It's Peachy Day

Yes, it's Peachy Day, where we celebrate the day we made our secret drive to get Miss Peaches 12 years ago.

 It was secret because at the time we had 1 standard size wire hair dachshund named Watson. My daughter Marlena said she wanted a mini wire hair, which I didn't think was going to happen. I had never seen an ad for a mini wire hair locally.

Watson, protector of shoes.

But as happenstance would have it, there was one listed in the paper, so without telling her, we went to look at the dog. It happens my husband is a dog control officer, so we said we were going on a dog call and took Watson with us. Marlena being a teenager was unconcerned with whatever we were up to.

So we drove to the next county in the snow. Peachy was one of many owned by a vet tech that needed to downsize. Peachy was sweet and her first meeting with Watson went well so we decided to take her. When we brought her home I called Marlena downstairs, I said Merry Christmas, and handed her the dog. She was so excited, she was basically hyper-ventilating. I told her to stop she was scaring the puppy.

So the rest is history as they say, and there have been many adventures with the old girl. The Peach is the matriarch around here even though she never had pups of her own. We love her dearly

She's my little digger, the brave scaredy cat, the great communicator, and if my mom were a dog Peachy would be her as she is always there for me when I need her

She's been lost and then found, survived fighting with a muskrat and major back surgery. Dug many a hole and had to be washed and I hope she will be with us for as long as she is able. Still going strong, 13 years old next April, Happy Peachy day old girl!!

The gang's all here!

Keep Your Hot Dogs Chillin

Wow, as we work towards a day of record breaking heat ( 10AM, 89 degrees in the shade), it's always a good idea to keep your hot dogs chillin. I got the crew a little cabana to hang out on. They've been a little resistant to it, preferring the chaise lounge that they're used to, but it doesn't have the shade, so that's why I got it.

I bought the larger model, so if they wanted to, they could all be on it together, That event hasn't happened yet. I think we're up to three of them on it at once. Spaatz really likes the lounger because he uses it for a look out. Specifically for squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks and bunny rabbits.

Mr Foo, (Foozeball), the old man, really is a sun worshipper so he will go out and bake himself for a little while, then come and check out one of the many dog beds available with a ceiling fan running.

Miss Sandie Poo was really turning into a mop again so I gave her her second shave of the season. She cooperates very well until we get to the feet, which she decides all bets are off. That's when I sit on the floor with her laying stretched out on my legs and I finish her up.

Miss Peaches had been experiencing a little back problems, but she has rested up and is doing much better now. otherwise everyone has been doing well and I for one am looking forward to the fall and some cooler weather.The doggies don't get as much outdoor time in this heat, so I think they'll agree.

Happy Birthday Miss Peaches and Foozball 2018

The beginning of April every year finds us celebrating the birthdays of our beloved "old" dogs, Miss Peachy and Foozie.  Fooze's birthday on the first because it seemed appropriate. Not sure of the real date, we know it's in April. Peaches is officially on the 2nd.

Peaches is 12 years old now which clocks her in around 84 years old. She has a lot of spirit and hopefully she will live to be our oldest dog ever, beating out the 13 year mark by plenty.

Mr Foo is 11 years old now. He seems to be showing his age a bit more as he has become pretty deaf. I can walk in and out of the house several times, carrying bags and the other dogs dancing around excitedly without him hearing enough to disturb his slumber.

 Peaches still has a whole lot of spunk for a 12 year old dog that has recovered from major back surgery four years ago. If there's an adventure to be had, this girl is game.

The two of them have definitely slowed down. They have gotten so they don't feel like getting up for every little thing.I did insist this morning that if Peaches wanted a slice of frozen banana she would have to get out of my bed and come into the kitchen. She did.

They should still have many sunny days ahead for them, many doggie adventures still to be had.

Peachy will always be up for a good hunt as long as there are critters in the garden.

Mr. Foo as a dacshing youngster.

Spaatz and Sandie, both 7 years old are our youngsters.

Miss Peaches: Swiffer for the Planet

I recently took the dogs for a little hike on the local Greenway trail, which was very nice and the dogs thoroughly enjoyed it. Part of the trail is all leaves and sticks from the past fall. Which can be problematic for Peachy. I have to remove a variety of leaves and debris from her underside afterwards

If you find yourself lucky enough to own a wire haired dachshund or two, you may be all too familiar with the phenonmenon of the canine swiffer. Miss Peaches, in the photo above has just had a bath after a walk. As you can see, she can't do a thing with her eyebrows after a bath.

Now I'm sure the same could be said for the long hair dachshund as well. Rupert here, my "grand dog" would experience the same issue I'm sure, but he's in Florida and hasn't been on any trails in New York as of late.

Some of you may recall Miss Peach has a similar problem with snow. The worst part about that is, while you might think you could "brush" the snow away. You would be sadly mistaken. It quickly becomes embedded and has to be pulled out, snowball by snowball.

Soon, with the warmer weather I will have the ritual "shaving the Peach". It helps keep the bugs down and her undercarriage a little more tidy. My other wire hair, Sandie, I keep shaved year round.

As you can see, while she is very cute, the fur is very fine and prone to matting. She hates to be brushed, and will run away if she sees the brush. She is very cooperative for the shaving process, so it works out better for all this way. I like to say she is part "O-Cedar".

She does clean up very well I must say. Then there are the boys, Spaatz and Foozeball, or Mr. Foo.

They don't have these problems with their short fur. That can cut down on the number of dogs that need to washed after a hike. While we have the whole process down to a science, it can be a lot of work and towels. The hazards of having a bunch of low rider dogs. It's okay, they're totally worth it.

I wouldn't change a thing.

My Golden Girl

Miss Peaches and the Schnitzel

Last night I was making schnitzel with mushroom gravy, home fries and asparagus. We were plating our food when an incident occurred that naturally involved the dachshunds, being opportunists,

Now who should be at the center of this event? None other than Miss Peaches. I had warm plates in the oven that I had put the schnitzel on and was continuing with the potatoes. I noted that the meat nearly went sliding off my plate when I moved briskly. Pay attention, foreshadowing here.

My husband, Jerry grabbed his plate and put what looked like a lot of potatoes on it. Then I looked and realized the schnitzel I had put there moments ago was gone. Where's your meat ? I said

Then I looked down and the boys were licking the floor. Oh my goodness, I couldn't believe it! I could, actually, because it nearly happen to me. Now mind you, there was a sound of a very minor altercation between the dogs at this time. Not serious enough to be about a nice piece of meat.

As it turns out we continued getting our plates filled, fortunately there was another piece of meat, I was about to sit down when I realized Miss Peaches still had the schnitzel and was chewing away at the edges. I was wondering how the whole piece of meat had been devoured without us noticing, with nothing left ,but to lick the floor. The meat was confiscated. The threats of no bedtime snack was rescinded. Kinda. Peaches ration would be reduced considerably.

I can't blame them, it's not like they stole it. It was literally thrown at them. I was impressed that Miss Peachy with hardly so much as a tiny growl took control of said piece of meat. Still the queen she is. Spaatz has been claiming top dog status sometimes lately. I guess when it's something really outstanding she will take command in short order. When your an old girl it has to be worth the effort.

Miss Peaches- Always the queen of my heart.