Anneliese

I woke early on Friday morning. The day before I noticed that Anneliese was going down-hill fast, with, what I suspected was another urinary tract infection.

I’d prepared her little pan to catch her urine, and was ready to go as soon as they could fit me in.

Anneliese June 26

At 9:15 I carried Anneliese to the car and off we went. It was a beautiful day, sunny, warm but not humid. The sort of summer day one always wishes for.

The trip took no time and soon I was in the parking area of their office. As I sat out bounded a beautiful White German Shepherd! This dog could have been Lili’s twin! Of course, I had to meet them. I jumped out of the car (putting on my mask) and spoke to the husband and wife. Soon their other dog was brought out. Two amazing White Shepherds!

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Beautiful White German Shepherd boys!

Next, it was Anneliese’s turn. She was just burning up with a fever of 104 and she is a very sick little girl.

I knew she was. I hoped she wasn’t. There are moments that I find myself almost holding my breath with the thought of losing her.

I knew Anneliese before she was even born. I recalled the moment of her birth. She was the last one out, the littlest of her litter, Greta’s first litter, and when she came into this world she came out kicking and screaming. So unlike her brother Arnie and her three sisters.

She was a scrappy little thing and I admit she stole my heart at that very minute although, I recall saying, “We sure aren’t going to keep that one!” Famous last words! She might be loud, but quite early on she let us know she had a heart of gold.

Dec 10 018Anneliese and me.

That was thirteen and a half years ago!

Thursday night I dreamt of my Vet. He came to me in the dream and told me that I needed to prepare myself as Anneliese wasn’t long for this world.

Needless to say, I woke with a start and couldn’t get back to sleep. Later when I told my Vet about the dream, he said he tries never to say that to his patient’s families, but that yes, Anneliese is slowly moving toward the end of her life. I’m glad he validated my feelings. Now I have to enjoy Anneliese, while I mentally prepare for her loss.

That will not be a good day.

Maribeth Dackel

Bath Time!

Tuesday was a bright sunny, warm day! Perfect. I always wait until a nice day to give the dackels their baths. This way they can lie by the door in the sun and dry off, without getting chilled.

Anneliese was the first one. I carefully washed her up, taking extra caution around her eyes. The last thing she needed was to get soap in her eyes.

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Arnie was next and he shivered all through the bath. But he was actually easier to do. I finished up in no time and now they both are sparkling clean and smell wonderful. Best of all, their coats are soft, and I was able to strip the undercoat after they dried.

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I really wanted to get this done before Thursday when Arnie goes in for his dental cleaning.

Now both are clean, at least for a while.

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Here, There, & Everywhere

I was out most of the day on Tuesday. I had a doctor’s appointment and then I headed over to do our grocery shopping.

Now a funny thing happened on my way to the grocery store.

I’d made a detailed grocery list and printed it out. Neat and precise! Well, I was at the doctor’s and I went to add something to my list and I couldn’t find the list! I know I had folded it up and put it in my purse, but suddenly…POOF…it was gone!

After my appointment, I checked all over the car and even dumped out my purse. No list! I called Jack and asked if I’d dropped it at home? Nope. It was simply gone.

Now I am a woman who just misplaced her list, I was not feeling too good about remembering everything on it!

Once I got to the store, I simply went slowly and hit the usual things and looked for a few new ones. I spent well over $200.00 so I am hoping that I got everything on the list!

Today I am driving Anneliese to Portsmouth for her eye exam. I will be doing that after WW Class in the morning. It is supposed to be a nice day and I expect I will enjoy the ride!

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Happy 13th Birthday, Anneliese and Arnie!

Thirteen years ago, in the early morning hours, Greta went into labor. I was so excited to welcome her first litter of puppies, and I sat with her as she began the long journey to motherhood.

A few hours later, Arnie, Anneliese and three of their sisters made their debut.

Dec 10 015This was the start of something neither Jack or I had ever experienced. Having two pups, brother and sister, from the moment of their birth, for their entire life.

It’s pretty amazing. Watching these two grow and emerge as two sweet, yet very different pups.

We knew we were keeping Anneliese. I loved the look of her and felt that she would carry on the Dackel Princess line, in her time. She had a great nose (scent wise), and such personality and spunk!

Feb. 3 Anneliese 008

Arnie, who is so sweet, loving and laid back. Here he is at a month old. A handsome boy then and now.

Arnie

Arnie was actually sold to a woman from New York State. On the day she was due to pick him up, she called and canceled as her life was falling apart. She explained it all to me on the phone. I listened and gently told her she needed this dog. But she said no.

Arnie was 12 weeks old and I was really crazy about him. So was Jack and so was our young neighbor Emily. He was due to leave on that Saturday and by Monday morning we knew that Arnie was staying with us.

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Here they are the first year of their life together. Best friends always.

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Below is a short montage of their life together, with us. I feel so blessed to have had these two pups in my life every single day of their life. In many ways, although Greta was their biological Mom, I have been their forever Mom all these years. And now that Greta has passed away, her children help me to not miss her too much.

They both are one of my life’s greatest blessings. The years of faithful love and companionship are truly priceless.

TBT: Anneliese & Arnie

I have had these two since before they were born. Their Mama Greta was huge when she was delivered of 5 healthy puppies. And from the moment they all drew breath, I knew that my life was blessed. I just didn’t realize how much.

Here they are at about 7 weeks old. Side by side as they have been from the very start.

Jan. 20 Anneliese and ArnieAnneliese on the left and Arnie on the right.

And here they are now. Still best friends and still side by side. On December 10th they will be 13 years old!

