Rufus & Lily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Dachshunds will follow the sun from room to room, and as a devoted, doting doxie dad I love to watch them do it. It’s sweet to see and it always makes me smile. Have a wonderful day doxie friends.
Rufus & Lily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Rufus & Lily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Emily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Happy November friends. Later this month Emily turns 2 so why not start the celebration today. I’m so very proud of Emily. She has come a long way from that rollie pollie, shy and scared little puppy she once was. She does remain reserved in certain situations, but she is significantly more confident toady. As a doxie human, I put a lot of work in to the development of my dachshunds, and like any good parent there are challenges we all face along the way. These tests can cause us to question our resolve and be frustrating at times, but then when you least expect it you begin to see the fruit of your labor in some small detail and you can’t help but smile big and feel validated. Emily is our sweet little girl; she is pure preciousness in a dachshund form. I’m so grateful she is in our lives and us in hers. I think many of you reading know exactly what I mean. Honor the achievements you make together, and be steadfast in your commitments. Make it a great one doxie friends.
Emily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Emily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
From our doxie pack to yours, Happy Halloween. Make it a safe one and keep the chocolate out of reach of the chow hounds; consider taking your dachshund(s) for a long walk prior to the arrival of the trick and treaters so they’re less agitated by the doorbell and only dress up your low riders in fun festive costumes while under your supervision to prevent any unfortunate mishaps. I hope y’all have enjoyed all the varied costumes from Rufus, Emily and Lily.
Rufus | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Rufus | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
It’s a doxie-saur; a dachshund in dinosaur clothes. Not really, it is just Rufus in one of his many Halloween costumes. Today is the day; 9 years ago today I met Rufus for the first time and my life changed forever. Rufus has taught me to laugh more, to be more compassionate to everyone and to not sweat the small things – like a little pee, poop, dog hair or other stains and dirt that come from loving a low-riding dachshund. I imagine the same happens when people have children. You abandon that pristine museum of a house and car for slightly messier ones filled with the warmth and love that radiates from a best four-legged companion for life (whom I call Rufus). Only fellow dachshund humans can truly know and understand the magic of a dachshund. They change our lives in so many immeasurable ways that you just can’t believe it until you have one of your own. It may or may not be the same with other breeds of dogs, but I’m sure the love and bond of a dachshund is genuinely unique and special. I love you Rufus and this day will forever be the beginning of our chapter together. I look forward to writing many stories together and many more adventures.
Rufus | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Rufus & Polie | March 2008. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Looking back over the last 8 years, one of my favorite constant in our lives has been doxie play dates and Rufus’ doxie friends. I have my personal human friends and Rufus has his. I’m friendly with many of the humans belonging to Rufus’ doxie friends because I do think doxie people are great, but… Rufus genuinely has his own friends. Just like I have lunch dates with my friends, Rufus has play dates with his friends. They play, chase, nap and sincerely enjoy each other’s company. The need for play dates has been significantly less these last three years with Milo, Emily and now Lily but… no matter how many dachshunds one has on hand, it’s good to have play dates. It’s good to have another dachshund come to your home and teach your doxie to share his space with another non-permanent pack mate. I remain a huge advocate for doxie play dates, it’s wonderful for their overall development and socialization. We all need friends including our dachshunds. Do you and yours ever enjoy play dates?!
Rufus & Polie | March 2008. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Rufus | 2008. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Rufus flashback. These are from 2008, when Rufus was a little less grey. Make it a fantastic day doxie friends.
Rufus | 2008. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Emily & Lily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
We’re celebrating Rufus as we lead up to our 9 year anniversary of meeting, but… we can’t properly honor Rufus without paying tribute to his personal pack: Emily & Lily. I do assert Rufus was a pretty great dachshund from the start and seasoned over the years, but the addition of Emily and Lily have made him an even better doxie (if that’s possible). Today’s featured photos are less about the matching dinosaur Halloween costumes they’re wearing, and more about their personalities. It’s these two young, unabashed, playful personalities that keep Rufus agile and humble. I do believe the three are really good for each other, and bring out the best in one another.
Emily & Lily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Emily & Lily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Rufus | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
More Hallowiener costumes. Rufus is a pirate and Emily is Olive Oyl (from Popeye). I thought it might make a fun combination. What do you think!? Are you dressing up your dachshund(s) this Halloween season?!
Emily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Rufus | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Halloween has never been a big holiday for me personally; I don’t generally get dressed up. However, I do enjoy dressing up my dachshunds, and since we got Rufus on the eve of All Hallows’ Eve (10/30/04) I especially like to celebrate the occasion with him. Together we have entered a few costume contests over the last 9 years, and even won a few. I’m very grateful my pooches are great sports about it, but dressing up a dachshund simply requires practice and patience. Here are some of our favorite tips for successfully dressing up your dachshund. Costumes: Rufus – bear and pumpkin; Emily – Pippi Longstocking and ghost; and Lily – dinosaur and Underdog. Are you dressing up your dachshund(s)?! IF so be certain to share pictures with us on our DOGS Facebook page.
Emily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Lily | October 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
Rufus & Benny | September 2006. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
One of Rufus’ first friends was Benny, the chocolate smooth dachshund. Benny and Rufus have been friends for many years now, but I remember those earlier years fondly. The two together taught me much about the breed. For example, it was Rufus and Benny who showed me how much dachshunds adore the sun and will literally follow it from room to room to bask in its warmth. Proof is in the pictures. These are from 2006, and Rufus had no distinguished grey accents on his muzzle (yet). Make it a wonderful doxie day friends.
Rufus & Benny | September 2006. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©
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