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Dachshund Club of America Supports WV Rescue Efforts

We're pleased to report this news from The Dachshund Club of America: During a special teleconference Thursday evening called specifically for the purpose of discussing the West Virginia rescue situation, the DCA Board agreed to send a donation of $1,000 each to the Humane Society of Parkersburg, WV, and the Dachshund Rescue of North America (DRNA).
This week, Emma Jean Stephenson, DCA Rescue Chair, and Marlies Noll, DCA Secretary, were in close contact with the Humane Society and others directly involved in this rescue.

DRNA Press Release - Parkersburg WV Puppy Mill

For immediate release:

Dachshund Rescue of North America, Inc. is involved in what may be the largest puppy mill raid in history. On Saturday August 23, the Humane Society of Parkersburg, Humane Society of the United States, Best Friends Animal Society, Humane Society of Missouri and others sprung into action removing 1,000 dogs from Whispering Oaks Kennel in Parkersburg, WV. Local authorities had received complaints about discharging pollution without a permit and went in with law enforcement to investigate the situation. They found dogs of many breeds housed in small pens with the dogs standing on wire. While the conditions weren't as horrible as some puppy mills, the stench was overwhelming according to volunteers and the shear number of dogs is impossible to care for with 4 full time kennel employees. The owners, Sharon and Edwin Roberts agreed to surrender the dogs and other conditions to avoid or minimize prosecution. We are not privy to those discussions and the matter is still under investigation.
DRNA is helping as it has with similar situations over the past 10 years. We took custody of 138 Dachshunds on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 from a warehouse where the dogs had been taken, vet checked, cleaned and fed. According to Jill Blasdel-Cortus, President of DRNA, "The operation in the warehouse was amazing! There were rows and rows of kennels stacked two high as far as you could see. Probably 100 volunteers tended to the dogs, cleaning crates, washing bowls, getting the dogs checked out by several veterinarians on the scene and then moving them out to various rescues. As soon as we loaded a dog, the kennel was cleaned and disinfected." It took 7 hours to load all 138 dogs that were moved to Tell City, IN and Markleysburg, PA for further vetting and distribution to eleven states where our members are organizing foster homes.
All dogs will be spayed/neutered, have rabies and DHPPC vaccines, heartworm tested and on prevention, wormed, dentals as necessary. A variety of conditions including dehydration, parasites, skin infections and irritations, dental problems such as retained baby teeth and extreme tartar, ear inflammation, eye irritation and infection, etc. have been found thus far and treated. We have a few dogs that are in critical condition though most are in good condition. They will need to be socialized since they have not been handled for their entire life. Most are scared but are not trying to bite. That is a positive sign since many mill dogs have been handled roughly and are terrified of humans. "These dogs are more neglected as opposed to abused" Ms. Blasdel-Cortus added. Dogs will be ready for placement immediately and over the next 3 months and standard DRNA placement fees will apply. Puppies under 1 year of age are $350. Dogs up to 9 years old are $250. Over 10 years or with on going medical conditions are $135. Puppies will be kept with their mothers until they are at least 12 weeks old and the will be alter prior to placement as well.
Ms. Blasdel-Cortus also wanted to remind prospective adopters that foster homes and local shelters are also filled with many other dogs that need homes and that this influx puts additional burden on the participating humane organizations. Not all adoptive homes are prepared for the challenges that can come with a mill dog such as the socialization and house training issues. Please look at all of the needy dogs that would love a Forever Home.
The publicity surrounding this event is also increasing our volume of applications and email inquiries. "Our priority is the care of these dogs so please be patient and allow our volunteers extra time to respond. Email is the best method to communicate with us. In addition to caring for the dogs, most of our members have other full time jobs too. We do not have a central facility or telephone number so generally the callers are getting our cell phones. We simply refer them back to the website for more information and we will try to post any updates on these dogs" said Ms. Blasdel-Cortus.
We have also received several requests from other organizations that took dachshunds in addition to some of the other breeds. Unfortunately they did not consult us in advance and assumed we would have foster space for those dogs as well. We will do our best to place dogs quickly so that we can assist them in getting those dogs into foster care. Additionally another team of DRNA members drove 9 hours on Friday to evaluate and possibly bring in another 6 dachshunds that other rescues rejected for temperament issues. They will be evaluated and will probably need long term foster care. We will update as information becomes available.
Photos will be loaded on the DRNA website as well as dog listings. Please allow us at least 4 days. These poor dogs don't even have names much less an evaluation of what kind of home is needed to assure their successful placement.
As a very positive note on the entire operation, Best Friends disclosed to DRNA volunteers that no dogs were euthanized in this mill closure.
If you would like to donate to DRNA to help pay for the tremendous medical costs associate with the 138 or more dogs, please visit our website http://www.drna.org/ for paypal donations or checks can be mailed to DRNA, 7821 Sabre Court, Manassas, VA 20109.

