We're super excited about America's first dogs, Champ and Major!
Angel Tootsie wishes them all the best. Here's a screenshot of the original announcement on CNN, Canine News Network.
Showing posts with label other doggies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label other doggies. Show all posts
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Champ and Major
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Hello Peaches!
Like my dad, I'm a huge Bryan Adams fan. Bryan is coming to Switzerland in December for his Shine A Light tour and we can't wait! In addition to being a fabulous musician, Bryan is also an advocate for the ethical treatment of animals and a great dog dad. At the end of October, Bryan posted a photo of his fur-kid Peaches to his Instagram account. I'm taking the liberty to post the picture here on my blog so you can all say hi to Peaches! Look how happy he is with his dad. What a sweetie!
Friday, March 9, 2018
A New Friend?
Just before we met Bandit, the very good-looking doggie in the photo below, Tootsie had been barked at by a tiny chihuahua who was wearing a tiny Swiss sweatshirt. She was still shaking when Bandit came along. As soon as he came up to her, she stopped shaking and started wagging at a very high frequency.
Tootsie loves big dogs; I think they remind her of her fur-brother Truffle.
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Scout on Sette Termini and Thoughts on the Constitution
After surviving a major health crisis last fall, I feel renewed and rejuvenated. I go on substantial walkies almost every day, and I've already been on several long hikes. One thing that has changed in my life is that I don't bark at big dogs anymore. If you don't believe me, here's some photographic evidence from my recent encounter with Scout.
Scout is four years old and loves hiking.
I met him on Monte Sette Termini, east of Lake Maggiore. You can see a tiny piece of the Lake in the photo below, taken from the summit meadows (just over 3,000 ft above sea level). It's hard to tell, but the photo also shows a German Shepherd running around the meadows. I didn't bark at him, either.
Barking used to be my way to remind European dogs that we Americans enjoy freedom of speech as a result of the First Amendment. Now that I'm older, I've come to realize that a savvy sausage needs not bask in American exceptionalism.
Scout is four years old and loves hiking.
I met him on Monte Sette Termini, east of Lake Maggiore. You can see a tiny piece of the Lake in the photo below, taken from the summit meadows (just over 3,000 ft above sea level). It's hard to tell, but the photo also shows a German Shepherd running around the meadows. I didn't bark at him, either.
Barking used to be my way to remind European dogs that we Americans enjoy freedom of speech as a result of the First Amendment. Now that I'm older, I've come to realize that a savvy sausage needs not bask in American exceptionalism.
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Lost in Translation
Like all dachshunds, I'm bound to have German ancestry, but that doesn't mean I'm fluent in German. Whatever Fluffo tried to tell me was lost in translation.
 |
| Tootsie and Fluffo near the top of Zweitausender in the Kitzbühel Alps, Austria. |
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Protests against Dachshund Daddy end at the drop of a hat
CHENNAI, India (AP) -- A number of angry dogs staged an impromptu protest against Dachshund Daddy's inappropriate attire at Palavakkam Beach in southern Chennai, India early last week. Dachshund Daddy was walking along the ocean with his feet in the water when one dog started barking at him for no apparent reason.
Soon enough, another dog followed suit. Shortly thereafter, several canine bystanders joined in.
A seemingly endless doggy supply resulted in a full-scale barkofest with over ten participants within the first minute.
Fearing a close encounter with canines, DD sought to avoid confrontation by walking farther out into the ocean. He was already in knee-deep waters when two young women yelled at him that he needed to take off his wide brim sun hat.
DD complied, and his canine suitors (over twenty of them by this point) instantly lost interest and returned to their regular doggy pursuits.
DD thanked the two women profusely. One of them was wearing a traditional hindu dress, while the other one was wearing a hijab, proving that when different religions coexist, good things are bound to happen.
Soon enough, another dog followed suit. Shortly thereafter, several canine bystanders joined in.
A seemingly endless doggy supply resulted in a full-scale barkofest with over ten participants within the first minute.
Fearing a close encounter with canines, DD sought to avoid confrontation by walking farther out into the ocean. He was already in knee-deep waters when two young women yelled at him that he needed to take off his wide brim sun hat.
DD complied, and his canine suitors (over twenty of them by this point) instantly lost interest and returned to their regular doggy pursuits.
DD thanked the two women profusely. One of them was wearing a traditional hindu dress, while the other one was wearing a hijab, proving that when different religions coexist, good things are bound to happen.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
The Doggy Beach Boys
Today we're taking you to the beaches of Chennai, on the east coast of India. Dachshund Daddy was recently there on a business trip, and had the opportunity to go for a long walk on the beach and photograph some of its doggy residents. Be sure to look below the boat.
Chennai has a very large stray population, but most dogs look very healthy and happy, especially the ones who live on the beach.
They mostly sleep and stare at the ocean during the day, and hunt in packs at night, which is why they need to rest during the day.
Many of them dig holes in the sand to keep cool in the extreme heat and humidity.
They also enjoy the ocean breeze.
