Dachshundist George Richards Passes

Our hearts go out to the friends and family of Dachshund Lover George Richards, 100, who passed away June 17, 2012, at Hospice of St. Mary's in Callaway, MD. You will remember George and his beloved Dachshund 'Hummel,' from this video we posted in November of 2009.  The video went on to reach viral status, with nearly 140,000 views on Vimeo.  George was 97 here.  Via The Baynet.com:

George joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served aboard the DD794 USS Irwin in the Pacific. After being honorably discharged he was employed by the Department of Agriculture for 35 dedicated years. During this time, he spent two memorable years in India. In 1967 he moved to Bushwood, Maryland, where he spent ten years before moving to Sun City Center, FL. After spending nine years in Florida, George moved back to Leonardtown, MD, in 1986. George had many extracurricular activities, which included gardening, photography, driving an ambulance while residing in Florida, and volunteering as a first aide instructor for the American Red Cross. However, his passion was with his dachshunds. He loved working with and training his beloved dogs. He was a member of the Richmond Dog Obedience Club, where he won many awards; the Chesapeake Kennel Club, the St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, Southern Maryland Barbershop Chorus, the Bowie Knights of Harmony, and St. Paul's Methodist Church.

Read more about Mr. Richards' Dachshund achievements at The Dachshund History Project. 

Joey and Maggie Featured in Local Paper for MWDR Fundraiser

Memory Lane

We're so proud of our crew (and we miss our Miss Maggie very much).  Regular readers of The Long and Short of it All may remember this photo we took at last year's “Cross Town Bark Around,” a fundraiser and social presented by Midwest Dachshund Rescue (MWDR).  Well, it was selected in a local edition of the Chicago Tribune to promote this year's event!   We couldn't be happier!

If you live in the Midwest, you do NOT want to miss this year's event which is taking place on Saturday, May 19th, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton, Illinois.  You will be shocked and amazed at the amazing raffles, prizes, and activities.  Via Trib Local:

The event will be inside Buildings 2 and 3 and will be held, rain or shine. The “Doxie Dash Wiener Races” will begin at 2 p.m. All activities, except for the races, will be inside the buildings. Dachshunds, dachshund mixes and their families and friends are invited. Dachshund lovers without dogs are also welcome.
Activities in addition to the Doxie Dash include raffles and silent auctions, featuring Cubs and White Sox tickets, theme park passes, dining gift cards and overnight hotel stays. The event also will feature a Doxie “Kiss-Off,” Doxie Cake Walk, Best Costume and Best “Peanut Butter Licker” Contests and Paw Painting on Canvas for the little Pawcassos. The Doxie General Store will feature one-of-a-kind dog-related items. There also will be “Ask The Trainer” and “Teach A Dog A Trick” booths, a bake sale, nail trims, wiener games and photos with the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Pedal Car.
All proceeds benefit rescued dachshunds whose veterinary care, spaying and neutering, food, medication and other needs prior to adoption are funded by MWDR.
Admission is $5 for adults, which includes one free hot dog. Registration is not required for admission but advance registration is necessary for Doxie Dash Wiener Race participants.

Read more at Trib Local.

Dita Von Teese Mourns the Loss of Her Beloved Eva

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Firefighters Rescue Dachshund Stuck in Tree in Cemetery

We couldn't make this one up if we tried!  We've all heard of firefighters rescuing cats from trees, but have you ever heard of a dog needing rescue from a tree, much less a Dachshund?  Well, meet red longhair 'Cappy,' a pretty rescue-girl who hails from Beaufort, South Carolina.  Cappy went missing about 6 PM Sunday, and her human, Mimi Austin, asked for help finding her on facebook.  So, her friends joined in the search at about 12:30 in the morning.  Excerpt from The Island Packet:

They went straight to the cemetery, which is close to Austin's house.
Flashlights in hand, the women searched until they thought they heard barking in the back of the cemetery.
"We rushed to where we thought we heard it, and we traced it to this big oak tree with major brush around it," she said. "Once we got to the tree, the barking stopped."
Austin was on her porch and came rushing over at the familiar sound of Cappy's bark. Thinking her dog was caught in the brush, she started cutting some of it away with clippers.
The women started getting frustrated with searching in the dark, when two Beaufort police officers stopped by to see what three women, a dog and a car were doing in the rear of the cemetery, Mrs. Austin's friend Kim Bonturi said. One officer shone his light up in the tree and spotted the dog.
The dachshund had climbed up 12 feet in the tree, out of reach of the women and officers even with Bonturi's eight-foot ladder.
The women had to wait about 45 minutes until firefighters Vezin and David Evans, who had been out on a medical call, arrived with a ladder.
"She was just happy to be in her mom's arms," Bonturi said of the dachshund.
Cappy seemed to be fine, Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department spokesman John

Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/04/09/2030373/firefighters-rescue-dog-from-tree.html#storylink=cpy

Robinson said.
The dog lapped up an entire bowl of water when she got home, said Bonturi, who works with Chain Free Beaufort, a nonprofit dedicated to helping animals.

