Dachshund Love: Toey and the Plumber

We live to read such heart-warming dachshund stories like this. Meet 3.5-year-old smooth double dapple blind and deaf 'Toey,' and her human Bobby Hollabaugh, a plumber from Amarillo, Texas. Mr. Hollabaugh used to think that dogs belonged in the backyard until he met Toey, who sleeps in the bed between the sheets with him and his wife! Excerpt from amarillo.com: "I can't really explain it," Mr. Hollabaugh said, "but I was totally smitten the first time I saw her."
"It's changed his life," Glenda [Mrs. Hollabaugh] said. "He used to be a grouchy old man, and now the dog has turned him into the biggest baby. He's like a big ol' kid. He loves it like a child. I can't tell you how much he loves that dog."
The two are practically inseparable, together about 22 out of 24 hours a day. At night, she's in his or Glenda's lap. During the day, Toey is with Hollabaugh, either in the truck or with him in his shop on Polk Street. It's been that way since Hollabaugh first saw her.
Read all about Toey and see lots of pics at amarillo.com.

Dachshunds in Politics: Mary Matalin and James Carville

ILLUSTRATION BY JOE CIARDIELLO FOR USN&WR

Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, whatever.....our dachshunds love us no matter what our faults and our political affiliation may be. We know that Donald Rumsfeld's dachshund 'Reggie' thinks that the sun rises and sets in his dad's eyes. (We hope that Reggie is doing OK after his recent stroke. We heard that Mr. Rumsfeld was crushed when his doxie was ill).
Political unrest couldn't be more evident than in the Matalin-Carville household where they have 5 dogs and 8 cats, including 2 dachshunds. US News & World Report had a look at the couple and their love of animals. Here's an excerpt: Matalin, the GOP adviser to both Bushes and Vice President Dick Cheney, preaches the healing powers of animals. And she doesn't have to look further than hubby James, the Clinton adviser. He tells us that following the recent death of his fave Cavalier King Charles spaniel, "I haven't been the same since. I just find it hard to transfer my affections, and I was pretty close to this one." Mary playfully calls them "frou-frou dogs with bows in their hair that just brought out a different part of him." He's getting over it now thanks to one of their two miniature dachshunds. "I like that dog," fesses Carville. "Dogs are like people . . . some dogs you just like better than others."
Read the rest at US News & World Report.

The couple and their daughters, Emma, left, and Matty, gather with their dachshunds in front of a family portrait by Victor Razgulin in their Alexandria, Virginia home. Photo Source: Architectural Digest. See more photos of their home in a nice Architectural Digest feature.

Dachshunds in Art: Gil Elvgren

Did someone say Woof?! Gil Elvgren (March 15, 1914-February 29, 1980), born Gilette Elvgren, was an American painter of pin-up girls, advertising and illustration.
Elvgren was one of the most important pin-up and glamour artists of the twentieth century. In addition, he was a classical American illustrator.
His clients ranged from Brown and Bigelow and Coca-Cola to General Electric and Sealy Mattress Company. During the 1940s and 1950s he illustrated stories for a host of magazines, such as The Saturday Evening Post and Good Housekeeping.
Although best known for his pin-ups, his work for Coca-Cola and others depicted typical Americans — ordinary people doing everyday things.
The above image, titled Neat Trick, comes from a 1965 calendar.
Find out more about "the Norman Rockwell of Cheesecake" at the official Elvgren site.

Gil Elvgren (source: Elvgren Pinup)

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

The Dachshund Song

We love to sing. Just yesterday we were listening to the Weinstock & de Vries classic tune The Dachs Song, have a listen to this fun new ditty called The Dachshund Song by youtuber petemcgreet. A short song you'll be singing all day long!

Related: Meet 'Lucia,' Cover Dachshund for Bergdorf Goodman

Related: I'm A Dachshund

The New Mini Wienermobile

Ocsar Mayer has created the new Mini Wienermobile to celebrate their 125th anniversary. We're waiting for the longhair and wirehair version!



New York Giant Michael Strahan unveils the new Mini in Times Square, New York City.

