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HGE what??????

2009-03-16T18:00:00.013-04:00

HGE (Hemorrhagic GastroEnteritis) is a critical and potentially fatal disease common in toy and small dog breeds between 2-4 years old. The dog breeds most likely affected by HGE are, Dachshunds, Yorkshire terriers, miniature Schnauzers, miniature poodle, just to name a few. Clinical studies have determined HGE affects only purebred dogs that are healthy with no known history of illness. HGE has a sudden and fierce onset of bloody vomiting and bloody diarrhea, listlessness and dehydration. HGE is life-threatening if not caught early and treated aggressively.

HGE is not contagious. Since there are no definitive causes of HGE, there are no cures; treatments, yes, but no cures. Because there is a considerable amount of fresh blood passing through the vomit and diarrhea, without immediate treatment, pets will weaken rapidly, sending them into shock and eventually collapsed.

HGE diagnosis consists of aggressive treatment therapy, such as blood tests to time the blood coagulation (clotting), biochemical analysis of the blood, fecal tests for bacteria and parasites, IV fluids, and if the symptoms have progressed, possibly an ultrasound or endoscopic (fiberoptic) evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract. Additional aggressive therapy may include antibiotics and anti-ulcer medication. A PCV (packed cell volume) test will provide a significant clue to a veterinarian that the dog may have HGE. A normal PCV reading is 37-55%. A dog showing signs of HGE will have a PCV over 60% and if IV fluids are not administered immediately, then the dog’s red blood cell count will continue to rise because of the decrease in the fluid content of the blood due to dehydration. Eventually, the blood will become so thick that the flow is impeded, resulting in death. This is called DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation).

On a personal note: I became aware of HGE two weeks ago when my precious little Miss Molly got this disease. Miss Molly turned 2-years old on January 6 this year. On February 27, she was her lively, perky self, running in the backyard chasing squirrels. Around 11:30, when I didn’t hear her barking or the jingle of the tags around her neck, I became concerned. When I called for her, she did not respond. When I walked around the yard, clapping and calling out for her, she did not respond. Then all of a sudden, I saw her slowly turn around the corner of the garden shed, and I immediately froze on the spot. I did not recognize her because her face was swollen, including her eyes, her ears and her whole little body was sagging. I immediately picked her up, raced into the house and called her vet. They advised me to take her to the Animal Emergency Referral Hospital and 1.5 hours later, I was in the examination room with Miss Molly while the Internal Medicine Vet examined her. The diagnosis: HGE.

The purpose in writing about this is to bring awareness to my readers that this disease can be potentially fatal if aggressive treatment is not administered, and to act immediately when their pets show signs of this illness.

Am I Smart or Stupid? You Decide.

2009-01-09T14:14:00.003-05:00

Many people say that we, Dachshunds, are stubborn and non-trainable. I would like to comment on the type of intelligence many people say we [Dachshunds] have for just a minute. Are we intelligent enough to think on our own and do the 'right' thing or are we just plain ole' stubborn, non-trainable, if you will. Some trainers, breeders, and behaviorists will say that there are two types of dog intelligence: the highly and easily trainable dogs, such as Border Collies, Shelties, or Blue Heelers (the 'working' class breed), and the independent thinkers, those breeds that require little or no human intervention, such as Dachshunds [like me], Beagles, or Vizlas (the 'hunting' class breed). I would like to think of myself as an independent thinking breed. So, don’t think that your stubborn, non-trainable Dachshund is stupid. On the contrary. The problem is not with your Dachshund's stubbornness as much as it is that your Dachshund may be too smart! Pleasing our human parent is paramount, but not to the point of total boredom or through ridiculous repetition or through the performance of an activity that makes no sense at all or has no point whatsoever! Believe it or not, we love to have fun, too, and revel in any activity that includes the indulgence of exercise, discipline, and treats. But what’s so fun about sitting in the middle of the floor being told to sit, stay, sit, stay, sit, stay…We would prefer that our training sessions be short, fun, challenging, and consistent, but not to the point of boredom, because believe me, if you’re bored, you can bet your petuties we will be bored, too. Just like our human parents, we want to do things that are interesting and challenging; we want to enjoy the food we eat, our sleep, and our playtime; and we’re happy to learn to new skills and do the right thing, as long as it makes sense and has a point. So, the first thing you [a doxie human parent] must remember when starting a training session with your doxie is that training must be fun, must be rewarding, and must be something you and your doxie do every day together – something both you and your doxie look forward to with enjoyment.

So, what do you think? Are we smart or stupid?

