I Have a Most Excellent Tail

... and please let Dachshund Daddy know that my ears need to be reset to factory settings!

Ready, Set, Go

Tube of Fur is thinking of the new semester.

She's all dressed up and ready to go!

A Moment for the Snout

Sniff the Air. Feel the Breeze.

While the Cat is Away, the Mice Will Play

Dachshund Daddy is attending a conference in Portugal, so Mom is falling apart. Last night, we watched the EuroCup game between Switzerland and France. It was a 0-0 tie & a pawsome game.

Here is the start of the game:

Here is some depressing information about my country of origin and my adopted country:

Here I am watching the Euro Cup game:

Here's the almost-final score -- an excellent result for Switzerland:

Here's some inspiration from Humans of New York:

The reason I say Mom is falling apart is because after the game, Mom binge watched a TV show late into the wee hours of the morning.

I said: This is not a good use of our time, Mom.

She said: It's okay, honey. It's writing research.

I said: But you'll be too tired on Monday to take me on walkies and to do your shoulder exercises.

I'm a wise Tube of Fur.

By the way, Mom's shoulder is healing very well! For the first time in two years, she did downward dog. I gave her some excellent coaching tips on downward dog.

Love,
Tootsie

Bark-Life Balance

Mom locked me in the Casa Burrow bathroom, and I had to yip to be let out. I have a dog bed in the bathroom, so comfort was not an issue, but who locks a trusted companion in any room? Spaced-out parents? My parental units must know that I'm too low down to open the door. I ran around the house after I was released. My heart beat fast. Sometimes life is stressful for a little dog, so I took a nap. This restored my bark-life balance.

Happy First Monday of 2016!

Dachshund Daddy says, "When in doubt, always listen to the dachshund"

Monday Swiss Selfie

Tube of Fur. 

Tube of Concern. 

#doxieliving #bicontinentaldachshund

Where is Tootsie?

 

Is that Tootsie?

 

Oh my dog. It's Tootsie!

Mom's new hat is pawsome. It provides shade while hiking and during naps.

Hike to Lake Salei, Ticino, Switzerland

We Love Oscars Creations - Dachshund Handbags by Cathy

We are so excited about our new travel wallet-purse specially designed and handmade by Cathy Skinner through her Etsy story called Oscars Creations. It is a special order Cathy designed to carry my official Swiss Pet Passport, Mom's passport, and credit cards & cash.

During our international trip last week, it worked beautifully.

Thank you, Cathy.

It was way past time to upgrade from a series of Ziploc baggies Mom had been using as wallets for over seven years!

The design is perfect, so Mom can open it with one hand, which is super imPAWtent when she is using the other arm to manage my travel house (with me inside), keeping me from being bumped by anxious travelers, all while retrieving documents for passport control or to go through security.

We love Cathy's designs. Here's another Handbag by Cathy that Mom owns. Have you noticed all the doxies yet?!

She found this purse through the amazing Dachshund Delights who make the original Hug-a-Dog Harness. I wear the "Hold-a-Dog Harness," which has a handy strap on top -- kind of like a purse!

Cathy also makes a Cross Body Handbag Purse with adorable designs. You can request a special order, like we did, and Cathy will make something just for you.

Please take a look at her fabulous and fun Etsy store, Oscars Creations.

You can also find her on Dachshund Handbags by Cathy on Facebook.

I think Mom is becoming a doxie fashionista!

Love,
Tootsie

Dachshund Pippo

Today we're taking you to Lake Serraia in the Trentino region of Northern Italy, which in Dachshund Daddy's opinion is the Switzerland of Italy.

This area is home to Dachshund Pippo, who was recently featured on Furbes -- the Forbes magazine for canine readers.

Here's Pippo's trademark blue-eyed sassy look.

Pippo is a very good dog. He has a blue eye and a hazel eye.

 

Dachshund Pippo recommends hiking to the top of Dosso di Costalta so you can enjoy a wotten waven view of Lake Serraia and the rest of the Altopiano di Pinè, the Pinè plateau where the lake is ensconced. Pippo, thank you for the tip!

Fur note: Pippo is the Italian name for the Disney character Goofy and is commonly used as a term of endearment for dogs and people alike.

Too Late for This Year's World Economic Forum!

Three Benefits of an Electric Dog Fence

Today we feature a guest post from our friends over at www.dogfencediy.com!
Read on to find out how YOU can win a $50 Amazon gift card!

We always do whatever we can to take care of our dogs. Love, attention, good food, plenty of exercise, and regular trips to the vet are just some of the things we give them to keep them safe and healthy. We also know how important it is to foster our dogs’ natural desires to roam and explore. If you’re fortunate enough to have a yard that your dog can play in, you make sure they’re kept within the boundaries of your property, far from danger.

These paws are made for walking.