A Plea For Help

Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/04/09/2030373/firefighters-rescue-dog-from-tree.html#storylink=cpy

The Man Of Your Dreams

Snappy dresser, sharp accessories.  JONES NEW YORK via The Bay.

Thanks to our friend 'Rocky' for sending in the ad!

Easter With The Sheridan Avenue Boys

Dachshunds all over the world celebrated Easter Sunday yesterday, and those Sheridan Avenue Boys were no exception.  Handsome, Handsome, Handsome, Handsome, and Handsome, also know as Jack, Jetson, Jordan, Lincoln, and Lego, impressed the crowds wherever they went with their festively colored bow ties.  Thanks to their mom for sending in the awesome photos!

Dachshund Interspecies Musings: Watch Out For That Iguana

Regensburg, Germany — A Dachshund named 'Rambo' gets up close and personal with a green iguana named 'Otto' at the zoo. 

Source:  LA Times Pictures in the News for April 5, 2012.

Related:  Interspecies Musings

All About Cosmo

We love it when Dachshund Lovers detail their affection for their long dogs - whether writing in to us with stories and photos, or telling the world all about it in a video.  When we stumbled across jewellery designer Zina S. Sparling speaking so poetically about her beautiful boy 'Cosmo,' we had to share.  Unfortunately, the video was not available for embedding, but we contacted her, and she graciously agreed to let us post it.  So, without any further ado, and delivered with the graceful style of Dachshund Lover Ingrid Bergman, meet little 'Cosmo.'

If you're interested in lush exotic jewelry, with some pieces inspired by such luminaries as "Hitchcock, Tippi Hedren, and the ubiquitous, unique, and gorgeous Kim Novak," check out Zina S Sparling Jewellery.

Cuddle Puddle

Mind if we squeeze in?

Via ihasahotdog.com

Thanks to our Slovenian pal 'Princess Lea' for sending this in!

Dachshund UN Travels to the UK

Australian artist Bennett Miller's Dachshund UN traveling art installation has broken the boundaries of Australia, showing up Saturday as part of the live art Fierce Festival in Birmingham, England.  47 Dachshunds from all over the West Midlands participated in the event.  Excerpt from the Sunday Mercury:

The international body is often accused of having no teeth but there were plenty of gnashers on show in the reproduction assembly.
The mock UN meeting took place outside the Ikon Gallery, in Oozells Square. Exhibition bosses said the scale replica of a former UN office in Geneva was designed to be thought-provoking on the issue of human rights.
An exhibition spokesman said: “Dachshund UN is both a large scale architectural installation and a performance work that examines the role of the United Nations as a risk management organisation.

Related:  More Dachshund UN

Sweet Dachshund Puppy Thrown Out A Third Floor Balcony: She's A Miracle Baby

Look at that face

Good gosh.  We hate ending our week at The Long and Short of it All with such a sad story, but alas - we don't write the Dachshund news, we just report it.  Meet beautiful little 9-week-old 'Lola,' who hails from Mobile, Alabama.  She was thrown from a balcony of  a third-floor apartment on Tuesday, and is seen here just yesterday - still in very serious condition at South Alabama Spay & Neuter Center.  Excerpt from al.com:

The small dog appeared weak, only standing for several seconds, but responding to kisses and other shows of affection.

