We got a dog.
I mean, we have two dogs already—a fifteen-year-old and a sixteen-year-old miniature dachshund.
We got a third dog.
We got a puppy.
I was the last hold out on a dog because dogs are so much work. More work that a human baby. Strap a diaper on a baby, shove a boob in his face, and move along.
Dogs, not so much.
Puppies destroy things.
We have a new-to-us home.
It has a lot of white carpeting. A lot more than a puppy (or I) should probably have.
We have brand new furniture.
We have an office that has random papers on the floor.
We have kids (and parents) who leave toys in enticing places for puppies.
Puppies require us to be home more often than not at least in the very beginning.
I don’t like to be held down by anyone or anything.
I enjoy my freedom.
Hazel with her brother heading to the transportation guys to travel to their new forever homes.
She’s an Ugly Dachshund. Actually a Daniff.
This breed is not one we’re used to. We’ve had AKC registered Miniature Dachshunds for our whole relationship. We actually had to put one down two years ago. She was eighteen. She was the first woman I had to win over when beginning a relationship with my husband. Then she was my sidekick, my partner, especially when I was pregnant or alone.
We bred our AKC Miniature Dachshunds. We are familiar with this breed inside and out.
I’m used to stubborn, independent, barkers, diggers, and hunters.
The irony isn’t lost upon me.
I’m stubborn. Independent. I bark. I dig into things. I hunt down what I need.
I also realize I’m all of that now, just I’ve become more gentle.
A Daniff is referred to as a giant breed.
More like a gentle giant breed.
Like the breed, I’ve become
Gentle in spirit.
Gentle in approach.
Yet identify with the clumsiness (yes I’m physically clumsy, too) in the new, awkward feel of gentleness.
My home has a sense of peace and calm it never did before. It was something I always wanted but could never have without a sober partner. So, really, I wasn’t the only stubborn, independent barker inside my home. We were very unhealthy.
A lot of times we sit in the here and now wishing and wanting something different. When my family moved to Ohio, we knew our lives would be different and this is just another way we’ve chosen different—our choice of puppy breed.
If anything my life has taught me these last few years, I must step into changes I want.
We chose a dog to represent the changes in our lives.
Little one just under 10 weeks old in my arms for the first time home. I don’t think I’ve let her go much since.
We got a Daniff and named her Hazel.
God sees and God has seen.
That’s what Hazel means.
He’s seen who we were and the life we lived before and he sees who we’ve become and the life we’ve stepped into, looking more and more like the life he wants for us.
We are stronger than ever before.
We are growing in all ways closer to one another.
We are healing all the things.
We are healthier.
Healthy people are active people.
I realized recently the neighborhood poodle got more steps in on one day than I did in a week. I’m stubborn. (Okay gently stubborn, now… or let’s say more often ha!) I won’t be shown up by a poodle.
A giant dog needs to be walked.
I am a giant breed human and I also need to be walked.
Front porch sitting at 12.5 weeks old.
We got a Daniff puppy, named Hazel, and we are completely in love.
Between hers and Del’s possessiveness, both my arms are full at night. Wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s won our hearts.
Breeder Info can be found here. We highly recommend Megan to everyone!