At some point during his beach walk, a number of dogs got mad at DD for (apparently) no reason at all. We'll tell you all about it next time :)
They mostly sleep and stare at the ocean during the day, and hunt in packs at night, which is why they need to rest during the day.
Many of them dig holes in the sand to keep cool in the extreme heat and humidity.
They also enjoy the ocean breeze.
At some point during his beach walk, a number of dogs got mad at DD for (apparently) no reason at all. We'll tell you all about it next time :)
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Paws & Books: "Dog Songs" by Mary Oliver
Dog Songs
(The Penguin Press)
Mary Oliver
Listen to Mary Oliver read "Little Dogs Rhapsody in the Night" here.
Extra special thanks to our friends Zippie & Cookie, Jenn & Mallory for giving us Oliver's Dog Songs. Tootsie is dreaming about all the dog songs she will sing.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Pizzo Formico
The Pizzo Formico area in the Seriana Valley north of Bergamo, Italy is perfect for gentle family hikes...
as well as for social interaction, which is very important when you're an only child like me. Here's my new friend Gonte as he engages in a customary download of butt data with yours truly.
Apparently, my nose has more available download bandwidth, witness the fact that Gonte's download lasts longer than mine.
Birro, on the other hand, doesn't care much for butt data, especially now that I'm barking at him like my whole life depends on it.
"You want to play alpha dog?" he says, as he continues on his way. "Whatever makes you yappy!"
Am I a yappy little dog? "No, not all," Mammolo reassures me. "But you do come on a little strong when you do that dachshund thing of barking at bigger dogs just because they're bigger."
That didn't quite make sense to me, because studies have shown dachshunds have no sense of their size. I don't bark at bigger dogs because they're bigger. I bark because I think I'm just as big.
Size, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
as well as for social interaction, which is very important when you're an only child like me. Here's my new friend Gonte as he engages in a customary download of butt data with yours truly.
Apparently, my nose has more available download bandwidth, witness the fact that Gonte's download lasts longer than mine.
Birro, on the other hand, doesn't care much for butt data, especially now that I'm barking at him like my whole life depends on it.
"You want to play alpha dog?" he says, as he continues on his way. "Whatever makes you yappy!"
Am I a yappy little dog? "No, not all," Mammolo reassures me. "But you do come on a little strong when you do that dachshund thing of barking at bigger dogs just because they're bigger."
That didn't quite make sense to me, because studies have shown dachshunds have no sense of their size. I don't bark at bigger dogs because they're bigger. I bark because I think I'm just as big.
Size, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Fluffy mountaineers
Today I'm introducing you to two special friends that Dachshund Daddy recently met. This is Intra...
and this is her sister Pallanza.
Intra and Pallanza are the fluffiest mountaineers you'll ever meet.
This is the ridge they just hiked. Like me, they also wish they could find snowshoes their size, but for the time being they're happy to go snow-waddling!
As if you needed it, Intra and Pallanza provide yet more evidence that mountain hiking is not the exclusive purview of bigger dogs! In the mountains, little dogs rule!
and this is her sister Pallanza.
Intra and Pallanza are the fluffiest mountaineers you'll ever meet.
This is the ridge they just hiked. Like me, they also wish they could find snowshoes their size, but for the time being they're happy to go snow-waddling!
As if you needed it, Intra and Pallanza provide yet more evidence that mountain hiking is not the exclusive purview of bigger dogs! In the mountains, little dogs rule!
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Dachshund Harlan and My Family Tree
My favorite lakeside walk around Monte Sassalto always brings pleasant surprises. Last week I ran into Dachshund Harlan, who was visiting all the way from Germany.
Harlan works as a research scientist and is pioneering a new application of deep learning to family tree reconstruction by means of butt-sniffing. A quick round of data collection revealed that Harlan and I share a common ancestor who lived in the 1840s.
"His name was Dachshund Piripinko," Harlan said, "and his human was the German painter Carl Friedrich Deiker".
It was Dachshund Piripinko who inspired Herr Deiker to create this famous painting, which reminds me of my recent badger encounter.
Do you think Dachshund Piripinko would be very unimpressed if he knew that his great-great-....-great-granddaughter Tootsie would one day meet a badger and simply stare at him while safely ensconced in Dachshund Daddy's arms? Or would he be proud of my self-control?
Harlan works as a research scientist and is pioneering a new application of deep learning to family tree reconstruction by means of butt-sniffing. A quick round of data collection revealed that Harlan and I share a common ancestor who lived in the 1840s.
"His name was Dachshund Piripinko," Harlan said, "and his human was the German painter Carl Friedrich Deiker".
It was Dachshund Piripinko who inspired Herr Deiker to create this famous painting, which reminds me of my recent badger encounter.
Do you think Dachshund Piripinko would be very unimpressed if he knew that his great-great-....-great-granddaughter Tootsie would one day meet a badger and simply stare at him while safely ensconced in Dachshund Daddy's arms? Or would he be proud of my self-control?
Friday, April 1, 2016
Wolf signage and Introspection
Last summer the whole family went for a road trip across the French Alps. At the Col de la Croix de Fer, we saw this memorable sign.
