Blossom learns to drive, sorta

I left Blossom, Baylee, and Bentley at the vet's this past weekend while we went camping.  They love going there and I know they are well cared for, well actually I think they get spoiled but that's ok.  Driving them there was a hoot as I had all four in the car at once!

Bentley was in the backseat with Jaydon and Baylee was in the front passenger seat.  Sawyer likes to ride half standing half sitting and looking out the window.  Blossom had laid down in my lap but then for some reason she stood up and put her front paws on the steering wheel like she was driving!  It was hilarious!  I drove quite a way with her doing this.  She was looking forward and it looked just like she was driving (rest assured, she was not)!  Jaydon was giggling in the backseat!  He asked me, "what if she really was driving?" and my response was that she would have a wreck because instead of watching where she was going she would be barking at everything!

Sawyer's First Campout

Jaydon and I went camping this weekend and took Sawyer with us.  He had such a good time!  He is so easy going and just takes everything in stride.  I'm sure that at times he was confused about what was going on but I think next time he won't give the adventure a second thought.  The funny part was when we got home, he really missed his playmates and kept looking around and then looking at me, like "where are they?"

 He loved the water and wasn't the least bit afraid.

Here he is after a brief swim.  I wasn't fast enough to get the camera turned on and catch him in the water.  At Pedernales Falls we climbed rocks and he was scampering up the smaller ones with ease.  I had to pick him up several times to lift him up or down on the large rocks.  Yuk, he was wet and dirty!

We walked across a small damn at Blanco and it was a little scary for me because I was trying to keep my balance and keep him from licking and greeting the people sitting on the edge of the damn!  The picture above shows how dirty he was...I was worried about having him in the tent and even joked about sneaking him into the showers!  But by bed time he was dry and all the mud and debris had fallen off and he didn't even stink.

We cooked hot dogs for our evening meal.  I had an extra hot dog and wasn't going to waste it.  He hadn't eaten his dog food and I figured he deserved a treat so I did something I have never done with these dogs...I fed him the hot dog.  It was all beef so I told myself it wouldn't hurt him.  He LOVED it and licked the paper plate clean! 

 Another picture after crossing the damn and getting wet.

A thunderstorm hit just as we were going to bed.  At one point we briefly got in the car, there was no wind but the lightening was fierce and Jaydon was scared.  I ran to the car with him in my arms, but he was very unconcerned.  He laid in my lap and dozed while we sat in the car.  After we got back in the tent he laid down between us and went to sleep.  This was another first for him because I've never let these dogs sleep with me.  He did bark a couple of times right after he went to bed but I think he was hearing the campers at the next site that were dealing with the storm, too. 

Pet Walker Plus

I know, you are wondering what this is.  This is a Pet Walker Plus, a lead designed for walking two dogs at the same time.  It is wonderful!  I had seen something similar in a catalog or somewhere, and then couldn't find it again.  But this is far better, I'm sure.  The leads are connected to a swivel device so they don't get tangled.  And you can unsnap one lead if needed since there is a clasp on either end of the lead.  I bought two of these at the local dog show on Saturday, and it was money well spent.  Last night I walked all four dogs and was able to unclip Bentley when we started out since he was a little frightened and confused.  He was quickly in the swing and I clipped him back on.  But then trouble started...I clipped him onto the wrong lead so I had three dogs on one walker and only one on the other.  To compound the trouble I had both handles in one hand.  The ensuing mess was a big tangle, although by the end of the walk this brought them all within about 6 inches of each other so it kept them together!  However, as it had been demonstrated at the show they quickly came untangled.  The nice part is that when properly used the dogs can walk independently of each other while being controlled with one lead (or in my case, two leads).  Great product, I highly recommend! 

Beautiful Dogs

Baylee, March 12, 2011 

Jaydon and I went to a dog show this morning.  There were 6 long haired dachshunds that competed while we were there, one of which was a cream (not sure what kind).  As I watched them in the ring I realized that MY DOGS ARE BEAUTIFUL!  I'm not predjudiced, I'm basing this on honest observation.  The show dogs were nice dogs, but I realized that my dogs really are beautiful and their conformation is perfect.  If Baylee had been in ring I think she would have won, hands down.  Her coat is thick and soft and getting longer and her muzzle is perfectly dachshund, too.  She has her head turned in the picture above but when she looks straight ahead she is a perfect dachshund.  I really want to get Bentley in the ring as I think he's a winner for sure.  But show or no I realized that I have four beautiful dachshunds, thanks to Splendor Farms!

Bentley's Trip to the Vet

Bentley had his last "puppy" visit to the vet's on Monday.  He got the last of his shots, including his rabies, so now he can go places and be a real dog.  He weighed 8.10 pounds, little bruiser.  And he was so good, never minded being examined or the shots. 

Afterward we went to PetsMart and got him a harness and lead to match his collar.  He was a little scared in the store, but rode in the basket and allowed everyone to pet him.  I'm sure it is a little scarry to be a little guy and go in a big place like a store!

But from now on he has to ride in a carrier...he threw up twice on this outing and he did not want to stay in my lap.  Fortunately I had spread a towel across the dry clean only skirt so the clean up was fairly easy.  And of course while he was throwing up I was in major traffic and trying to hold him and keep the towel under him.  Not real safe for either of us!

Hopefully I can get some pictures this weekend, he is really changing!  Several nights ago he must have provoked Blossom about something because she tore into him.  It was not pretty, and he has a healthy respect for her so he got away quick.  He ran toward me, not sure what to do.  So I picked him up and loved him for a bit.  His little heart was just racing!  Poor baby.  He thinks he is as big as the other dogs, although he is almost as big as Blossom is now.