doxie.jpgHaving had to deal with a sick Peanut last week, a pass along cold to me this week, and then ending the week with dental surgery for our dachshund, I can't tell you how happy I am to hit the weekend.   PJ's jaw swelled up horribly on Thursday, resulting in a vet trip and a preliminary abcess diagnosis.  Lots of antibiotics, an overnight at the vets and surgery with anesthesia later...and she's home and doing fine.

Whew.

We have to keep a close watch on her, but the swelling is certainly going down and she is a much perkier doxie this morning.  The begging for food has already begun, so we know she's already headed back to normal.

I started thinking about how much this tiny little miniature dachshund has meant to us.  She's headed past 9 toward 10, no longer a puppy even though her size makes her look like one in perpetuity. She's been with me through a whole lot of ups and downs, and that cold wet nose of hers has nudged up against my hand as her signature "love you" moment (or as a nudge to fill the food dish...) more times than I can count.

Funny how a doggie who can't say a word can still speak volumes like that, isn't it?

I've noticed that a whole lot of us have cats and dogs and horses and...well, you name it, including several parents in the audience trying to raise sentient and compassionate rugrats.  And because I'm feeling a bit sentimental this morning, lap covered in dachshund and all, I thought we could talk a little pet shop.   (YouTube)

I have a 9 year old minature black and tan short-haired dachshund named PJ -- short for "pooch, junior."  Her real name is Gertrude Liebling, she's the puppy of our older dachshund, Tasha, who had to be put to sleep several years ago now -- but "Gertie" never seemed to work for her as a name for some reason.  So, PJ it is.  We also have a cat -- Rascal -- who is 7 and a half, and her personality and her name are well matched.  She was a feral kitten when we got her, a stray who wandered into a friend's yard and into our hearts as we nursed her back to health.  She's a sort of take no prisoners type of kitty.

Through the years, I've noticed that people who learn that with pets or animal ownership also comes a responsibility to care for them well are the sort of folks that I can call friends.  Indifference to animals tends to translate into the sort of overall indifference that I find substantially offputting, to put it mildly.  Longtime readers here know that Jane has some gorgeous standard poodles, and that she and I both love our animals quite a bit. 

Recently, we've started getting The Peanut some riding lessons, making clear to her that caring for the horse -- brushing, combing, feeding, watering, and such -- is part of the deal, even though it isn't our horse.  That sort of responsibility needs to be taught early, at least, that is what my dad taught me, and we are trying to do the same for her.  We've already talked about that quite a bit as we regularly fill our bird feeders in the yard -- this just takes it to the next level for her in terms of responsibility and concomitant reward of then being able to ride.

Thought it would be fun to get to know all of you, your furry pals, and your thoughts about our animal companions on this lovely blue planet of ours.  And, while I'm thinking of it, the folks out there who read but don't comment, I just know you have some thoughts on all of this, so do join in the conversation.  Pour yourself another cuppa and pull up a chair...

(Photo of an adorable black and tan doxie that looks very much like ours via Andrej_Filev.)