Kaia & Rufus | January 2011. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Kaia has been a regular on this site, and before I got Emily Sue – my very own black and tan, I got to practice with Kaia for two years. Bonds are formed: doxie to doxie and human to doxie. Rufus and I love Kaia, and we have a discernable friendship today that has been years in the making. I’ve watched Kaia evolve from a cantankerous dachshund to a well-socialized, better-behaved dachshund. I have witnessed her go from able body to paralyzed and back again to able body; talk about an emotional rollercoaster. When I look back at the pictures from 2011, I’m reminded of the early friendship Rufus, Kaia and I shared. Sunday was Kaia birthday and not only do we celebrate Kaia, but I want to celebrate the friendship she has offered Rufus and me (and now Emily). I got to chance to see Kaia yesterday in person and it had been a few months since we last saw each other. However, the moment she heard my voice and saw me, she squealed with excitement and to a dachshund dad, those sounds just make the heart burst. Just like people make indelible impressions on each other, I believe the same is true for dachshunds and humans. I think Rufus and I are better for knowing Kaia and wish our friend a very Happy Belated Birthday! May there still be many more birthdays and pictures to come.

Kaia & Rufus | January 2011. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©