My Beautiful Poopie-Monsters
I'm thrilled to say that as of last Friday, Dan and I are the proud parents of two beautiful eight-week-old miniature dachshunds: Zoe and Espresso.
For those who may have been confused at my opening sentence: yes, I did say "Dan and I." For an inexplicable reason my animal-hating husband has fallen in love with our "poopie-monsters." (I bet you can't imagine where that nickname came from.)
I expected to care for my early anniversary presents entirely on my own. Instead, Dan lets Zoe and Espresso curl up on his chest when he's watching T.V. He talks to them gently, kisses their heads, pets them to sleep and calls them "his babies."
Imagine my shock. My initial response was "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" But I really shouldn't be surprised. Even a heart of ice would melt with just a glance from Zoe's innocent, liquid-brown eyes as she makes repeatedly failed attempts to wiggle her long body into your lap.
And even the most infamous dog-hater couldn't resist little Espresso as he sticks his rear in the air with his tail wagging furiously, and crouches low, preparing to "pounce." His stubby legs give him about half an inch of lift before he sprawls on the floor with a little "grrr," that sounds more like a child's whimper than the ferocious growl he's attempting.
Zoe, my little angel-baby, is a red dachshund (though her coat is actually strawberry blonde, this is still classified as "red" for a dachshund) and has a streak of chocolate on her rear and a smudge on the tip of her tail. She has a brown button nose, black claws, silky ears and droopy, liquid-brown eyes.
Espresso, my mischievous "poopie," is a red dapple. "Dapple" is a fancy way of saying spotted or marbled. My little Espresso was thus named because he is a deep red-brown marbled with dark chocolate and cream: the colors of a perfect espresso shot.
The question remains whether they are long or short-haired doxies. (Wire-haired can definitely be eliminated since neither Espresso nor Zoe has a mustache, beard or heavy eyebrows like a terrier.) Their mother was a long-hair and their father was a short-hair, but even the breeder wasn't sure how their coats will turn out. Their fur is glossy like a short-hair, but it seems longer than a traditional short coat. They also don't have curly hair over their ears or "flag tails" like long-haired dachshunds.
Though they came from the same litter, their personalities are like day and night.
Zoe can be mischievous at times, but she is definitely a cuddler. Regardless of what she is doing, 90% of the time she wants to be in my lap.
Espresso likes to be held, but he is usually much more interested in playing tug-of-war with my pant legs, nibbling on my big toe and snitching whatever bone Zoe happens to be chewing at the moment, regardless of whether he has one of his own.
Needless to say, I'm enormously happy. My little poopie-monsters are a lot of work, but they are definitely worth it.
For those who may have been confused at my opening sentence: yes, I did say "Dan and I." For an inexplicable reason my animal-hating husband has fallen in love with our "poopie-monsters." (I bet you can't imagine where that nickname came from.)
I expected to care for my early anniversary presents entirely on my own. Instead, Dan lets Zoe and Espresso curl up on his chest when he's watching T.V. He talks to them gently, kisses their heads, pets them to sleep and calls them "his babies."
Imagine my shock. My initial response was "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" But I really shouldn't be surprised. Even a heart of ice would melt with just a glance from Zoe's innocent, liquid-brown eyes as she makes repeatedly failed attempts to wiggle her long body into your lap.
And even the most infamous dog-hater couldn't resist little Espresso as he sticks his rear in the air with his tail wagging furiously, and crouches low, preparing to "pounce." His stubby legs give him about half an inch of lift before he sprawls on the floor with a little "grrr," that sounds more like a child's whimper than the ferocious growl he's attempting.
Zoe, my little angel-baby, is a red dachshund (though her coat is actually strawberry blonde, this is still classified as "red" for a dachshund) and has a streak of chocolate on her rear and a smudge on the tip of her tail. She has a brown button nose, black claws, silky ears and droopy, liquid-brown eyes.
Espresso, my mischievous "poopie," is a red dapple. "Dapple" is a fancy way of saying spotted or marbled. My little Espresso was thus named because he is a deep red-brown marbled with dark chocolate and cream: the colors of a perfect espresso shot.
The question remains whether they are long or short-haired doxies. (Wire-haired can definitely be eliminated since neither Espresso nor Zoe has a mustache, beard or heavy eyebrows like a terrier.) Their mother was a long-hair and their father was a short-hair, but even the breeder wasn't sure how their coats will turn out. Their fur is glossy like a short-hair, but it seems longer than a traditional short coat. They also don't have curly hair over their ears or "flag tails" like long-haired dachshunds.
Though they came from the same litter, their personalities are like day and night.
Zoe can be mischievous at times, but she is definitely a cuddler. Regardless of what she is doing, 90% of the time she wants to be in my lap.
Espresso likes to be held, but he is usually much more interested in playing tug-of-war with my pant legs, nibbling on my big toe and snitching whatever bone Zoe happens to be chewing at the moment, regardless of whether he has one of his own.
Needless to say, I'm enormously happy. My little poopie-monsters are a lot of work, but they are definitely worth it.