Dudley - December 2003, 8 years old

He was a feisty one who we rescued from a caged life. I think that with our love, he mellowed. He tried hard to keep up with us, but could not stand the pace. So, today, we laid him to rest. Good-bye, my friend.

Lady Dixie Rose - December 2003, 10 years, 5 months old

She was the first dachshund we ever had and like the first born in many families, she ruled to roost! We picked her out of a litter of black and tan smooth coated pups because of her personality and markings, but came to love here because of her patience, devotion and loyalty.

Many times over the years, my wife and I commented that dachshunds are more than just dogs, more than just pets, they become members of the family. When we brought home a red smooth coated puppy, it didn't affect Dixie other than she had one more under her spell. She wasn't perfect, we never could get her totally housebroken, in fact we sometimes accused her of peeing on the carpet out of spite. Once when she went to the door and scratched, my wife was on the phone and a little distracted. The result was Dixie walking over and peeing on her shoe, with what we characterised as a smirk. We all learned that when it came to doing her 'business', she meant business.

Life was tough for her beginning with her third round of vaccinations. Coming home from the vet after a set of booster shots she begain to swell and her eyes looked like one of those weird goldfish. We called the vet and he suggested Benadryl which brought the swelling down but the problems were just beginning. Occasionaly a dog will react poorly to these shots and develop an autoimmune disease in which the body destroys the red blood cells. Dixie's blood count went from 45 down to 12 and she grew so weak she could no longer stand. Thinking we would lose her, the vet suggested we try something radical and prescribed heavy steroids. They began to work and she recovered, but with the prospect that it would return later.

Fast forward to October of this year, some seven years later. My daughter moved out and was lonely in her new apartment. She teaches first grade and one of her students had a long haired red doxie with new puppies. She brought home a male and female to 'choose' over the weekend, and for anyone who has been around doxies as puppies, you know the result - they both stayed.

Dixie accecpted them with grace and dignity, but let them know right away she was beyond puppy foolishness. They quickly learned to give her some space and not bother the 'queen bee'. It seemed like the new puppies in the house had just settled in when Dixie's illness returned. Her breath became terrible as the infections settled into her teeth. She had already had some problems with teeth, but now it was evident something much worse was going on.

A trip to the vet confirmed the return of the illness, but the worst part was now the nausea. Every day was filled with a starving dog that could not eat or keep down the medicine. After three weeks of this we couldn't stand to see the hunger in her eyes. She was literally starving to death in front of food!

We made the trip to the vet and asked him to end the misery. They were very supportive and kind and even though the process was quick and painless for Dixie, my wife and I have never felt such grief. I had no idea it would hurt so much. We both knew we were doing the right thing for a suffering member of the family, but the heart doesn't think, it just feels, and we're both keenly aware that even with our eight-year-old Heidi and the two new puppies, there will ALWAYS be a Dixie-sized hole in our family.

Would we do it again? Absolutely! She was always there to meet me at the door, knew when it was time to come sit in my lap and lower my blood pressure and when to keep a low profile and mind her own business. Dixie and the lessons of loyalty, devotion and steadfastness she taught won't be forgotten.

Cocoa Bean Marie - December 2003, 15 years, old

Cocoa Bean was loved by all whose lives she touched. She was an orphan at eight years old when she came into my father's life. He was suffering from the onset of Altzhiemer's disease, but Cocoa became his best friend and companion. After having to admit him to a long care facility, I took his doxie to visit him as much as possible, where she was also good medicine to all the other patients. Since my father's passing in 2002, she has been my best friend and companion. I will miss her dearly and will never forget how many lives she touched ,especially including mine...

Benjamin (Benia) - December 2003, 12 years, 10 months old

Almost 13 years ago my father brought a tiny creature in his arms. This creature filled our hearts with joy. We named him Benjamin, Benia, Benechka. YesterdayÊhe died, also in my father's arms, on the way to the hospital. There was no way to save Benia, he had a weak heart...

He was loved dearly by all of us. He was a baby of the family or rather the master of the house and had his way in everything. He was a gorgeous, playful and kind dog. We will always remember and miss him.

Gretchen Sable Lady Klemmer - December 2003, 13 years, 7 months old

I was so glad to find this site to pour my little heart out to you my baby girl Lady. I know you can play in heaven and not be in pain anymore and Mommy will miss you. You were my best friend and still are. I will miss you and when it is my time to go we will be reunited. You were my child and you will be missed.

