Howl-O-Weenie 2011

Warning! In keeping with the subject matter, today’s post is looong, but you’ll be rewarded with some cute dog photos, like these of my grand-dogs Special Agent McGee and Federal Agent Chutsky:

Special Agent McGee and Federal Agent Chutsky -- on a stakeout.

Catching some Z's after an exhausting day of fighting crime.

Today Writing in the Buff offers the naked truth about wieners---those long, strong, lovable Dachshunds. Here are a few fun facts:

• Dachshund means “badger dog” in German, which is fitting since they were originally bred to hunt badgers and exterminate vermin in general.
• Dachshunds are one of the most popular small dog breeds in America.
• Dachshunds are bred in three different coat varieties: smooth, wire-haired, and long-haired. They can be miniature, up to 11 pounds, or standard, 16-32 pounds.
• Dachshunds are playful and energetic.
• Dachshunds require only moderate exercise and adapt well to most living environments.
• Because of their instinct to burrow, Dachshunds will tunnel beneath your blankets and pillows, and sometimes under your shirt.
• Dachshunds love to cuddle and are extremely affectionate.
• Dachshunds adore the company of other Dachshunds.

The following quote on Dachshund temperament is direct from the American Kennel Club, and is so true of my daughter's two mini Dachshunds that I laughed out loud when I read it. Please note that the words in parenthesis are not part of the actual quote, but are those of my grand-dogs, thrown in for good measure:

Temperament
The Dachshund is clever, lively and courageous (“Why, yes, I am!”) to the point of rashness (“I must protect my human mom from that 100 lb. Rottweiler!”), persevering in above- and below-ground work (“I’m not hiding under the blanket to avoid a bath; I’m badger hunting!”), with all the senses well-developed (“Did you hear that? Three blocks from here someone just flipped the cap off a can of Easy Cheez!”).  Any display of shyness (“Is that even a real word?”) is a serious fault (“Fault? You must be talking about the neighbor’s Chihuahua.”).

That quote explains why the Howl-O-Weenie Festival is possible. Picture a field full of Dachshunds costumed for Halloween, all ready, willing and able to participate in contests such as Dunking for Wieners, Tail Wagging, Face Licking, and Best Costume. Oh yeah, and there are Weenie Races, too.

One of my posts in October of 2010 detailed last year’s Howl-O-Weenie Festival. If you missed it, you may want to check out the photos. Here’s the link:  Click HERE.

Howl-O-Weenie is sponsored by DREAM (Dachshund Rescue, Education, Awareness and Mentoring). This organization does an amazing job of rescuing, fostering, and finding forever homes for Dachshunds in need. My grand-dog, Federal Agent Chutsky, is a DREAM rescue, just one of the hundreds of furry companions saved and protected by the loving volunteers who keep this non-profit organization humming. For more information on DREAM, click HERE.

This Festival is such fun, and the dogs, along with their human companions, are a joyous bunch with whom to spend a fall afternoon. It’s hard to beat Dachshunds when it comes to good, goofy fun. These little furries are game for just about anything. Without further ado, here are some photos we took at the 2011 Howl-O-Weenie Festival.

 

Captain Jack Sparrow

Why, that little doxie -- she's a barmaid!

 
  

The Red Baron

This good-natured Great Dane enjoyed himself.

Ahoy!

Las Vegas showgirls.

Clever take on that mysterious airline hijacker.

The littlest soldier.

Thinking inside the bun.

Thinking outside the bun.

Thinking about the bun.

"I could've sworn my Harley was over here somewhere!"

Livin' the label, baby. Livin' the label.

"Maybe Mom will dress me up next year, after I grow into my nose."

 

So now you know the naked truth about wieners. Well, the fun stuff, anyway.  I didn't mention that 1 in 5 Dachshunds has the potential to develop back problems, some severe enough to require a wheelchair. The dogs don’t know they’re disabled and continue to live joyful, loving lives, but of course special treatment by their human companions is required.  For more information, visit Dodger’s List by clicking HERE.

Please check back next Wednesday for the true story of Bailey, an endearing  Dachshund who suffers from IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). He doesn't recognize his disability, but knows a lot about love. Here's a pic of Bailey, enjoying Howl-O-Weenie:

Thanks for visiting! I hope you had fun.

Lisa

P.S.  There are many organizations available to pair you with a pooch if you're looking to bring an animal companion into your home. DREAM is one of these, if a lovable Dachshund is your choice, but consider also Collie Rescue, Golden Retriever Rescue, Labrador Retriever Rescue, and many others.  And please don't overlook mixed breeds.  All furry kids need a good home!

