Two Dachshunds Continue the Bonding Process

Sadie and Jasper watch and protect the top of the stairs.

My two darling dogs, one a puppy going on nine-weeks-old and one an adult going on four-years-old, continue with the ups and downs of becoming a two dog household. They are not best buddies yet but I can hope for that as the end result. Sadie plays with him but is not too rough even when he bites her with his sharp puppy teeth. These teeth snap and close shut like those of a baby alligator.

Jasper the Dachshund Puppy in the Pumpkin Patch

It was windy and cold outside, however, I managed to take a couple of cute shots. He is growing quickly and his older sister, Sadie, is teaching him a thing or two about taking her toys away.

Jasper as Count von Dracula

He wears the smallest vampire costume from the Martha Stewart Pets line available at PetSmart.

The costumes were on sale reduced down to 75% off their original price.

For the sale price of around $4.00, the costume was an inexpensive pet indulgence.

New Puppy Opens His Eyes

Is he ready for play or for a nap?

OK, my spots look like this on this side. I think those are sleepy eyes.

His new home is ready for him but he's still a few weeks away from coming home to meet his big sis. Will have to get some toys that are his very own to prevent conflict and jealousy.

New Puppy Arrives Late October

Sadie, my dachshund, missed her companion Spencer since his passing in August. We decided to take the leap and acquire another dachshund as a companion for Sadie. The new puppy will be Sadie's brother from a recent litter of her parents. We are already looking at the best options for the introduction of Sadie to her bother to minimize any behavioral or jealousy issues on Sadie's part. My hope is that she will help us care for him. My other hope is that he will be a bit more laid back than she is. I have a list of names going for potential names. The breeder named him Spats but will not be keeping that choice.

Crane Beach, Ibswich, MA

Crane Beach is my first beach of choice to take Sadie to for a dog walk. They have a nice large, clean area (turn left once on the beach) designated for off-leash dog walking and playing. Area is clearly marked with signs. Horses are not allowed in this area - so no danger of Sadie eating horse pooh. The beach and the dunes go on forever. Dogs are not allowed on the trails or in the dunes due to bird habitat and dune preservation. Window for dog walking on the beach is relatively short considering the duration is mostly during the harsh winter months. Time frame is from October through March. We mostly visit with Sadie in October and March. A nice pristine day such as last Saturday is an added bonus.

On the way home, we stopped off at Woodman's for some fried clams and refreshments. They have the best clams, which I usually enjoy. This time I went in a different direction and choose a delicious lobster roll and an order of homemade onion rings with ice tea to wash it down.

PS: If you live in Massachusetts, becoming a member of The Trustees of Reservations, which manages Crane Beach, is good for the environment and will enliven your weekends/holidays.

Forgot Sadie's Water Bowl

In a pinch, letting her drink from my hand did the job since I forgot her fold-up travel bowl. She, of course, did not mind the extra personal touch. It snowed here last night for three hours. The entire yard was covered in a thin layer of snow last night. What have I done to deserve such an early reminder of the winter months to come? People already have on gloves and winter coats. I flat out refuse to take such measures in October.

Wishing for Sunshine

Last weekend we had wonderful October weather. Today it is rainy, cold and no chance of sunshine. The change of seasons is harder this year. Of course, next weekend could be beautiful. Here is Sadie bounding up and down the beach - in beautiful sunshine from a week ago.

Happy Feet, Soaking up Fall Sunshine (while we can)

A must have for a long walk along the beach is a bag full of stashed dog treats, water, toys to fetch and a leash. Also, included were people snacks too. We have already had the heat on for a few nights. I hope to have a temperature rebound. Summer was too short. A long gradual cooling down fall is what I wish for.

Sadie visits Cranes Beach, Ibswich, MA

On Sunday, Sadie made a full day of it running, digging and looking for horse pooh between the shore and the dunes at Cranes Beach. Thankfully, she found none of the latter. She slept all the way home in the car.

Dachshund Featured in Berkeley Breathed's New Book

Flawed Dogs: The Novel features Sam, a dachshund with a messing leg.

Breathed of Bloom County (remember Opus and Bill the Cat) fame reveals the true flaw:

So in this world

Of the simple and odd,

The bent and plain,

The unbalanced bod,

The imperfect people

And differently pawed,

Some live without love...

That's how they're flawed.

Flawed Dogs, Berkeley Breathed 2009

Sadie as a Puppy

Puppies always seem to lighten the mood. With anger rising up even through the most esteemed ranks, sharing a puppy photo on TGIF seemed the thing to do. She loved her crate as a puppy. She no longer loves the crate and prefers my bed. The expression is misleading. One can read it as discontent of living life behind bars. This is actually the way she looks when she is contented. Big soulful brown puppy eyes are very persuasive.

Sadie's Rainy Day Blues with Louis Armstrong

Sadie Plays Half Pint in the Grassy Salem Meadow

Despite the rain or the threat of rain, the weekend turned out to be quite enjoyable and productive. I was able to finish yard work and planting annuals in the beds. Sadie also had some quality time and two productive high-impact walks. We even attempted to recreate the closing credits to Little House on the Prairie. This was my Half Pint's best take. Enjoy!!!



The result we had wished for.


After the brief shoot our budget did not allow for a fancy on-set trailer or other perks. Sadie simply collapsed after working for not quite guild level scale. Peanut butter treats were all the meager craft services could provide.

Sadie Takes New Toy Out for Test Drive

Sadie picked up a new toy this weekend since she did not make a big fuss at the groomers. Wetnoz, not a company I was familiar with, makes a toy called a Spring Roll an ergonomic fetch toy. It comes only in lime green making it easy to spot. Available in two sizes I choose the small and love how perfectly Sadie's distinctive dachshund profile fits in the hourglass shaped cup at each end. There is a small place in the center to place a treat, which provides play motivation. If you choose a treat that fits snugly in the center, you are in for quite a lengthy show as your dog becomes more and more playfully determined. Sorry for the hidden-camera video quality.

Sadie Off to Dreamland

Sadie - of course - not having Spencer's sense of maturity would not allow a post of him to go up without a bit about her. She enjoys sunbathing in the comfort of the living room in her own bed on weekend mornings. The bed by Yap Dog came from the Dog Spa where she also has her nails ground once a month. The Dog Spa is wonderful considering she hates having her nails done. They also do a procedure for Sadie that is un-ladylike to discus in this public forum. I'm glad they do this necessary procedure! The bed features a removable insert that can be taken out and washed separately. Also, the bottom of the bed has a waterproof lining in case there is an accident.

Sadie My Dachshund, First Blog

Sadie @ Liberty Hotel, Boston

Well, I had to get this blog started somehow. The best subject was an easy one. My stubborn, beautiful dachshund, Sadie, made the cut - of course. As the official and only dog-ter of the house, she is in obedient control of the house. She's no Ms. Danvers around the house but is a bit of a Green Princess who enjoys the Earth friendly toys from Planet Dog. Her favorite is the Orbee-Tuff Artichoke. Fill it and she is in doggie chew heaven.