Peanut was meant to be a gift for my grandmother-in-law but she did not want him so Eric called me one day and told me to come out to Tallassee because he had an early Valentine's Day present for me. The whole drive out there (45 mins) I was racking my brain to figure out what it was. I remember thinking, what if it is a tiny dog. (I honestly had that thought). And then I thought, I don't want a tiny dog. I don't have time for a dog. I had just moved into my first apartment by myself and did not think I could handle a dog then. I spent the entire ride trying to convince myself that was not it.
When I walked into his parents' house, a kennel caught my eye. Sure enough there was a small red-headed, long-haired, miniature dachshund inside. He was huddled in the corner shaking and would not come out to anyone. Eric explained that if I did not want him they were taking him to the pound. Of course I was not going to have that! I sat down in front of the kennel and started petting him. After about 30 minutes he came out and set his head on my lap.
That was it, I was hooked. Since that day he has been my little shadow. ( I later learned that dachshunds are notoriously loyal to their owners. They get really attached to one or 2 people and could care less about the rest.) We have had our moments good and bad. The first time I left him in my apartment I put him in his kennel and went to the store. He was crying and barking when I left and was STILL crying and barking when I got back, but as soon as I let him out it was like nothing was wrong. That was the end of the kennel and the beginning of me understanding that he may be small but he is incredibly stubborn. We also made it through the long ordeal of the slipped disk in his back, which required surgery and 6 months of rehabbing that included me walking behind him holding a towel under his stomach to take him out (did I mention he is a miniature?), but I would do it all over again if I had to in a heartbeat.
He is my sweet little man and I love him so much! Happy 4th birthday Peanut!
Right after I got him...still so scared!
He loves to lay upside-down!
He burrowed himself into my blanket one day. (another dachshund trait)
Sweet birthday boy!
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