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Lily | July 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Let’s talk about Lily and me. Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be. Let’s talk about Lily.

Oh my goodness, Lily is awesome. I’m big advocate that puppies should not be left home alone – you (as the human) have to either stay home with them OR you take them with you. For the last two days I had to run errands and get some stuff done. Rufus and Emily are trained and trusted so they can be left alone – especially since they have each other, but the unpredictable puppy must be supervised so… I just took her along which is great for her socialization. I’m also a big proponent of bag training dachshunds. I’m a fan of the breed because they’re so compact and portable. Rufus and Emily were both bag trained at an early age (puppyhood) and when I grab their bag today they often race to be the first one in it, because they associate the bag with going on an adventure. I’m happy to say Lily has taken to the bag training like a pro, and at 4 pounds and a few ounces (compared to Rufus and Emily’s solid 11 pounds) she’s easy to carry. She doesn’t bark and appears to be very comfortable in the bag. The bag is often an extension of the crate and Lily fortunately likes both.

Lily’s acceptance of the crate and the bag is a good sign for her perspective parents. She will be a great travel companion if you’re looking for one. Lily is also an exceptionally good lap dog. Give her your lap and she’ll sleep contently for hours. She also appears to enjoy the car and luckily doesn’t get car sick like some doxies do.  If she can tolerate my driving, I’m certain she’ll do fine with all the rest.

I believe many of my friends have started a pool to see how long it will be before I declare that I’m keeping Lily, and it’s certainly a tempting opportunity. She is a beautiful cooper red with a super sweet disposition and a happy go-lucky attitude. However, I tell all foster parents to know your limit before you ever agree to foster. I decided a long time ago that 2 is my magic number. Rufus and Emily are the perfect pair for my family and it will be a long time (or the occurrence of some life-changing event must come to pass) before I consider another. Besides, I think it’d be selfish to keep Lily. Another family out there deserves a great dachshund, and Lily is destined to be a great one. If you think you’re Lily’s forever family complete an application today and get the process started. May the best family win the lovely prize: Lily!!!

Lily | July 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily | July 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily | July 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily the tiny 4-pound red smooth doxie rescue continues to do well in our foster care. Her personality is starting to shine through and she doesn’t seem to be overly shy or timid. She is not obnoxiously bold and brave, but she does demonstrate a healthy confidence and maintains her own when rough housing with Emily. All doxies in my house continue to show our alpha doxie Rufus loads of respect and space, so she’s also smart.

Dachshund Rescue and Placement continues to search for Lily’s forever family. Permanently placing a puppy is challenging because many rescues look for some very specific things: 1) Is there a stay-home human to train her and be with her during these first formative months? 2) Is there another young dog or dachshund for the new puppy to play with OR is the human family in question very active and planning to include Lily in their daily adventures?

Those are just a few from the laundry list. Sadly sometimes folks fail to realize raising a puppy requires more work than adopting a 1 or 2-year-old doxie (though I assert they require lots of attention and love also but on a different level). Being perfectly frank, having a puppy means you kind of put your life on hold for next 30-60 days. Puppies should not be left alone longer than 2-3 hours and need lots of attention and training to nurture their continued development. So movie night out with the girls or date night with the hubby often have to be put on hold – unless you have doxie sitter OR you plan to take your doxie puppy with you.

When I got Rufus I worked from home so I was able to be with him 24/7 and didn’t leave him alone for any significant amount of time until several months later (which was a gradual process). I only had one dachshund for seven years but it worked well because I took Rufus with me everywhere. Rufus has been all over the country (20+ different states) so he was never left at home alone while I worked or did my thing – instead we did OUR THING together. When I got Emily, Rufus was older and honestly not ideal for a young pup but… that was when Milo was a constant in our daily lives and he made getting Emily timely because she had someone with whom to get all that puppy energy out.

Puppies are work, but if you’re willing to put in the time you’ll end up a perfect doxie for you. If you think your Lily’s perfect forever family be certain to complete an application on-line. She’s intelligent, spirited and adorable – just like a healthy and happy doxie puppy should be.  Today’s photos remind me a lot of Rufus’ doxie puppy photo.  What do you think?!

Lily | July 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily | July 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily | July 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Friday, July 19, 2013: Lily’s first day and night with our pack. She did remarkably well. There were no accidents inside and though some credit is due to Lily, I have to confess much of it goes to my vigilant watch and me. Here’s how we do it at my home.

Potty training. A puppy’s life looks something like sleep, eat, potty, play and repeat. A good rule of thumb when potty training your new pup is anytime it awakes from a state of rest to take it right outside to eliminate. Three doxies are napping on my couch as I work on this article and when I get up here in a minute to stretch my legs the dogs will follow and they will be immediately let out to eliminate. You want to make it a habit for both human and doxie. When a doxie is still and at rest it is less likely going to need to pee or poop, but the moment it awakes and moves about a little it will need to void it’s bladder or bowels. I had much success adhering to this rule: (which I’ll repeat once more) when moving from a state of rest doxie goes directly outside. Additionally, if you have trouble getting your new pup to poop outside, walk them in a circle on a leash in the backyard or chase them. Getting the puppy to move usually facilitates a bowel movement if one is there to be had. Above all be patient and stay the course. Sadly after a few minutes new puppy parents give up and go back inside assuming the puppy is empty only to find it wasn’t. Keeping a poop journal is another great tool during these first 30 days. Puppies will usually poop 2 to 4 times a day.

Lily also slept in her crate next to my bed without one whimper or whine. I’m a big advocate that doxies should start in the crate and once they’re potty trained they can graduate to the bed. Otherwise you may end up with some soiled linens.

Lily | July 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©

Lily | July 2013. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels ©