Checking back in after many years!

[Jake95]

Hi! Don't know if anyone remembers me from back in the late 90's. I got Jake in May of 1995 and found the Weiner Writings board sometime after that. Jake is now almost 16 years old. Rather white faced but eating like a horse. He does have an enlarged heart according to the Vet. My name is Eleanor, some of the ones who were on the board back than were Dee Dee, Patty from Alaska, Glenda, I was just curious today about a Dachsies life span. I see most sites say the lifespan is 12-15 years. Well Jake is one year past that and I know many of you have had them live for 18 years or so. Except or his arthritis and doing senior things like getting stuck in corners, Jake is very strong and doing well. I think his eye sight is not as good as before and I am sure his hearing is less than perfect but meal times are his favorite part of the day.

[Barb]

Hi Eleanor - I was thinking about you the other day and wondering where you were !!!!!  Great to hear from you !!!!

[David C.]

Hi Eleanor -- we remember you.  I had Rudy, Max and Rusty...all having gone on to the Bridge, and now we have Zeke and Zora.

Rusty, who was a mongrel, went first, passing in December 2001.  We never knew his age.   Rudy-angel was stricken by cancer and passed about two months shy of his 13th birthday in June 2005.   Max-angel was our old timer, and was the reigning Senior Weiner here for some time.   Max passed in October 2006 at the fairly ripe old age of 17 years, 7 months.   On the WW Board, I think only Mr. Puppy, who lived until he was 20, had more longevity than Max.   Jake sounds similar to Max...no major health issues, just a general decline, including some "senior moments".   Max didn't really have any major illnesses.  It was simply a matter that all of his parts just seemed to have worn out at the same time.   In his last six weeks, we saw a very marked decline.  When his back gave out, we knew it was time to send him on to the Bridge.   In his final moments, Max continued to give kisses until he was gone. 

Our Zs are 8 and 9 years old.  They are great puppers.  Max's passing opened the door for us to adopt them.

[hannah]

That was amazing to hear Eleanor, glad to hear about your inspiring story and this board being part of it. Surely Jake is one tough and nice guy, care to share some piccies of him?

[Jake95]

Hi! David, As I was writting that post I was trying to recall your name. Talk about senior moments, of course I remembered it after I posted the message. I will try and get a good picture of Jake and post it. I am living in Georgia now. When I was more active on the Weiner Writings board I lived in Texas. Jake is an international dog. He traveled to Brazil with me and stayed there for two years. He even learned Portuguese and would answer my friends when they spoke to him. The thing I miss most about him being younger is him talking. He hardly ever barks anymore and have not heard is cute ramblings when you ask him a question for quite sometime. I guess his hearing is going too.
The vet gave me a pill to help his heart condition but it made him sleepless and he started vomiting so I decided I would rather watch him get old naturally rather than put up with a bunch of symptoms from medication and stopped giving him the pill. Eleanor

[Jake95]

Hi! Hannah, I need to get my daughter-in-law to send me some pictures she has taken via e-mail so I can post them. Thanks for you reply. What is your dachshunds name?
Jake was given to me at 6 months of age, so I don't know his legal birthday but I kind of figure he was born in Oct., given to someone as a Christmas present. When he started fighting with their poodle they gave him to my son. My son than gave him to me since they were newly married and Jake was eating things still. It was May of 1995 when I got him and he was not full grown yet. That is how I am figuring his age. Eleanor

[Jake95]

Hi! Barb, Do you have four dachsies now! How old are Rudy and Brandy? I am over in Georgia now. I wonder who has the oldest Dachsie on the board now? Maybe we can start a post where everyone list the age of their dachsies. Jake is sort of a cranky old man now, just wants to eat and sleep! ELeanor

[Merion]

Hi Eleanor,
I have been on here a while and I remember you.  I had the 3 ZZZ's at the time.
Zeke went first at 15 years 7months 9/27/04.
Zelda went at 15 years 9months 7/6/05.

We still have Zack who is almost 16 and 1/2.
We also have Zena now who is 4 and 9months. I am still showing her. :crazyeyes:

Zack is slowing down a lot but he is also putting up the Zena and the cat who has adopted us outside.  When he was younger it would have been dead!!!  He comes over and rubs up against Zack all the time and Zack just stands there or sniffs it.  Never thought I would see that.  I know about the getting stuck and bad eyes and hearing. He also has his days and night sort of mixed up and has some issues with balance and stiff walking.  Dad retired and held him on his lap all winter and now can't understand why the dog wants to be carried everywhere when he takes care of him.  I make him stand up and move-- he did great at the dog show in MN last weekend but as soon as he realized he was home he plopped down and said carry me. I said no way.
Merion & the ZZ's

[Jake95]