Pawsitive Pondering: P is for Perspective

Let's face it. Perspective matters. An adult's perspective is different from a child's; a man's is different from a woman's.  As a customer service manager I used to tell my staff, "It doesn't matter what we know the circumstance to be. What matters is our client's perspective of it." Since I still believe that, I thought I'd ask my miniature Dachshund grand-dogs to give a few examples of differing perspectives.

Pawsitive Pondering

P is for Perspective:

You say:  

Dirty laundry.

Federal Agent Chutsky says:  

A warm, comfy bed that smells wonderful, 

because to my nose it smells just like you!

You say:  

Short and long.

Federal Agent Chutsky says:  

Smart and strong! 

And cute and lovable, too.

You say:
A pair of lazy dogs.


Special Agent McGee and Federal Agent Chutsky say:
A pair of happy dogs
renewing their energy!

You say:  

Now there's a pair of handsome miniature Dachshunds!

Special Agent McGee and Federal Agent Chutsky say:

Okay. We think you're right about that one.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you smiled while you were here.  See you tomorrow for the A to Z Challenge and the letter Q.

Lisa

Chicken Soup: My Dog's Life!

The latest Chicken Soup for the Soul book, My Dog's Life, is due in bookstores April 12th.  I'm proud to be a contributing author. "Destiny" is the true story of how fate took our hands the day my daughter Stephanie found the first miniature Dachshund love-of-her-life, Special Agent McGee. Here's the little guy then:

If you're a regular reader, then you know she has since rescued the second miniature Dachshund love-of-her life, Federal Agent Chutsky. Here's a pic of her "boys" together.  Take a look at McGee's nose.  He's all grown up!

One of my blog pals, Tammy, also has a story, "The Last Gift," in this edition of Chicken Soup, so I count myself in excellent company. Her story is a knock-out. Beautiful and spiritual, sad and joyful, it will touch your heart.

Chicken Soup for the Soul publishes varied themes.  If you're interested in submitting for a future anthology, click on the Paying Markets tab above under the blog header for the link to their site, as well as a listing of other paying markets.

Enjoy your Monday!

Til next time -
Lisa

It's a Wienerful Life!

Hi! It has been a few months since my human grandma, Lisa, allowed me to be a blog dog, but a few people asked how I've been doing, so here I am with a Rescue Update.

 I'm the red miniature Dachshund in the above pics. My name is Federal Agent Chutsky.  My adopted brother is the black and tan guy, Special Agent McGee. We're inseparable, he and I. . .me and him. . .him and me. . .we. . .us. What I mean is, we're a team!

McGee was lucky.  He came home with our human mom, Stephanie, when he was just six weeks old. Grandma wrote a story about how they found him, and it is being published in a book soon! Cool, huh? Mom didn't find me so fast. I was born far away with three deformed paws.  I was mistreated, and my life was rough until DREAM (Dachshund Rescue, Education, Awareness and Mentoring) rescued me. They took great care of me, and then last October at the Howl-O-Weenie Festival Mom and McGee found me! If you want to read about it and see some funny pictures, Grandma says to check out this link: http://www.writinginthebuff.net/2010/10/dream-for-weenies.html

Anyway, here's the poop. . .the scoop. . .oh, you know what I mean! The update is that I'm terrific! I'm a healthy, happy boy.  I have McGee, my partner in crime. . .er. . .I mean, partner in solving crime, and I have so much love in my life that I can't believe how lucky I am. Mom didn't even get mad when I burrowed into the laundry basket for a snooze! She called me a silly boy and took my picture:

The best part of all? My forever family loves me just the way I am, even when I'm being a furry goofball. Which is a really good thing, 'cause I do that a lot.  Being rescued sure feels good!

See you again soon!

Federal Agent Chutsky

I'm Home! I'm Home!

 
Hi! My name is Federal Agent Chutsky, and I'm a very lucky boy.  Not too long ago, I lived in a place with people who mistreated me.  My whole first year of life was sad and stinky.

That isn't the lucky part.  Here's the lucky part: DREAM (Dachshund Rescue, Education, Awareness and Mentoring) rescued me and brought me to a foster home where I made friends with other Dachshunds and got plenty of food and fresh water.  And love, too!  I wasn't used to that, but I sure liked it.  Here's a picture of me with my wonderful foster mom, Karen.  Thank you, Karen!

 

I was born with three deformed paws, and heartworms made me very sick.  Foster mom Karen took really great care of me, though, and I started feeling better. I got to go to the Howl-O-Weenie Festival! (Please scroll down to find that post.)

