Joy is a special wisdom

Laci, Sparky, Lily, Emily & Rufus  | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Laci, Sparky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Laci, Sparky, Lily, Emily & Rufus  | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Laci, Sparky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

There’s this bench beautifully situated at Meditation Mount in Ojai with these words on it: “Joy is a Special Wisdom.” When you add 5 gorgeous darling dachshunds to it, the words really ring true for me. What do you think friends?! The tongues are all out because it has been HOT in Southern California lately.

Wishing everyone a very good one.

Laci, Sparky, Lily, Emily & Rufus  | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Laci, Sparky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Laci, Sparky, Lily, Emily & Rufus  | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Laci, Sparky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

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Dachshund beach days

Dachshund day at the Beach | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Dachshund day at the Beach | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Dachshund day at the Beach | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Dachshund day at the Beach | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

We love visiting the beach. Walking and running in the sand (with its natural resistance) is great exercise for our low-riding hounds with their short little legs and their long backs. The beach backdrop and cool, refreshing Pacific Ocean is quintessential Southern California living. If you’re local to the area, please plan to join us this weekend (Sunday). You can find all the details by clicking here. If you’re not nearby, enjoy the photos and join us in spirit. Have a wonderful day friends.

Dachshund day at the Beach | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Dachshund day at the Beach | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Dachshund day at the Beach | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Dachshund day at the Beach | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

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Dog park antics

Davy Jones, Nicky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Davy Jones, Nicky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Sunday was just another fun day with friends at the local dog park. We always have a good time hanging with our hounds and their friends. Hope you and yours are having a great one. Enjoy the fun photos.

Davy Jones, Nicky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Davy Jones, Nicky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Davy Jones, Nicky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Davy Jones, Nicky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Davy Jones, Nicky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Davy Jones, Nicky, Lily, Emily & Rufus | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

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Second Annual Pool Party

Pool Party | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Pool Party | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Sophie | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Sophie | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Little Lily | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Little Lily | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily Sue | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily Sue | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

We receive our fair share of invitations to pool parties, but the ones we eagerly accept are those that include our hounds. We love taking our posh pups to the pool. I’m not certain they love the actual pool as much as we enjoy seeing them in it, but it’s great for their overall socialization and development. We started a tradition last year with friends and this year continued it. Enjoy the photos and let us know what your doxies think of the pool?!?

Emily, Lily & Rufus | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily, Lily & Rufus | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily, Rufus & Lily | August 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily, Rufus & Lily | August 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Rufus, Emily & Lily with their human | August 2015.  Photo by: Goodman & Tibbels ©

Rufus, Emily & Lily with their human | August 2015. Photo by: Goodman & Tibbels ©

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Rufus

Rufus | June 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Rufus | June 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Rufus will be 11 this month (August 21) so today is all about him. He is such a sweet and exceptional soul, and if you look closely you can see what I’m talking about in his eyes. They tell it all. Have wonderful day friends. #WeLoveRufus

Rufus | June 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Rufus | June 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

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Clean wiener dogs

Rufus, Lily & Emily | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Rufus, Lily & Emily | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

A clean wiener dog makes for a happy human. So which do you and yours prefer, sink or bathtub?! We use both, depending on my mood. The sink is probably easier on my back, but I think it’s more fun to put all three in the tub together. When I use the sink, it’s one at a time.

Okay friends. Enjoy the photos and let us know how you keep yours cleans.

Rufus | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Rufus | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

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Happy Birthday Lily!

Lily | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

So… one week ago today (Sunday, July 19) Lily turned two! We were so busy with family visiting from out of town and our monthly meetup that day that we really didn’t get an opportunity to publicly celebrate our adorable pocket-size dachshund. Better late than never, please join us in wishing our sweet pup a very happy 2nd birthday! She has stolen our hearts; her always-worried, furrowed brow expression constantly tugs at the heart that it makes us committed to ensuring she always and forever feels safe. A challenge we’re happy to meet.  Thanks to all of our friends who have been there from the beginning of the Lily experience. She has been a very pleasant and unexpected source of joy in our lives and she truly completes our pack / family. In lieu of gifts, please considering making a tax-deductible donation in her name to DOGS and receive a special Lily thank-you postcard in the mail.

