The Small Great One Arrives

We finally have our puppy!

We were scheduled to pick up a black & tan longhair female mini dachshund on Wednesday, but the breeder emailed us with bad news. The puppy had a hole in her heart, which stunts growth and causes premature death. So we had to choose another one. The next black & tan wouldn't be available until the end of April, so we asked about red puppies to see if any were available immediately.

On Thursday, we returned to visit the breeder and looked at a dark red puppy and a golden/red puppy - both gorgeous. In the end, we chose the dark red one because she was smaller and more lively. Very curious and a sunny personality. (It is kind of weird to think of 2 puppies in our minds named Darra.)

She is so TINY!! Fits against your forearm. She's about the size of John's shoe. She always wants to be near us (preferably in the lap) unless she's exploring (which she's still doing). Our house feels quite BIG with her running around as a contrast. Her tail wags all the time, and when she scampers, she almost looks drunk, or like she's still learning to walk (even though she's 10 weeks old). When trying to stop running, her butt lands first but the rest of her is still moving. I guess it's her brake.

Once we got her home from the breeder, we ate supper, and Darra watched a movie with us and fell asleep. We trooped to bed, and the crying commenced. Since we are going to crate-train Darra, that means she sleeps in the crate at night. She let us know she does NOT LIKE THAT. It didn't take John and me very long to abandon the bedroom and head for higher ground in the guest room. I used earplugs.

Darra still doesn't appreciate the crate at night, but at least she doesn't see it as entirely Evil - today she took several naps in the crate (with the door open); she entered on her own and snuggled right in. HOORAY!!! Hopefully this will mean less anxiety tonight at bedtime....

We have to confess the sin of pride - we had to go to Petsmart to exchange the too-big collar we bought, and people kept stopping to pet her and exclaim over how Cute she is.

And what a snuggler!

She likes to line up in this one crack on the couch between cushions.
















As well as other cracks.

She wants to be right where we are, even to read about English history.