Hi! Merion, I remember you too. Sorry to hear two of your Z's are at the Bridge. But I know they are running and playing with all their buddies again. Wow your Zack is 16 and
1/2 years old. I took Jake to get his nails cut today. He was not too happy about that but put up with the groomer. If I tried to do it we would have an all out battle. I have had to make a nice cozy spot for Jake to sleep in in the kitchen with an area just big enough for him to walk around in at night. Otherwise I would get no sleep. I check on him when I get up during the night. I have tried to snuggle with him on my bed but he wants no part of snuggling either on my lap or in the bed. Jake's heart condition causes him to tire out very easily but he does walk outside alittle bit to do his business. I do alot of picking up his butt when he falls on it. I guess his back bothers him but as long as he can walk around alittle I am happy. He has been there for me all these years so he will get royal treatment until his time to go to the bridge. I will keep up with the board .Eleanor

[Tristan]

Hi Eleanor I remember you too. I lived in Scotland back then and had my little smoothie black and tan Holly (Houdini) who was always causing some mischief or other lol. Sadly Holly went to the bridge on the 6th of December last year aged 12 and a half with her belly full of chocolate. I'm not sure if you were still on the board when I got Tristan who is now coming up for 12 in December (6th), he's a mini(ish) smooth shaded red. Most recently I have become the prisoner of a very naughty little black and tan smoothie called Ivy who was one year old on 5th of August. She keeps Tris on his toes and is making me go gray (and poor) with her nonsense. She just never stops until after dinner when she is a snuggle bunny - ah I do love when she is asleep LOL. Tris is slowing down an awful lot but is a happy little chappie who wants to cuddle all of the time. Secretly (don't tell) I do love having one naughty beastie.  Welcome back to the board Eleanor, we look forward to hearing all about Jake and seeing pictures of him.

[Marcia from MI]

Hi Eleanor,

I used to be owned by Sammie and Eddie.  Sam passed away back in 2007 and Eddie last year due to old age complications.  I am now owned by a little female Pinneranian named Danni.  I got Danni from my cousin last summer after being dogless for almost 3 months and when I returned from vacation I missed being a humom so I took one of the puppies my cousin's dog had.  Danni is part Min Pin/Pomeranian/Dalmatian and as the King of Siam says: etc, etc, etc.

Welcome back and hugs to Jake.

[Jake95]

Hi! Tristan looks so much like Jake does now in his old age! They could be twins. It is great that you have Ivy to keep everybody young. I remember you too, I sort of checked back on the board from time to time to keep updated on how the dachsies were doing. I probably will not get another dog after Jake goes to the bridge. My life is kind of busy and I don't think it is fair for a dog to be left at home alone very much. Jake sleeps alot, and we are together most of the time when he is awake but a younger dog would want more company. Jake is sleeping now trying to make up for the loss of energy he experienced getting his nails trimmed. I wish Jake was more cuddly like Tristan is. The little girls are more active than the boys are. I had Truffles for awhile but she got out in the woods and a hawk picked her up and dropped her. I could not afford back surgery at the time so I turned her over to dachsie rescue. They did the surgery and placed her in a loving home. But she was a little fire ball of energy all the time, always looking for a way to escape. Will try and get some pictures posted soon, Eleanor

[Jake95]

HI! Marcia! Yes! I remember Sammie and Eddie, Sorry to hear they both are at the bridge but I am sure they are romping with all the other older guys from the board. Danni sounds like quite a combination. I guess I will not know how I will feel until Jake's time comes. I know when I have left him with a sitter it seems awfully guiet in the house. Nobody to feed or pick up etc. I am taking a trip to New York State mid Sept. I plan to take Jake with me. He travels very well in a car. I took him to Texas this summer to see my youngest son who gave him to me. He seemed to be glad to see his first Daddy after many years. It is 5:15 pm here and normally Jake would be up like a clock work looking for his dinner at 4 pm. I think he is worn out from his nail clipping episode this morning. I could set they clock by his feeding schedule normally. I give him breakfast early in the morning, than lunch about 11am and dinner is usually 4 pm. I decided to give him three meals a day since he loves to eat so much. I ration the food carefully to keep his weight around 16 - 17 lbs. He is a tweeny dachsie. Not a mini and not a standard. Eleanor

[Doxherding Karen]

Hi Eleanor!

My name is Karen and I am the head wrangler for Da Herd - Guinness, Merlin Magician, Dr. Beau Leaky and Miss Ima DoraBelle.

Guinness is #2 Senior Wiener at 15 years last March 15th. ("Beware the Ides Of March!")  Merlin and Beau's gotcha day is October 22nd and they were stray-rescues from Jim and Leslie Ingraham of Almost Home Dachshund Rescue Society.  They were lost Alabamans who ended up in Maryland.  Merlin is now about 10 and Beau is about 8 - both guesses.  Miss Ima DoraBelle is a certified, registered red smooth beauty who never managed any "stage presence" and had an emergency C-section/ spay, and so lost her breeding job.  So she's the love of my life and even though she never got over her nervousness, she "stacks" beautifully!

We're moving next summer to Israel!  Da Herd is looking forward and have been practicing their Hebrew:
"Sha-LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!"  I dunno - that southern twang is still there!  LOL!!

I joined the board about the time you dropped off, so it's great to finally occupy the same space at the same time - wait, can we do that?

