Happy Halloweener! Hot Dog Hiking!

Cousin Bailey

Hi, Cousin Tootsie,

Here's a recent photo!

I've finished my swimming for the season, but I still ask to go in. Soon we'll be able to cross-country ski.

Are you still barking at big dogs? Are you going to bark, bark, bark at me when we see each other next time?

Love from Canada,
Cousin Bailey

Photo credit Brenda.

Doggie Vacations!

Sign photograph courtesy of my human aunt Mary. Thank you!

Susan Saxton D'Aoust: 1939-2010

Hello, All,

Tootsie's Mom here.

As you know, Tootsie's blog was inspired by my mom, Susan Saxton D'Aoust, and is dedicated to her. I reaffirm this dedication on the fourth anniversary of my mother's death.

My mom was the most actualized, the most present, and the most loving person I have had the honor of knowing in my life. She was a truth speaker and sacred seeker.

My mom died four years ago, today. I want to thank my friend Rhoda and my cousin Beth for continuing to send me notes specifically about my mom. Thank you. I want to thank my friend Stacey for remembering the anniversary of both my mom's passing and my brother's passing. Thank you. I want to thank my friend Danna who also lost her mom in the month of October -- and who knows what it is like to lose one's mom. I want to thank my friends from high school who remember my mom as a creative writing teacher and who have written to tell me the ways in which she supported their creativity. Thank you. I want to thank my dad for loving all of us and for loving Mom. And -- for his limericks!

I am so grateful to my husband and to my tube of fur for their love and kindness as I continue to adjust to a world without my mother.

And thank you, fur friends, for your lovely notes to me and to Tootsie over the years. You understand the ways that grief lingers and you have made us feel loved. Fur matters.

I wish that my mom had known our Tootsie.

Sometimes, I like to believe that my mom lives just behind this mountain. Someday, Tootsie and I will meet her there.

Love,
Renee

My House (One of Them)

 

I call this my "Euro House," because I use it for travel on the European continent. I have another soft-sided house that I use for airline travel. If you had told me back in 2010 that I'd be a bicontinental dachshund with my own blog, I never would have believed you!

Concerned Flight

Sils, Switzerland

Rock Art

Discovery!

My human aunt and uncle are visiting, so I took them on walkies to Ruinaulta, known as the "Grand Canyon" of Switzerland.

And I discovered a new mushroom. So I named it: Fungus Schlongus.

I sent a photo to Grandpa, and he says it's probably a shaggy mane. I like my name better.

Napping Paws

Tootsie Visits the Bernese Oberland

This past weekend, we hiked in the Bernese Oberland! Mom was worried because it is super touristy, but it was tons of fun and totally wotten waven.

From Wilderswil, we rode a cogwheel train up to Schynige Platte.

Here's a train load of big wheels of Swiss cheese!

Then we hiked along a plateau.

And onward next to a very steep drop-off.

At one point, we could see the Eiger! -- but we don't have any pictures, because my parental units are dorks. So here is a big rock.

Here is a great view of the Bernese Oberland. The Eiger, the Monch, and the Jungfrau were each visible at certain points, but only briefly and never all three at once. They are off to the left of the photo below.

Mom helped me with some flight practice.

But she didn't let me go.

Love,
Tootsie

My Ocean Magnet Post

Dear Furfriends and Humans:

Lest you think I am a spacey dachshund who does not follow through on her wags, I wanted to give you this update about my great magnet giveaway challenge from summer 2014.

I am remiss! I never followed up! In truth, all of you were close to guessing my location correctly, but the only dog -- or human? -- who almost guessed correctly posted with a name, Kipper, but no tracking address! So no award magnets were given.

Where was I? I was at Rockaway Beach along the Oregon Coast with Mom and Dachshund Daddy. All of you who guessed -- "you're at the beach!" -- were technically correct.

Here are the results:

Kipper was the closest because (s)he guessed near Cannon Beach, Oregon.

Hannelei was second closest because she guessed southern Oregon.

And Bouncing Bertie was third closest because he thought it might be the Oregon Coast.

Here's a photo from the Oregon Coast near Tillamook (where there is a yummy cheese factory tour):

Love,
Tootsie

P.s. Mom says it is her fault, not mine, that she did not follow-up on the great magnet giveaway of 2014!

Alpine Rest Stop