Molly goes to her first Hallowiener party

2008-12-08T14:16:00.005-05:00

On October 18, I was so excited to be going to my first Hallowiener party, that is, if my Mom and Dad hadn't spent so much time fussing over me and my costume just to get that "perfect" picture! As it turned out, not only did we get to the party late, but my Mom forgot my costume!!! I couldn't believe it! There I was at a Hallowiener party excited to be entering a costume contest, and my Mom, of all things, forgot the costume! I was so humiliated all I wanted to do was hide under a bench and stay there until it was time to go home. But I wasn't going to waste the day feeling sorry for myself, so I mixed it up with the other doxies and it turned out to be the best Hallowiener party ever and I was so happy to be there with my parents and siblings, Sam and Libby!

Maybe next year, my Mom will be better organized. I hope so!!!

Keeping me healthy

2008-09-25T16:34:00.007-04:00

My mom doesn't want me to get fat, so she has me on a regular exercise routine, which primarily consists of chasing the squirrels in our backyard or stealing the chewy stick from my big sister, and then having her chase me to get it back!

Well, recently, we went camping to a state park (the picture shows me sniffing at a local native of the state park) and we went on a 5.5 mile nature trail. 5.5 miles!!! Whewwww was I tired at the end of the walk. Although my mom and dad had plenty of water for me and my brother and sister, I was still hot and pooped out by the time we got back! I wish I didn't have to exercise so much, but my mom is afraid if I don't, then I will become obese and develop back problems. My back is so long and she knows that without proper exercise, I could risk disc problems. So, we walk around the neighbor three times a week, and when we go camping, its off on the nature trails, how ever long they may be! And when the going gets too rough for me, I know my mom or dad will be there to pick me up and carry me until I get my strength back to walk by myself! I don't complain, because I love being with my family and when we hike the nature trails, I love to chase the deer or anything else I see running!

Yes, getting regular exercise, as exhausting as that may be, is important because it helps keep me young, strong, and slim! My mom says that it helps prevent me from having disc problems and I will be more able to fight off disease. Yikes!! I don't want any disc problems or disease. Better go chase a few squirrels! Stay healthy!

Vote for this t-shirt

2008-09-18T19:05:00.002-04:00

Sport Your Support T-Shirt Contest
Vote For This Shirt
Buy this product at CafePress.com

Hey folks! My mom just created an awesome design on this t-shirt and she would very much appreciate it if you would give it your vote! And when you have voted, just for the fun of it, go ahead and enter your own design and/or slogan to enter the Sport Your Support T-Shirt Contest! You could win 2 tickets to the Inauguration Party Bash! Wow!!! How coooooool is that??? Thanks for the vote! Remember, your vote counts!!!

Whose bed is this anyway????

2008-08-08T15:00:00.008-04:00

The image on the right comes from the Danbury Mint Collectibles and illustrates exactly what my husband and I end up looking like when our 9 pound miniature red Dachshund, Good Golly Miss Molly, takes over our bed! It truly is a riot, not to mention chaotic. Do I complain? yes; Do I do anything about it? absolutely not! She's my little princess and I maintain the bed is as much her bed as it is mine and my husband's! I do what I can to make sure she is comfortable and sleeping peacefully, even if it means I end up having a restless night.

Many dog owners (me included), like to have their dogs sleep on top of or under the bed covers. However, there are some dog owners and trainers who adamantly discourage this behavior and encourage us to teach our dogs what is expected of him or her at an early age (by 8 to 10 weeks of age, your Dachshund's brain is fully functional and able to learn) so they will grow up that way.

Most dog owners and trainers also encourage teaching your dog household rules. As far as rules are concerned, the only rule I believe is most important is the housebreaking rule. How many Dachshund owners think their puppies are easily housebroken? Not many I'm sure, but with a little help from learning the Dachshund "secrets" professional dog trainers don't want you to know, I had Miss Molly fully housebroken at the young age of 10 weeks! At 1.5-years old, she still uses her wee-wee pads. In fact, when duty calls in the middle of the night, she will wiggle out from under the bed covers, jump down and go to her wee-pads and relieve herself, and then come back and wiggle herself back under the bed covers to resume her peaceful sleep!

Sleeping with me and my husband under the bed covers ----- I wouldn't have it any other way!

Miss Molly and her anal glands

2008-07-15T14:49:00.005-04:00

I know this is an unpleasant subject, yet, a very important issue to discuss. For those of you who own smooth coat Dachshunds, you already know this variety requires little grooming; a weekly brush and monthly toenail trimming is usually sufficient. But, did you know that your Dachsie has two anal glands (on either side of his or her anal opening at approximately five and seven o’clock) that if not expressed regularly, bacteria can develop, resulting in infection?

