When Doing The Right Thing Trumps Logic

I told you last week there might be a post about a dachshund this week, and well, I might as well go ahead and share this story.
My brother sent me, my husband and my daughter a text last week with info about a free dachshund. He said the owner needed a good home for the dog. The dog it seemed got the short end of the stick as a result of a major split between a couple and the dog was not being taken care of. First question I asked was it a boy or a girl.

Of course it was a  boy. Now, I really don't have a thing against male dogs...but I really prefer females as a personal choice......at least in the past.

I spoke with the lady about the dog on the phone. Yes, there had been a split between the couple, she took one dog but could not take both. She said the dog was not being taken care of, had lost lots of weight and was not happy at all and she wanted to find him a good home. there goes the tug on the ole heart strings...ahem.

I told her I'd like to come see the dog before I committed to taking him. I explained to her I had three females who were not fixed and of course this guy had not been fixed either. I told her my oldest dog Sophie was just coming out of heat and I needed to wait until that was over before I could bring him home. She said that was not a problem, they would hold him until I could take him, but I still wanted to see him first so I scheduled a time on Saturday to see him.

We met the man at a parking lot (not his home) which, I did not say anything to my husband at the time, but that sent a red flag for me right away. I really wanted to see the dog in the environment in which he had been living.

When the man got out of the car with the dog, I was shocked at what I saw. Not only is this dog the thinnest dog I have ever seen, but his nails were so long, they curled up under his feet and he was covered in fleas. He clearly was not being fed or properly taken care of and that was all it took for the decision to be made.  I told the guy we were taking him right then and there did he have anything he wanted to send from home with the dog. Of course he did not.

Fist thing we did when we got home was put the three girls outside and cut his nails. Next a bath and then the introductions. It is a fair understatement to say that was a fiasco!  My three girls, one thinking they are the queen (Sophie) and the other two thinking they are princesses (Dora and Bailey) were not having any part of some stranger invading their castle.....but as they say, after a bit of time and Sophie reinforcing who was boss...all sorta calmed down.

Dora does not care much for him, but she has taken on the ignoring stance! Bailey, is so docile that she just sorta snarls when she wants to be left alone. Sophie on the other hand, after she was sure he knew who was boss....decided he might not be so bad. And if you don't think I am worn out by keeping these two apart...well, it has been a sight! So far so good....thank goodness, Sophie is almost out of this heat business and once that happens, it will be a lot calmer. Sleeping arrangements for my husband and I have been slightly altered. But at this point it can not be helped! And no, we don't want to kennel him. We feel he needs lots of love and he is already so attached to me it is like he is my second shadow in line behind Bailey.

The photos don't really show how thin he is. In fact, my brother stopped by our house last night and was shocked as well at how thin he was. He even commented that he did not look so bad in the photos I had posted on facebook. He is on a diet of cooked chicken breast and dog food twice a day. He won't eat treats, but I am sure in time he will figure out what those are in due time. He will be going to the vet as soon as I feel he is back on the road to getting a little meat on his bones. He is still very young, just a little over a year.....and he is sooo sweet!!

Sunday, I wanted to put a collar on him and try to get him used to a leash and collar. I only had girly collars the the other dogs had out grown, and I thought he needed something a little more for a big boy!! So I took this princess collar and added some scraps and turned it into this....

I think it is so cute!!! This is the only sewing I got done over the weekend, besides a doggie diaper for Sophie....it was more like must do sewing -  but it had to be done!!!

Look how cute he is in his new collar! We put a leash  him and well and that was like a bucking bronco show at the rodeo, but he will take to that too, in time.

So this little guy is here to stay, he really is a sweet little guy and he minds well, and learned right away what the doggie door is for! He certainly wrapped himself all around my heart rather quickly....go figure!!

I see at least four trips to the vet in the future.....three spays and one neuter. I am sure once that is all taken care of it will be a lot less stressful!! I just really hope this is the last text message I get about  a free dog that needs a good home.

Logically, we were already full at this inn.....but sometimes logic does not come into play. Sammie (Sam) we already love you and know you will love it with us! After all, it would be hard to find a better home than the one you have landed in....after all.....the dogs here RULE!!