Sparky,' a 1-year-old deaf double dapple and two of his friends, Catherine Slinkard and Michael Miller, where he now resides at the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton.  Sparky was surrendered to a shelter by a breeder, and when the shelter couldn't home him, he was sent to prison - the slammer, the pokey, the big house, the joint, Club Fed - where he was trained in the Puppies for Parole program.  Excerpt from the Fulton Sun:

After eight-weeks of training at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking, the prisoners decided they wanted Sparky to find a home at a school for the deaf so he could help others. When Barbara Garrison, superintendent at the Missouri School for the Deaf, was contacted about adopting the dachshund, she said, “Bring him on! We will take him.”

Garrison drove out to SCCC to pick up the dachshund the inmates had named Zeus. She said when she first brought the dog over to the school, he was bouncing all around with such energy “like a spark plug” that “it was natural that his name needed to be Sparky.” She added that Zeus was also more difficult to pronounce.

“He fits perfectly here,” Garrison said, “because these kids hear all the time what they can’t do. We try to tell them what they can do.”
She said it’s been the same for the deaf dachshund. The inmates taught him a some sign language, and now the students are trying to continue his training. Sparky knows the signs for “no,” “sit,” “lay down,” “stay,” “stop” and “heel.” Slinkard said she’s been working with him on “outside” and “food.”
Garrison said she receives a weekly call from SCCC staff, checking to see how Sparky is doing. He usually stays at Garrison’s house at night where she keeps four other dachshunds. During the day, he may be seen around campus. Sometimes Sparky can help calm a student with behavior or social problems down, Garrison explained. Not only can he be used as a therapy dog, but when students such as Slinkard and Miller have to take care of him overnight, Garrison said it teaches them responsibility.
“He likes his new deaf family here,” she said.

Read this fantastic story in its entirety at the Fulton Sun. 

Two-Face

double dapple dachshund "two face" 2 by flickrer Soggydan

A dapper double dapple Dachshund enjoys the 2010 Dachshunds On Parade in Ellensburg, Washington. 

Amazing Dachshund Tricks - Slovenian Style!

Fasten your seat belts and turn up the volume!  Kicking off your Monday with incredible grace and style, meet insanely Handsome and talented black and tan double-dappled 'Darth!'  Thanks so much to his human, Jasmina Cakiči, for sending in the video.  She wrties:

Hi Joey and Maggie!

One big hello all the way from Slovenia!

We're just sending you a short clip of what we know. Hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did!

Homes Needed for Four Blind Dachshund Puppies from Ohio Puppy Mill

 

If your can open your heart any wider, these cute, blind, and possibly deaf puppies need a loving home.  They are located at the Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary Inc. in Vermilion, Ohio.  Excerpt from Fox 8 News:

Director Deborah Parker says careless breeding left a litter of puppies blind. They were born with a condition called Microphthalmia, which happens when two dachshunds with the dominant "dapple" gene, are breeded together.
"We're looking for homes for these puppies and we want to make sure they go to good, loving homes. Their life expectancy can be 15 years. Even though they are blind, they can live a normal life. They just need love and patience with someone who's willing to work with them," Parker told Fox 8 News.

Read all about these special souls at Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary Inc.

All in a Dog's Day

A Dachshund Trilogy: Dryer Sheet, Hiding His Toy, and Battle With the Swiffer by youtuber melncholysdness who notes: Meet my dapple Dachshund Maurice.