I adopted my Minnie, a little red miniature dachsie, from the NMDR on December 31, 2005. Two days after Christmas I was only in the initial stages of obtaining the names of various rescue groups but was not ready to even think about–much less start–the adoption process. I just wanted to be prepared and have the names of rescue groups readily available when I was ready to begin looking. I was adamant that my new dog would be a dachshund and a rescue because I just love the breed. Darby, my first and only other dog, was a three year-old black and tan standard dachsie when I purchased her from a private party. I considered her to be a rescue because she was not in a good situation. I feel confident that she would not have lived as long as she did had she remained in that environment. We were together almost 9 ½ years before she got pancreatic cancer and had to be euthanized on December 9, 2005. For a first dog I couldn’t have asked for better or more. We were just great buddies.
However, fate has a way of intervening when you least expect it; and in a matter of a few days, New Year’s Eve Day, in fact, a friend and I left Albuquerque bright and early and headed for Las Cruces to meet Minnie. I told her that we both needed our heads examined for being out on the road either that day or New Year’s Day. Nevertheless, things had just fallen into place without any glitches in just a few days so I felt it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Virginia acted very quickly as soon as she received my application for adoption. As the saying goes, “It was meant to be.” Talk about a match made in Heaven!!
Even though I had seen pictures of Minnie and my friend was sure I would be bringing her home, I was cautiously optimistic. Neither my friend nor I got very much sleep that night, surely in anticipation of what was to come the next day. I indeed fell in love with Minnie the instant I saw her; and that feeling just intensifies every day. I had our vet check her three days after I brought her home, and he indicated that she had already bonded with me. My friend noted that we had already bonded by the time we left Las Cruces! She drove back to Albuquerque so Minnie and I could become better acquainted. Minnie has adjusted beautifully to her new home and me.
She is a dachshund through and through. She is a very happy dog, and her tail is always wagging. Of course, she loves to eat and is the typical dachsie beggar but gets no “people food” unless she quickly and stealthily reaches over and takes a bite of my turkey sandwich like she did last week. She’s very fast but also very gentle (except for fuzzy toys which she destroys as well as doing a number on her Kong toys). Before I knew it, there was a gaping hole in my sandwich. I obviously didn’t learn my lesson because she did the same thing with some steamed broccoli I was eating. Now I have learned to eat at the dining room table instead of snacking in the recliner since she’s almost always in my lap. She’s a very affectionate little girl and loves to cuddle. In fact, I’ve had many people say she “hugs” me back because she wraps her front legs around my neck like a baby when I’m holding her; or she just snuggles right into me.
She loves her walks in the park across the street from our apartment complex. As soon as I’m dressed, she starts tugging on my pants leg and runs to the closet where I keep her leash and harness. She goes bonkers whenever she sees those and is ready to go with me any time I leave the house. However, there are times when it’s not feasible to take her with me. She delights in running through the grass and looking for small prey in the zeriscaped areas along the perimeter of the park. I might add that she’s a great hunter judging from the baby bird and small dead lizard (I assume they were “presents” from her) she brought into the apartment earlier this week.
I could go on and on about our adventures these past 5 months, but I think you get the idea about how enamored we are with each other. Everyone who meets her for the first time just absolutely falls in love with her. When we are frequently together, she gets acknowledged first! Many people only know me as “Minnie’s mom,” a frequent occurrence many of you have probably experienced with your dachsies. Bill suggested that I keep a journal of our experiences together, and I have started to follow through with this.
Minnie and I came along when we both needed each other, and I know that for sure each of us hit the lottery! It was a wonderful way to end a very sad year and begin a new year. All of this has been due to the tireless efforts of the people involved in the NMDR, especially Virginia, Bill, and Janet; and we will forever be grateful to them for bringing us together. There is a special place in our hearts for all of you!
Lynne and Minnie