Traditional fences and electric fences can both serve to enclose your property for the safety of your dog. Many people prefer traditional fences. However, there are many instances in which an electric dog fence can be advantageous. Here are some of the potential benefits of an electronic dog fence that you might want to consider.

Great for Stubborn Dogs
Some dogs are driven to escape. Dogs who like to dig, for example, will claw at the earth under a traditional fence until they’ve created their own escape route. Hunting dogs will jump over or tear through traditional fences because their instincts to chase animals on the other side are so strong. Very aggressive dogs of all breeds will also do whatever they can to break the confines of their yard when their adrenaline is rushing. An electric dog fence can better contain these types of dogs. An e-collar emits a mild static shock that deters the dog from getting close to the boundaries of the yard - preventing them from going under, over, or through the wired fence.

Versatile for Unique Yards
An underground dog fence is incredibly versatile. Traditional fences are most easily installed on leveled ground with straight lines and right angles, and it takes a significant amount of preparation to install a traditional fence in an atypical yard. Electric dog fences, on the other hand, can be easily laid across any size, shape, or type of land. Circular and asymmetrical yards, as well as yards of multiple acres, are easily enclosed with a wireless dog fence. If your property has a unique location with a beautiful view, such as of a golf course or lake, an electronic dog fence might also be a better choice. Traditional fences can obscure views and drastically change the appearance of your property. Electric fences preserve your home’s landscaping and design.

Accommodating of All Budgets
Traditional fences can cost thousands of dollars to purchase and install. If you have a modest budget, an invisible fence is a more affordable choice. Anyone can install their own electric dog fence, and it can cost as little as $300 total. Over time, electric fences also cost less in maintenance. Traditional fences are exposed to the elements and prone to damage and wear over time. Electric fences cost less to repair and do not need to be repaired nearly as often.
Please share your experiences with dog containment systems in the comments section; anyone who leaves a comment that specifically mentions their experience with dog containment systems will be entered in a drawing of a $50 Amazon gift card!
Fur disclosure: This post is published in partnership with our doggy fence friends over at www.dogfencediy.com.

Greatest Hits for the Holidays

With a SantaBear in Bozeman, Montana.

 

With holiday paraphenalia.

My holiday card available at my Bicontinental Dachshund Zazzle store, Tootsie's Shoppe.

The year Mom shoved my head through every wreath she could find in Switzerland.

It's an existential time of year.

Another wreath photo. Thanks, Mom.

Boxing Day. (And who is the bright person who included the bag of recycling there in the background? Tacky!)

My Italian greeting.

Happy holidays to you and yours.

Love from all of us,
Tootsie & her humans

P.s. We will post the winner of our great calendar giveaway on Tootsie Tuesday, tomorrow!

Guest Post: A Day in the Life of a Wire-Haired Dachshund in India

by Ms. Champi
(as told to Minal Hajratwala)

7:30AM – My cook arrives. Go to kitchen to supervise cooking of mutton, rice, daal, carrot.  Gaze up lovingly at her.

Note to self: Do not bite the hand that feeds me.  Even though it would taste so nice and muttony…

8:15AM – Nap #1 of 7.

9:00AM – Human awakes. Morning ablutions for all, followed by sunbathing.

9:45AM – Human leaves for work.  Exiled to sky terrace.  Paw at door in protest.

Note to self:  Consider going on hunger strike, à la Gandhi?

Note to self:  Scratch that.  Terrible idea.

10:00AM – Defend territory from birds, branches, strong gusts of winds, and occasional simians.

11:00AM – My maid arrives.  Supervise sweeping and dusting. Bark vehemently if she tries to steal my toys or chew-bone.

Note to self: Servants cannot be trusted. Vigilantia Aeterna! 

1:00PM – Nap #2 of 7, soon followed by Nap #3 of 7 and, shortly thereafter, Nap #4 of 7. 

Note to self: Speak to groundskeeper about installing deck chairs and personal paddle pool.

In between – Attempt to escape.  If successful, visit human's brother in 4th block.  En route, visit smoothie dachshund on floor below.   Sniff all over and mark territory.  This block belongs to me!

Note to self:  Ad victoriam! 

4:00PM – Evening duty.  Begin listening keenly for my human’s car. Run in circles. Stand at window and try to look out. Why is this window so high?  Why does it have curtains anyway???!#$

Note to self:  Prepare PowerPoint presentation for housing association Board about lowering all windows to dachshund height.

5:00PM – Greet human.  Begin daily exercise routine:

Lick human’s toes.

Run up and down whole length of flat. 

Run in circles.

Roll on tummy. 

Lick every available part of human.

Don’t forget stretching: downward dog and upward dog asanas.
Lick own toes.

WHEW!

Time for Nap #5 of 7.

6:00PM – Nudge human and look hungry.  Look at bowl; look at human.  Look at bowl; look at human.  Repeat as necessary. 