Contact information:
Jill Blasdel-Cortus
Dachshund Rescue of North America, Inc.
President
226 E. Central Ave.
Greensburg, IN 47240
jill@drna.org

Dachshunds Delivered Into Loving Arms

An estimated 250 of the 1,000 dogs rescued from the Whispering Oaks Kennel in Parkerburg, West Virginia, on Saturday arrived in Washington, DC., yesterday to be placed with various rescue organizations and in foster homes. Above, a heartbreaking tear rolls from the eye of a momma doxie as her puppies nurse. Excerpt from The Washington Post: Frankie's eyes drooped with fatigue. With grimy fur and nails a half-inch long, he wobbled on his paws after apparently spending most of his life in a wire cage in a West Virginia puppy mill. But his biggest problem yesterday was fitting his wiener-shaped torso into the sink.
"I think he's too long," said Kirsten Porter, 29, plopping the 2-year-old dachshund's rear end under the kitchen faucet, then lathering him with shampoo. Read more in a great story at The Washington Post. Don't miss this link on the left hand side of the page there with 3 slideshows of photos.

But What Can I Do? Donate, Volunteer, Transport, Foster, Adopt

Photo: Humane Society of the United States

We've heard through the grapevine that an unfortunate number of dogs, 200, were humanely euthanized following the raid at Whispering Oaks Kennel in Parkerburg, West Virginia, on Saturday. UPDATE: we re-checked with the group who provided this information, and NO DOGS were euthanized in this effort. Help is needed to ensure that the remaining dogs get medical care, socialization, and find the perfect forever homes that they deserve. It's amazing how this country of animal lovers have come together in this effort.

How to help: check with your local, regional, or national organizations who are assisting in this effort. There are many, including: Humane Society of Parkersburg, Washington Animal Rescue League, Virginia Beach SPCA, Dachshund Rescue of North America, Best Friends, All American Dachshund Rescue, North Shore Animal league, The Sterile Feral, Ohio Federation of Humane Societies, Luv 4K9s, Citizens for Humane Action, Lucky Star Cavalier Rescue/English Toy Rescue, Society for Improvement of the Coalition of Stray Animals, Purebred Rescue of Ohio, A Forever Home, among others.

Foster homes are urgently needed.

It may be weeks before some dogs are available for adoption, but applications are being accepted, and some organizations are offering adoptions as early as this weekend.

Helping Dachshunds in Need

You can see it in his eyes. This dachshund, affectionately named 'Bozo' by the staff at Sterile Feral in Rome, Georgia, is one of the many dogs rescued from the West Virginia puppy mill raid last Saturday. Sterile Feral took in three Chihuahuas, five dachshunds, seven shi tzus, six Pekingese and three poodles. The dogs arrived in Rome last night and will soon be available for adoption. “It might be two to four months until they are adopted because we have to identify health issues,” said Sterile Feral founder Jane Berry, pictured above. Read more and see more pics at the Rome News-Tribune.

DRNA To Take 100 Dachshunds From WV Puppy Mill Raid

Among the many rescue organizations who will be helping, representatives from Dachshund Rescue of North America will be in Parkersburg, West Virginia, today to take possession of at least 100 of the dachshunds rescued in the puppy mill bust at Whispering Oaks Kennel. Excerpt from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "It's sad, it's very sad," said Dora Show, Pennsylvania's lead DRNA representative. "Puppies from mills are not very socialized because they've not had much human contact. They're snappy, they're not friendly, they're scared to death of everything."
Ms. Show drove a rented, air-conditioned cargo van from Markleysburg, Fayette County, to Parkersburg last night, where she met Jill Blasdel-Cortus, president of the DNRA, from Greensburg, Indiana. Together, the two women hoped to take more than 100 of the dachshunds from the American Humane Society warehouse where they're being kept.
Read all about it the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

West Virginia Puppy Mill Fallout

It's been tough reading about the 1,000 dogs, mostly dachshunds, rescued from Whispering Oaks Kennel in Parkerburg, West Virginia, over the last few days, but it's great to know that there are volunteers and rescue organizations from all over the county working tirelessly to help these animals. The Charleston Daily Mail offers up a nice recap, including 17 photos of the kennel, dogs, and rescue workers. Here's an excerpt: In a warehouse off 29th Street in Parkersburg, the excited barking of small dogs and puppies along with the chattering of volunteers from around the country filled the warm air. The local society has been joined by representatives of the Humane Society of the United States based in Washington, D.C., United Animal Nations based in California, Best Friends Animal Society of Utah, the Humane Society of Missouri's disaster team, and just people who have come to help.
The count on Monday stood at 982 dogs and puppies, but that doesn't include the pups about to be born. There are up to 10 expectant mothers due to give birth any day now, according to volunteers on site.
Read the rest and see those 17 photos at The Charleston Daily Mail.

