The Dackel Princess

The Weekend Wrap ~ February 7th

Over the weekend I was busy teaching Heidi a few more commands. My correction on her biting was going nowhere until Lili actually nipped at her and since then she has been leaving us alone. It’s almost like Lili was her doggy mommy teaching her the ropes.

I brought out Arnie’s old bed and put it down. It is quite similar to one that they had at her birth mother’s home. She has just had the best time sleeping in it, rubbing her body in it, and jumping into it.

They originally called it a calming bed in the advertisement when I bought it for Arnie. All I can say is that it appears to be working for Heidi. (Also known as the crazy puppy girl of New Hampshire!) She looks so small in that bed!

Lili is settling in with her new sister. I think it was hard for her as she had adjusted to being an only dog. But after a while, she has warmed toward Heidi and they are now cuddling as well as playing together.

We are now walking three to four times a day. Even in the cold. I dress Heidi in her heavy sweater and cape and then put on my layers. The only one who breaks a sweat on our walk is darling Lili. But then, she wears a beautiful fur coat!

My next purchase will be a doggy car seat for Heidi. I want to get one that I can use with a harness. Heidi loves to go for a ride, but she does not always want to stay put.

This week I am hopeful that I can begin to get the house cleaned up and things put away. I just let a lot of things go while I have been caring for baby Heidi, but now that she plays for a time quite nicely, I can get a few things done.

Have a great week everyone!

The Friday Five ~ February 4

This was a crazy week and I have been more than busy. But this is okay. It’s helping me to pass the time until Spring arrives. So, here is this week’s Friday Five.

We had snow last weekend, and Thursday found us actually having a warm day, so Jack and I worked on getting rid of the frozen snow and ice on the driveway and patio. And then it rained!
The one thing Heidi hates above all others is RAIN! She absolutely hates to go outside and get wet and I all but have to drag her. And then getting her to walk through a puddle or two to get inside is also a struggle.
Heidi was at the Vet on Thursday and she weighed in at 13.7 pounds! I’ve noticed that she suddenly looks like a proper Dackel. She has a nice long body now and the cutest little snout!
Unfortunately, when the tech brought her back to me in the car she allowed Heidi to walk through the wet muddy parking lot. So not only was Heidi a muddy mess, but she shared it with me. She got my shirt, jeans, and her beautiful little doggy carrier. So my first chore after I got home was to clean Heidi, me, and the clothes and bag. Ugh!
I’ve been trying to reach the woman who did dog training for many years. I would like to bring Heidi to her. I left a message on her Facebook page but will call her tomorrow.

So this is the week that was. I hope that no matter where you are, you are happy, healthy, and enjoying your Friday!

This & That February 2nd

Tuesday started early with Heidi and Lili. It was -3 degrees, while I was outside with the two of them so they could commune with nature.

Hiding her eyes from the bright sunshine using a toy!

I came in and started the coffee, as I was quite literally frozen to the bone!

I decided that when Heidi showed high energy levels to dress us up and go for a walk. And so I did. Several times!

We walked around the house, up the driveway, and then she learned how to not only go up the cement steps but also go down.

She did perfectly fine both going up and going down. As I’ve mentioned the steps were built for our dachshunds. And oddly, Heidi seemed to know just what to do with them, as if she had been on them before.

Her training is going very well. She will come when I call her, even if she is doing something she shouldn’t. She will sit and down on command, and I am trying to teach her to stay. But that is hard for a little baby girl.

I can hardly wait for Thursday when she goes in for her next shots. She will be 15 weeks old, and I am very curious about her weight. I was watching her today and she really has grown.

We have the Pond Hockey Tournament this weekend, and the town is already getting full. It’s an enjoyable time here, but we are now expecting another storm! Thursday Night into Friday. I sure hope it misses us.

Lastly, all this walking up and down the driveway, through snowdrifts, and around the outside of the house is certainly getting exercise for me as well as my little Heidi. (Lili too!) I know Heidi gets tired now at night, and so do I.

Training

Monday morning found me working with Heidi on some simple command and response training. She is learning to sit, down, and stay. The sitting part is going very well. The down is a bit more challenging, as I see her little face asking me “How much further do I have to go down?” And the stay, well it’s early yet.