My two Shih Tzu’s, Sam and Libby, are professionally groomed once a month, at which time the groomer expresses their anal glands. However, Miss Molly, being a smooth coat Dachshund, doesn’t require professionally grooming, instead depends on her human mother to do the dirty deed.

The reason I bring this topic into discussion is because I believe there are many Dachshund owners, like me, who don’t think about their smooth coat Dachsies needing their anal glands sufficiently expressed, especially since they require little or no grooming. Well, unfortunately, they do need their anal glands cleaned out occasionally, and it is very important that this be done on a regular basis.

With that being said, I just performed this procedure on Miss Molly for the first time. At 1.5-years-old, this was a little uncomfortable, to say the least, for her, but she handled it with grace!

For those of you who don’t know how to perform this important grooming and health procedure, I am attaching a short video that is worth the watch.

How to Express the Anal Gland: Dog Grooming Basics -- powered by ExpertVillage.com

Dachshunds Aggressive????

2008-07-14T17:00:00.005-04:00

As most of us have heard the news, Dachshunds are the most aggressive dog breed in the world, according to a University of Pennsylvania report recently announced.

Okay, well as a Dachshund enthusiast/owner, this news does not surprise me, nor do I consider it a revelation! The Dachshund breed dates back as far as St. Hubert (656 to 727 C.E.), known as the now-extinct St. Hubert Hound, which was known for its exceptional scenting skills and long, low body. However, the Dachshund breed today was developed in Germany by farmers, foresters, and hunters in the 1600s and 1700s who wanted a dog adept in tracking and scenting game, in addition, competent enough to enter animal dens and warrens, while restraining the prey and barking loud and long enough for the hunter to catch up to eradicate the prey.

Did this type of breeding make the Dachshund aggressive? Let’s examine the word, aggressive, for a minute. According to my dictionary, the word aggressive means attacking, boldly assertive. And Dachshunds were originally bred for what purpose? A dog bred to hunt badgers or foxes had to be aggressive, i.e. attacking, and being boldly assertive! Does this mean they display this kind of behavior toward their owners and other dog breeds? Absolutely not unless their owners are provoking them without cause or other dog breeds exhibit a behavior that is perceived as a threat or challenge.

Let’s be real. Any dog breed of any size or weight is capable of exhibiting signs of aggression. Take my two adorable brother and sister, Shi Tzu’s, Sam and Libby. On the average, they are sweet, loving, docile, and affectionate. But, occasionally and for no apparent reason, they will get into an altercation that unless I want to experience teeth chomping off a finger or two, I best leave well enough alone and let them fight it out without any interference on my part! My 1.5-year-old Dachshund, Miss Molly, stands off in the background barking at them, wagging her tail, making no move on them while they are interlocked with each other. Now that’s aggression and it’s not a pretty sight!

While I do not disagree with this aggressive dog report, it is important that we don’t accept our first thoughts and the statements made on this report at face value, instead, we should evaluate the accuracy of statements and the soundness of the reasoning that links them. In other words, exactly what data and reasoning supports this viewpoint? For example, approximately 6,000 dog owners were questioned about their dogs’ behavior and 33 breeds were ranked on their behavior. My first question regarding the Dachshund breed would be how many were spayed or neutered. As we know, spaying or neutering your pet will improve your pet’s temperament. While testosterone along does not cause aggression, it may facilitate and escalate the aggression.

My next question regarding the Dachshund breed would be how many were professionally trained. What I mean by that is, the owner, rather than a professional trainer, is likely to be the target of the aggressive behavior in a dog simply because of its relationship with the owner! More importantly, the uninstructed owner will often revert to using physical punishment or force that can be perceived as threatening or challenging to their dog!

In sum, I believe it is important to maintain a balanced perspective in any argument and/or statement. We should value knowledge and wisdom more than we value our ego, and more importantly, the measure of any argument and/or statement is not the depth or sincerity of belief, but the quality of the evidence that supports it. The Dachshund breed, in the hound category, can be aggressive, but so can all other breeds if provoked!

Dachshund Breed

2008-06-24T17:22:00.008-04:00

This is a cute ad about Dachshunds and Eukanuba's Dachshund Adult Dog food. While I am not a fan of Eukanuba, this ad is worth the viewing.

Miss Molly has been on Natural Life Lamaderm formula since she was 9 weeks old, for 1.5 years and her two Shih Tzu siblings, Sam and Libby, since they were 3 months old for 7.5 years.