West Virginia Puppy Mill Rescue Operations Continue

In a follow-up to yesterday's post, the massive rescue operation continues in Parkersburg, West Virginia, where 1,000 dogs, mostly dachshunds, were seized from Whispering Oaks Kennels. Above are some of the residents in a photo provided by Best Friends Animal Society.
The owner of the kennel, Sharon Roberts, who has operated the kennel since 1961, claims that the bust was a "witch hunt." Excerpt from The Charleston Daily Mail: Roberts said "All these people got together and have been cooking this up for weeks." Sheriff's deputies from Wood County came to the kennel with a search warrant on Saturday, based on complaints that dog urine was polluting a nearby creek. The state Department of Environmental Protection also was involved in this part of the investigation.
But Roberts said the deputies also were accompanied by animal rights activists, whom she said were responsible for the destruction of her business. "Every dog was in very good condition," said Roberts, 72. "There were not any fleas. There weren't any skinny dogs. They had not been abused." Roberts surrendered the dogs - mostly dachshunds - to humane society officials, who criticized the kennel as being too large an operation. Read more of the he said-she said in an informative article at The Charleston Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, rescue organizations and volunteers are working 24/7 to provide care for the one thousand dogs and puppies. This photo by the HSUS at flickr seems to contradict Roberts' statement that there were no skinny dogs, but we should point out that it has been reported that most dogs were in good health. But honestly, just a photo of one such skinny dachshund is enough to let us know that these dogs were not being treated with the utmost respect and care that a dachshund or any animal deserves.

This is the video from the Associated Press.

One Thousand Dachshunds Rescued From Puppy Mill Bust in Parkersburg, West Virginia

We're woofless. Rescue groups and volunteers from all around the country are stepping up to help the Humane Society in what officials say could be the largest animal-rescue operation in West Virginia history - the removal of around 1,000 purebred dachshunds and other dogs a Parkersburg breeder surrendered to authorities Saturday. The dogs appeared to be well-nourished and officials say there were no signs that the dogs had been abused, but the sheer number of dogs at the Whispering Oaks Kennel was more than any human being could possibly care for. Read more at the News and Sentinel and the Humane Society. Your help is urgently needed, as this rescue operation could easily cost $100,000 and bust the seams of our dedicated and over-extended rescue groups . All American Dachshund Rescue is one of the many groups who will be taking possession of some of the dogs.

Pregnant dachshund finds hope

Skinner the Underdog: Reno Wiener Champion

One hundred twenty five dachshunds competed in the Wiener Dog Races at the Nevada State Fair on Sunday, and 'Skinner,' a 4-year-old "underdog" who lost in the early rounds last year, out-scrambled his short-legged challengers to become the 2008 "wiener." Way to go Skinner!

"He's been chasing rabbits and quail in the back yard, so he's very strong," Skinner's owner, Debbie Smith of Sparks, said after the final race. "But I sure didn't think he'd win."

Read all about the event and see another pic in a great article at the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Dachshund Relaxation

Nicole Martin, of St. Louis, Missouri, holds red smooth 'Noob,' during the first inning of the Cardinals game Sunday during the 4th Annual Purina Pooches in the Ballpark at Busch Stadium.
The animals usually made it outside the nearby gate for bathroom breaks. The few times they didn't, ushers quickly mopped up the mess. "I wish the humans would behave as well as the dogs do," said usher Darren Drury, 34. Read all about the fun event at STLtoday.

Dachshunds in Pop Culture: Max Schmeling

Who? If you know boxing, then you know Max Schmeling. Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling (September 28, 1905 – February 2, 2005) was a German boxer who was heavyweight champion of the world between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in the late 1930s transcended boxing and became worldwide social events because of their national associations: Nazism vs Democracy; White vs Black.
Despite his supposed associations with Nazism it became known long after the Second World War that Schmeling had risked his own life to save the lives of two Jewish children in 1938.
During the '36 Olympics Max Schmeling exacted a promise from Hitler that all U.S. athletes would be protected. On several occasions Hitler tried to cajole the respected boxer into joining the Nazi Party, but Schmeling vigorously refused ever to join the Nazi party or to publicize the Nazi propaganda line. He refused to stop associating with German Jews or to fire his American Jewish manager, Joe Jacobs.
Max Schmeling died at the age of 99 at his home in Hollenstadt. Schmeling became one of Germany’s most revered sports figures, not only for his singular athletic accomplishments in the 1930s but for his humility, discipline and character. He was buried next to his wife, the Austro-Hungarian-born Czech film actress Anny Ondra (Anna Sophie Ondráková), to whom he was married for 54 years. They had no children. Find out more about the fascinating Max Schmeling at wikipedia, or watch him fight on youtube.
The above press photo was taken on January 27th, 1931. That's his manager with the cigar, and yes, on his lap is his "mascot," red smooth dachshund 'Cilly.'

