Meet 'Adolph' and his Human, Stephen Sweeney, 1959
Dear Gentle Readers,
Please pardon our absence as of late, but we've had some family emergencies in the last few weeks and haven't been able to provide any updates. We haven't even been near a computer for weeks on end. Things are not good, although thankfully they are improving - Dachtober, so much to answer for.
But today is Veterans Day 2013, and as we have done on Memorial Day and Veterans Day for all of our years here at The Long and Short of it All, we take time to honor those who served in the armed forces - and the Dachshunds who stood by their side.
So let's head back to August 19th, 1959, where this handsome little War-Hero Dachshund-mix was honored with a gold collar as Newsday's Pet of the Year. Here's how it all went down:
Sgt. Adolph Sweeney, a distinguished "war hero," was called front and center again today - perhaps for the last time - to receive the accolade of civilian Long Island. Voters named him Pet of the Year in Newsday's annual Golden Collar contest.
The 17-year-old Dachshund-Beagle, who suffers from serious heart trouble since an attack last March, apparently won the hearts of voters. They gave him more than triple the votes of his nearest competitor, the tiger-cat Mr. Peepers.
Adolph, owned by Stephen Sweeney, a chauffeur of 30 Madison Ave, Franklin Square, New York, brought to this year's competition an exciting war record.
He flew 39 World War II missions over Germany with his master, a veteran of the Army Air Corps. Adolph was presented with the same medals that Sweeney earned: the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and other citations. As mascot of a B-17 Flying Fortress, he logged 800 hours flying time from bases in Italy, England, and North Africa.
"But this award," said his master yesterday, "is the best. It gives me something awfully nice to remember him by."
In the last few years, Sweeney explained, Adolph's health has slipped badly. "He lost his hearing completely two years ago," Sweeney said. "Then that heart attack in March. He just won't be around much longer, that's all." Adolph's age is comparable to 84 years of a human life, it was estimated by a spokesman at Farmingdale Animal Hospital.
Largely on the basis of his dramatic story, Adolph was selected by Newsday judges as the sixth Pet of the Week. Then readers voted him Pet of the Year. He will receive a solid gold collar to mark this title.
Adolph and Human in Uniform in 1945 Photo
If you are a new
reader at The Long and Short of it All, you will definitely want to
visit the archives for some absolutely amazing military-inspired Dachshund tales
and images:
Dachshund Homecoming Video
Happy Memorial Day
Veterans Day and Dachshunds
Dachshunds in Pop Culture: Fritz and the "Jane" Cartoon Series
Dachshunds in History: The Saga of Sgt. Wally D. Hund
Dachshunds Reunited with their Dads in the News
Dachshunds and Veterans Day
Dachshunds Teleconferencing with their Dads in Iraq in the News
Dachshunds in History: Mimi, A Most Unpopular Dog During WW2
Memorial Day Dachshund: Meet Gus
Dachshund News Roundup! - story on Vietnam War Veteran Jim Quick and his dachshund
Dachshund News Roundup! - story on Iraq War Veteran Scott MacKenzie and his new rescue boy
Dachshunds in History: Hark! Hark! The Dogs Do Bark!
Dachshunds in History: Dogs of War
13 comments:
Thanks so much for the awesome dachshund-beagle story, especially on Veteran's Day.
We are sending you so much love -- to you and your family. Holding you all in our hearts.
Love always,
Tootsie and her mom
Carson (and Rowdy & Bette),
Readers of TLASOIA are blessed by the continued existence and cultivation of your amazing site.
As I know you will hear from many, please know that you and your family are and will remain in our thoughts and prayers every day.
Bless you.
Cinnamon's Humans & the
PA Piebalds: Maggie, Melly & Max
Rowdy, Bette & Dad Carson,
Related specifically and only to your annual Veterans Day post this year, 'Decoration for a Hero' ...
I grew up on LI after WWII (YOB 1951) and Newsday, and the then daily Long Island Press, and the World Telegram & The Sun, AND the NY Times, were all staples in our home. With parents who had fought and won WWII, we were building a nation of readers back then.
Anyway, the article instantly took me back 54 years. The history, from the missions flown, to the hours logged was/is amazing, but it's the 17+ years of love, and life, shared by Adolf and his human Stephen Sweeney, that brought a smile to my face.
Bless you, Carson, for always remembering and honoring our Veterans, regardless of age or the conflict in which they fought. And bless devoted & brave hero Adolf, & Dad Stephen Sweeney, now and forever.
Cinnamon's Humans and the PA
Piebalds: Maggie, Melly, Max
Been wondering where you've been...I hope things continue to improve. Thinking of you and your family, Carson.
Tanya & PnP
Just glad to know you're ok.
Love and prayers to you all.
Marene&Penny
We were missing you! Glad to hear that things are on the mend. We wish you a continued upswing and have a very nice Thanksgiving.
Susan (the curly haired waitress to Melonie, Bridgette, Simon, Jerome and Sally)
Thank you for the lovely Veteran's Day article. I look forward to hearing about the historical connections with our favorite long-nosed and long-bodied friends.
I'm glad to hear things are getting better. We're thinking of you!
Cyndy, Gracie and now Watson :)
Hi people, I have a beagle dachshund named Jack. We just adopted him 4 months ago and just found out he has some health problems. Cancer and a bad tooth. If anyone can donate to his surgery it would be very much appreciated! https://www.petcaring.com/rescuejack
As great as dachshunds are , dachshund/beagle mixes are even better! I had one as a kid, and while I love all the dachshies I've had as a grown up, the mix was even smarter, more devious ,and quirkier than they were or are. And the mixes are even more sickeningly adorable !
This blog is just amazing! I can't believe I haven't found it until now!
Take time for yourself, Carson!
Liz K
PS Jannie - BEST doxie blog on the net. Carson has been a trendsetter finding interesting things other copy to their blogs/etc. without credit back to him. He has done a world of good for doxies and people who love doxies.
Rowdy & Bette, & Dad Carson,
I cannot think of Thanksgiving this year without giving thanks to Carson and all of the amazing information & inspiration he provides to those of us who love and live for (and with) Dachshunds.
The thoughts and prayers of our entire household, Dachshund and human alike, are with Carson, and his entire family, on two legs and four, at this time.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Cinnamon's Humans & the PA
Piebalds: Maggie, Melly & Msx
I am surprised that there is no article about Wilhelm Canaris and his dachshunds ;) Could you write about that, it could be really interesting ;)
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