Nevertheless, this short commercial is worth watching, if not for anything else, the dachshunds in the film are adorable to watch!

Molly goes to the beach....

2008-06-07T10:55:00.039-04:00

It's that time of the year when locals with their four-legged friends come out of the woodwork to head to the beach. Although June 1st marks the beginning of hurricane season in Florida, that didn't stop Miss Molly and her family from going to the beach! The surf was rough, the wind was strong, the sand was blowing, but we had a blast, off the leash, and running wild up and down the endless shoreline.

It was Memorial Day and our first day on the beach. This is the only pet-friendly beach along the Treasure Coast of Florida, so there were lots of other pets, large and small, to meet and greet on that glorious day! Fortunately for Miss Molly the larger breeds, were on their leashes, but that didn't stop Miss Molly running up to sniff and greet them! But she didn't stop there, she had to sniff and greet anything and everything that was in her sight! Here she is sniffing a washed up coconut.

The beach is a fun place for exploring, too. Miss Molly and her brother and sister, Sam and Libby, like sniffing holes made by hermit crabs, seaweed, and anything else that the surf washes up.Miss Molly loves to chase the crabs and Sea Terns, and she doesn't mind getting her feet wet, being careful not to go in too deep as she braves the rushing sea foam.

Do you have a dachshund who loves the beach as much as Miss Molly? If so, she would love to hear from you and don't forget to send her some pictures! Until we speak again --- have a great summer!!

Molly goes camping...

2008-03-03T11:50:00.004-05:00

Recently, I went with my Mom and Dad to look for a camper. We like to getaway every other week-end and go on vacations, but pet friendly hotels are limited and my Mom was getting tired of planning our vacation destinations around pet friendly hotels. So, we went travel trailer shopping! It was fun checking out what would soon become my new dig when vacationing. Finally, we settled on a camper and went to our first campground in a wild animal preserve! This is me with Mom relaxing under the awning. The campground was huge and at night, we could hear the lions roaring! One day, we went for a ride in the wilderness and saw lots of wild animals in their natural habitat.Here are a few pictures of the animals we visited:

We had a wonderful time and I enjoyed camping with my family. If you like to camp, I would love to hear from you and exchange a few camping stories. See ya next time!

It's all about squirrels...

2008-02-05T14:25:00.002-05:00

I was first introduced to squirrels when I was 10 weeks old. My fenced-in backyard is a squirrel haven. There are lots of trees and bird feeders for them to climb and munch away on all the yummy assorted seed. My half-brother and sister, Sam and Libby, taught me how to chase the squirrels out of the yard. Today, I mostly do all the chasing and stalking (part of my modus operandi), but Sam will occasionally join me in the chase.

My parent Dad, Roger, hung a bird feeder in his young Florida oak tree, hoping to attract different bird species, but more importantly, to give the squirrels a place to hide from my pursuit! This morning, I spent several hours stalking and chasing a squirrel that was determined to get his fill of sunflower seeds. The more I chased him; he became more determined and eager to get his morning breakfast.

Playing the mouse and cat game was getting too tedious for me, so I decided to allow the squirrel in my backyard for a short breakfast feast. I crouched very low to the ground, and waited, and waited, and waited. Time was up, I sprang forward and gave chase, but instead of running up the fence, the squirrel ran up the oak tree! I couldn't believe my luck!!! Finally, I mastered my entrapment skills! My parent Mom, Lyn, took this video of the final chase. Check it out!

Are there any dachsies, like myself, who like to chase small critters? I'd love to 'meet' you and share stories, photos, or videos.

Until next time, happy hunting or chasing...

Miss Molly gets educated...

2008-02-01T13:51:00.003-05:00

Okay, well I thought I was smart enough, but not enough as far as my Mom was concerned. According to her, a well-behaved dachshund is trained and conditioned to act mannerly, not only in the home, but also in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. Not that I was impish, but I guess my Mom wanted me to be specially groomed, if you will, for the outside world!

