Surgery Went Well

Schatzi is resting comfortably in ICU. Her surgery went very well, once they removed a large amount of debris, her spinal column settled right back into place.

It will be a few days of recuperation and further testing before she is discharged, so we don't expect her home much before late Monday.

Brief Update-Schatzi

Schatzi is currently undegoing surgery; the myelogram is completed. The surgeon reported the rupture was huge & tramatic between the L12-L13 discs & it will likely be mid afternoon before we have another update. Her urineanalysis is good, no bacteria present.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has posted, e-mailed, and telephoned, your continued thoughts, prayers and good wishes are greatly appreciated.

Schatzi Is Down

Schatzi's condition continued to deteriorate over the past 24 hours, so we made an emergency trip to our vet this morning, where it was quickly determined that she has gone down. She is unable to stand and has lost use of her left hind leg. The right one, at this point, is unaffected.

We just returned from the Atlantic Veterinary College, Schatzi is undergoing x-rays & further testing this evening, thankfully sedated and a bit more comfortable.. Barring any further deterioration, she will undergo the myelogram and surgery in the morning. Should things take a turn for the worse before then, she will be taken immediately into surgery. I have great faith in her surgeon, as he performed Xena's successful surgery, almost two years ago, to the month.

The attending veterinarian feels because we recognized the problem and sought immediate medical attention, Schatzi's prognosis for a full recovery is positive. Schatzi had use of her bowels and bladder functions early this morning, however had not peed since 9:00 a.m. I'm hoping she has since then been able to do so. Schatzi's attending vet student, will be calling this evening (as they do every evening) to update, etc.

We discussed aftercare at great length, 8-9 weeks full crate rest, physio therapy and massage therapy.

Today was very busy at the vet hospital - quite a few emergencies came in. One lady and her golden retriever chartered a plane & flew in from Mahone Bay, NS!! Now, that is true loyalty to your pet.

So, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Singer- Fergie Has A Dachshund

Who knew?

What a Face!!!

This is what I wake up to every morning!!



Now, who could not wake up happy to see that adorable little face?

Dachshund Find!

I stumbled upon this awesome ceramic dachshund statue while out browsing the stores the other day! It measure about 6" high by 9" long.

I just had to have it!

YAPPY HOWL-YOUR-WEEN!!

Illegal in Canada

I'm sharing this on my blog with anyone who may be interested in purchasing a "purebred" dachshund (or any breed for that matter.)

It is illegal in Canada to sell a dog as a purebred without supplying registration papers free. The seller must register and transfer the ownership of the dog to the buyer at no cost. This is protected by the ANIMAL PEDIGREE ACT. If a breeder is willing to sell you a purebred without papers for a lower cost, run...do not walk away! This is not reputable behaviour and it is illegal. What else might the breeder be concealing from you?

It is CANADIAN LAW as stated in the ANIMAL PEDIGREE ACT that no dog may be sold in Canada as purebred without the animal being registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (C.K.C.)

CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB registration papers are your certification that your new puppy is a recognized Purebred Dog. In accordance with the By-laws, Dogs must never be sold on a "with or without papers" basis. The breeder is responsible for the submission of and payment for all registration applications. Such costs may be included in the price of the dog but under no circumstances shall the buyer be asked to submit or pay for any applications to register or transfer the ownership of a dog.

The CKC charges a very small amount to register a litter then an additional small amount to register the individual puppy. They do not charge hundreds of dollars!!! It is also illegal to sell an unregistered dog as a purebred so ask why would a seller choose to offer a purebred puppy without registration papers at a few hundred dollars off if the dog really is a recognised purebred dog?

If you are looking for a purebred dog, check with your local kennel clubs and organizations and they will be more than happy to point you in the right direction and assist you in finding a reputable breeder of the breed you are looking for in the local area. CKC Registered dogs will be guaranteed purebred, health checked, and heath guaranteed. If your going to pay the money for a purebred dog, don’t be fooled, make sure you are getting what you pay for and purchase a dog from a reputable breeder. Before you spend your hard earned money on a Field Bred, non-registered, or Mutt, check out reputable breeder that follows CKC breeding ethics.

Regardless if your looking for a purebred, or just a family pet, research the breed, research the breeder. Get what you pay for, please don’t support unethical breeders, please don’t support, and report puppy mills, know what your getting, don’t get taken by a back yard breeder telling you it’s purebred, but not being able to prove it. It may very well be purebred, but unless they can prove it, you can’t be sure, if your going to pay the money for a purebred dog, shouldn’t you be making sure you getting what your paying for.

• The Animal Pedigree Act makes it a federal offence to sell an animal of a recognized breed as, purebred, registered, or eligible to be registered if it is not.
• The term "purebred" is a confirmation of genetic background and adherence to breed characteristics, in accordance with the requirements of the Act and the by-laws of the authorized breed association.
• The term "registered" is confirmation that all the rules of eligibility of the authorized breed association in Canada have been met.
• If an animal of a recognized breed is sold as purebred, registered or eligible to be registered, the seller is obligated to provide a duly transferred certificate of registration to the buyer not later than six months after the sale.

Oskar & The Limp Noodle Game!!

I don't know if it's a dachshund thing or just an Oskar thing, but on occassion (and it's usually when time is at a minimum) Oskar loves to play the "see how limp my body can go" game or as I have dubbed it "the limp noodle game".

And the game usually begins, when I have about two nano-seconds to get everyone herded out for their mid-day break & back in for snacks. I have Schatzi, the frozen statue poised firmly - waiting to have her bum slid across the floor, towards the door & Xena, the "I'm just happy to be going, anywhere" gal, prancing around underfoot (I swear I could put a fish bowl on her head & she would be happy! (relax, I wouldn't do that to the fish!).

So, I'm at the back door - Oskar's hoodie in one hand, harness & leash in the other & calling out "Oskar, come!" for the 42nd time - to no avail-I finally understand it's time to play the "limp noodle" game. So, I peel off my sneakers, with harness, leash & hoodie in hand, & attempt to pull said hoodie over his head, squeeze two very short front paws into the armholes - while he is totally, 100% without skeletal frame! He couldn't be more limp if he was unconscious! (And all the while I am laughing so hard - which makes it even worse - cause he thinks its a game then & co-operates even less).

Now, I have the hoodie on - it's time to fit the harness over his head & secure it to both sides of his limp body! Does he snap to attention & eagerly bolt to the door? No, he flops over and lies there-tail wagging madly! A spotted, limp dog wearing a hoodie, harness attached to a limp leash, madly wagging tail! So, I pick him up - carry him to the door, put my sneakers on - slide Schatzi, the frozen statue across the floor to the door (she thinks she can't move if she is wearing a sweater or hoodie), lift a prancing Xena down the stairs to the door & we are ready to go!

The minute the door opens - limp noodle suddenly comes to life & races down the ramp - like he was waiting forever for me to finally get ready!

Now, I usually don't mind playing the limp noodle game - just not on my short lunch break. I think maybe, it's just an Oskar thing.