The eyes have it

Topper has such expressive eyes!

Steve's been doing a lot of film photography lately - this is one with Ilford Delta 400 black and white film.

Rainbow Dog

Rainbow Dog, originally uploaded by Stephen A. Wolfe.

Nikon D90; AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D; 1/200 sec @f/2, ISO 1600; post-processed with Apple Aperture 3 and Nik Software Dfine, Viveza, and Sharpener Pro.

During the late afternoon on sunny winter days, we sometimes get rainbows on our couch. Today our miniature dachshund Topper happened to lie down in the right place at the right time.

Queenie's in Danger

circa 1930 - I had no idea they tormented dogs in movies back then.

Topper's turn

Luna's been getting way too much attention lately. First, she's Dadderd's favorite subject for black and white photography. Second, she was the cute pet of the day for November 3rd.

I don't think that's fair. Look! I should be on a calendar or something. I'm much more adorable than she is . . .






Topper does look pretty cute sometimes. I wonder if I should be worried?










Emma: You don't have anything to worry about, Topper. Besides being cute, you're much more fun to play with than that ol' stick-in-the-mud.

Topper: Luna really is more attractive than me, though.








Maybe someday I'll be "Cute pet of the day," too . . .

Luna was the Cute Pet of the Day for November 3, 2010

Why am I not surprised? She is, indeed, a cute pet! So are Emma and Topper, though, so please don't spill the beans. We wouldn't want them to be jealous.

Luna in Black & White

My Sunday morning routine is to make a cup of coffee and then sit in my comfy chair to read the paper. Usually all three dogs are vying for attention and want to sit in my lap at the same time. It makes the first few sections of the paper pretty tough to read. After a while, though, the dogs find something else to do (usually involving some begging for food in the kitchen when someone else is fixing their breakfast). By the time I get to the comics section, Luna has my lap to herself. I think it's a clever strategy.



Steve's been trying out a bunch of different black and white films. This picture of Luna was taken with HP5.

Wrestling Weiners

Add three dacshunds to a cat tunnel and you have a wonderful mix of fun. Luna and Topper both had to slime the lens during playtime, but you can certainly see all the action.

Ok Go's latest video includes lots of dogs!

However, there are no miniature dachshunds. The video would have been greatly improved by the addition of a doxen herd. I happen to know there's one available for playing such a gig!

Shake it, baby!

Mom is visiting other dogs in South Africa!

Mom is away to South Africa to do a field season there. She's collecting a little-known parasitic plant. Hmmmmmm! She's also visiting other doggies. There's a rumor that she petted a miniature dachshund puppy - not fair!



This is the plant she's working on - at least one of the new species she's to describe soon.




Hummpf! This is a border collie who went with her to the dune field where this new plant occurs. Her name is Elsie.



Elsie looks entirely too comfy with Mom's field hat. Stay away from our mom!

Three Eyes

Three Eyes, originally uploaded by SWolfeNI8W.

Luna and Meghan - being cozy on the couch!

Morning routine for the doxen herd

Here is a short video showing a typical morning for Emma, Luna, and Topper. The funny thing about this video for us is that every time Topper hears the sound of the crunching dog food, he runs to the kitchen to see who is eating without him.

Buckeye Butt!

Topper: So, don't you think I would make a good mascot for the Ohio State football team? I look like a Buckeye - at least from the proper perspective, that is. . .

The wrong side of the fence

Hey! Wait a minute! How come Mom's out there and we're stuck in here?









Luna: There has to be a way to break out of this joint. . . .

Topper and Emma: Luna, the coast is clear. Have you found a way out of here yet?






Luna: I'm looking, I'm looking!

Topper: Oh, oh - I think Mom figured it out.

Emma: I'll distract her by barking at the goldfinch on the feeder.





Topper: Sis, you just weren't sneaky enough.

Luna: I know. She has this joint locked down tight. No dachshunds can escape this yard.

Emma: Oh well, the view from here is pretty good. We can see the street and bark at all the dogs and people walking by.

Walking three dachshunds at once

Now that Luna and Topper are five months old, it's time to get them out to walk as often as possible. We introduced them to the leash one at a time a couple of months ago, with just some walks up and down the driveway and along the sidewalk in front of the house. Then we had each of the puppies walk with Emma as a side-by-side, then the puppies together, and then, finally, all three at the same time. Topper is always eager to go, no matter what time of day it is. Emma loves to go for walks, but usually she wants to go when it's very cool and not much humidity in the air. Luna always acts as if she's being punished when the harness and leash are brought out. She is reluctant for the first block and then really gets into it. I'm hoping she'll start to look forward to walkies as much as Topper does. I only have to mention "walk" when he's around and he's goes hyper. Oh, wait a minute, he does that all the time. . .

At first, each of the dogs were on their own leads with one person handling a dog. Next, it was time to try two together with one person while the other dog was on another lead with a different person. That was an experiment that was interesting. Whoever was behind had to deal with a dog pulling on the lead to be up front with the pack, and the person in front had to drag at least one dog along, because whichever dog was behind from the front group wanted to walk with the dog walking with the second person.