Related: Wienermobile Wipes Out

Related: Crimes Against Wieners

Meet 'Lucia,' Cover Dachshund for Bergdorf Goodman

'Lucia Lagrima,' having just appeared on the cover of Bergdorf Goodman's 2008 Spring Collections Magazine, is celebrating her status as one of New York City's newest cover girls. Wearing nothing but a silk flower tiara, she is a star on the rise.
It's a marked improvement from her former life at the SPCA of Westchester, which is located in Briarcliff Manor, New York. Oh, by the way, Lucia Lagrima is a 6.5 pound mini wire-haired who sailed through the SPCA's adoption program in one day.
Lucia's forever human is dachshund lover "Furry" Murray Weinstock, co-creator* of The Dachs Song (surely you've heard it, click that link to listen!) and other fun songs available on his CD Tails of the City. Find out more at Dog Tunes.

Currently, Lucia is looking forward to Springtime with squirrel chasing on her mind, and is eagerly awaiting the completion of a new song written about her entitled "Blue Dog: The Soul of a Clown." Woof!
*The Dachs Song's other creator is Paul de Vries , whose street organ makes the NYC Dachshund Spring and Octoberfest events very festive!

Dachshunds Are For Wine Lovers

This tote is just perfect for dachshund loving wine connoisseurs! Available at Russian Lenok Design. Speak Russian?

Slightly related: Wine for Dachshund Lovers: Long Dog Winery

Dachshund News Roundup

Woof! Meet red longhair 'Fritzie' and the legs of his human, John Graham, of Farmersville, Texas. They attended the 23rd Annual Pooch Parade in Dallas yesterday. Love the ball and chain Fritzie! Excerpt from KHOU-TV: About 75 dogs had the fortune – or misfortune, depending on their moods – to be dressed up and pranced along the road by owners who hoped to win a prize in one of four categories: small dogs, large dogs, pet owner look-alike and best dressed.
Zoey Bear, a longhaired dachshund, pulled off a clown motif, complete with a rainbow wig, red shoes, yellow glasses and a big red nose. Though she didn't win a prize, her owner said the contest was worth the hour-long drive from Farmersville.
"We enjoy it every year," [Zoey's human] Carolyn Graham said.
Read all about the pooch parade, and see photos of black and tan longhair 'Zoey Bear' (Fritzie's sister?) at KHOU-TV.

Pretty disabled black and tan longhair 'Chickie' gets ready to pull a giant egg for her human Kevin Benner in the 7th Annual Easter Bonnet Dog Parade Saturday, in Delray Beach, Florida. What a great spring costume Chickie! Excerpt from the Palm Beach Post: More than 90 pooches took to the sidewalks Saturday morning in their finest spring attire for the seventh annual Easter Bonnet Dog Parade along Atlantic Avenue.
Lesley Kenwood, 41, a flight attendant who lives in Boynton Beach, came with her 1-year-old mini Dachshund named Scout, who was dressed in a yellow chemise and matching homemade hat adorned with bumblebees and flowers.
Kenwood said it took her about two weeks to make the hat. "I wanted her to have little bumblebees to look like spring," Kenwood said. "I do this more for the fun of it, and I enjoy getting together with everybody."
Read all about the Easter Bonnet Dog parade, and see lots of doggie pics at the Palm Beach Post.

Happy Easter!

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness! ~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

Have a great Easter Sunday with your dachshunds.



Dachshund Easter Egg Hunt - this is a fun video by youtuber CallNeg151.

Dachshunds in Pop Culture: Shirley Temple

Who? You know who! Shirley Jane Temple (born April 23, 1928) is an Academy Award-winning actress most famous for being an iconic American child actor of the 1930s, who enjoyed a notable career as a diplomat as an adult. After rising to fame at the age of six with her breakthrough performance in the film Bright Eyes in 1934, she starred in a series of highly successful movies which won her widespread public adulation and saw her become the top grossing star at the American box-office during the height of the Depression. She went on to star in films as a young adult in the 1940s. In later life, she became a United States ambassador and diplomat.
Although Shirley Temple is a dog lover, we don't think that this is her red smooth dachshund; this was most likely some sort of a promotional photo. So while we can't find anything to suggest that Shirley Temple was ever owned by dachshund, it's Easter weekend, a time of renewal, and it's all about the kids and puppies and bunnies and chicks and Easter eggs and church and so forth.
Find out more about Shirley Temple at her official site or wikipedia or anywhere, really.

