Dackel Princess

The Friday Five ~ October 8th

Here we are, October! It seemed that the days, weeks, and months have just flown by. Before we know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here. Then, look out…2022!

So, gentle readers here is this week’s Friday Five.

Although I am still feeling the loss of my darling Arnie, I am trying to hold onto all of the wonderful memories of Arnie, his sister, Anneliese, and their Mama, Greta.
Arnie, Greta, and Anneliese.
From the moment Greta arrived in 2004 I have enjoyed her and her two children. One beautiful and wonderful line of delightful dackels! How lucky have I been!
I thought of what I could do to mark the end of The Dackel Princess era. So I bought a shadowbox. In it, I will put pictures of my pups along with their collars. It will be a prize remembrance of those happy years.
I’ve had a few routine check-ups this week. Including today, which will find me in for my physical. When you reach the age of decrepitude, there is more to discuss than when you are in your twenties.
The foliage here in New Hampshire has begun. It’s very pretty around us, although not even close to being the peak. I think by next week it will be simply splendid!
Lili is doing very well. She tends to watch us a bit more closely. I think she is still concerned one of us might disappear.

So that is it for the week. I hope you all have a great weekend!

TBT: My Grandchildren & Me

This week I am looking back at the birth of my two grandchildren. There is something so special and amazing when you hold your grandchild for the first time.

I was thrilled when Mandy told me she was expecting a little girl! And then, when I held Savannah for the first time, my heart swelled with a love so strong and so full of happiness!

Ever since her birth, Savi and I have had this connection between us. Maybe all grandparents feel like this with their grandchildren. I would go anywhere and do anything for her, and her brother.

Savannah May 31, 2012

Holding Savi for the first time brought happy tears to my eyes. Watching her grow and change has been such a delight!

After Savannah’s birth, I figured if that were all the grandbabies, then I was a lucky lady. But one day I was in my yard and a woman came by. She was buying our old truck. She took my hand and read my palm and told me that I would have another grandchild and this one would be a boy.

This woman had never met me before or been inside my home. And yet she told me all about my granddaughter and my soon-to-be grandson.

A few weeks later I was babysitting Savannah overnight at Mandy’s and my daughter came running down the stairs waving an EPT Pregnancy Stick! She was pregnant!

To say we were all thrilled was an understatement. I had told her about the woman’s prediction and a few weeks later we found out that our darling Quinn, a boy, was on his way!

Quinn March 7, 2016

Since I never had a boy, I knew very little about them. I learned fast that having a boy was rough and tumble and playing trucks and focusing on anything with wheels. This boy started walking at 7+ months and hasn’t stopped since.

I love being a grandmother, and the love I have for Savannah and Quinn isn’t measurable. I tell them all the time, “I love you to the moon and back!” And their smiles, their hugs, and their love mean more to me than anything.

Savannah, Mandy, Quinn, and me last Christmas.

This & That ~ October 5th

Well, the Internet Gremlins got me yesterday. Not only was Facebook down, but good old Microsoft downloaded an “Update” for my computer that totally wiped out my printer settings!

I was too busy to pay too much attention to it all. And actually quite annoyed by it all.

Starting tomorrow I plan to begin Autumn cleaning. I have two rooms that really need to be cleaned out and have a lot of stuff thrown away. I’m ready…

My goal is to get our house spick and span clean so I can hunker down and hibernate once the snow falls!

It was a great pajama party with my grandkids. But something odd occurred. I was watching a kid’s movie with them and I fell asleep! I took a much-needed nap!

I guess at 62+ I have entered the phase where a nap is a reward and no longer a punishment. And oh, how lovely that little nap was, although my grandson Quinn told me that I snore!

Have a great day everyone!

The Friday Five ~ October 1st

Well, this year really is flying by. I’m not sure why, but look at your calendar…it’s already October! I have many things going on in October, which will start on Saturday with a visit with my beautiful and wonderful grands! So, here we go, this week’s Friday Five.

I started Thursday chopping. I wanted to make a big batch of Chili for Jack and I also wanted to put together a meatloaf to freeze. After two hours all was chopped and I began the process of making the Chili. (By the way, we are eating it for dinner and all I can say is YUM!)
I’ve been inundated with laundry. Today I have three loads left and I will be all caught up! Yay! Laundry is not my favorite thing to do.
3. Lili is doing well. She seems to have known Arnie was ill and she isn’t looking for him. She has become my girl and I am appreciative of her love and attention.

