The Christmas Visitor

[Frannie & Callie]

Have you ever heard yourself saying something, and even as the words are leaving your mouth your inner voice is going "STOP!!!!!"? I had one of those moments about two weeks ago when a co-worker asked me for the number of a place to board her dog over the holidays.

What I should have said..."Sure - here's the number to Barking Hound Village"

What I actually said..." I'll keep Zoey while you're gone"

So, fast-forward to yesterday, when Zoey, the adorable 6.5lb long haired miniature dachshund, arrived at my house with her teeny tiny crate, minute sweaters, itty bitty food/water bowls, and GIGANTIC attitude.

I've been cracking up non-stop watching this dynamic...this barely-there dog has Callie completely cowed. A few well timed yaps and Callie is falling right in line. So far, Zoey has appropriated a marrow bone, an antler, and a knotted rawhide (which is roughly the same length she is). Callie steals them back when Zoey (who I call "Z" or "Mighty Z") is disracted, but relinquishes them as soon as Z starts barking.

Z's also become very possessive of my lap. I am perfectly happy to cuddle and pet both dogs (two hands, two dogs...the math works out just fine), but I'm not supplanting my beloved puppy girl Callie for anyone. Z will just have to deal with sharing (and Callie doesn't care if I actively pet her or not, as long as she can be in constant contact with me).

Bedtime was another adventure. I put both dogs in bed with me, where they proceeded to wrestle for nearly two hours! I'm SO going to have to get Callie a dog at some point (a bigger one than Zoey though!). Callie finally wandered away from Z, and collapsed, exhausted. A moment later, I felt the bed start to shake. I looked over and Z was frantically humping Callie's head (I stopped that of course...Callie is a responsible lady and any suitor will at least have to buy her dinner before humping her. It only seems fair).

This week with little Zoey will be an adventure to say the least, but it's good practice for if I get a second dog (and I'm sure I'll cave at some point...Callie is LOVING having a built in playmate!)

[Jamie Petro]

This was so funny for me to read b/c I have a dachshund and a doodle! I had my dachshund(Rootie) way before my doodle(Wrigley), and I was afraid of what a giant doodle would do to my little weenie dog, Never fear, Rootie has held her own and showed Wrigley who's boss. Wrigley always wins the tug of war, but when she's not looking, Rootie grabs all of the good toys and stashes them under the bed! Too funny!

[Frannie & Callie]

I have to admit that I'm having a hard time with the barking. Callie's just not a barker and I keep getting surprised by the noise - especially when she barked at 3am to be placed back on the bed. I explained that if she can't get on the bed herself, she shouldn't jump off of it, but she didn't seem very impressed ;)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Whevever we go to dog type events, the little Weiner dogs are always very agressive with their barking and bossing. Guess they need to let everyone know that just because they are small they are still mighty! lol. Have fun! It is a good thing that Callie doesn't really seem to mind.