Dachshunds Are Better by the Dozen

There's an old saying amongst dachshund lovers: dachshunds are like potato chips.....you can't have just one! Meet Julie Skipworth of Wichita Falls, Texas, and about 8 of her 12, yes twelve, dachshunds.....all girls and one boy. Dachshund number 12 came about a month ago when Mrs. Skipworth celebrated her 50th birthday. Excerpt from the Times Record News: “I didn’t mean to get another,” she said as dogs jumped up and down at her feet. “The vet told me that 11 was enough. But then I was turning 50 and I wanted to treat myself.”
Her husband puts up with her dachshund obsession. Not only are there the dogs, but there’s dog paintings and dog plates and dog figurines and a dog mailbox.
Read all about Julie Skipworth and her doxies including Schatz, Danka, Bella, Izzy, Dirk, and Wendy at the Times Record News. Looks like a well-behaved pack. We're wondering if a baker's dozen is in the future?

Roxy, the Doxy Bitten by Coral Snake, Comes Home!

Roxy, a sick little girl. Photo from her mom.

What wonderful news, there's nothing that could make dog and dachshund lovers happier today! It's an amazing miracle, but 'Roxy,' the 11-month-old girl who was bitten and paralyzed by a coral snake on Sunday in her home in Delray Beach, Florida, and was fighting for her life at the vets for several days, came home yesterday! She will need physical therapy, but is doing great.
Beyond being a miracle, we think that Roxy is nothing less than a modern-day HEROINE for taking on that snake to protect her humans. What a special girl.
We spoke with Roxy's humans, Alethea and Jeremy Brooks, and received this wonderful update before she came home:

Thank you so much for your thoughts & prayers! It has made a difference not only to Roxy but to us. It has really given us strength & hope. I was shocked at how many people really cared & have tried to give us comfort during this difficult time.
Roxy is improving at a much faster rate than was expected! She is trying to eat on her own & can sit up for a short time on her front legs! She has started barking at the other dogs in the vets office (& growling at the cats) Her feisty spirit is back! We are relieved and proud of her!

Then the big news came yesterday when Roxy's veterinarian, Dr. Sidney D. Lehr, DVM left a heartwarming comment on Roxy's story:

I am Roxy's veterinarian, and I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I sent her home about two hours ago - walking. I wouldn't have thought this would have had such a happy ending so soon. The coral snake anti-venin I gave her on Monday was what saved her - and the TLC of my staff.
Sidney D. Lehr, DVM

Thanks so much to the Palm Beach Post for all the updates on Roxy. There was another update yesterday when Roxy came home, including an amazing video, don't miss it.

And finally, from Roxie's humans last night:

Roxy is at home & still trying to recover. She can walk in short intervals and then she sleeps for a few hours :) She now has her own web page http://www.roxydoxy.com/ & her very own email address roxy.doxy@yahoo.com

Thanks again to everyone,
Jeremy, Alethea, Roxy & Nala

Photo from mom of Roxy as a puppy.

Welcome home Roxy! We look forward to reading about your progress on your website.

Related: Roxy the Dachshund Bitten by Coral Snake; Fights for Life

Seattle Shelter Dachshund Finds New Home

Photo: TOM REESE / THE SEATTLE TIMES

This iconic photo appeared in a page one photo on Monday in the Seattle Times (both in print and on-line) for a story about conditions at local King County's animal shelters. Isn't that another red smooth doxie in the background? Excerpt: Many readers called the newspaper and King County Animal Care and Control — and some went straight to the shelter — to see if they could adopt the brown dog. But it had been adopted last Tuesday, the same day it arrived at the Kent shelter and Seattle Times photographer Tom Reese took its picture.
Even though many people may have been disappointed they missed the chance to adopt the front-page dachshund, Al Dams [Animal Care and Control's acting manager] said he believes interest in the dog has boosted the number of other animals now being adopted.
The previous owner "did the right thing," he said — bringing it in for adoption when the owner found he or she couldn't devote the time required to care for a dog.
Read all about it at the Seattle Times.