The sleepy student after her walk.

Heidi is very motivated by food, proving once again that we are spiritually related. She is smart as a whip and is learning to listen when her name is called.

When we built our home we had the outside cement steps built so that our dackels could get up and down the steps easily. Monday was Heidi’s first attempt up the steps and she did it beautifully!

And as each day passes, Heidi and Lili become closer and closer. I almost felt that Lili was cheering her on this morning when I was working through her commands. Lili sat, downed, and stayed as a stellar example for Heidi to follow.

Sisters!

Have a great day!

The Weekend Wrap ~ January 31st

This was the weekend that was. By this I mean we had one of those fierce, legendary, New England Nor’Easters!

I’ve been through them before. Usually, I make a big pot of soup and hunker down for the duration. I watch TV, old movies, etc until it is done. Then it’s time for the cleanup!

However, with a 14-week old puppy, who is this/close to being house trained, I found myself bundling up, and bringing her out.

As I stood there with the snow whipping about me, holding a leash for a little dog, who thought the world had gone mad, I realized I was doing something that will teach Heidi about housebreaking long after the storm had passed.

Over the course of the storm, Heidi went out every few hours and she did not have one accident that day!

We escaped at my house with 4-5 inches of very light snow. It was so cold that the snow squeaked when you walk across it.

The snow was also exhausting for the wee Miss Heidi. She would battle the elements and then come in and sleep. This led to some crazy behaviors during her wakeful hours. But in the end, she is settling, I simply need to work more with her to stop the biting, and Lili is finally accepting her, bites and all.

I am tired. These winters are getting to me a bit. So cold, so snowy, and so long. It’s my hope that Spring comes early this year.

So, that’s my weekend. I hope your weekend was a good one and that you were not buried in icy snow.

The Friday Five ~ January 28th

Welcome to the last Friday in January. It’s hard to believe because this month has gone exceptionally fast for me. But as I sit here writing, here are five things that have been on my mind this week.

Since this past week I had no appointments anywhere, it gave me a chance to concentrate on Heidi’s house training, as well as get ready for the snowstorm that is forecast for this weekend. No rushing around, just systematically doing things.
The fluorescent light fixture in my closet died. I’d hoped it was just the bulbs, but no. It was the starter for the light. Well, I had never done any of this before, but I found the parts I needed at the Hardware store and came home and fixed my light fixture, and changed the dead bulb in Jack’s closet. I’m feeling pretty accomplished!
I am hooked on Wordle! I play each day and then post my score. Most of my friends and family are also playing. Very neat!
This sub-zero temperature spell we have been in is not only uncomfortable but it costs us an arm and a leg with fuel oil over three dollars a gallon. The last fill-up cost us over $900.00!
I bring Heidi to the Vet’s Office on Thursday for her next shots. She is a good little car rider. I’m still using her soft crate in the car, but plan to get a car seat with a harness to keep her safe while traveling.

My little sun-worshiper!

Have a great weekend, and also stay warm and dry here in the Northeast if you can, and enjoy the warmth and sunshine down-under!

Goodbye My Friend

Today I learned that a woman I had known and admired for over thirty years had passed away. Her name was Lila Jean.

She was a remarkable woman, having gone to college and married her college sweetheart. He was an officer in the Army and she was a wonderful military wife and mother to their children. Lili Jean and Bill were together for over seventy years.

Although I am sure Lila Jean had moments of sadness and despair, what drew me and everyone who knew her to her, was her bright positive personality and the fact that she chose kindness over hate every time. And she did it with gusto!

I met her when I was a new wife to Jack. We attended a Reunion and I knew no one. But soon Lili Jean was at my side and I found I had a friend. She made me laugh and smile and suddenly I felt like I was a part of something.

Over the years we met up each year at the Otter/Caribou Association Reunions all across the country. She was always the first person I looked for. In the last few years due to Covid, none of the Reunions were held. So I hadn’t seen her for a while, but we kept up via Facebook.