My Granddaughter, Savi

My Grandson, Quinn
I am going to see the kids on Saturday. I can hardly wait! I’ll be spending the night having a pajama party with the kids. Pictures to come!
Next week is a slightly busy week for me, complete with blood work and my physical. I’m sure I will pass with flying colors!

So that is it for the week. I hope wherever you are, you have a happy and healthy weekend!

TBT: Shubi & Me

Hi All! I wanted to share my story about how I became owned by a Dachshund!

In 1989 my husband brought me to Starnberg, Germany, this is just south of Munich, to meet his dear friends Lucie and Otto. I was a new bride and nervous about meeting his longtime friends. As I sat in their living room, in bounded a small vivacious pup named Shubi, who was a wire-haired Dachshund. Shubi spoke no English, and I spoke no German, but it did not matter. It was love at first sight! Shubi climbed into my lap and we kissed and that was it.

Me and the original Shubi.

For the next week wherever I went, I was followed by this love-struck little man. When we parted I cried and all I would say to my husband was, “I want a little Shubi dog!” We made four more trips to Munich over the next four years and it was always the same. Shubi became my love while I was there.

Sadly, in 1994 Shubi escaped his fenced-in yard and was hit by a car. I grieved for so long. And so did Lucie.

At Christmas this year we learned that Otto was ill and in February 1995 we went back to Germany to see Otto and Lucie. The house was oddly still with no little man running around the house. It just was not the same cheery home. I said to Lucie at lunch that we should go and find little puppies and have them together. Otto heard us and while we were out shopping he found an ad for Rauhhaar Dackels, or in English, Wire Haired Dachshunds.

It was 35 kilometers east of Munich to go to the home of the puppies, but we all piled into the car and off we went to Landshut. An hour later we walked into the kitchen of the Lanzingers. There, in a small basket on the floor were three baby dachshunds. I went over and a little face looked up and tried to jump up to me. I picked her up and that was it. She looked me over, decided that I would do, and after kissing my face clean, she settled into my arms and snuggled. Lucie picked up a little boy pup and we were off.

I kept trying to think up a good name for my baby when my husband, who had been oddly silent said,” All I have heard for years is ‘I want a Shubi dog’, the dog’s name is Shubi. And thus our Shubi adopted us as her parents, and her responsibility in life. Lucie named Shubi’s brother, Toni.

At the Munich Airport.

I feared bringing a pup back to the states would be difficult, but it wasn’t. She was three months old, had her shots, and once we purchased a doggie passport and bought her a ticket we were all set. Shubi road Business Class with us from Munich to New York. She was wonderful on the plane and my husband rushed her out as soon as we cleared customs, to the parking area next to the terminal. Bravo Shubi! She did just what she was supposed to.

Shubi was warm, and funny, and stubborn and sweet, and good, and made me feel like I was the most important person in her life. My husband, who believed that White German Shepherds were the only dogs in the world, changed his mind and now adores dackels too.

Shubi learned English, was housebroken quickly and ruled the whole house, and I was happier than I ever thought it was possible to be!

And right now I know that I will never be without a “Shubi Dog” ever again!

Thank You!

First I want to thank everyone who has written to me with their love and condolences after the passing of dear Arnie. His loss has taken the wind out of my sails and the sadness is rather great. Your love and care mean a great deal to me.

I woke in the night and discovered an empty bed. Always I would get up and return to a warm furry body waiting for me. Now the bed is empty and I am alone.

Lili and I got up at six o’clock and we both looked at each other and wondered how we would get through the day. Somehow we managed, but tomorrow I need to do a few things around here.

I need to wash Arnie’s bed and put it away. The little dackel steps need to be washed and also stored. For now, we have no small fur babies, and both Lili and I keep expecting to find Arnie sleeping in his bed.

One day, we will adopt a little wire-haired dackel. We will need all the little things that made my pups live and thrive in their home.

One day.

Good Night Sweet Arnie ~ 12/10/2006 ~ 9/27/2021

“There are angels who can stay with us on earth until they get their wings. They have 4 paws, a black licorice nose, the most beautiful fur in the world, and the most loyal look you can imagine.”