 

An earlier shot on a trading card with presumably Cilly as a puppy.

Joe Louis and Max Schmeling prior to their 1938 rematch.

A former New York boxing commissioner who had become a Coca-Cola executive offered Mr. Schmeling the postwar soft drink franchise in Germany, and he became a successful businessman and one of Germany's most respected philanthropists.

Vintage Dachshund Excellence

Long and Short, just the way we like it. From 1910.

Related: The Vintage Dachshund

Celebrity Dachshund Watch UK: Johnny Vegas

Who? Johnny Vegas is an English actor and comedian. He is known for his random rants, portly figure, husky voice, loyal support of rugby league (particularly St Helens RLFC) and avid consumption of Guinness. More recently he has made a successful move into dramatic acting.
Mr. Vegas and his red smooth pal 'Frank' are featured in a new charity calendar of British celebrities, which is available in the UK at the PDSA website for just £4.99. PDSA is the UK's leading veterinary charity.

Our Special Dachshunds: Meet Ricky!

Betty S. writes: My 4 1/2 month old new puppy, Ricky is a genious!
The TV is usually on in our family room as background noise. Ricky's x-pen is not far from it, and he does like to watch tv occasionally. Some programs get his attention more than others, and he sits alert and looking intently, sometimes cocking his head to one side or the other.
The other day, Michael Vick (of the pitbull fame) was shown on TV. Ricky stopped what he was doing, glared at the TV, and GROWLED! Since I have had him, I have never ever even once heard him growl, not even in play. He meant it too. When the image of Michael Vick went off, Ricky went back to his toys.
Now is Ricky a judge of character, or what!

We think so. He's handsome too. Thanks for sharing, Betty!

Michael Vick's Jury Selection

Weenie Roast - Carmel-by-the-Sea

Enjoy this new video from the recent Wiener Roast at Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

They landed. They breeded. And now they are on TV. 100's of little weenies. The sports car of the dog world.

Related: Doxies Enjoy Wiener Roast on the Beach in Carmel, California

Dachshund Humor

As an elderly lady sat on her front porch reflecting on her long life, a Fairy Godmother suddenly appeared and offered to fulfill three wishes for her.
"Well," said the woman, "I guess I'd like to be rich." POOF: The Fairy Godmother turned her rocking chair into solid gold. "
And I wouldn't mind being a young and beautiful princess." POOF: The Fairy Godmother turned the woman into an exquisite young princess, with a priceless crown of jewels.
"Your third wish?" asked the Fairy Godmother. The elderly woman's dachshund raised his head and uttered a single, weak, hoarse "woof."
"Could you possibly turn my wonderful dachshund into a handsome prince?" POOF: There, in front of the old woman , who has now turned into a beautiful princess, stood the most handsome young man anyone had ever seen. More handsome than anyone could possibly imagine. She stared at him in awe, completely smitten.
As he came toward her, her knees weakened. He bent down, brushing his lips across her ear as he whispered, "I'll bet you're sorry you had me neutered."

The Quest for the Perfect Dog

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The BBC, the world's largest broadcasting corporation, has announced that it is reviewing its coverage of the Crufts dog show in light of a program which aired yesterday, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, that they commissioned on canine health. Excerpt from The Times: Two years in the making, the documentary shows many dogs suffering from genetically induced illnesses, including epilepsy, and compares practices at the 135-year-old club to Nazism in its emphasis on breed purity.
A spokesman for the club dismissed the idea as offensive, “not just to us but to the people who suffered at Hitler’s hands. What we are talking about is dog breeding – let’s get this into perspective.”
But the BBC fears it will not be able to defend its coverage of Crufts after the showing. A spokesman for the broadcaster said that it would be seeking a meeting to discuss “the impact of the matter raised by this film”.
Steve Jones, Professor of Genetics at University College London, told the BBC: “People are carrying out breeding which would be first of all entirely illegal in humans and secondly is absolutely insane from the point of view of the health of the animals. In some breeds they are paying a terrible, terrible price in genetic disease.” Read all about the drama at The Times.


In lieu of being able to see the program yourself, check out Time Magazine's take on the topic in 1994's A Terrible Beauty. We're woofless.

Dachshund Conformation 101

While we don't claim to be show dogs, we're fascinated to read articles about what we're supposed to look like. This great old article Dachshund Conformation, by Kaye Dore, was originally published in The Favorite Issue, a supplement to The American Dachshund, April, 1953. We're not sure if these standards still apply today, but enjoy the interesting text, diagrams, and illustrations. Click on each image to enlarge and read.

Related: The Incredible Dachshund

Slightly related: Dachshund Evolution: 1888 Versus 2008