Vintage Dachshund Beauty

Long and Short, just the way we like it. What a fantastic old postcard from the 1920s.

Roxy the Dachshund Bitten by Coral Snake; Fights for Life

Let's send lots of prayers and good wishes for red smooth 'Roxy' the Doxie who was bitten by a coral snake in her home yesterday in Delray Beach, Florida. Excerpt from the Palm Beach Post: Roxy, an 11 month-old Dachshund from Delray Beach, was fighting for her life Monday afternoon after a coral snake bite left her paralyzed. Dr. Sidney Lehr said Roxy was showing "positive" signs after anti-coral venom toxin was administered, but it was too early to tell if the canine would pull through. Read about the poor girl at the Palm Beach Post. We know that everyone is sending lots of dachshund love your way Roxy.

UPDATE: March 18th, 12N CST: Roxie survived the night and is improving. Excerpt from the Palm Beach Post: Roxy, the 11 month-old Dachshund that was left paralyzed by a coral snake bite Monday, is going to make it.
"I wouldn't have said this yesterday," said veternarian Sidney Lehr this morning. "I wouldn't have believed it. She's a little dog who got bitten by a poisonous snake."

"She has started moving her head a little, though she still can't open her mouth, needs to be tube fed and have her bladder emptied. Read the entire update at the Palm Beach Post.

Viral Dachshund Videos: "Jerry needs no help playing with his ball."

"A dachshund named Jerry plays with his ball throwing machine."

An automated ball launcher! What a great invention, we could keep ourselves busy for hours! And how smart is 'Jerry?' Nice camerawork, by the way. Thanks to Terri K. for the tip!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

An Irish Quote: For each petal on the shamrock this brings a wish your way - good health, good luck and happiness for today and every day.

Make sure to check out more pics of green smooth dachshund 'Cici' over at her gallery.....because it's good luck to see a dachshund online! Woof!

Day Blindness in the Wirehaired Dachshund

Retina from a dog suffering from day blindness. (Credit: Erns-Otto Ropstad, NVH)

Our dad gets all excited about innovative medical studies, especially when a dachshund is involved, but we're much more worried about when our next meal will make its appearance. For his Ph. D. degree, Ernst-Otto Ropstad of Asker, Norway, investigated the retinal disease called cone-rod dystrophy in the Norwegian population of wirehaired dachshunds. His findings are of comparative interest for the corresponding disease in humans. Read all about it at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Medicine.

An E-mail From The Empress of Iran

Is Farah Pahlavi, the Empress of Iran, a dachshund lover? Well, everyone loves dachshunds, but was she ever a dachshund owner? OK....let's get this right and ask the question the right way: Was the Empress of Iran ever owned by a dachshund?
The above photo has circulated on the net for some time, and has been offered for sale on ebay, but the copyright seems to rest with ViewImages. There is a caption on ViewImages which states: 1st May 1962: A member of the Embassy staff holds 'Pune' the dachshund to say goodbye to Queen Farah Diba of Iran who is leaving in a limousine. (Photo by William H. Alden/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
We were curious about the history of this photo, and whether or not Pune actually belonged to The Empress. We contacted her, and were surprised to say the least, that she graciously answered our e-mail:

Dear Joey and Maggie,
Thank you for your kind email of 02 March 08. For your information, I never owned a dachshund, and cannot recall where the photo you sent me was taken. I wish you good luck and success in all your endeavors.
Farah Pahlavi

So, that's the long and short of it all. Find out more about Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran, including her contributions to culture and the emancipation of women, at her official site or wikipedia.

"Levi and Shamrocks"

Meet beautiful smooth cream piebald 'Levi' as photographed by his mom, flickr photographer geckoam. What a great photo! Looks like Levi is all set for a big St. Patrick's Day weekend. See more pics, and find out more about the rescue boy in his flickr photo set. See more pics by geckoam (including Levi's doxie family Mocha and Pepper) at flickr.