For the Vertically Challened…

Ever thought of what you would do it you had three inch legs? My three dachshunds will tell you that there are times that life can be quite a challenge. For instance, getting into a people sized bed, or perhaps a higher chair, can seem almost impossible to the “little ones”. It’s why I have now become a full convert to “doggie steps”.

doggie-steps

These wonderful little things are the new addition to our home. We had one set when Greta was expecting the puppies (those of you who were around will recall that she did not want to use them!) but it wasn’t until we allowed Arnie and Anneliese to be free in the house that we realized that we needed a couple more sets. They love them and they use them!

May 31

I saw an ad for 2 sets, for the price of 1 set. I excitedly ordered them thinking they would arrive in a few weeks. Six weeks later they arrived.

Hubby spent a few minutes putting them together and then we set them in the family room and the bedroom, and showed the pups their new stairway heaven! (Or to human contact!) It’s amazing how something so little can mean so much to the vertically challenged!!!

Getting There

This morning I had appointments with two different doctors, whose offices are 10 miles apart. The first appointment was for 10:15 the second was for 11:45. I was not at all stressed because I believed that I would have plenty of time to drive the lovely country roads of New Hampshire from point A to point B.

I arrived at Doctor #1’s building right on time. The first problem I noted was that the elevator was broken, and his office is on the 5th floor! I climbed the stairs, huffing and puffing, but made it to his office before hyperventilating! I collapsed in a chair and sat waiting. Finally 15 minutes after my appointment he called my name. The appointment went smoothly, except I kept worrying that I would be late for the next appointment, so I had a lot of trouble thinking (not one of my strong points). I am so glad that I’d written all my questions down in advance

When the appointment was over, I raced down the stairs. The fact that I had 20 minutes to get down the stairs, get to my car, and drive the 10 miles to the other office seemed to light a fire under me. You see, there is also construction on the one road that goes between point A and point B!

I drove faster than usual (I am a granny driver) and made it to Doctor #2’s office, arriving right on time! I checked in and sat down. I waited and waited and waited. Doctor #2 was a half an hour late.

Somehow I could forgive him. You see, he is leaving his practice to work as an Emergency Room doctor, so he can spend more time with his children and wife. He’s been a wonderful general practitioner for us and we have enjoyed him not just as a doctor, but as a friend. We talked a lot about his life, his wife and kids, and what is truly valuable in life in general. When I left him we hugged and I told him that, should he ever start his own practice, I would be his first patient. Both Hubby and I really admire this young doctor.

When I got home Greta was waiting for me in the driveway. I walked up the steps and saw Hubby working on weeding the lawn. Fritz was playing with a ball, and then I saw two little puppies by the stone wall. I put my hands over my head and yelled, “Arnie, Arnie!!” And he came running full speed toward me. Then I called to Anneliese and she also came running! What a greeting.

Hubby and I worked turning the soil in the garden this afternoon and got about half way through. Besides growing fruit and vegetables here in New Hampshire, we grow a lot of rocks! More seem to surface every year. I hope to get the rest of the garden turned tomorrow and then do the corn planting this weekend. The vegetables will be transplanted on the last day of May.

The sun was shining all day, not a drop of rain. All is right in my world!

The Family Dackel

On Saturday I found I was running a temperature. Nothing too high, just enough to make me have chills and retreat under my blanket with my sunglasses on. I found a little nurse who simply would not leave my side, and seemed to enjoy sleeping curled up next to me under the blanket. Yes, Anneliese is really a little snuggler. A great love and a super kisser!

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Arnie and Anneliese

Arnie is developing into the neighborhood watchdog. He loves to sit in the front window and watch the people walking by below, the boats on the lake or the cars driving by. He is also fascinated with the recently returned ducks and is always so excited when Fritz walks by the window. Occasionally he gets up into the chair to check me out, but he sees that Anneliese is doing a great job, so off he goes.

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Arnie and Anneliese

Greta loves her independence. She will go out with Hubby and Fritz when they are in the yard planting trees or watering the new ones, she also loves to go up the hill and sit under the peach tree and watch the house. She is still the only doggy we have in bed with us, but once the pups are house broken I’m afraid we will be a three dog bed. For now, nighttime is Greta’s time for snuggles and cuddles and attention.

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Arnie, Anneliese and Greta

Fritz, follows Hubby all around. Inside or outside, up the hill, down the hill, it doesn’t matter. He is his Daddy’s boy and faithful beyond words. I think in my minds eye, when I think of Hubby I will always think of him with a White German Shepherd by his side. Fritz is Hubby’s 6th White German Shepherd. His third with me. As much as I have an affinity for my wire-haired dachshunds, he has the same with the White Shepherds.

all dogs

I hope that this fever burns itself out soon, in the meantime, I’ll stay warm, drinks a lot of herbal tea and snuggle with my puppies!

