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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Prosit Neujahr!


A tip from Joey and Maggie for 2010:  Don't Eat The Yellow Snow!

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.
~Benjamin Franklin


Prosit Neujahr, Happy New Year, from The Long and Short of it All!


(Click that play button for the German pronunciation of Happy New Year!)

Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals Champ: Sully, The Fastest Wiener In The West!



Congratulations to isabella and tan smooth 'Sully,' who has officially earned the title of The Fastest Wiener in the West by winning the 14th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals yesterday at the Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade.  Way to go Sully!  The Wiener Nationals are the United States national Dachshund racing championships sponsored by the Wienerschnitzel food chain. Regional qualifiers are held in the Southwestern United States (California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada), with the final 8 Dachshunds racing for the national title every December in San Diego as part of the Holiday Bowl.
Excerpt from The Orange County Register:

When you've got a fast dog chasing your butt, it pays to be the fastest wiener in the West.
And so it was today with Sully, a 2½-year-old dachshund from San Clemente, California.
As the premier dogs were nearing the finish line, the wiener behind Sully bit him in the buttocks – "right in the patoot," said owner Miranda Libres.
"He turned around and he kind of tried to bite him back," she said.
But by then, Sully was already the winning wiener.

Congratulations to all the Dachshunds who made it to the championship race.  Read all about Sully's big moment and see lots of pics at The Orange County Register.



Video of the final race by youtuber EricLanzRoberts.

Watch the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Parade on USA Network on New Year's Day at 9AM Eastern/8AM Central Time.  There are usually highlights from the Wiener Nationals.

Great Related Stories:  Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals coverage

The Stevens Report


(who's a pretty boy?)

The Stevens Report
by Jack Stevens
680 Margarita Ave., Coronado, California, 92118
for The American Dachshund Magazine, January, 1967

I was ignored by a Dachshund the other day, and it brought back memories of when our life used to be ruled by one of these sleek little monsters.  They all possess a couple of outstanding traits; stubbornness, and the ability to ignore.
They are never obvious in their ignoring.  They don't turn their heads, nor do they walk away.  Instead, they just sit and gaze pensively into space, and somehow or other you get the feeling that you really aren't there at all.
This is a good time to ruin what little chance you do have to eventual recognition by forcing the situation.  If you try to maneuver yourself into his line of vision, or try to pat him, you're a goner.  He will drift away, managing to seem unhurried and unruffled, but at the same time placing himself forever beyond your reach.  In fact, it will be as though a chasm of ten million light years had opened up between you.
To the initiated, however, there are certain ways to bridge this chasm.  It sometimes helps if you know his name, but then again its sudden use may embarrass him if he thinks he should have known you all along.  Better to have a morsel of people food handy, such as maybe, calves liver.
Such a bribe is always acceptable and considered to be in good taste; in fact very good taste indeed.  And, after its acceptance you will have but one major difficulty.  That problem will consist of how to get yourself unstuck from the little beast.

Unrelated early to mid-century photo source unknown.

Nerdy Gertie Martin



You've got a friend in wirehair 'Gertie!'  By youtuber greeneggs82.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Vintage Dachshund Americana


(click photo to enlarge)

Warm Holiday Home Decor at its finest.  Pull up a chair and relax for a spell. 

Mid-century photo source unknown.

Dachshund Rescue News: Joey's Sad Story


Thanks so much to Julie W. for sending in the link to this poor guy affectionately named 'Joey,' who is currently under the care of The Least of These K9 Rescue out of Fordland, Missouri.  Joey was left to starve in the woods tied to a tree, and he may possibly have some IVDD issues.  Help is greatly needed for Joey's care, and any tax deductible donation can be made at the rescue's website.  From his Petfinder page:

Joey was tied to a tree in the deer woods and left to starve to death or be bait for a wild animal. When he was brought to rescue, he was starved and had a lot of muscle loss. He has scars on his side and he has some trouble walking. I don't know if this is permanent or if it's just a loss of muscle tone and he will be ok when he gains some weight and muscle back. It's obvious he has had a very sad life up to now. However, you could not find a sweeter boy or a more loving one. He is the most awesome little guy you will ever meet. I am posting pictures of what he looks like now and will update the pictures later when he looks better. He will not be ready for adoption for a while but the rescue sure could use some donations for his vet care while he is struggling his way back to good health. You may use the donate button on the home page of this petfinder site. I will keep you updated with more on Joey as I find out more. UPDATE: Joey has an ear infection and mites and ringworm and another fungal infection and he's getting meds for all of that. It will be another month before the vet knows if he will get the full use of his back legs again.