Lily & her human | 2014.  Photo by: Patricia Samson ©

Lily & her human | 2014. Photo by: Patricia Samson ©

Rufus & Lily | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Rufus & Lily | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Monthly Meetup | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Monthly Meetup | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Monthly Meetup | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Monthly Meetup | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

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Happy 4th of July!

Emily, Lily & Rufus | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily, Lily & Rufus | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

We want to wish our friends a very a happy and safe 4th of July. Please remember friends the holiday can be a very frightful and traumatic time for many dogs with all of the loud explosions outside. This is the day when many dogs (and cats) are losts. Popping fireworks and celebratory gunshots from holiday enthusiasts can often send our beloved posh pups into a horrible frenzy. We have already heard a few fireworks in my neighborhood and it set the dogs barking. Luckily, we were here to quickly calm and reassure them all is well. Though Rufus still seems a little uneasy and continues to pace around the house.

Here are few helpful tips for our friends:

  1. Take your dog(s) for a long walk or hike before the fireworks begin to get them good and tired.
  2. Make certain they’re safely kept inside (and not outside); close off your doggie door if applicable.
  3. Turn on the TV and/or radio to help diffuse and drown out the sounds of fireworks.
  4. If possible confine them to one room; perhaps one well insulated room.
  5. If you own a thundershirt or have other calming agents at your disposable, this is the day to use them.

Okay friends. Hope that helps. If you have any more helpful tips, please add them below in the comments. Happy independence day friends, and please keep your precious pups safe.

Emily, Lily & Rufus | July 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily, Lily & Rufus | July 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

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Not a chore

Not a Chore by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Not a Chore by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Dog people personalities are truly distinct from non-dog people. Too often I’m asked if I ever get tired of all the work it takes to properly care for a dog (let alone three). They ask if I miss my freedom to just get up and go. So here is my response, which I call “Not a chore.” Let me know if you agree.

Not a chore.

Caring for my dogs is not a chore, but an act of love.
Yes, I have to regularly pick up poop and occasionally clean up pee and vomit.
Yes, many days my dogs wake me to go outside before I’m ready to rise.
Yes, I have to feed, walk and bathe my dogs.
Yes, caring for dogs usually means dog hair is bountiful on clothes and furniture.
Yes, living with dogs means abandoning that crisp, clean showroom house for more comfortable and casual settings.
Yes, my dogs require a portion of my time and attention every single day; however, my dogs are not a burden, but instead are a source of joy and happiness.
My dogs do not restrict my freedom, rather
my dogs have introduced me to a new world of people, places and things I would have never known were it not for them.
It’s a privileged to be the custodian of these sweet souls I call my dogs.
Everything I do for my dogs is a demonstration of love.
I love my dogs, and
every time I look into their eyes I see my love returned.
My dogs are more than mere pets.
My dogs are family, and I’m happy to properly care for them and all that this entails.
My dogs are not a chore or task to be checked daily,
but an experience and expression of love I cherish every day we’re together.

Have a wonderful day friends.

Not a Chore composite by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Not a Chore composite by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Not a Chore composite by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Not a Chore composite by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

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Happy Father’s Day!

Rufus, Lily & Emily | June 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Rufus, Lily & Emily | June 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

If my dachshunds could write a Happy Father’s Day note, this is what I imagine it would say.

Dear Dad. Thank you for consistently taking us to the beach for our exercise. The winding ride in the car is always fun, but we especially like all the smells and weird things we find washed up on the shore. Some taste better than others, and although you tell us not to eat them, we enjoy sneaking a few when you’re not looking. Dad, we love you and love all the wonderful things you do for us. We especially like being with you, and we’re so grateful you let us tag along more times than you don’t. Happy Father’s Day to one of the world’s best dachshund dads.

Perhaps, I imagine them with better grammar then they really have. I suspect the one thing my devoted dachshunds love most, is that we include them. We take them with us to more places than we don’t, and I purposefully try to spend as many hours with them as I can. For me that’s the whole point of loving these short-legged hound dogs.

To all the doxie daddies out there, if your four-legged kids could tell you, I bet they’d thank you for all the walks, hikes, cuddles, treats, love and attention you shower them with daily. And although they might not say in a note, all you have to do is look in their eyes to know it is true. They’re thankful for the love we give.

Happy Father’s Day to all. May the day be one of celebration and happiness.

Emily, Lily & Rufus | June 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily, Lily & Rufus | June 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily, Lily & Rufus | June 2015.  Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Emily, Lily & Rufus | June 2015. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

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