Six months with the Zs

[David C.]

Hard to believe that it's now been six months since Zora and Zeke came to live with us.   Both have finally settled in and their dispositions have really come shining through. 

Zeke is our "character".   He's brash, playful, vocal, and sometimes arrogant.   Zeke considers anyone who comes in the house a guest for him.  Zeke readily defends his backyard from any perceived threats, although being able to stand on one side of the fence definitely give him a bit more courage than a face-to-face showdown.   Zeke loves to bark at our neighbors lab/shep Sampson, but when they came nose-to-nose, as soon as Sampson took one step towards him, Zeke took off like a rabbit.   Zeke tends to be a bit of a free spirit, often opting for snoozing in his crate over being with the other hoomans.   Him and Jessica seem to have an utter disregard for each other.   Jessica likes playing with his floppy ears, which irritates him, and conversely, he just tromps on her like she's not even there when he gets up on the couch.

It took a bit longer for Zora to completely come out of her shell.   She was far more affected by the change in scenery than Zeke was.   At first, you could tell she missed Yamisi something terrible.   Little by little, though, she began adjusting to her new home.   Zora is definitely a "Daddy's Girl" now, becoming fiercely loyal to me...not unlike Rudy was.  Zora lacks the brashness of Zeke, but she is very intense when she defends her turf.   Zora is far more wary of strangers and usually takes up a "defensive" posture around Jessica.   Even though she is not as playful as Zeke, Zora is far more tolerant of Jessica than Zeke is.   Zora sits there and takes the ear pulling, tail pulling and squeezing.  When it gets too much, she just walks away.   If you take the emotion out and look at the dogs objectively, Zora is the finest dog I've ever owned.

I'm still having a hard time figuring out their pack order.  Zeke is far more physical and has quite a size and strength advantage over Zora, and he's been known to use it.  On walks, he goes out and takes the point.  He used to shoulder Zora back if she got in front.  Lately, though, he doesn't seem to object to Zora being out front, albeit temporarily.   Based on this, I'd say Zeke was alpha, but when it comes to food, Zeke always waits for Zora to eat her food first before he eats his, which is a submissive-type behavior.  Perhaps it is just a "throwback" to when he was a puppy and Zora dominated him.   They don't have the kind of knock down, drag-em-out fights that Rudy & Max used to have.  In six months, I think they've only had two serious fights, so clearly whatever they have decided is working for them.

While the Zs are dachshunds and definitely share dachshund characteristics with both Rudy & Max who preceded them, these two are definitely their own individuals.   Sometimes, I think our furkids have shorter lifespans so they can make room for new friends in our lives.  I know there are people out there who want to clone their existing animals so they can have a genetic duplicate when it is time for the "original" to go to the Bridge.   I'll never be one of those people.   Each one of my puppers has been unique and I'm blessed for having them in my life. 

[Brekkesmom]

A nice update - thank you!  I missed getting to meet these little characters way back on one Thanksgiving when Yamisi had planned to drive up here and see us, before things in her life changed and she met her husband.   I am glad to hear the Z's have a pack order which works for them!

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

You are a very gifted writer I enjoyed reading that very much. I feel like I know them. Very interesting how they all are so alike and yet so different. You have good insight on what is going on in their heads.

I have to admit I am one who would clone my dog in a second if I could. I think that would be the only way I could possibly survive losing her one day. I have been nuts over all my dogs but Hallie and I are so entwined it would be like losing an organ I needed to live.

[Kari]

Wow - what a great update! You have such a great gift for description and I feel as if I am there with you and can see the Zs. I am so glad that it has all worked out!

[Valerie]

I loved reading everything you wrote about the Z's. 
I especially love that last paragraph- its one of the most beautiful things I have read in a long time. 

[Roberta]

Well written David and we have the same here with Amy and Oliver one time you think he is Alpha then MAdam will bash her way in for food and he just stands back.
I love their individual charecters, and how they can be the same but diffrent.
Roberta

[TerriL]

Thank you so very much for sharing Z's with all of us!  One of the things that I love the most about dachshunds is how unique each and every one is.  My four all have such incredibly distinct personalities. 
I can't wait to hear more about the Z's as time goes by! 

[Barb]

Thanks for the update on your 2 Z's !  How is your nose (Zeke side profession of plastic surgery-LOL) ?

Glad they are settling in and finding their own places in your family dynamic.  I know Yamisi is thankful each day that her babies have such a loving forever family.

I too sometimes wonder who is my alpha dog - each day something happens that swing my thoughts.  They may discuss the week and decide who will be alpha which day - HA !

[PattyInAK]

I enjoyed reading this recap of the last six months with Zeke and Zora.  They sound like they have a lot of character.

[scootersmom]

Aw.  I loved reading your descriptions of the Z's.  And I couldn't agree more - we are all blessed to have all these little souls join us and become close to us throughout our lives.