March 28, 2024

Stubbornness of a Doxie

I have always known the dachshund breed of dog is one of the smallest breeds. To be completely honest, it’s not the kind of dog I ever pictured myself having. I have nothing against small dogs, but I lean more toward medium to large breed dogs. Dogs who will go for walks with you and can be a protector if needed. I have never needed what I like to call a “purse dog.”

Well as I have mentioned in previous columns, my husband, Tim, had a dachshund when I met him. Her name is Letty, and she is 6 pounds of pure energy. I may not have dreamed of having a dachshund, but I have one now and I’m completely happy with it. It’s hard not to love that little furry face as she bounces with excitement just to see you enter the room.

Tim and I introduced Letty to the new house this past weekend. She also got to meet our cats. Our older cat, Dora, and Letty have been around each other before; however, they have been separated long enough that it is debatable whether or not they remember each other. Tim thinks so, but I’m not so sure. Marie and Letty are complete strangers, so it was interesting to watch them sniff around each other for the first time.

It was a little jarring the first time I set Letty down next to Marie and Dora. Letty is smaller than both cats. A fact I’m still adjusting to because in my opinion, dogs should be bigger. There was only one real barking/hissing confrontation. I didn’t witness it, and I was honestly surprised by it. Letty doesn’t bark very often, but apparently Marie did something to Letty she didn’t appreciate.

Dora, on the other hand, sniffed at Letty, hissed once and then went to lounge in her favorite spot, under her table in her room.

Marie and Letty do this strange sort of tango whenever they are around each other now. They go nose to nose and circle twice before one of them moves away, usually Marie. At times I’ll catch Marie laying down on the floor, looking at Letty as though she is planning to pounce. She never does, but I’m waiting for the day Marie tries it. Marie may be bigger, but Letty can have a ferocious growl, despite her small stature.

I’m quickly learning Doxies are a very stubborn breed. There always seems to be a period of retraining when dogs are moved to a different schedule. But despite a few hiccups, Letty has been adapting well. She will be adjusting to her new surroundings for a while yet and especially to her new feline sisters. She doesn’t seem nervous or scared and is always happy and excited when she sees us.

One of the biggest stubborn hurdles in the first few days has been her food. Tim got her the food he always used to buy, not knowing his parents had switched her to a different brand while they cared for her. He thought they had kept her on the same diet. It sounds like things got switched when Letty had her puppy.

I texted Tim’s mother, and she told me the brand they had been using. I got some of it and have mixed it with the kind we want her to eat. The little twerp eats around the food we got and just eats the other kind. We may have to cave and just buy what she is used to eating.

It’s been wonderful to have the whole family together this week. It’s still strange not having our pug with us too. I was worried that Letty would get lonely without her, but she hasn’t shown any signs of being sad or depressed. Tim and I are making sure our fur-babies know just how much they are loved. Our new house is now their home sweet home too, just like we planned it.

Contact Pam Pratt at pampratt@newtondailynews.com