It reads "Grazing animals - Dogs on leash" and, below, "We want to live in our pastures. [We say] No to wolves."
Later that day, I met Foufou, and I asked him whether I could be mistaken for a wolf.
Foufou didn't think so, nor did his cousin Pierre (below, with Lac Bramant in the background).
"You're more likely to be mistaken for a Border Collie," Pierre said. I agree: my cousin Oz is a Border Collie, and we look very much alike.
It reads "Grazing animals - Dogs on leash" and, below, "We want to live in our pastures. [We say] No to wolves."
Later that day, I met Foufou, and I asked him whether I could be mistaken for a wolf.
Foufou didn't think so, nor did his cousin Pierre (below, with Lac Bramant in the background).
"You're more likely to be mistaken for a Border Collie," Pierre said. I agree: my cousin Oz is a Border Collie, and we look very much alike.
Friday, March 4, 2016
A Furry Friend
Here's my new friend Fufi. She's from Austria and loves winter hiking.
Just like me, Fufi wishes her parents gave her some winter boots for little dogs. Our little paws can't store body heat as well as the larger paws of bigger dogs.
Fufi warned me of a major winter hazard for four-legged creatures in the Austrian mountains: barbed wire fences buried in snow. Look how freaky it is!
Dachshund Daddy and I saw this barbed wire in two different places. Swiss farmers also use barbed wire, but they don't leave it on the ground like that. Thank you, Fufi, for warning us!
Just like me, Fufi wishes her parents gave her some winter boots for little dogs. Our little paws can't store body heat as well as the larger paws of bigger dogs.
Fufi warned me of a major winter hazard for four-legged creatures in the Austrian mountains: barbed wire fences buried in snow. Look how freaky it is!
Dachshund Daddy and I saw this barbed wire in two different places. Swiss farmers also use barbed wire, but they don't leave it on the ground like that. Thank you, Fufi, for warning us!
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Dachshund Crusoe at ZRH
While he was on a business trip last week, Dachshund Daddy had a short layover at the Zurich Airport. He got to spend some time at the P&B bookstore, which features a wide selection of English-language books. Here's one of Dad's favorite authors, Jeffrey Archer.
P&B also has an extensive doggy literature section that Dad always checks out. Look what was there: Dachshund Crusoe's book!
Crusoe has a wotten waven award-winning blog and now he's also a New York Times bestselling author.
Dear Crusoe, I'm soooo proud of you! Keep on wagging!
Note: I thought P&B stood for Paws and Bones, but it stands for Press and Books.
P&B also has an extensive doggy literature section that Dad always checks out. Look what was there: Dachshund Crusoe's book!
Crusoe has a wotten waven award-winning blog and now he's also a New York Times bestselling author.
Dear Crusoe, I'm soooo proud of you! Keep on wagging!
Note: I thought P&B stood for Paws and Bones, but it stands for Press and Books.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Monday, May 25, 2015
Fogged with Passion
Today we take you to the Aosta Valley of north-western Italy, home to the highest peaks in the Alps and some of the cutest dogs on the planet. Meet Stella (Italian for star)...
her fursister Maya...
and their fursister Nebbia (Italian for fog).
As he was riding his bike up by their house, Dachshund Daddy learned that Maya, Nebbia, and Stella also have a brown standard short-haired dachshund cousin who would join them later that day. DD made a mental note to stop by after his bike ride to meet the dachshund cousin as well, then off he rode and, a few hours later, enjoyed this view from the top of Bec de Gavin:
On the way back, DD met this little guy right outside Maya, Stella, and Nebbia's place. A brown standard short-haired dachshund... he had to be their cousin!
"Oh no! You got locked out!" DD said to the little guy, who looked at him briefly before marking a pee spot right by the gate. DD rang the doorbell, but there was nobody home. DD tried the neighbors, who revealed the truth.
"No, it's not their cousin. He's a dachshund who lives in town who's been wooing Stella for three days now. Stella is in heat and he's very interested."
The dachshund, his mind fogged with passion, proceeded to kiss Stella.
her fursister Maya...
and their fursister Nebbia (Italian for fog).
As he was riding his bike up by their house, Dachshund Daddy learned that Maya, Nebbia, and Stella also have a brown standard short-haired dachshund cousin who would join them later that day. DD made a mental note to stop by after his bike ride to meet the dachshund cousin as well, then off he rode and, a few hours later, enjoyed this view from the top of Bec de Gavin:
On the way back, DD met this little guy right outside Maya, Stella, and Nebbia's place. A brown standard short-haired dachshund... he had to be their cousin!
"Oh no! You got locked out!" DD said to the little guy, who looked at him briefly before marking a pee spot right by the gate. DD rang the doorbell, but there was nobody home. DD tried the neighbors, who revealed the truth.
"No, it's not their cousin. He's a dachshund who lives in town who's been wooing Stella for three days now. Stella is in heat and he's very interested."
The dachshund, his mind fogged with passion, proceeded to kiss Stella.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