21 Weeks

Our puppies are growing so quickly. Twenty-one weeks old today! Arnie at 14 3/4 pounds, is growing faster than 11 3/4 pound Anneliese, but she is more mature than her bigger brother. Greta is a bit jealous of all the attention that the puppies are getting and so I have spent a lot of extra time with her showing her love and affection.

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Greta’s photo courtesy of my cousin, Janet

I am noticing that their little noses are getting longer and they look more and more like grown up dachshunds. Anneliese really takes after Greta, and I think Arnie resembles his Dad. One thing is for sure, they are best friends.

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Fritz works very hard staying on everyone’s good side. He is a good boy. Tonight when I was taking a hot bath he came in and lay down on the bath rug next to the tub and kept me company.

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In so many ways, he is so wonderful that it makes me wonder why, he is such a monster when we try to take him in the car. This is the first dog that we have had with “car anxiety”.

I finished all the cleaning, laundry and packed my suitcase for the surgery. I spent most of the day doing this, but as I went about the house I couldn’t have thought of a better place to come back to after my right eye is fixed.

Thursday 13

Just think. Hubby, Fritz, Greta, Arnie and Anneliese will be waiting for me and I will be able to enjoy the beauty of spring in Central New Hampshire.

The Same & Yet So Different

The funniest thing about having two puppies from the same litter is watching their differences. Arnie and Anneliese are about as different as Fritz and Greta in their personalities. Where Anneliese is tiny, but fearless, Arnie is large and a bit of a chicken.

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Anneliese’s Photo courtesy of Janet

Case in point. Today I was vacuuming. You know, with the big rug beater attachment that sort of growls as it vacuums the rug? Well, Miss Anneliese chased after me barking and trying to bite the vacuum while Arnie ran into the puppy room and hid in the crate.

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Arnie’s Photo courtesy of Janet

Outside Anneliese will run after Fritz, any ball that is thrown and even try to get to our neighbor’s dog. (Which would be a terrible mistake!) Meanwhile Arnie will play quietly by himself, follows the others, but at a distance and is, let’s say, respectful of the other animals.

Arnie tends to be my little lover boy. He loves to climb up in your lap and snuggle down and go to sleep. Where Anneliese loves to sun worship in the day and then wiggle her way into my lap and push Arnie out at night.

Anneliese is still so tiny at 11 1/2 pounds, and Arnie is a big boyish 14 1/2 pounds! Anneliese is slight of frame while Arnie is built like a long tank. Arnie has longer fur while Anneliese has a shorter and a more coarse coat.

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I held these babies in my hands from the moment they were born. I gave each of them oxygen, and rubbed down their bodies as I dried them off. I tied their collars on, and watched over them in the first few weeks of their lives.

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Me with the pups on the birth day

Seeing the way they react to Hubby and me and each other, and Greta as well, fills me with such wonder. What a really great experience!

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Greta and Anneliese’s Photo courtesy of Janet

20 Weeks!

Can you believe the pups are 20 weeks old? I was watching them today, as they frolicked and played and I realized how grown up they’ve gotten. Arnie is 14 1/2 pounds now and Anneliese is 11 1/2 pounds. Anneliese is 99.9% house broken now, and Arnie is 75%. Yes, he is a little slow, but we still love him. He is 100% paper trained, so even if I don’t get him outside for the big event, he will run into the puppy room and use the papers. Not perfect, but it has saved me a lot of time cleaning my carpets with the big green clean machine.

They’re both sweet little sleepers too. They love to cuddle
(Arnie)
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or stretch out in the sunshine
(Anneliese)
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and just be close.
(Arnie (blue) Anneliese (red))
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They cuddle with each other still and I wonder if this closeness they share will be life long? They both adore their Uncle Fritz.

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Greta still watches over them, but in many ways she keeps her distance too. Although today she played a wicked chasing game with the puppies until I thought they might tear up the rug! But it was so much fun to watch

Five months old. Wow! This is going so fast!

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(Anneliese)

The Puppy Playpen

Since the days have been sunny and warm I have arranged a playpen for the two puppies. This works out so well when I am busy and can’t keep my eyes on them. I just leave the door open and they can run in and out and have a good time.

Today hey spent a lot of the day just sleeping. I am thinking that they are going through another growth spurt. I weighed Arnie and he is just a fraction under 14 pounds. Anneliese is exactly 11 pounds. She is such a little squirt, but she has a mighty spirit! You should see her play out back with Arnie! She can literally roll him down the hill!

I’m having a good time with these two. They really brighten up my day. I really love watching them play with each other, as well as Greta and Fritz. And I just love, love, love the way they both cuddle up with me.