“She’s not out of the woods yet. She definitely a miracle,” said Dr. Jeni Knizley who is treating Lola. “She has had the most wonderful attitude. Even when we were trying to hook up a catheter, she would look up at us and wag her tail. That kind of love and devotion, (it) is heartbreaking when you see it. She had a strong will to be here and is a really sweet, sweet precious baby.”
Kendria Dexter, the puppy’s owner, was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. She was booked into Mobile County Metro Jail about 6:14 p.m. Wednesday and was released about 8 p.m. with bail set at $1,000, records show.
“I did not have good expectations for the dog,” Knizley said. “I would probably have given her a 10 to 15 percent chance of making it.”
The puppy “was in very, very critical condition when she arrived,” Knizley said, adding that Lola had trouble breathing, couldn’t stand, and “was in a coma-type state.” The impact caused internal injuries including liver damage, she said.
“She is eating, but not keeping much down,” she said.
“I can’t say she’s out of the woods yet, but I can say she miraculously not a single broken bone, probably due to her age.” Knizley said.

Read more about this poor little girl and see another photo at al.com. 

We're sending warm Dachshund wishes Lola's way for a full and quick recovery. 

Dachshund Attacked in Own Home by Pit Bull

Meet poor little 18-month-old 'Mac,' who hails from Watertown, New York.  A loose Pit Bull charged into his house and started attacking him last weekend.  Luckily his Dad came to his rescue, stabbing and killing the Pit Bull.  Not exactly a fun-filled story to be sharing on a wonderful Friday, but it just goes to show you that you can never let your guard down, Dachshund Brethren.  We hope that Mac has a complete recovery from this horrific ordeal. 

Dachshund Vs. Penguin

Thanks to our buddy Phillip Jenkins, aka 'Philly' for sending in this video!  He writes: 

Dear Joey and Rowdy,

I found this link and figured you've seen this already but if not, it's fantastic! 



It sure is - thanks Philly!

Philly:  One Handsome Wheaten

Dachshunds Let It All Hang Out For St. Patrick's Day

We hope you are all recovering after a big weekend for Dachshunds and their humans!  Who says Germans can't be Irish?   Above, our pal 'Honey' delighted party-goers everywhere she went with her Wearin' O' the Green.  Make sure and keep up with Honey over at flickr in Honey in 2012!

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Dachshund Club out of Buffalo, New York, marched in the local St. Patrick's Day Parade yesterday.  Catch all the photos at their meetup site. 

And finally, fun was ta' be had with On My Way Home Dachshund Rescue and their adoptathon at The Soggy Dog in Henderson, Nevada.  Good times!

A Word A Day: DOXY

DOXY

The word for Sunday in Wordsmith's Word A Day was:  doxy:

MEANING:

noun:

1. A mistress or a promiscuous woman.

2. Opinion or doctrine

ETYMOLOGY:

For 1: Of uncertain origin, perhaps from obsolete Dutch docke (doll). Earliest documented use: around 1530.
For 2: Back-formed from orthodoxy, heterodoxy, etc. From Greek doxa (opinion), from dokein (to think). Ultimately from the Indo-European root dek- (to take or accept), which is also the root of words such as paradox, orthodox, doctor, disciple, discipline, doctrine, dogma, decent, decorate, dignity, disdain, condign, and deign. Earliest documented use: around 1730.

USAGE:

"The arresting officer would still be filling out paperwork and the doxy would be collecting her things and heading back to the street."
Neil Steinberg; Blinded by Race; Chicago Sun-Times; Dec 31, 2008.

"In that twilight zone of the Anglican double standard, orthodoxy is really just a word for my doxy. Heterodoxy means everyone else's doxy."
Hywel Williams; Let Us All Err and Stray; The Guardian (London, UK); Jul 8, 2003.

Merriam-Webster provides these synonyms:
Synonyms: bimbo [slang], chippie (also chippy), floozy (also doxie), fancy woman, hoochie [slang], hussy, Jezebel, minx, quean, slut, tramp, trollop, wench, whore
Related Words: siren, temptress, vamp; grisette, harlot, prostitute, trull

Dachshund Lovers may be best off just spelling it Dachsie!

Texas Bed & Breakfast/Dachshund Rescue Forced To Cease Rescue Operations

Times are tough, and when you've spent $20,000 caring for dogs last year, and then your insurance company says they won't insure your dog-related claims anymore, something has to give.  Meet Carol Hirschi of Seguin, Texas, and a couple of her rescues.  Carol and her husband operate the Mosheim Mansion Bed & Breakfast, which also doubles as a dog rescue of sorts - usually with 10 - 20 dogs on the property, mostly Dachshunds, waiting for their forever home.  Excerpt from My San Antonio:

The dogs are mostly relegated to separate kennel areas or the backyard of the six-bedroom, three-story building that dates from 1894.

