Delicious Doxies

Last year, we went to a store that had a ton of unique cookie cutters.  After looking through hundreds of different shapes, I finally found a dachshund shaped cookie cutter, so of course I had to get it.  And since that time, it has been sitting in a drawer in our kitchen, unused.

This weekend, I decided that needed to change.  I wanted to surprise Hubby with gingerbread dachshunds.  But this was going to take some finagling.  Since the first step was to bake the cookies and let them cool, I had to make Hubby promise to stay upstairs.  He took the dogs upstairs with him.

I baked up about three dozen cookies.  Unfortunately, the design of the cookie cutter included a really thin tail on the dog, and half of the cookies lost their tails.  It took a little over an hour to mix the dough, bake the cookies, let them cool, and wash all the dishes so Hubby would not suspect what I had been doing.  After the cookies all cooled, I stacked them in a container and hid them.

Later on in the day, Hubby sequestered himself again, this time to wrap Christmas presents.  I took this opportunity to ice all the cookies.  They looked adorable, even the ones that had no tails.  When Hubby came downstairs, I made him close his eyes, and I led him over to the table covered in cookie.

Most delicious surprise ever.

Paw-don the Pun

I tried and tried to think of a clever title for this post, and that was about as good as I could do.  You see, this post is about paws.  Specifically, Dexter's paws.

Dexter is a happy, healthy dog.  We take him for regular vet check ups, we watch his diet, and we try to make sure his needs are all met.  We also shower him with love and affection.  He is indeed a happy dog.

However, several months ago, I noticed that Dexter, when climbing stairs, did it on 3 paws only, never putting weight on his front right paw.  When he runs around, he does so on all 4 paws, and never acts like his paws hurt, it was just this weird thing with the steps.  At first we chalked it up to him just being a weird dog.

Then I noticed that same paw, the front right, seemed to be bent out or twisted, more than his other one.  Hubby said it just looked like Doxie paws to him.  After one particularly long walk, however, his leg was so bent, it looked like it would buckle under him.  I immediately called the vet.

After a thorough examination, the doctor said Dex has plantar fasciitis.  This means the tendons in his paw have been strained or injured in the past, and are inflamed.  He does not put full weight down on his paw; because of how he does put pressure on the front of his paw, the leg twists outward.  It is not really causing him any pain, but he cannot go for walks right now, until we see if the inflammation subsides.  We are resting his paw, and giving him fish oil.  If this does not work, we may have to have it wrapped.  Other interventions could include cortisone shots (which I am hesitant to do) and eventual surgery.  The doctor thinks surgery will not be necessary, right now at least.

Again, Dexter shows no signs of being in pain, or being depressed.  He still runs around outside like a nut, but no walks and we carry him up the inside steps.  Have any of you ever experienced this with your dogs?  Can you provide me with any insight?  I am unable to find much online about this in dogs, only in people.  The doc says this is simply a risk of a dog being bred to be short legged with a long body.  In other words, doxie problems.

A Weinerful Birthday

It was my birthday this past Wednesday.  Hubby and I took a little trip at the beginning of the week, complete with the dogs.  We had a blast, despite bad weather, Chloe being pee shy outside, and Dexter having separation anxiety each time we left the hotel room.

When we returned, Hubby gave me my presents.  I got a shirt, a video game, a necklace, some candy, a camera gadget, and a doxie.  No, not a real one, but he is adorable none the less.

It is a paperweight, and he looks fantastic on our mantle with the other doxie chotchkies.  I am getting quite a collection!

Look at all the cuteness!

Last weekend, while at a very cool store, I found pretty much the best thing ever.

I can't wait to make cookies with it,  but in the mean time, I can play with it!

Walking in a Weiner Wonderland

Someday I may just do a doxie theme Christmas.  Or asked for only doxie themed presents.  Or just get more doxies (real ones) for Christmas.  I am that much in love with weiner dogs.

Just check out this adorable wrapping paper I spotted while Christmas shopping last weekend.

I love it!  I want it.  I want all my presents wrapped in this, except then I would not want to open them!

Doxie Shrine

It is official.  I am a crazy doxie lady.  I have officially started buying multiple pieces of doxie merchandise.

It all started with this cute little figurine I got for Hubby at an Arts Fest over the summer.

Isn't he cute?  And he looks just like Dexter!

Then, yesterday, I went to Hobby Lobby with my friend, where I spied this

and this guy.

Of course, like any self respecting doxie mom, I had to have them.  So, I have all of these things now on my mantle, along with a cute picture holder and picture of Dex as a puppy that our neighbor gave us.  It is like a little doxie shrine and I love it!

I can't wait to find more cute doxies to add to it.