Please keep Joey in your thoughts and consider making a donation for his care during this holiday season.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Expressing The Bladder For A Paralyzed Dog



The Dodger development team at Dodgerslist is proud to announce a new video!  This video shows in detail how to express the bladder. After you've had the required hands-on demonstration from your vet, viewing this movie will be a useful follow up to the lesson.  Read more about expressing the bladder and bowel at Dodgerslist.

What a great resource Dodgerslist is. There's always a link to them in the links column on your right. They have a very active discussion list, and are real pros when it comes to offering advice for IVDD dachshunds and general dachshund health.

Vintage Dachshund Winter Fashion


Wear your heart on your sleeve.

Mid-century photo source unknown.

Help In Tough Times: Innovative Program Helps Family Keep Dachshund


There's little doubt that times are tough, and families are being forced to surrender their pets at an alarming rate.  But at the SPCA in Placer County, California, there's a solution:  the SOS program.  The newer program offers humans in need a one-time, no-interest loan or gift of up to $500 for rental deposits, veterinary bills and other expenses that otherwise would have forced them to give up their pets.
Above, red smooth 'Princess Juliet' had to be surrendered after her human, Lauren Annan, lost her job and needed $500 for a pet deposit at her apartment.  Then, a few weeks later, she was called and informed about the new program, and qualified for the aid so she could keep her Princess.
 "I went to get her, and she was thrilled," Annan recalled. "I got her in the car and she howled and barked and licked my face." When Annan's children returned home from school, she surprised them with Princess.

Well welcome home Princess!  Read more about the SOS program at The Sacramento Bee.

Dachshund Contemplation


You must be joking.  YOU go outside naked and go potty in a giant snow drift. 

This dachshund looks out the front glass door of his home Thursday in northwest Edmond, Oklahoma. The snow drift from Thursday's blizzard stands taller than the dog.  Dagmar Peery / The Edmond Sun

Friday, December 25, 2009

We Wish You A Merry Christmas



May All Your Dachshund Dreams Come True.

Wiener Wonderland (to the tune of Winter Wonderland)

Dog tags ring, are you listenin'?
In the lane snow is glistenin'.
It's yellow, not white - I've been there tonight,
marking up my Wiener Wonderland.
Smell that tree? That's my fragrance.
It's a sign for wand'ring vagrants:
"Avoid where I pee, it's my property!
Marked up as my Wiener Wonderland."
In the meadow Dad will build a snowman,
following the classical design.
Then I'll lift my leg and let it go, man,
so all the world will know it's mine-mine-mine!
Straight from me to the fencepost,
flows my natural incense boast:
"Stay off of my turf, this small piece of earth.
I mark it as my Wiener Wonderland."


Be safe and Merry Christmas!

Image source: early 1900's postcard. Poem first posted here last year (you can never get too much of a good thing) - we slightly modified a popular dog poem to a wiener dog poem - it's making the rounds on mailing lists in its new wiener dog form this year! Original source unknown.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Those Special Dachshunds: All Dressed Up For The Holidays!


Thanks so much to all our pals who sent in such wonderful festive holiday photos.  These are all fantastic!  Above, we'd say ho, ho, ho, and ho, but those Sheridan Avenue Boys are hot, hot, hot, and hot!



And check out this smug mug!  Our gal pal (amongst all those smelly boys in these photos!)  'Geneva' writes:

Dear Joey and Maggie

I don't know about you, but I think I've already had enough of all this "holiday spirit." The parties! The food! The presents! The ridiculous hats!

When will it end?

Merry Christmas
Love,
Geneva
Snug Harbor, RI


And finally, have you ever seen such sweet faces?  Our buddies 'Chopper,' 'BP,' and 'Colt' write:

Dear Joey and Maggie, Hope you had a wonderful time on your birthday. You guys look wienerful! What a gorgeous pair! Our little brother, Colt, celebrated his first birthday last week, and he says he wants to look as beautiful as you when he turns nine. Raw feeding rocks! Our Mom wants to share one of our holiday pics with you, she was very proud of us that they came out real nice. The nice lady that took the pics was photographer Laura Allen, she was real sweet and patient with us although we didn't try very hard to make it easy for her to do her job. Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you both, and warm regards to your Dad, whose hard work and dedication to the doxie community is very much appreciated. Warm doxie snuggle, hugs, and kisses, Chopper, BP, and Colt