I was only 23½ weeks old when my Mom decided I needed a puppy on-lead obedience training course, so she hired a Personal In Home Obedience Dog Trainer, Tricia Larson, with 1st Choice Dog Training. It was on June 14, 2007, when Aunt Tricia came to our home. I was extremely shy and timid, not knowing anything about her such as, was she gentle or rough, loud or soft spoken. I was scared, but at least I had Sam and Libby for support. Over the next 10 weeks, often twice or three times a week, Aunt Tricia was at our home to train me, my Mom and my Dad on how to walk (heel) me at their left side on a loose leash, to sit, come, go into a down position, and stay when I was commanded to do so. This trained me to behave properly, whether at home, around strangers in a public place, or with other dogs. Aunt Tricia’s method of training involved consistency and reward. In other words, it was my Mom and Dad’s responsibility to show me what they wanted me to do and then praise me for doing it! Yippppeeeeeee! I got liver treats each time I did what they wanted me to do. I’d do anything for food! Heheheheehehehe

On July 19, 2007, I graduated from Aunt Tricia’s class.

But, as if Aunt Tricia’s rigorous training was not enough for my Mom, she had to go and enroll me in our local kennel club’s beginner’s obedience class. Man-o-man, I thought I did pretty darn well with Aunt Tricia! But, on October 29, 2007, Mom and I began another basic obedience training class that would last six weeks. This training, however, was different because it would be a precursor to an AKC (American Kennel Club) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Certificate, which was my Mom’s goal for me to have. Additionally, following the basic obedience training, Mom enrolled me in the agility training class. Wheeee!! I was pooped by the time I finished both classes! On December 3, 2007, I graduated from the obedience and agility class and passed my CGC test! Yippppeeeeeee!

I am pleased to announce that I know how to be a well-behaved dachshund at home, around strangers in a public place, and with other dogs.

Now it's off to have some real fun. See ya'll lata!

Miss Molly becomes a celebrity...

2008-01-28T13:53:00.000-05:00

So it was in September 2007 that my parent Mom, Lyn, turned me into a celebrity by creating a Website in my honor. She told me that I epitomize (whatever that word means!) :-) the courage and dignity of the Dachshund breed and that I continue to entertain her with my clownish, inquiring, and impish temperament.

Little did I know that my God-given good looks and character would be so appealing and entertaining to her and my parent Dad, Roger. hehehehehe they certainly aren't hard to please!!! :-) Anyway, my Mom told me that many Dachshund owners say we are hard to train because of our independent thinking and stubbornness. Every night when I was very young (9-12 weeks old), my Mom use to carry me outside to relieve myself (even if I didn't have to go), every 3-4 hours, and then she would pick me up and carry me back to my warm pillow and blankie that lay between her and my parent Dad, Roger, under the warm blankets. My Mom was determined to prove those Dachshund owners and breeders wrong. As I got older and my legs a little bit longer, I could wiggle out from under the blankets, jump onto the ottoman, and then jump down onto the floor (just a few inches down onto the floor) to go to my wee-wee pads by myself. I couldn't open the door to go outside by myself, but my Mom would make sure there were a few wee-wee pads on the floor for me to use to relieve myself whenever I got the urge.
By morning when my Mom could see I used the wee-wee pads, she would be so happy, jumping for joy, and doing the happy dance. Mom always gave me a treat for being a good girl. My Mom is so proud of me for learning, at such an early age (12 weeks), how to relieve myself on the wee-wee pads, and not where I wanted to go whenever I needed to go.

I am 1-year old and still using wee-wee pads because they don't tickle my tummy and are more private. :-) My Mom doesn't care that I prefer the wee-wee pads over the grass. Don't get me wrong, I use the grass when we're out walking or I am on squirrel duty in my fenced-in backyard, which is everyday, all day! :-) I'm spoiled rotten, but someone has to be! :-)

It's all about me...

2008-01-25T16:16:00.000-05:00

This is a story about my early beginnings...

I was born at a kennel called Bad to the Bones in Summerfield, Florida, a small town near Ocala, Florida, on January 6, 2007.

I really liked where I lived with my Mom, Racey Red, brothers and sisters, and aunts and uncles.

My human breeders, Page Holley and Ashley Parsell, were kind and gentle to us, but I always knew that one day I would have to say goodbye and embark on a life with new human parents.

That day arrived on March 10, 2007, when I met, who would become my human parents, Roger and Lyn along with their two Shih Tzu's, Sam and Libby. While
Roger and Lyn were talking with my human breeders, I enjoyed running around and playing with Sam and Libby. They were fun to play with and I could see my Mom was enjoying the play as well. Then it happened. Lyn stooped down, made a kissing sound, stretched out her hand, and all-of-a-sudden I found myself racing toward her to see what she was offering in her hand. She scooped me up in her hands and began kissing and petting me all over. Ohhhhhh it felt so goooooood! :-)

Thus was the beginning of a meaningful and loving relationship with my human parents that grows stronger and stronger every day! My name is Good Golly Miss Molly and I approve this family!