Supervise scooping of food into bowl.

Eat! Yummmmmmm!

Nap #6 of 7.

8:00PM – Human mealtime.  Sit near table.  Look hungry.  Gaze at human and practice mind-control techniques:   “Feed me…  Feed me…  Feed me…”  

If non-veg, stand on hind legs and cry. 

In extreme cases (KFC, mutton biryani), apply advanced barking techniques until human succumbs to mind control.

Note to self:  Yum!  Bones!  Crunchy!

9:00PM – Nap #7 of 7.

11:00PM – Evening ablutions.

11:30pm – Finally, after long hard day’s work, climb into bed and get some rest.  Supervise fluffing of pillows.  Drift off to dreamland.  Zzzzzzzz…! 

Note to self:  Adopting these humans was the best decision I ever made.

A special note:
Champi would love our readers to check out her mama's publishing collective. It's a wonderful campaign. Thank you so much for following the link to The Great Indian Poetry Collective.

All photos this page -- of fabulous Ms. Champi -- are by Lakshmi Shubha.

Immaculate Conception

Regional holidays differ around Switzerland, and as a predominantly Catholic area, the canton of Ticino (where we live) celebrates the Immaculate Conception. This is the day that the Blessed Mother Mary was conceived (not, as generally assumed, the day Jesus was immaculately conceived).

So it is not a Come-to-Jesus moment...

but a Mother Mary celebration!

W.O.O.P. Your Life!

Mom is super into this mind-thought program called "WOOP." 

WISH
OUTCOME
OBSTACLE
PLAN

We listened to an interview at WNYC online with researcher Gabriele Oettingen*, and we checked out the webpage WOOPMYLIFE. Here's a summary: "roadblocks can lead to success," and pawsitivity has its place, but may need to be reconsidered.

It's super usable... basically, you coach yourself (or I coach Mom). For example, here's my WOOP for today:
WISH: Walkies!
OUTCOME: Go on walkies.
OBSTACLE: I need a human to walk me on leash.
PLAN: Stand by the front door until human gets a clue.

IT WORKED!

Mom's WOOP is a little more complicated:
WISH: Be a dog.
OUTCOME: Become a dog.
OBSTACLE: Mom is human.
PLAN: No plan. Not possible. Mourn not being able to be a dog in this lifetime.

Okay, so it didn't work for that.

But it works for this, for Mom:
WISH: Meditate daily.
OUTCOME: A more regular meditation practice.
OBSTACLE: Life is a total distraction. Mom gets uncomfortable, stiff, and sore sitting still. Mom forgets to set her sights in a more reasonable fashion.
PLAN: Meditate 4x / week / for ten minutes each time.

IT WORKED! Mom and I have been meditating for two weeks now with the above plan. Super helpful. Thank you, WOOP!

* The interview was on the Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC -- "Optimism Can Make You Unhappy" -- here is that link. 

Wiener Shadow

Engadine

The snow has come, so we'll have to wait until early summer or next fall to do this kind of high alpine hike again. Holy Swissness. We're grateful we get to do these walkies at all.

Petplan's "Eat This, Not That!"

I'm pleased to share a guide developed by Petplan, which is a primer on edible pet health hazards. Mom sure wishes she had been informed before I ate that Aleve pill 2.5 years ago.

Please read Petplan's "Eat This, Not That!" handy guide and be informed!

Why am I sharing this information?

Longtime readers know that 2.5 years ago I ingested an Aleve tablet -- common name NAPROXEN -- and ended up hospitalized, fighting for my life.

My special Idaho vet Dr. Ward did everything she could to help, including the most important first step: getting me to the emergency vet at Midnight on a Sunday night, so that an IV of fluids could be started on me immediately. I was later transferred to Dr. Ward's care, and she nursed me back to health.

Here's a picture when I was under Dr. Ward's 24/7 care. The tube over Mom's shoulder is my IV line.

You can read a few of my posts about that time here (read down to Dr. Ward's informative comment and through all the comments to see all the love and support, which helped me get well) and here (my ten-day get-well mark). We also did blood work for several months afterward to monitor my health.

The whole experience was terrifying! Dr. Ward is amazing. Thank you, Dr. Ward. Thank you, all, for your prayers to help me heal.

Now here's a recent photograph of me all healthy and doing one of things I love: flying!

Mom says that I'm an all-around champion.

Special thanks to Jackie of Pooch Smooches for suggesting Sam and the Petplan team speak with me. And we plan to check out Jackie's novel, "What the Dog Ate"!

Thank you Petplan for helping educate our humans to keep us fur folk safe. Remember: please read Petplan's "Eat This, Not That!" handy guide and be informed!

Love,
Tootsie and her humans

Fur disclosure: we received no treats or payment for this post. It's a general service post.