Bean The Alaskan Dachshund Trapped Under Massive Snow For 4 Hours


Meet 'Bean.'  The Valdez, Alaska smooth dappled chocolate boy had a close call when his humans couldn't find him for 4 hours.  Then they remembered that he was outside while the roof was being shoveled following a massive snowstorm which laid down 5 feet of snow over 3 days.  His humans called for him and heard him whimper and dug him out.  Luckily he was trapped near an air pocket. 
“He was hesitant to crawl out of the hole, and was scared and shaking,” his human said. “His nose, paws, and ears were cold but his body was pretty warm … he wasn’t any worse for wear.”
We're glad you're OK little guy.  Read more at the Valdez Star.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

A Note From Joey and Maggie: It's Our Birthday!

Joey and Maggie's 9th Birthday

Dinner For Two at Le Bistro Dachshund

It's hard to believe that it's been 9 years already.  Where does the time go? 

(We really didn't like posing for this photo....just give us the food already!)

Pothead Doxie


Thanks so much to Grace Liesa for sending in this vibrant photo and fun story!  She writes:

Hi Joey and Maggie,

We stuck around in the kitchen after dinner last night to help Mom clean up, like the good little gentlemen that we are. Mom made split pea soup, and we'll tell you that was some heavenly scent! But when Mom set the almost empty (I'd say 'almost' because there's a lot of goodies stuck in there still) pot down, our brother Chopper, being the well- rounded little boy that he was, stuck his head in the pot, and this pot rolled to it's side all by itself! Boy that scared us; the other brothers; BP and Colt, to death! So we decided to just watch from a safe distance as our brother let this loud, haunted pot, eat him alive. So much for the heavenly bacon and ham in the soup. Mom has our raw game hen thawing out in the fridge anyway, that will keep us busy for a while. Have a nice holiday Joey and Maggie! Doxie hugs and kisses from Chopper, BP, and Colt.

Mmmmmm....did you say raw game hen?  Can we come over for dinner?

Classic Dachshund Christmas Videos


Christmas Walkies With Dachshunds

As festive as How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, or Frosty the Snowman, please enjoy some of our favorite classic Dachshund holiday videos from the archives. 


Dachshund Fight Club


Riley the Dachshund Opens His Stocking


Clark's Winter Delights


Don't miss this year's offerings if you've not seen them:

Barking Around The Christmas Tree

Happy Holidays Willis!

A Dachshund Christmas Poem

Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Letters To The North Pole



Dear Santa,


I was good. We want a DS. I want a wiener dog And a super battle toy that Is real.

Love, Julius

Via Miss Kellogg's Class, Northwood Elementary School, Crestview, Florida.  Source.

A Lonely Christmas in Hixson, Tennessee



Our hearts go out to Sandra Ogle after her two Dachshunds were killed by a neighbor's pitbulls in her own home last Tuesday.  Rest in Peace 'Misty May' and 'CoCo Bear.'  Ogle said the empty bed where the dachshunds once laid, pales in comparison to the emptiness she feels without her two favorite dogs.
Read more at WRCB TV.

A Vintage Dachshund Christmas


Styles may change but the Dachshunds remain the same.

Late 60's -early 70's photo source unknown.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Yes, Hazel, there is a Santa Claus



Pretty smooth 'Hazel' gazes into Santa's eyes yesterday at a pet photo fundraiser for Butte Humane Society, out of Chico, California.  The event, which has taken place over the last several Sundays, has raised about $2,000 for the shelter!  Way to go!   Read more about the fundraiser at ChicoER.

Those Special Dachshunds: Meet Molly!


Thanks so much to Melinda Fancher for sending in this great photo and story of 'Molly,' the beautiful smooth black and tan who hails from McLean, Virginia.  She writes:

Dear Joey and Maggie,
This is Molly. She's so cute. And she's very special, as they all are!  Her seventh birthday is January 4th. Everyone thinks she is still a puppy, though she's been through a lot! She had a Stage Two mast cell tumor removed in April 2009 and suffered a slipped disc on September 27, 2008. She regained the use of her back legs after 8 weeks of crate rest and medication. I'm hoping 2010 is a better year for my little girl!
I got Molly in March 2003, while taking care of my terminally ill mother. Molly was good company for her (and me, too), although I don't recommend getting a puppy during such a stressful time. The experience might have to go into the category, "A supposedly fun thing I'll never do again," with apologies to David Foster Wallace.
That's not to say I would trade Molly for anything in the world. She's a very good girl who loves her ball and wags her tail whenever she sees me! I'm very lucky to be owned by her.