Still, the sadness I feel at her death has really moved me. God Bless you, Lila Jean. I will miss you and one day, I hope, I will see you on the other side.

A Dog’s World

I have been working to get Lili to accept that the puppy is here to stay. Lili didn’t seem to mind the puppy, but she was like a new fiancee going to meet her future inlaws. Lili has been on her best behavior. Afraid to do anything wrong.

I knew the day would have to come when Lili got sick enough of Heidi to let her know, that she wasn’t going to accept ankle-biting, ear-biting, and other obnoxious treatment from this young whipper-snapper.

That day was yesterday. The pups were up early and then Heidi was like a whirling-dervish. Go, go, go!

She ended up biting at Lili’s ankles and this time, dear, sweet, Lili turned around, and growled and snapped at her. I was monitoring, so I could see that this was doggy-puppy instruction, because immediately Heidi backed off and stared at Lili. She tried again. Again Lili growled and snapped her mouth in the air. This went on for a moment or two and I called Heidi and told her to stop. She left poor Lili in peace and then played with her bones and toys.

Later in the day, Heidi was playing tug of war with me, and Lili came over to see what we were doing. I got Lili to take the rope and for several moments they played with the rope together before Lili walked away. But this is a start!

Aside from this, Heidi is still in puppy learning mode and doing well. It’s now two weeks since her last accident, which is encouraging. She never used the pee pads I bought. In fact, I don’t even put them down. So I have 48 pee pads that will go unused.

Is Heidi completely toilet trained? No. But she does know where to go and has started to go right to the door when she needs to go out. Since I decided early on to devote myself to doing this and training her to the leash, coming when called, etc while she was still young, I have been very busy. Even during the Flu. Even during snowstorms. But the progress is amazing.

So the girl is not just beautiful, she is also smart! How did I get so lucky?

Life Is Good

Like many new mothers of active puppies, my days are filled with periods of manic activity and then an hour or two of cuddling with my little piranha-toothed baby.

I can actually tell you that the only problem I have with this sweet girl is her teething. Oh my goodness, will I be glad when that is over, I am sure Lili will agree!

But Heidi has brought such joy to us and once again our home is alive with new life.

Heidi isn’t like any of my previous dackels. I guess none of them have been like each other. All were individuals who stole my heart. But it’s this marvelous breed that I love so much.

The wire-haired dackels are funny and feisty and fearless. They are loving and devoted, and once they claim you, it is for life. Those innocent eyes can change to devilish merriment in an instant and then a little body moves into your lap and you look down to see closed eyes and a sleeping, snoring little puppy.

Yes, I’m smiling more these days. My days are full, and when I sit down for the evening around 9:00 PM, I am almost instantly asleep. Hiedi is wonderful. She is everything I’d hoped she’d be and so much more!

The Weekend Wrap ~ January 24th

The weekend was a busy one. Despite the frigidly cold temperatures and my continued flu/cold, I managed to make meals and bring Heidi to commune with nature. And even with all the ice around my house, I have managed to slide and not fall. All positives!
Me and my girl. (Please don’t look too closely at me. I know I look terrible. I call this Flu Face!)

I dragged out my food scales, planned my menus for each meal, and currently have two days under my belt.

Heidi is growing and changing each day. I know her schedule pretty well, and I make sure to walk her then, as well as watch for signs that she needs to go out.

She is pretty smart and thanks to her breeder, who kept the puppies meticulously clean, Heidi came to me wanting this. I used just two of the puppy pads that I had, and then after a few days of her totally ignoring them and actually sitting by the door, I chucked them.

Heidi loves the sunshine and will sit anywhere there is the warmth of the sun. She also loves her toys and her chew bones. In fact, the little devil will beg for her chew toys, and then when I give one to her and to Lili, she will run off with her bone, and then rush back and steal Lili’s bone!

I love how the winter sunshine dances on her coat, making it appear almost reddish/gold.

I am buying her only things made in the USA, and sourced here as well. Her food does cost a bit more, but it is made here. The chew bones I get are also made here. It’s all about reading the fine print.

So that wraps up the weekend. Slow and steady as Heidi adjusts and I work to feel better.