Copper Lumsden - December 2003, 10 years, 1 month, 21 days old

Copper came to us at seven weeks on 29 December 1993 and left us on 29 December 2003. Copper was our little boy and we loved him dearly. He was a 30-pound standard so he wasn't really little. Copper was born on my birthday and he came to us when our other dachshund, Sausage (also here in the garden), left us to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Copper was stubborn but he made us laugh and he loved to go bye bye in the car. He greeted us when we came home with those doxie kisses and hugs. It was so hard to say goodbye! I sometimes think I cannot go through this again but as I write this I am again searching for a new little guy to be part of our family. You who love dachshunds understand! Until we meet again at the Bridge, Copper, love always. Your Mommy and DaddyHi lil' remis.. I miss you so much I just wanted to let you know that sister Marina misses you very much! So does Josh, he misses your puppy 'push-ups' and the way that you growled when someone would help you up on the couch. I love you very much little Remo and you are the best friend I ever had! I love you and I visit you often. Love marina and Josh

Binky - December 2003, 4 years, 1 month old

Herbie Gifford - December 2003, 9 years old

Herbie came to us at four months old and when he was taken from us yesterday, on 29 December 2003, after bravely fighting a short illness, he was nearly ten. He was a beautiful red long-haired standard dachsie and the kindest, gentlest, most wonderful dog you could ever wish to meet.

Herbie my darling, you were my first dog and my baby boy. Losing you has left me with a broken heart and I ache to hold you in my arms again. You were a pal to Daddy, a playmate for your feline brothers and you were more important to me, your Mum, than I could ever express in words. A light has gone out of our lives and the pain of missing you is hard to bear. Thank you so much for the wonderful nine years we had together. You will always be my baby and I will miss you always. Run and play at the Rainbow Bridge our darling dachshund boy and wait for us there. All our love Mummy, Daddy and your feline brothers, Rufus, Freddie and Dylan xxxxx

"Grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears
But laugh and talk of me
As if I were beside you.
I loved you so,
'Twas Heaven here with you."

Isla Paschal Richardson

Fancy - December 2003, 7 months old

She was my very first 'puppy love'. Even though she was with me for a very short time, it seemed as if Fancy had been with me forever. I never dreamed in my wildest dreams that I would love a puppy that way. In fact I had always been the one that swore that I would never be able to 'keep a dog in my home'. Now she is gone, and my home seems so empty, even with three kids. We all miss her so badly.

We love you Fancy. Fly high, because we all know that, all dogs go to Heaven.

Puck - December 2003, 8 years, 6 months old

Puck,

When God had made the earth and sky
The flowers and the trees
He then made all the animals
And all the birds and bees

And when his work was finished
Not one was quite the same
He said, 'I'll walk this earth of mine
And give each one a name.'

And so He travelled earth and sea
And everywhere he went
A little creature followed him
Untill its strength was spent.

When all were named upon the earth
And in the sky and sea
The little creature said, 'Dear Lord,
There's not one left for me.'

The Father smiled and softly said,
'I've left you to the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
And called you 'dog', my friend.

Heidi Lou McCoy - December 2003, 17 years old

When I first met Heidi, she was a tiny little thing. She fit in my grandma's pocket on the way home from buying her. She was a spoiled little rascal, as all dachshunds should be!! She loved just a select few people and I was lucky to be one of them! I remember going to my grandma's, so excited to see her. I even had my senior pictures taken with her! I loved her so. After my grandma passed we didn't think Heidi would stop grieving. But she eventually did. Even when she went blind and mostly deaf, she still remembered me. Now my grandma and Heidi are together again. Grandma sewing a quilt in her chair and Heidi right beside her, guarding all her quilt pieces! I love and miss you Heidi!
Love, Shanon, Sue, Roger and Wayne

Andy - December 2003, 13 years old

Andy was with me for only a month before his little heart gave out and he went to the Bridge in his sleep. A fellow rescuer pulled him from a Kentucky shelter, where he had been dumped and would surely have been euthanised. From the first moment I saw him, Andy touched my heart. I never knew I could fall in love with a dog so quickly, but Andy filled my heart with joy. He loved food more than anything and ate with such zest. Andy will always be in my heart, for all the love he gave in the short time he was with me.

Willow in the Wind - December 2003, 1 year, 4 months old

Willow was a white-and-black piebald with brown spots and a large chest. He was so cute! He fathered 12 great puppies in his short life.

Willow, what can I say, but that our tears run down our faces every day. We miss you. I miss you most of all as you were my buddy. Daddy misses you lying across his face every night before we go to sleep. Midge misses you, Katie misses you. I pray that when you disappeared that cold December day, you did not suffer - we looked for months for you with no luck.

We loved you then and we love you now. We miss you so badly our hearts ache for you. I miss your licks, your taking naps with me, the funny way you 'ran from the bear'.

I hope you found Coco when she arrived at the Bridge. Be well and happy, Willow in the Wind, run and play with your babies that long for you to play with them.

Love to you , Mommy, Daddy, Osh and all the girls