We're hoping that Molly has the best birthday ever in a few weeks!

Honda Dachshunds!



Thanks to our friend Roberta for sending this in, and also our pals 'Oscar' and 'Hans,' who write:

Hi Joey and Maggie!

So this morning Mom was at the YMCA, and she almost fell off her treadmill when a commercial for the 2010 Honda Accord came on...the theme of the commercial is a “sled dog race” with little dogs pulling sleds...and there are MULTIPLE Dachshund sightings!  There’s a pretty longhair early on in the ad getting out of his car, and then a nice shot of him running in the race (of course, wearing a hot dog costume, but we won’t judge).
Have a Happy Holiday! We have been scavenging the stores looking for every Dachshund Christmas card we can find!!! It really is the most WIENER-ful time of the year! :)

Paralyzed Dachshund Held Captive As Breeder Dog


OK, it's the holiday season, and the Dachshund stories are supposed to be so sweet that you could lick your computer screen and taste sugar.  Unfortunately that's not so with the story of this beautiful dappled chocolate longhair.  Meet 'Rainbow,' one of the 43 Dachshunds recently rescued from a puppy mill in Utopia, Texas.  It was discovered that Rainbow, who is still nursing her last 3 pups, was paralyzed from the back down; "when animal control seized her and her babies, she was in a bathtub."
Rainbow lives in constant pain, and while her future is still uncertain, animal lovers have contributed over $7,000 for her care in just a few days at Diamond Dachshund Rescue.
Read all about Rainbow, watch a news video, and see the awful photos of her former life at KSAT News.

Frankenmuth Brewery Open Again in Frankenmuth, Michigan


The historic Frankenmuth Brewery was first built in 1862, and operated as one of Michigan's largest breweries until it was destroyed by a tornado in 1996.  A brew pub was opened in 2003, but closed 3 years later.  Avid collectors of Frankenmuth Dachshund memorabilia, and admirers of craft-brewed beer may be excited to learn that the brewery reopened late this summer in a 4-story, 28,000 square foot building.  They offer tours of the brewery, banquet facilities, and a fun food menu.  The shopping link on the site is still forthcoming, although we have heard that the actual brewery at least is offering Christmas ornaments with the Frankenmuth Dachshund logo.  Road trip anyone? 

Related:  Frankenmuth Dachshund Chatter

Friday, December 18, 2009

Dachshunds in Art: Jane and Fritz by John Schultz

jane and fritz 1

(click any photo to enlarge)

Jane and fritz at war

Woof, WOOF!  To say that we are impressed would be an understatement - these are fantastic!  Oscar Schultz of Virginia Beach, Virginia writes:


Dear Joey and Maggie,

My human is John Schultz and he's sent in pictures of me before.

John is a photographer and loves to recreate "Retro-Era" drawings, photos, and paintings with his photography.

He searhed high and low for JUST the right HUMAN to put in the Fritz and Jane pictures and finally he found one!

I barked and barked until he sent these to you! I had a great time with Chanel (the human model) but my favorite thing was the white fur rug she was laying on. I've since claimed it as MINE! I love being warm!

My human and I encourage you to keep up with your BLOG - we check it every day!

Where IS my ball anyway?! I think my human hides it..........


Sincerely,
John and Oscar Schultz






















Related:  Dachshunds in Pop Culture: Fritz and the "Jane" Cartoon Series

Don't miss the great photos of Oscar and his giant ball: Those Special Dachshunds: Meet Oscar!

Hot Hot Hot Dachshund Fashion: Harmont & Blaine


(Turn up the volume)

Done only the way the Italians can, Harmont & Blaine, a fashion company producing quality casual wear for men, has over 60 stores worldwide, including The Hamptons, Miami, and soon New York.  Can we get a Chicago? 
Domenico Menniti, founder and chief executive states about the Dachshund logo:  “We are just like the dachshund dog that we use as a logo. Few Italians know that this dog is German and not British, it is used for hunting and due to its small size it has a very developed intelligence.” The company, he says, “had to use its intuition to assert itself in the competitive fashion market.”  Source.
We're betting that high-fashion Wiener Dog logo helped.  Who doesn't want a Dachshund emblazoned across their chest?