The festival was fun, and I met a lot of nice people. And then....I saw her.  Stephanie. She wasn't alone. She had another Dachshund on a leash and he looked so happy and loved that I felt a little envious.  Then a miracle happened! Stephanie looked at me, too! And she didn't see my misshapen paws or the scars on my head. She saw me....and I knew, I just knew that she was meant to be my Forever Mom.

Stephanie asked to spend time with me, and I did my best to impress her with my gentleness and charming manner. I made friends with Special Agent McGee, the other Dachshund in her life. I wasn't surprised at all when two weeks later Stephanie arrived at my foster mom's to pick me up!

My new Dad named me Federal Agent Chutsky after a character in one of his favorite books, because he said I'm very strong to live through what I did and still be such a great dog.  I like my name---Chutsky---and respond to it right away, because, you know---Federal Agent and all.  Pretty impressive, huh? My brother McGee has a cool title, too, so we're like a matched set.

In six months the doctor will check to make sure my heartworms are all gone, and I still need my microchip identification, but my Forever Mama and Daddy are handling all that stuff.  They love me so much. Imagine that! And my new brother McGee accepted me into the pack right away.  He seems to know I can't walk as fast as he does, because he slows and waits for me so we can be together. Here's a picture of me and my brother playing and wrestling, and another of us snoozing together after a fun trip to the park where we got to bask in the sun:











DREAM made my dreams come true. Not only was I rescued from a bad place, but DREAM cared for me until I could find my Forever Home and Family.  Life is good.

It's like I told you before.  I'm a very lucky boy!

Happy to love and be loved----
Federal Agent Chutsky

P.S.  Interested in adopting a Dachshund or fostering a pooch waiting to find his Forever Home? Visit DREAM for more info.

DREAM for the Weenies!

 Special Agent McGee, Party Animal

Last Saturday my family and I spent the day at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody, Georgia, home of the 2010 Howl-O-Weenie Festival, sponsored by DREAM (Dachshund Rescue, Education, Awareness and Mentoring).

The park was overrun by Dachshunds, most in full costume to celebrate Halloween and raise awareness (and money) for pet rescue. My grand-dog Special Agent McGee dressed up as a Party Animal, complete with Hawaiian shirt and grass skirt. The skirt embarrassed him until he saw other Dachshunds dressed as pirates, peacocks, Spanish dancers, Robin Hood. . .the list is endless. One trio of doxies made up Gone With the Weiners, a tribute to Scarlett and her pals. Another sported Skippy's Hot Dog stand, a lightweight contraption attached to his doggy wheelchair so he could participate in the festivities, and the old fella basked in the attention. Take a look:

Skippy's Hot Dog Stand -- he trotted around on two legs and two wheels like he owned the place!

Lady Dog-Ga, I believe.

Dachshund Hood, ready to fight the Sheriff of Doggingham

Prince Charminghound

Gone With the Wieners (well, 2 of them anyway. Rhett must be away charming some little doxie...)

Anybody seen my castanets?

And lunch---need you ask?  Hot dogs, of course!

Doxies are an interesting breed.  Consider that the Dachshund was bred to hunt badgers.  Badgers are stocky, fierce omnivores related to weasels and otters. When a badger retreats to his den he backs in, facing out.  Dachshunds plow into the hole and nab the sharp-toothed badger by the snout and drag him out.  According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) they were bred to "fight to the death" with the troublesome badgers. That takes some serious strength and courage, and little Dachshunds have both.  Not that you would believe it after seeing those photos from the Howl-O-Weenie Festival.

Contests on festival day included best costume, face licking, weenie races, and howling, among others. The Dachshunds were game and their families played along. It was a fun time.

During the course of the day we met a lovable fella rescued by DREAM from a terrible animal hoarding situation.  Two of his paws are deformed and he bears scars from mistreatment.  Surprisingly, his temperament is calm and affectionate, and he made fast friends with our Special Agent McGee. Stay tuned for a future update on the miniature red doxie my daughter dubbed Chutsky (if you're a fan of the Dexter books, you'll get the connection).  Here's a pic of McGee and Chutsky.  Pretty handsome pair, huh?

If you think you might want to rescue a dog, keep in mind that there are many organizations available to pair you with a purebred should that be your preference. DREAM is one of these, if a lovable Dachshund is your choice, but consider also Collie Rescue, Golden Retriever Rescue, Labrador Retriever Rescue, and many others.  And please don't overlook mixed breeds.  All these furry kids need good homes, so please keep them in mind if you are ready to love and be loved by a precious pooch.

Happy Howl-O-Weenie month!
Lisa