Tiny Dogs!

Our dog chain was broken, about four years ago. The beloved Mr. Mike lived to be 14 1/2 and soon after his passing, his buddy El showed signs of rheumatoid arthritis. I like having an older dog and a younger dog; it is easier to train a dog when you already have a trained dog to set the good example. But, I was unwilling to bring a younger dog in with such an arthritic buddy. So, when El passed in July, 2006, I was suddenly dogless for the first time in years. At first, I wanted to get another dog right away. Eric wanted to wait. Then, I need surgery. We were just busy, all of the time. Last summer, we talked about a dog and then went through the Sammy Fiasco. I started paperwork with Dachshund Rescue but, did not carry through. My mom's health was failing and I was focusing much of my energy in her direction.

Just as Eric willed Sammy to us last year; he willed us two more Dachshunds. A co-worker of Eric's suddenly announced that she would be relocating to the Detroit area and asked Eric to take her two dogs. So, on September first, Buster and Barkley arrived. Small dogs have been a big adjustment. I've never had a small dog in my life and I certainly have never gravitated towards purebreds. My approach has always been to go to the pound and see who is there. I'd make my pick based on personality and how well I thought they'd fit in the household. This is a whole new deal. Overall, things are going well. They are both a delight.

Buster has learned to speak and cuddle. Barkley has learned "off" and "sit pretty". Both have learned to sit, wait and are now learning to shake. I've learned that they are essentially couch potatoes. I thought they'd be a little higher energy than they are. That is not a complaint; I really don't like being swarmed. Unfortunately, I am also learning about vasculitis. Buster has an issue with his ears that is a real problem that I am trying to get ahead of. All in all, I'd say we are doing well in the transition to household of tiny dogness.