Mickey-The Non-Dachshund

Mickey, as it has been discovered, is a purebred Affenpinscher. And how do we know for sure? Seems his "breeder" showed up - more than a month after he had gone missing. The breeder thought "the coyotes" got him! Enuf said.

Mickey is staying in his new home and is undergoing a dental, neuter and micro-chipping today!

So from us & the wienerkins to Mickey - we are wishing a speedy recovery & will be waiting for a post-surgery update.

Canine First Aid Course

Took a trip to Summerside today (sans wieners) to partake in a Canine First Aid Course, presented by Dr. Nicolle Gallant, DVM who practices in Kensington, PEI. The event was sponsored by the Lady Slipper Kennel Club and Sunnybrook Farms Pet Supply.





This cutie pie's name is Emma - she just happened to be doing some shopping in the store. Sunnybrook Farm is very-pet friendly and not only sells pet and horse supplies, but holds agility classes.



Dr. Gallant and her trusty sidekick Sam.



Sam was a very good sport, allowing Dr. Gallant to demonstrate how to properly muzzle or restrain an injured dog, in the event of an emergency (so one wouldn't get bitten while attempting first aid).



Dr. Gallant also emphasized the importance of having a Pet First Aid Kit& what it should contain. I hope I never have occassion to need it, but have one safe at hand.

I found the course very informative & not only refreshed a few earlier learnings, but also gained new ones. I didn't know salt water can be toxic to dogs. Many tourists come vacation here from other provinces where their animals have previously swam in fresh water & drink the water. Then upon coming to PEI, they hit the salt water beaches & their pets end up getting sick from drinking ocean water.

All in all, worth the 55 km drive and attending the course.

Of course, I had to take a couple of pics on the trip back. This was an awesome family out enjoying some pasture time.




And the backbone of this province - one of a number of farms that litter the PEI landscape. Cool name, too!

Happy October!!

Kibble Quandry

It seems my local Global Pet Food store will no longer be carrying our brand of kibble. Because Solid Gold will not purchase back any unsold bags from Global, the store stopped carrying Solid Gold months ago, however, they have been able to order it in -usually on a monthly basis.

Due to "difficulties with the company", Global will no longer be carrying Solid Gold products. And DVP Natural Balance will also no longer be sold. (my preferred second choice).

So, I have spent the last few days doing some research to find a new dog food formula comparable to Solid Gold Holistique Blendz. In checking with the Guaranteed Analysis, it appears Wellness is similiar in percentages of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, caleries/cup, etc., with Solid Gold.



I need to confirm with Global that Wellness will be carried in their shop. In the meantime, we still have approx. 15 lbs. of Solid Gold before we make the slow switch.

Hittin' The Trail!

Today was a perfect day to pack up the anipals and explore the Confederation Trail behind UPEI and the Atlantic Veterinary College.


Co-pilot Oskar reporting for duty!



A sneak peek at a small portion of the trail (which spans the entire Island from West to East, tip to tip).



Schatzi, giving the trail her paw of approval!



Oskar & Xena - sniffing and exploring.



The trail follows along behind the AVC, which was hosting their Annual Open House! Lots of activities going on - Schatzi stopped to say hello to a friendly beagle!



Xena networking with another beagle and some kids who were quite smitten seeing three wieners!



And look who we happen to meet out for his morning walk, but a friendly dachshund - named Quincy! Obviously a huge hit with Schatzi & Xena. Oskar on the other hand, not quite so smitten with him, but did manage a quick snarl.



We continued on our walk, passing the busy Charlottetown Farmer's Market.



Next to the Farmer's Market is a Duck's Unlimited marsh, a protected area (and right in the heart of the city!) Some cute ducks having an early morning swim.



A few cat tails growing along the trail.



Just to show how close the marsh is to civilization - you can see the Atlantic Superstore in the foreground.



Xena gets sacked! Our little lowrider got a bit wobbly & tired from all the walking, so she was safely tucked into her Outward Hound bag. (which she loves).



We finished our outing with a quick look at the preparations underway at the University for the 2009 Canada Summer games.