This past weekend we bought a duo lead with a four foot strap. We tried every combo: Emma and Luna on the duo lead; Emma and Topper on the duo lead; and Luna and Topper on the duo lead. It works best for Luna and Topper to be together with Emma on her own lead. Steve and I walked them together for the first couple of times and then, a few days ago, I started taking the dogs out on my own.

What an experience it is to have three dachshunds walking at heel! It's quite a sight and it's quite a lot of fun, especially with the neighborhood distractions. Every time a rabbit trail is picked up, or a squirrel/cat/bird/bicyclist/pedestrian/other dog is spotted, it's like walking a thirty pound dog with three heads and 12 legs, each going in a different direction. It doesn't take much effort to bring them into line again, especially with the harnesses the pups are using. I can pick both up with one hand and look them in the eye to let them know what is not acceptable behavior. I usually get a duo kiss from them in apology if they've been rude. Fortunately, they are becoming very polite walkers and are very curious about the neighborhood.

We're going on a rabbit hunt!

Luna: I smell a rabbit!











Luna: Come on, Mom! Let's go hunt a rabbit!












Luna: Oooops! My bad! I forgot that you can't smell a rabbit trail. Sorry!









Luna: Ok, I'll track it for you.












Topper: I bet I can find it before Luna does.










Luna: No way, Topper! I have a much prettier nose than you do.











Emma: Amateurs! I have the rabbit trail, and I have years of experience. I'll catch the rabbit.








Luna: No way, Emma - this is my game. I get to catch the rabbit! I call dibs!












Luna: Geez. I don't know why those two can't let me win this game. I told Mom that I would catch a rabbit for her.








Topper: I'll have an advantage from up here. Not only do I have a superior nose, but I can see the whole yard from here.












Emma: Those two rookies wouldn't know a rabbit if it bit them in the behind!












Topper: Hey! I heard that!













Topper and Luna: Maybe the rabbit escaped through the fence. We better bark up a storm so the neighbor knows to leave it alone.












Luna: I bet it's hiding in the bushes. I better go check it out before Topper gets that idea.












Topper: Bwaaahaaaaahaaaahaaa - beat you to it, Luna!











Luna: I smell a rabbit! I just know it's hiding up here in the weeds.













Topper: Maybe Luna's on to something. I sure hope she doesn't find the rabbit. I want to catch it.








Luna: humph! It wasn't up in the weeds, and it's not in the yard. I think it's time to take a rest in the shade.










Topper: Ok, Luna - I'll keep a lookout for the rabbit. Why don't you take a nap while you're at it? I'll wake you up if I see the rabbit.











Emma: Forget the rabbit - there's a squirrel in the tree. Oooooh! Squirrel!










Emma, Topper, Luna: Yay! Squirrel! Where's the squirrel?











Emma: Forget it. It's way too hot to go chasing squirrels. I think I'll stand here and look pathetic until someone goes and gets me a treat.











Emma, Luna, Topper: We're singing for our supper! Doesn't anyone want to give us a treat? Anyone?













Emma: Hurray for dadderd! He got the milkbones!

Topper: Forget the junk food - I see the rabbit!

Luna: I bet I can catch it before Topper does.

Emma: I win! Three doggie treats for me!

In the yard again - what a relief!

Luna and Topper visited the vet today to have stitches removed. Topper had been feeling pretty well since sometime last weekend and so we had been letting him play in the yard. Luna started to feel pretty good by this past Wednesday and so was very frustrated by having to be on a leash in the yard. So, the first thing we did when we got home was to let Luna play in the yard for as long as she wanted to.



The first thing she did was to run after Topper and try to take the sticks and plants he grabbed.


Luna: give it to me! You've had a week in the yard without me!









Topper: Ok - you can have the weed. I HAVE A STICK!










Luna: Must have stick!











Luna: Ok - not the same stick, but it's a stick and it feels so nice on my gums. I'm still teething, you know. I'm a snaggle tooth pup!












Topper: Now what does she have? I may just have to go chase her again.









Luna: I get to run, run, run! I missed running. See Luna run. Run, Luna, run!











Luna: Now what does Topper have? I may have to go chase him again.











Topper: If I just sit here and look bored I know I can drive Luna crazy. She just can't stand it!











Topper: OW! I didn't mean to tease you. Geez! Some dogs just can't take a joke.











Emma: Now's my chance. The puppies are busy and so I can go chase the baby bunnies by myself.










Topper: What's Emma doing? Is she going after the baby bunnies again?











Topper: Emma! Chase one out this way. I'm ready!










Luna: Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I've been smelling the bunny tracks all week and have not been able to chase one.











Luna: Emma! Chase one over here! I'm ready for it!











Emma: snicker, snicker, snicker. . . I'm going to drive them mad by ignoring them and rolling in some worm poo. Worm poo - it does wonders for the hair. Don't you love my lovely comb over?










Emma: can't resist the smell of bunnies. I know they're in here. Come out, come out, wherever you are!










Emma: I think I'll just wait here for the puppies to come over and then we'll bark into the hole and chase the bunnies out.