Buster, my old dachshund and I adopted Duncan (now Paddywack) in   May 2010.  He did not know how to play so Buster would bring toys to him and show him what do with them  He was also terrified every time a plane passed overhead, so Buster would take him out on the deck and show him how to chase planes away.  They truly believe that barking scares planes away!  I guess that makes sense if you think like a dog.  A year later our household was blessed by the advent of Wally, another rescued dachshund.  The three boys are very happy together,  Buster is 14 now and beginning to show his age, but he is treated very well by his younger brothers, who respectfully allow him to go first through the doggy door and then get stuck when they try to go through the door together.   Being from LA, Paddywack hates cold weather, and the dachshunds are not keen  on it, being rather low to the ground, so I had special winter coats tailored for them, which they refuse to wear. The two younger boys are a little jealous because Buster now gets around in a pupmobile and try to jump into it so they sometimes get a ride for a treat.  Now that I am retired I have been teaching them to "read" by writing three-letter words in big letters on cards.  They are very smart and now recognize the words "pee", "out", "bed" etc., and can "read" nine words.  Their favourite is "bed" and they all rush upstairs and onto what used to be my bed.  I now have about 4 inches in the edge by the time they have made themselves comfortable.

Paddywack's DNA test came back with surprising results - he is pitbull, chihuahua and Jack Russell.  He weighs only 22 lbs.  He has huge ears and dainty little Chihuahua feet!  He is such a loving little guy.  He can jump on the kitchen island from a standstill and if I leave cookies or anything edible on the island he throws it down to his brothers and they all share the loot.  The problem is that although he can jump up, he is scared to jump down and I have to keep a sharp eye out to be able to lift him down. 

I am attaching a picture of the three brothers - Paddywack is the little gold guy, Wally is in the middle and little Buster is at the end.  If it looks as though they are laughing - they are.  It took 20 mines to get them to sit still.  Thank you again for letting my adopt Paddywack - he has brought so much joy to our little family, and  I know he is very happy with us.  Can hardly believe it is almost five years.

Billie Colbourn and the boys.