Arnie & AnnelieseArnie on the left and Anneliese on the right.

What a blessing it has been to have these two sweet pups in my life. How special it has been to have enjoyed every moment of their lives since before they drew their first breath!

And how comforting it has been to have Greta’s babies with me after she left for Rainbow Bridge.

Yes, I am so lucky to have these two very special puppy friends.

Anneliese & The Big Bang

Tuesday was kind of an odd day for me. I slept until the sun rose and although I tried to get back to sleep, I was wide awake.

I got the dogs, and after getting my jacket on (I finally found my winter coat in the front closet!) I took them out, hung up the bird feeders and by the time I came back in, the coffee was hot and brewed.

Jack has been sleeping incredible amounts, so I didn’t wait and at 8 o’clock I made my breakfast. Life was going on in a normal pattern.

It was much later in the day when I had finished eating my lunch I put my plate down for Anneliese to lick, and I started to move the tray table that my lunch had been on and Anneliese jumped back in terror and screamed a big doggy scream.

I felt terrible. I must have scared her because she can’t see the table well. Then Jack told me that he’d accidentally kicked his tray table last night in his sleep and knocked it down. It landed close to a deeply sleeping Anneliese.

My poor girl had PTSD!

I got her up in my lap. She was breathing heavily and shaking. I held her closely and talked to her but it took well over an hour to get her calmed down.

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I started to think about Anneliese then. She has new bumps here and there, I know her vision is almost nil as she doesn’t see things when I hold them closely in front of her.

She does come to me when I call her, and part of me feels she is happiest when she is on a leash Then she is attached to me.

I don’t like this at all you know. I see my little baby fading before my eyes and it makes me so sad.

April 26 011Baby Anneliese.

She was the baby I watched being born, who came out screaming. The last pup out when Greta had her first litter, and the one with the biggest mouth.

Anneliese by Janet

Ha! She is very quiet now. She almost never barks or makes a fuss. But way back when, in 2006, she was full of spirit and the life of Greta’s first litter.

March 9 001Me and Anneliese. I think she was about 12 weeks old then.

All her sisters and Arnie were little sleepy heads. But this tiny little pup had so much spunk!

As I held her today I realized that all of these years that I have been her Mom, she always knew I would take care of her. And she has always come to me to be comforted.

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She is fine now (Tuesday Evening) and asleep in her bed. But I’ve realized that I really need to enjoy her as her days are coming to a close.

This & That

Tuesday found me racing all around. I had Anneliese to the local Vet, and that was a good visit. Anneliese does have an infection, but she also has problems in her ‘good’ eye which will require us to bring her to the Canine Ophthalmologist. This we will do today.

I had also found some lumps on Anneliese’s body and I was concerned. Once again, my wonderful Vet talked with me and I was able to accept the fact that at this time in Anneliese’s life, we are doing things to keep her comfortable.

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She is not gaining weight, despite the fact that I am feeding her twice a day, a little more than I was. She also gets treats whenever. She is living her best life now! With nothing held back for a rainy day.

It’s sort of funny that by being with my friend in her last days on this earth, she taught me how to accept the things that I cannot change, and to bring happiness to a situation, where one could get bogged down quite easily with the negative.

Anneliese has no idea that she is unwell. Yes, her eyes are a concern, and we will get her diagnosed and get her medication so that she feels no pain. I already walk her on a leash for the most part, but we also take her out and let her run in the yard. Yes, enjoying and living her best life.

I was talking with a woman at the Vet’s office today. She was asking about Anneliese and how long I had had her. I smiled and said, “All of her life.”

Dec 10 018Birth.

For the moment she drew breath, I was there loving her. I saw her eyes open, I saw her first steps, and I was there for her litter of puppies.

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Me with baby Anneliese. She was 3 months old.

How blessed I have been. Twelve and a half years. And if I am very lucky, I will have even more time with this very special little girl.

Anneliese’s Eye

I usually write Dackel Princess in the evening, the night before posting. But last night I was so upset and worried about Anneliese that I could not write. Her good eye seems to have a problem. And I am scared to death that she may lose that eye altogether.

This morning she really is no better and I will have to take her into the Vet and have the eye looked at. I will start locally and then bring her to the specialist if it is anything more than an infection. (Which I am pretty sure it is).

I just wonder at times, why this sweet little girl has had to meet so many challenges in her life. Somehow it just doesn’t seem fair to me.

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Please keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for Anneliese and her wellbeing.

The Friday Five

The Friday Five

It’s the first weekend in June and I am away and at the beach. But here are some things I have been thinking about as the week comes to a close.

  1. I needed to get Anneliese’s eye drops. My Veterinary Ophalmologist called in a prescription and I went to get it at the Pharmacy. The Technician announced that it was $140.00! Oh, my, sweet Mother of God! The Tech looked at me, with eyes that asked if I really wanted to spend that kind of money on a dog?
  2. I recalled we have a prescription card for that Pharmacy. I asked if this would be covered? She disappeared and came back a moment later with a smile on her face. “I love you,” I said. She laughed “You are really going to love me when you find out how much you saved”.
  3. The total for this very expensive eye drop was $40.00! We both laughed. And she smiled and told me that this had brightened her day.  Needless to say, it brightened mine!
  4. I got to the car, and with tears in my eyes, and I told Jack what had occurred. Anneliese is blind, pretty much in her left eye. But these drops help her right eye from becoming totally blind and keeps the pressure down.
  5. So as I look back to my humble hometown Pharmacy, I am grateful for their prescription plan and that it covered my little doggy’s eye drops!

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Have a great weekend everyone!