The Evolution of a Dachsie / Hooman Relationship

[David C.]

When our daughter Jessica was born in 2003, we had Rudy & Max.  Rudy was always a one-owner dog, but somehow he realized that Jessica's appearance was very significant, it was his master's "puppy".  Rudy became fearsomely loyal to Jessica, and suprisingly patient as she would poke and pull at him (curiously, the only other person Rudy displayed loyalty outside of myself and Jessica was my father...it was like he knew that my father was, well...my father).   Sadly, Rudy went to the Bridge while Jessica was only a toddler.

Max by this time was quite senior and really had little time or patience for Jessica.   Most of the time, he would just move out of the way.   Being basically inert a good part of the time, he was easy for Jessica to ignore or to consider just another toy, particularly with Jessica's autism.  Max left us shortly after Jessica's 3rd birthday.

Hard on the heels of Max's passing, we adopted the Zs.   We had pet-sat for a couple of weeks while Jessica was an infant.  Zora seemed quite piqued by this "puppy", Zeke wasn't as interested.   For the most part though, Jessica really didn't pay much attention to either pupper, and they, for the most part, kept their distance, except when she was eating, of course.  Then they would park themselves below her chair and just wait for food to fall.

Shortly after Jessica's 5th birthday, an interesting thing happened.   She began to notice Zeke...but only Zeke.   All of the sudden, she was sticking her had in his face, starting to pet him, starting to touch him and even giving chase.   Zeke didn't seem to know what to make of this.  At first, he would scamper to get out of Dodge.  Slowly, though, he became more patient with her and less likely to jump away when she pulled on his ears.   I was quite nervous at first as Zeke, being a male dachshund, on whether he would "stand and fight".  I think I would have felt more comfortable if Jessica singled out Zora, who is far more maternal.  It turned out my fears were unfounded, though, as Zeke has never tried to hurt her.  If Jessica gets to be too much, he simply retreats.

Lately, though, we began noticing something.  Even when Jessica was not playing with or paying attention to Zeke, Zeke had started following her around, seldom letting her out of his view, and even trying to initiate play with her.  I had definitely noticed a personality change in Zeke as he seems to have matured a bit (he will be 7 in May) and seemingly beginning to accept responsibility of his charge.  Our "Wild Boy" has turned into quite the dachshund gentleman.

Zora, although not being singled out by Jessica, does benefit from the "peace dividend".   Sometimes Jessica will come up to her and place her hand in front of her snout just to get it licked.  While Zora doesn't follow Jessica as closely as Zeke, she is fiercely protective of her entire brood.  When strangers enter the house, while Zeke goes to greet them, Zora takes up station at the top of the stairs (we live in a split foyer home) and barks her little head off until we tell her it's okay.

[Teresa]

How interesting that it was Zeke that Jessica picked. Makes you wonder what it was that made him more interesting.
Have you read much about the Dogs being used with Autistic kids. Right now there aren't a lot of them, but the dogs are trained to stay with the kids all the time, especially if they are outdoors. If the child tries to wander off, the dog is there to either try to prevent it or alert the adult that it has happened. They have other things they do, but that was one of the main things.

[Barb]

That is so sweet, and interesting to hear of the dynamic.  And dad.... how 'bout some pictures of ALL of them !

[Kelly]

Zeke might know in his own little way that there is something different about Jessica! One of the first dogs I got in 1994 stuck to me like glue! When ever I was not feeling good he would jump up on my lap and put his 2 front paws on my shoulders and look me in the face as if he was asking me what was bothering me.

[Madderoos Mom]

Zeke is probably helping Jessica more than we all know.  That's amazing!