Italian Soccer Player Fabio Cannavaro


Those Special Dachshunds: Meet Lolli & Lloyd Stinky Von Whizzletee


(click any photo to enlarge)

Boy, do we love the names and what a cute duo!  Their human, Andrea Sandoval writes:

Dear Joey & Maggie,

I would like to introduce my two short-hair mini's, Lolli & Lloyd Stinky Von Whizzletee (Whizzle for short).
Lolli is a two year old black & tan, and Lloyd is a 1 year old chocolate dapple.
They cause quite a commotion here in the city of Boston! My Husband and I recently took them to Martha's Vineyard on the Ferry, and complete strangers were asking to take pictures of them! What can I say? They are so adorable!
We are hoping to rescue a golden long haired dachshund in the near future!
Thanks for posting such great stories & pictures. And maggie, I LOVE all the dachshund gifts you find!

Happy Holidays!
 

We'd take their picture if we saw them on the street too! 

News From the Motherland: Dirty Dackel Rescued From Fox Hole



Uh Oh.  Bath Time.  Meet not-so-pretty wirehair 'Emma,' who hails near Berlin, Germany.  She was out on a walk with her human in Preussen Park on Monday when she took to the trail of a fox who was apparently living in a rabbit hole.  Down she went, and you know the rest.  After her human tried unsuccessfully to get her out, 2 firemen had to dig for almost an hour to free the wayward wirehair.  It may cost the human upwards of 300 Euros for the assistance, but getting your Emma back?  Priceless. 
Read more and see more pics at bz-berlin.  (If you have google toolbar installed, there are translation options available).

A Vintage Dachshund Christmas

a vintage dachshund christmas
(click photo to enlarge)


Styles may change but the Dachshunds remain the same. 

Mid-century photo from Joey and Maggie's personal collection.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Rudolph The Dachshund on NBC Nightly News!



Thanks to 'Mickey' for letting us know that 'Rudolph,' the blind and deaf Dachshund rescue who hails from Michigan, made an appearance on last night's NBC Nightly News!  Rudolph and his human, Marcia Fishman, work hard to promote Rudolph's message about disability awareness, and have visited with over 2,000 elementary-age children.  Wow! 
Read all about Rudolph at NBC, or visit his website.

Related:  Dachshund News Roundup with Rudolph

Related:  Rudolph Visits Detroit Elementary School

Those Special Dachshunds: Meet Izzy and Winnie!

























Someone is ready for the holidays - could this duo be any more beautiful and festive? (Click any photo to enlarge). Alyssa Blanchard writes:

Dear Joey and Maggie,


I've attached some holiday photos of my two girls, Izzy and Winnie. This is their first Christmas together and a local pet store was shooting holiday pet photos with all of the proceeds benefiting a local dog shelter so I couldn't pass up this great opportunity...and boy, did we get some hilarious photos out of it!

