My Doggy-Godson Visits!

We're so excited to welcome my doggy-godson Bertie & his human Gail for a visit. They're traveling all the way from Scotland, via train, ferry, and train. (Years ago, we all met online through our doggy blogs; how pawfect is that?) Welcome to Switzerland, friends! Read about Bouncing Bertie's trip here.

It's great timing for a visit because Mom's been super homesick since leaving the United States. Though, wow, how can she be homesick when the US election seem endless and exhausting and weird? To make us feel extra lucky (and put life in perspective), Dachshund Daddy took us hiking in the French Maritime Alps last weekend. If you look closely at this Alpine Family Selfie, you'll see I'm giving Mom a French kiss.

The next photo shows the wonderful signs to alert you to guardian dogs guarding their flocks.

I even got in a little flight practice!

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.

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 :)

Labor Day Cuddles

My human cousins visited for Labor Day, and Mom was able to snap a photo of some very special cuddles!

#TBT: My Fur Brother Truffle

Whenever I'm at Grandpa's Idaho Home, I always miss my fur brother Truffle. He let me kiss his ears and lick his jowls and dry hump him all over. Here is Truffle with Mom and a Wisconsin cow during Mom & Truffle's great road trip adventure together back in 2006.
xo
Tootsie

A Dachshund Log Scaler

Meet the first-ever dachshund log scaler--a Tube of Fur!

A log scaler has a really important job in the timber industry. The log scaler measures timber, identifies the species (not a simple task when the tree becomes a log and many easily identifiable characteristics like branches and needles are gone!), and makes deductions for defects. It can be a super challenging job.

Actually, this log is not going to market. It will be part of Grandpa's winter wood pile. It was a Grand fir, and dead standing right next to the house, so Grandpa took it down.

Dachshund air travel

Dachshund air travel can be an enjoyable experience, as long as you keep a low profile. Can you see me here at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport?

Probably not, and that's exactly my point. It's best to stay in your carrier, but you can use your judgment and stretch your legs in low biped density areas.

Be sure to avail yourself of complimentary in-flight entertainment options, especially if dogs have prominent roles. (The movie below is "Absolutely Anything".)

And here's me with Mom and Grandpa at the Spokane airport, en route to my Idaho home.

All of this was in late July; I've been in Idaho since then. It's a working vacation because I'm on a mission to evict the resident rodents from the house. My mission requires the adoption of a nocturnal schedule, which is sometimes at odds with Mom's. There's not much I can do about that.