Auntie Karen

[Barb]

I actually have 5 now !!!  Brandy is 14 1/2 and Rudy is 10.  Toby will soon be 3 and Mary is 2 and Holly is 5.   The Fab Fivey's - LOL !!!!

Great to have you back and posting again !!!  Look forward to seeing pics of Jake !  Did Truffles go to the Bridge? EDIT:  I just saw your note about Truffles - OMG - but glad she is in a loving home !

An age thread would be a good thing....we have had several seniors pass to the Bridge in the last few years..... and many new faces here !

[4pacmom]

Hey Eleanor - It's Nikki, owned by Max, Lily, Gabbe & Minna.  I just had Max and Lily when Sandi and I visited you in Corpus and Gabbe was just a baby when you came to visit us here in Houston.  Glad you are doing well and great to hear that Jake is still doing well.  Max is 13 and has some hearing loss and his vision is about 75% gone, but he, like Jake, never misses dinner time.  We are still in Houston and have added Minna to the 4 pack of wieners.  She is another b/t smoothie and is 5.  They are all doing well.  Great to see you on the board.  I am hardly on here any more myself. 

[Mike]

Hi Eleanor, I rememered you as soon as you mentioned living in Brazil.  It is good to see you back.  I lost Clifford last March at age 15 yrs 10 months.  He had a good run.  I hope Jake keeps moving along for a long time.

[Guinness]

Hey, Unca Mike

It's me, Guinness, the #2 senior wiener.  Iz bin doin' a good job since Cliffy promoted me.  I miss Cliffy a lot, tho.  He's bin watchin' you from da Bridge and he's thinkin' you shud get anudder pupper soon!

Iz you gonna get anudder pupper, Unca Mike?  Cuz Auntie Kathleen's gotz dem real cute Bugs - Junebug an' Ladybug an' Cricket an' Tango - I fink you shud take a look at dem.  Unca Ed is 'bout to 'splode wif pupper-itis!!

Guinness :thumb:

[Roberta]

Hi Eleanor, I remember you. I'm Roberta and live in australia we had
Emma who was with us  till DEc 2005 at the age of 16 1/2
Angus who was with us for 11 1/2 yrs till 2003
Ingrid who died suddenly in 2004 at  8 months

We are now owned by Oliver and Amy (Ingrids mum) we have retirred to the country now so they Oliver lives to run and chase rabbits. Hope to here more from you now.
Roberta and da gang down under

[Spanish Teckels]

Hello there, Eleanor, It is great to see you back on the board and to hear Jake is still with you.  We do remember you too, we are in Altea, Mediterranean coast of Spain, there are quite a few piccies of us on the board right now courtesy of Gail since we been visiting In the U.K.
Look forward to seeing some piccies of Jake.

[Jake95]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies, Nikki, I did not forget you and Sandy. Just had to give my senior brain time to update. Lily was the dantiest little thing when you came to see us. Is she still so petite? Max already 13 years old! I know Jake's hearing is not that good, since people can come in and he is still sleeping soundly.

Hi! Karen, Glad to hear Guinness is up there holding the senior weiner trophy. I am not sure of Jake's actual birthday but I can narrow it down pretty close. Especially since a few months after I got him he started "Maturing" if you know what I mean! Me being the naive person I am got all worried and took him to the vet to find out why he was waking up with this hard lump between his legs.  :scratch:The vet smiled smuggly and told me he is growing up!!! When I look back at his early photos it is easy to see he was still a young puppy when I got him. I can almost be certain his birthday was in Oct. 1994. One of those Christmas presents someone did not appreciate.

Mike! Sorry to hear Clifford is at the bridge. I remember him on the board. 15 years 10 months is a good long life, about where Jake is now.

Hi! Roberta, Sad to hear Emma is at the bridge wth Angus and little Ingrid. Glad you are owned by two more dachsies to keep you busy.

Barb! Don't know how you keep up with five dachsies underfoot. Just the mental picture of dinner time makes me tired.  Eleanor

[Jake95]

Barb! Do you think we could have two lists for ages of our dachsies? One for those who are at the bridge and one for our babies who are here on the board now. Maybe they could be a thread that could be added to as members see it and want to list their bables. I think it would be very interesting and informative. Kind of gives me a guideline to go by as Jake ages! Jake must have had some sort of stroke last year. He went for two to three days without eating. He didn't seem to be able to get his dry food in his mouth. Finally I decided to make him a homemade soup and blend it in the blender. He started eating heartily again. He would lap the soup up like water. Now I can mix just enough wet food in his dry food for him to grab it. But he will not touch dry food alone anymore. Still feeding him Solid Gold dry food. Thanks, Eleanor

[Merion]

I think Zack is the senior wiener now and Guinniss is the #2.

Hope he will be around for a little while yet.
Merion & the ZZ's

[Guinness]

I dunno . . . :thinik:

I fink I'm da #3 Senior Wiener.  Zack, you iz #1 and Jake iz #2. :apls:

Dat's O.K., we kin be da Tree Dox-ka-teers!

Guinness
(I'm STILL da Stud Muffin, tho! )

[Merion]

You are a Stud Muffin that's for sure Guinness. 

Merion & the ZZ's