A Note From Joey and Maggie: Poop Watch 2009


The Ravenous Dachshund

How many days does it take for a Dachshund to pass a small foreign object?  In the case of your Long and Short of it All hostess 'Maggie,' it takes 4 days!
See, last week there was a typical Friday night, and we were waiting anxiously for Dad to come home from work.  We miss Dad when he's gone, but what's really exciting is that we know when he comes home, we get our evening meal.  Ahh, wonderful, glorious food.  Raw meat - good for the soul - like our ancestors the wolves eat. 
We badgered him as soon as he walked in the door for the sustinence which makes us whole.  Joey usually gets so excited that he can't stand it; he has to go to the end of the hall at the back of the house and peer around the corner while Dad is preparing the food - just waiting for the call to COME AND GET IT!  Maggie though, she wanders around Dad's legs when he's preparing that meal, you never know when something might drop!  And drop it did.
Dad grabbed a "chub" out of the freezer - a 1 pound package of raw meat and bone which is packaged in plastic and has metal clips or staples on the ends - kind of like what you might find around breakfast sausage for humans.
Dad was working up a sweat slicing away at that metal clip around the frozen meat so that he could thaw it in the microwave when suddenly - YES!  The metal clip fell on the floor.  He made a mad dash for the potentially dangerous foreign object, but he was WAY TOO SLOW.  Maggie had gobbled it down, complete with about an inch of gathered plastic stapled through it.
Uh Oh.  Why was Dad giving Maggie this look?  That look of horror, bewilderment, and a little bit of anger on his face, especially when he knows that what just happened was nobody's fault but his own?  It's certainly not Maggie's fault. 
The next 4 days were just heaven.  We got all these extra treats so that Maggie would pass that staple and plastic.  We got pumpkin, bananas, blueberries - every few hours to provide some fiber for Miss Maggie's digestive tract.  We got lots and lots of fish oil and essential oils - borage oil, flaxseed oil, safflower oil - let's grease things up a bit.
It was entertaining to watch Dad pick up Maggie's poop and examine it with such zeal - breaking it apart, feeling it through the plastic poop bag, studying it under a light.  We thought he was going a bit mad honestly.  This went on for days, and it certainly must have seemed like an eternitiy to him.  When was that metal clip and plastic finally going to make its appearance?  On Christmas Day when Maggie is so sick that it hasn't yet passed, and we end up at the emergency vets on Christmas morning?
Finally, on Tuesday evening, Dad was at his wits end.  He wasn't studying Maggie's droppings with such intentment anymore. Did he miss the staple - had it passed?  Surely not.  Then, suddenly - there it was - like finding the holy grail, that staple and plastic had finally passed, and it was all in one piece laying in the lightly snow-covered grass. 
We hadn't seen Dad so relieved in the longest time.  This aura of calm settled over him, knowing that things were going to be all right, and that Maggie wasn't going to end up in the ER. 
Honestly though, we can't wait for Dad to mess up again and drop another metal clip.  There's nothing like full bellies for days on end - and it was priceless to watch him squirm.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Sweet Gooey Holiday Stories: Danny's New Dachshund



It's stories like this that reaffirm your faith in mankind.  Via phillyBurbs:  Langhorne, Pennsylvania resident Danny Piccari, who was born with down syndrome, recently suffered the loss of his 10-year-old dachshund who was killed in a hit and run while Danny was walking her. Upon reading a column about Danny's story in the December 4th Courier Times, Harry and Maggie Agzigian decided to surprise him with a new dachshund puppy. Here Maggie Agzigian (left) hands off the new puppy to Danny (right) in the Harry Agzigian's Middletown law office. 

Read the original column about Danny losing his Dachshund at the Courier Times.

Dasching Through The Snow

Children bundled up and carrying their Christmas tree
(click image to enlarge)

Children bundled up and carrying their Christmas tree - 1908 vintage illustration - digitally remastered by Royce Bair.

William the Daschund!



By youtuber LupePosada who notes: My beautiful dog William!



We love it when our Dachshund World collides with our Morrissey World.  Here in this new video, beautiful photos of William the Dachshund are backdropped by the 1984 Smiths classic song William, It Was Really Nothing. 
There is little doubt that this 2-minute song showcases some of Morrissey's finest lyrics - gloomy, witty, anthemic, and a bit tragic all at once - coupled with Johnny Marr's light jangly guitar - it's a feast for the ears.  Turn up the volume.

The rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down
Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down
Oh, no, and everybody's got to live their life
And God knows I've got to live mine
God knows I've got to live mine
William, William it was really nothing
William, William it was really nothing
It was your life ...

How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say:
"Oh ! Would you like to marry me?
"And if you like you can buy the ring"
She doesn't care about anything
Would you like to marry me?
And if you like you can buy the ring
I don't dream about anyone - except myself!
Oh, William, William it was really nothing
William, William

Related:  Morrissey Chatter

Wiener-Dog-Walk



Weiner-Dog-Walk by TheChadSD. 

As seen at Sunday's Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade in beautiful San Diego, California.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Barking Around The Christmas Tree



Keep watching - it just gets better and better.  From youtuber jmkeating17:  Two hyper dachshunds (Lacey and Penny) chase a model train around a Christmas tree.

Fighting Over That Dachshund Bed Warmer



Meet black and tan smooth 'Poochie,' and human Laura Nichols, who hail from Maplewood, New Jersey.  Poochie is a hot commodity in the household because the humans have entered a "furnace abstinence" contest (What, are you joking us?) where bragging rights and an iceberg-shaped trophy are at stake for those who can go the longest without turning on their furnaces. According to USA Today: Nichols and her four teenage children vie for the use of the 30-pound dog as an overnight leg warmer to stave off the 50-degree chill in their home.
We would normally tell you to read more about this green activity at USA Today, but we're hoping this trend doesn't catch on.  Seriously.

