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.

Puppy pile

Help! I'm at the bottom of a dachshund pile. All three are on my lap and Topper keeps trapping my hands so I can't type. Emma is on her back, Luna is curled up in the prime lap spot, and Topper has squeezed between my computer and the arm of the chair.

I've a new definition of happiness. . . .

Update on the puppies

Luna and Topper are both doing very well after their surgeries. In fact, Topper is doing so well that it's hard to follow doc's orders to keep him from running and jumping. He simply doesn't seem to be affected by the stitches at all. We are keeping him on a leash in the yard, but indoors he's just plain ol' Topper as usual. He's having a really hard time figuring out why he's getting in trouble for trying to wrestle with Luna.

Luna is not quite as chipper, but, then, she had a relatively long incision and has staples in addition to the sutures. She's resting more than Topper, but doesn't seem to be too bothered about the stitches and staples for now. She doesn't want to wrestle, though, which makes Topper bark a lot.

Both are on pain meds until next week some time.

Transition day

Today is a big day for Luna and Topper. They are currently at the veterinarian's office for their "transitions" to adulthood. Translation: Topper is being neutered and Luna is being spayed.






Topper: Do you really have to take them? I mean, don't you think you should pass the genes for this mug on to the next generation of dachshunds?????










Luna: Spayed? What does that mean? Does it mean someone takes a shovel and goes after my innards? Hey! I don't like the sound of that at all!










Luna and Topper: Maybe if we take a nap, it will all go away. Maybe it's all a bad dream.














Emma: Don't worry Topper, it's really not all that bad. I don't even remember it.

Topper: But you're a girl. It's just not the same. No one can tell they've neutered you. I'm losing the family jewels!








I miss my puppies. I want them to come home soon!

Worldwide Puppy Wrestling Federation

In this corner, Luna, an Isabella and Tan miniature dachshund puppy weighing in at 7.6 lbs. Luna is totally intent on maintaining the status quo of her being the alpha puppy of her litter.










In the other corner, Topper - Luna's little brother; a chocolate and tan miniature dachshund puppy weighing in at 7.5 lbs. His main goal in life thus far is to achieve world domination and to take over every warm lap in the household.









Referee Emma gives the rules of the match.

"There will be no spitting, tickling, or biting of sensitive body parts! I want a clean match and no excessive drama out there."










Emma:

"Follow me to the wrasslin' grass and stay in your corners until I call you in to play."















Topper:

I'm gonna win this match, I just know it! I have a few tricks up my sleeve that will catch Luna off guard.









Luna:

Bring it on, Topper. I can whip your butt!









Emma:

I don't know why they insist on this every single day. When are they going to outgrow this stage of life? Puppies! Sigh.

(I wish I were still that flexible. . . )






Luna:

Must warm up! Run, Luna, run!











Topper:

Oh yeah? Well, I'm faster and smarter and better looking than Luna, at least in my own mind, that is.







Luna:

Fix your ear, Topper. You're embarrassing the whole family.

Topper:

Stuff it, Luna. I'll do whatever it takes to get all the attention.






Topper:

Take that!

Ouch! Not the ear! I told you to leave my ears alone!









Topper: Not the tag! I told you I don't want any more teeth marks on my pretty tag!

Luna: Oh stop being such a wussy!

Emma: I'm outta here.








Luna: Whatsa matter, Topper? Can't stand the heat?










Luna: I didn't mean it! Really, I didn't. Don't bite my leg. Emma! Topper is tickling me! Where's the ref???

Topper: Take that! I win! You're pinned and down for the count.









Topper: Shake it off, man. I hate it when she goes for my ears!










Topper: Emma! Did you see it? Did you see me pin Luna? I WON!












Luna: Ok, maybe you won that round, but I bet I can win the foot race! Tag! You're it!












Much later. . . ZZZZZZZ!

Who dat?

Who dat?, originally uploaded by andiwolfe.

Luna was playing outside in the rain last Sunday. The big splotchy drops made her look like a dapple, rather than an Isabella and Tan dachshund. She was very curious about the big lens and flash I was using to take her picture. I love how intently she studies everything that is new to her.

Jingle-jangles

One of the things that keeps all the backyard critters a bit ahead of Emma's hunting prowess is her set of jingly collar tags. Emma likes having her collar put on in the morning - it seems to define the start of her day.










Luna and Topper received their first piece of jewelry this week after getting their rabies vaccinations. Luna acts as if her new jewelry makes her more grown up and dignified.








Topper gets a bit distracted by the shiny tag and tries to play with it. Have I mentioned that Topper is the embodiment of T-I-double Guh-R, ala Tigger of Winnie-the Pooh? He's bouncy, trouncy, and fun-fun-fun! It got him into trouble last night, though, since he would not settle down for bedtime. I had to hold him tight in my arms and softly stroke him until he became drowsy.

Dachshund yin-yang

Dachshund yin-yang, originally uploaded by andiwolfe.

Luna and Topper had their 12 week check-up today. Topper weighs 7.5 lbs, Luna weighs 7.6 lbs. Both are very healthy and happy and have become totally integrated into Emma's pack. They love their big sister and she adores them. It's so much fun to watch them all play together, and to hear the pitter patter of dachshund paws running across hardwood floors. We've had a few stampedes this week that made me laugh out loud. We're soooooo lucky to have these puppies and Emma in the same house.