“And until these angels get their wings they call them dogs.”

Dackel Princess’ Arnold, “Arnie”, came into our lives on a bitterly cold Sunday morning. His mother, Greta had a problem getting one of Arnie’s four sisters out and so a cesarian was done. All five pups came out healthfully, and after a couple of hours, we drove the one mile from the Vets office back to our home.

I had decided to keep Arnie’s sister, Anneliese, and all the other puppies were sold, including Arnie. But fate stepped in and at the last minute the woman slated to adopt Arnie canceled. At 12 weeks old, Arnie was “Little Orphan Arnie”. What could we do? He had stolen our hearts and the boy was home.

Arnie lived quite happily with his mother Greta, sister, Anneliese, and a stepbrother named Fritz. They loved to play together, sleep together and ride in the car. Arnie was only six months old when he and Anneliese went to Canada with us for a family reunion. It was on the old family homestead and both pups enjoyed the freedom.

As time passed Anneliese was expecting a litter of puppies, and the only dog she allowed near them was her brother Arnie. Throughout their entire lives, Arnie and his sister remained best friends.

Arnie loved it when my grandchildren came into his life. First Savannah and then Quinn. The last sleepover found the kids nestled up with Arnie.

Arnie was one of a kind. He presided over the house as the King of all Dackels, yet he never once growled or did it by force. No, Arnie was a lover and all of our dogs adored this sweet boy. Especially our latest 7-year-old Lili.

Now Arnie has gone over Rainbow Bridge. I sobbed giant, ugly tears, as losing this boy is akin to having my heart ripped out of my body. I held him and kissed him until he slipped away.

Goodnight Sweet Prince. I shall miss you every day of my life. You truly were one of a kind.

John Galsworthy wrote: “Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends, is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives.” So very true.

The Friday Five ~ September 24th

The week flew by and here we are, Friday. And the last Friday for the month of September. How on earth did that happen? Anyway, here we go, this week’s Friday Five.

Arnie is the same. I think he may be a little more comfortable. I’m still waiting for the results of his tests. This is unbearable, really. I think I would find it easier to wait on my own tests. At least he likes the liquid antibiotics and I am able to get it down easily.
After I think it’s been three cancellations with my hairstylist, (we both have had crazy things going on) today I will finally be getting my hair done. And it really needs it!
I am so pleased about Princess Beatrice’s new baby. Long ago Jack and his daughter and I were in London at Buckingham Palace when they came out with a neatly typed announcement that The Duke & Duchess of York had safely delivered a daughter. She was later named Beatrice. It was special. I wonder what they will name her? I would dearly like Elizabeth or Victoria. But we shall see.
I am truly saddened to learn about Gabby Petito. Such a beautiful young woman with a great sense of adventure. So, so, tragic. I know we all are awaiting the results as to what happened to her. I pray her soul is at peace.
I have been listening to a lot of music. This really good because it helps me to zone out a bit and relax.

So that’s it for this week. Have a great weekend and enjoy the weather wherever you may be.

TBT: The Old Man, Arnie

Well, Arnie is hanging in there while we await his test results.

He is a little perkier but still wants to be in his bed sleeping. I suppose that when I get to be his age, I too will enjoy naps more and more.

Remember long ago, when you were small and you would get into trouble and your parents would send you to bed? I sure do and I really hated it. Now, naps are a reward!

This & That ~ September 21st

Do you ever look at your elderly pet and wonder, “When will they have their last good day?”

It’s been on my mind a lot lately because Arnie is showing signs that he just isn’t interested in much anymore. Monday he got up and after a short walk, he wanted to go back into his bed.

He would not eat. He refused his pills, and worst of all, after a few weeks of fussing, he did not make a sound. Whoever said silence is golden, was not talking about their beloved, elderly pet.

The day wore on with him still not interested in eating, It wasn’t until tonight when I poached a chicken breast, that he finally ate a little. Not much, but at least a little.

I’ll be poaching more for him in hopes he will get at least some of his appetite back. One can hope and one can pray.

********************

And so, on this day filled with such worry, Jack and I did go and get our Flu shots. And we did stop for Soup & Salad at Olive Garden. It was a nice break. But while we ate I was distracted thinking of my darling, Arnie.