Killer The Dachshund Immortalized As Hot Dog Kids' Meal



We're sure that you remember the story of 'Killer,' the Danville, Virginia Dachshund who was shot and killed by a police officer in June?  It was one of the largest Dachshund and dog stories across the nation this year, but fear not, Killer is not going unremembered.  His human Dad is apparently quite the entrepreneur, and besides his beauty salon and car wash, he recently opened up a new restaurant called Road House Surf & Turf.  The kids' meals are named after family members and loved ones, and we're betting you can't go wrong with the "Killerz Dog" hot dog meal.  Look 'em up next time you're in Virginia.  Source.

Related:  Danville Officer Who Shot Dachshund Fired - Written Press Release (video no longer available)

Related:  Police Shoot Family's 11-Year-Old Dachshund in Danville, Virginia

Tsk-Tsk, Macy's - Where Was Your Spell Checker?


According to this ebay auction which is now over, this Macy's Thanksgiving Parade "Frieda the Dachsund" [sic, sic sic!] balloon ornament is new for 2009.  We'll be darned if we can find it online at Macy's though.  Time for a trip downtown to do some shopping.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Happy Holidays Willis!



Willis is back! In a festive follow-up to It's Halloween, Willis! enjoy Happy Holidays Willis! Via the youtuber:

The companion song for "Happy Holidays Willis!" the children's book written by Jeff Elmassian and Kristine Puich. Illustrations by G.M.
To download the e-book or check out more about Willis and Little Brown Dachshund visit Little Brown Dachshund.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

MidWest Dachshund Rescue 2009 - "The Special Ones"



Midwest Dachshund Rescue is a 501 (c) (3) all-volunteer organization that was founded in 2003. It primarily serves Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. They try to serve other Midwest states as resources are available. MWDR is totally committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming needy dachshunds and dachshund mixes throughout the Midwest. MWDR has taken in over 190 dogs in 2009 - another record year.

Excerpt from MWDR's 2009 Year In Review:

It has been a dark year for many: financial hardships, illness, heartache. The condition of the community is reflected in the experiences of the rescue, the dogs that come to us and their circumstances are an accurate reflection of the world at large. There was much illness this year, far more comprehensive medical care was required than in any other year while we were still functioning at full capacity. The extensive needs of these dogs impacts us financially in the form of vet bills, and the additional recovery time and time required to find them just the right home restricts us from being able to bring additional doxies into rescue.
But we rest easy knowing that we cared for the most vulnerable, the dogs that other shelters would not invest in because of their age or their illnesses. We were able to right many of the wrongs that life cruelly dealt these animals. We had over 25 dogs come from puppy mills where they lived their lives in filthy, tiny cages that damaged their minds and bodies. Many dogs were evicted from their homes when their families faced the widespread financial difficulties that are so common now.
When our doxies were weak, our foster homes nursed and supported them until they were well enough to find homes. Seeing them gain hope and strength is our reward as we watch their tails wag on the way to their forever homes. Our foster homes are the true heroes of these stories; they invest countless hours at the vet and in learning how to care for these lost souls.

Those Special Dachshunds: Meet Stockton!


(click any photo to enlarge)







Kyle F. writes:  She is my princess.

We can see why.  Thanks for sending in such great photos!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Joey's Corner: Piebalds in Nature


Your Long and Short of it All host 'Joey' would like to share the beauty of the Piebald as it appears in animals all around the world. A Piebald is an animal that has a spotting pattern of large unpigmented (sometimes expressed as white) areas and normally pigmented patches.  The colour of the animal's skin underneath its coat is both the natural color and pigmentless.  This alternating colour pattern is irregular and asymmetrical. The national bird and symbol of the United States - the bald eagle - has a name derived from the term Piebald.
One day, even the Dachshund Club of America may appreciate the Piebald Dachshund for its astounding beauty, and allow them to openly compete in Dachshund conformation trials. For a history of the Piebald pattern in Dachshunds, click here.


Piebald ball python/source


Piebald lamb/source


Piebald squirrel/source


Piebald horse/source



Piebald deer/source


Piebald cardinal/source


Piebald moose/source


Piebald siamese fighting fish/source



I am Joey, Hear me Roar!

Related:  Modern Dachshund Humor

Related:  The Piebald Dachshund Controversy

Related:  Iris Love Talks About Piebalds in Wiener Takes All

Related:  Joey Talks About His Piebald People