The course for the track and field events.







Since it was near noon, it was time to head for home & have a much needed snack.

Fall Has Definately Arrived!

Huge Harvest Moon the other night - not a great shot - but it was beautiful!



A few random shots from the weekend:


Xena & Shatzi sharing a marrow bone - each has an end!



Two tuckered wieners - hunkered down for the night!



Oskar - bumming food long distance - snapped this while we were having lunch!



And a couple of shots of our weekend entertainment - the never ending deck construction. So proud of hubby - he is doing an amazing job!





The pool company is coming in a couple of weeks, to close the pool for the winter. *sniff*


Hubs partially covered with kritterkins!




Had an interesting conversation with a lady at lunchtime, while I was out with the pack. (I often wonder if anyone else gets stopped as much as we do when we are out with the kritters). Anyhoo, this friendly woman stops her car, hops out & comes running over the see the crew - exclaiming how it made her day to see us! Countless times we get stopped by people & we are only too happy to stop and chat about our favourite subject!

Met a neighbour the other day, as well. Seems he and "Chub" (gorgeous black lab) are thinking of adding a pool and they stopped to see how we were progressing. I measure a person's worth by how they treat their companion & it was plain to see Chub was very well care for & loved. It's amazing how many people we meet-simply because we have a common bond - our pets. And were it not for them - we would likely just pass people by, without ever getting to know anyone. Pets truly do, enrich our lives.

Another reason I am sad to see the summer end. It signals the beginning of colder temps, ultimately followed by snow. And usually, walks come to a halt once those days arrive.

Cancer Relay for Life

This isn't about dachshunds, but I wanted to share about the Relay for Life & how proud I am of my sister for being a volunteer this weekend, in my home town.
She explains the last 24 hours -

"The relay for life is an event held for the Canadian Cancer Society. It took place place at the ball diamond and goes for 12 hours. It starts off with a dinner in the high school gym for all cancer survivors & then around 7 p.m., they walk around the roped off area on the ball field behind a bag piper.

After that, all the teams entered take turns walking around the field all night. At 10 p.m. the luminaries are lit, followed by a 2 minute silence for people who have died of cancer. Lighting the luminaries is beautiful, with Girl Guides in the circle holding posters that say "Quiet Please" - you could hear a pin drop for those 2 minutes.

There are games for kids in the gym, food for everyone all night long, a dj provides music and there is a huge bonfire at one end of the field to get warmed up and just talk to people.

All money raised goes to the Canadian Cancer Society. I stayed until 3 a.m. I went back this morning at 7 a.m. for the closing ceremonies and help clean up."

Wow - what an amazing event! Luminaries are sold - my sister lit the luminaries she purchased for our Mom & me. (My Mom passed away a number of years ago & I am a cancer suvivor.) These are the beautiful luminaries purchased in our honour.





I love you sis & thank you for such a beautiful tribute to Mom and me.

Dachshunds Live Here

If you don't want to be greeted with barks, paws and wagging tails don't come inside - dachshunds live here,
If you don't like the feel of cold noses or wet tongues, don't come inside - dachshunds live here,
If you don't want to step over scattered toys, marrow bones, chewed slippers & kongs, don't come inside - dachshunds live here,
If you think a home should smell of perfume, don't come inside - dachshunds live here

But if you don't mind all this........
Come inside and you will be loved - because dachshunds live here!

Miss Gopher Guts!!

It seems Miss Schatzi will never learn to not eat crap from the ground! It is a full time job watching her while out on walks to make sure she doesn't eat something disgusting! Well, apparently last evening I failed in that respect, as some ungawdly hour of the night - I was awakened with the all to familiar chortelling sounds coming from a certain dog bed!

I lept to action & raced with her to the toilet (it beats cleaning it up from the floor!). Seems crane flies & slugs don't mix! Enuf said!

My vet sees no harm in her eating the occassional dried worm from the sidewalk - there are worse sources of protein he claims! To think I spend copious amounts of money to ensure she gets fed the healthiest dog food on the market - when worms & slugs are more to her liking!

Go figure!