“The dogs aren't allowed in the kitchen or the living areas of the house,” says Hirschi, who, with her long, jet-black hair, exudes an intriguing rock 'n' roll businesswoman vibe. “And guests have to ask permission to go into the kennel or backyard to play with them.”

And even that may soon end as Hirschi prepares to “de-dog” the B&B.

Her reasons?

Money.

“We just can't do it anymore,” she says while standing in the backyard, overrun on this damp day by about a dozen canines.

Her current insurer recently informed her that it would no longer cover claims related to the dog rescue operations, nor would it sell her any personal liability to cover her in case a dog bit someone (which has never happened). She called two other insurers and they wouldn't even give her an estimate.

"It's sad," she says. "Only one guest ever complained about barking."
Should a guardian angel appear and offer to write her a big check, she'd reconsider her decision.
But in these hard economic times, she knows that's unlikely.

Read more about this rescue/B&B, and see more photos at My San Antonio. 
Thanks so much to Melinda F. for sending in the link!

Mary Does Meetup: South Florida Dachshund Meetup Group

Mary Does Meetup: South Florida Dachshund Meetup Group from Mary Beth Koeth on Vimeo.

Photographer Mary Beth Koeth randomly chooses a meetup group each month to humorously document people and their interests. 
Looks like she made it to the South Beach Dachshund Winterfest in January!   Fantastic!


Related:  2012 South Beach Dachshund Winterfest -- World's Longest Dachshund Video!

Helping Dachshund Lovers In Need

Katie and Jules

Dachshund Delights has set up a fundraiser for Sheryle Pickett, a resident of Holton, Indiana, who lost her husband Ron, her home, her two Dachshunds, and her Dachshund-mix in last Friday's tornadoes that ravaged the South and MidWest.  Sheryle & Ron were also adopters and volunteers for Dachshund Rescue of North America. Their Dachshunds, 'Katie' and 'Jules,' were puppy mill survivors, and their Dachshund mix 'Bear' was found as a stray. 

If you would like to help, there are two fundraising channels:

One is a ChipIn donation page (operated by PayPal). You do not need to have a PayPal account to use it. You can pay by credit card or e-check.

The second way you can help is by purchasing raffle tickets.  Dachshund Delights has procured several gift certificates and gift cards for the raffle. Drawing will be held March 10.

You can watch an interview with Sheryle Pickett in the local news at WLWT.COM. 

  

Chicago Mini Motoring Club

If you own a MINI car, and if you're owned by a mini Dachshund, you may have found your forever home at Chicago MINI Motoring Club.

Thanks to our smooth chocolate mini hometown gal-pal 'Bridget' for sending in the link!

The Dachshund Tumbles To The 9th Most Popular Dog In The United States Of America

It's All About Me

We've been waiting patiently for the American Kennel Club to release its registration statistics for 2011, as 2010's stats came out at the end of January last year.  Well, the results were finally released today, and we find that the lovable Dachshund has slipped from the 8th to the 9th most popular dog in the United States of America.  Via the AKC:

Look out Lab, the American Kennel Club® (AKC) has announced that the Beagle has overtaken the beloved Yorkshire Terrier to become the third most popular dog breed in the U.S.  The Golden Retriever also made a strong push into the top ranks – advancing from the fifth to the fourth most popular dog breed – and the Rottweiler made news by unseating the Shih Tzu – which had been in the top 10 since 2000. But fans of the Labrador Retriever need not fear: the beloved Lab remains the champ – a spot it has now held for 21 consecutive years – thanks to its well-earned reputation for playfulness and loyalty and its use as a police and search-and-rescue dog.

"While the Labrador Retriever has proven once again to be a family favorite, this year clearly belongs to the Beagle," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "The Beagle's merry personality combined with his love of outdoor activities make him such a wonderful family pet that I wouldn't be surprised to see this spunky breed sniff his way to the top of the list next year."

If we spend about an hour graphing out AKC's Dachshund registration statistics over the last twelve years, this is what that graph would look like.  Of course, these are registration statistics, and heaven only knows how many Dachshunds aren't even registered with the AKC each year. The Dachshund seems to have lost popularity in many major cities across America as well, most notably New York, where we were in the top 5 for many years, but have fallen out of the top ten altogether for 2011.
Falling in popularity isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the more popular a dog, the greater likelihood that their numbers will increase in Rescue.  And we are still in the top 10 after all.
Read all the stats at The American Kennel Club.