I have been blessed to be able to spend my days and nights doing something I really love which is caring for, training, and showing Mini Dachshunds. It is allot of work, sometimes frustrating and some days I wonder why I am still doing it. Then I get wonderful emails and letters from members of our Hidden Cedars Extended Family members and I am inspired by the wonderful things that are said about our dachshunds. Improving the breed is always on my agenda but they are not all show dogs, hence they are placed with responsible lifetime homes as companions. Below are letters that with permission have been added for everyone to enjoy. Thank you members for all your wonderful emails and letters. I will be adding them soooooooon and look forward to hearing from you all. Thank you.
Hi Gloria,Just thought you would like a progress report on two of your little kiddos. Scooter and Barney were neutered this past week and are doing just fine. Of course they are currently pouting because we are limiting their rowdiness until the stitches are removed. Scooters weighs 9.2 # and Barney weighs in at 10.9#. Needless to say they have established "their kingdom" and pretty much rule our lives! They are a real hoot!! Just love to watch them play together..they are devoted to one another.. What JOY!! Thanks for giving them such a wonderful start!!How many pups were in their litter? I remember that you were keeping one for stud. Barney is going to be a little lighter in color than Scooter. .Scooter has more dark red and black. They are just BEAUTIFUL and seem to captivate the hearts of everyone they meet. Our vet says they have the best disposition of any dachshunds he has treated...take a bow Gloria!!I'll send you pictures when they get their full coat of long hair.Hope this finds you both in good health and that Charles has adjusted to retirement. After 12 years I can still find plenty of "honey-dos" for Jim.Again thanks,Dodie and Jim Wyman
Gloria - I just wanted to take a minute to let you know how Brava (now Ruby, I must confess) is doing. We haven't gotten around to sending you any pictures of her with our old girl, Sadie, but someday I hope to!
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that Brava/Ruby is just a fabulous dog and we love her immensely! She has such an endearing and loving way about her. I must admit I am totally smitten with her. Surprisingly, it turns out she's alpha to Sadie, but Sadie has managed to cope with that.
She managed to survive a pretty cold and snowy winter here. We're just beginning spring (belatedly), so we look forward to giving her more time outside to run around as the weather warms up. But in the meantime, she's been able to keep moving around -- running around the house, playing with a variety of plush toys, chewing on rawhide and the like. She is wonderful to have around.
We've really enjoyed having two dogs and think that, even after Sadie dies, we'd probably like to get another dog. So, you may be hearing from us (though for Sadie's sake and ours, I hope that's not for a while yet).
Judy Taft
Hello Gloria: From the moment I clicked on the photograph of the handsome red piebald puppy on your web page, it was absolute love at first sight for me. His personality shone through loud and clear, whether he was in search of invisible prey, socializing with the Himalayan cats, or looking deep into a hole which he was sure housed something very interesting.
I was almost positive, and yes, fearful, when I e mailed you to find out if he was still available. When the answer was "yes", I immediately began preparations for his arrival in Nevada. Of course, a suitable name had to be applied to him. Your suggestion of something German which meant "clown", given his outgoing comedic personality was taken into consideration. However, once he arrived at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport and licked my fingers through the crate bars, tail wagging in warm welcome, I thought he had been such a brave little trooper. After discussing German names with a good friend of mine, who is from Munich, she advised me that "Gunter" meant Lord in German. When I introduced "Gunter" to my other two smooth red dachshund boys, he was hesitant and very subservient to my alpha male, Bailey. That lasted a week. At this writing, some 16 months later, "Gunter" is indeed Lord of this household. We are all his subjects and he the absolute alpha dog. However, he does it in such an equitable and loving manner, nobody seems to realize just how much power he exerts over all of us.
He loves life and lives it to the fullest. His wicker basket of toys are prominently displayed throughout the house, he loves to drag newspapers all over. His favorite toy, however, is a large, light weight beach ball. He will push this around with his nose for hours, becoming frustrated when he cannot pick it up and carry it. He solves this problem by popping the ball much like a baloon. I believe he is on beach ball No. 24 at this writing.
He loves to open up my comforters or pillows, pull out the stuffing, then crawl inside and go to sleep. He only does this in my absence, which indicates to me that he does not like to be left without human companionship.
He loves his leash and will bring it to me to snap onto his collar when he wants to go for a walk, which is two or three times daily.
I call him Gunter the Hunter, because his favorite park activity is to explore all the squirrel holes under the trees and banks of the stream which encompasses the area.
I suppose you have ascertained by now, Gloria, that I am head over heels in love with this whimsical, personality filled character who now owns me, lock, stock and barrel.
You would be astonished at the number of people who have never seen or heard of a piebald dachshund, let alone seen one in person. They think Gunter is a Jack Russell cross, or even a Beagle.
People want me to leave him to them in my Will. They want to breed him to their solid female Dachshunds (unfortunately, he is neutered), or want to baby sit him when I go away on a trip. Fat chance of that happening. I take him with when I go.
In conclusion, Gloria, what I am trying to tell you and anyone else who is considering adding a Dachshund to their household, I bless the day I clicked on to Hidden Cedars and found "Gunter" and your wonderful facility.
By the way, I would like to be apprized of the status of the Tony and Amy litter when they arrive next month. They are both very representative of this feisty, worthwhile breed.
Best wishes and keep up the exceptional work.
Terry Polakovic