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Blog Entry 13 of 16 A Therapy Dog's Journal

I was curious about pet therapy when I first learned about it in the mid-90s. Pets can have an important role in the well-being of children, the elderly and hospitalized patients. In 2002, I was ready to look for the dog which would be compatible with me as a therapy dog. I wanted a smooth-haired dog; clean and easy to groom. I wanted it to be small enough to carry in my arms, hold on my lap, and travel in a little crate in the car. It must also be trainable, healthy and have a people-pleasing, forgiving temperament. I liked many of the characteristics of dachshunds. I owned one before, but she passed away in 1997, at age sixteen. This dog won an AKC obedience title. I narrowed my search for another dachshund. There were puppies available, but I didn’t want one from a pet store or puppy mill. In 2004, I heard about a litter in Utah. After several long distance calls and emails, I was excited about the runt. I drove to meet the breeder at a dog show in Greeley. Jewel and I were a good match. We visited for a while then I bought the puppy and brought her home. Jewel is a ten pound, smooth-coated, black and tan daughter of AKC champions. Jewel was sold to me as a pet, and has never been a show dog. But she’s a very healthy, happy and pretty little girl. Some day I might write her story as a book for young children, but am starting with this blog. It tells the adventures of Jewel: Therapy Dog.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~JewelWeekly

Yes, she's fully grown!

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Contributed by: Gail Kirkegaard on 3/29/2008

"Is this as big as she will get?"

I've been asked this several times. Jewel has kind of a baby look about her, even at age four. Actually, there are toy breeds which don't reach half her size.

Jewel is a miniature dachshund; eleven pounds and under. The standard dachshund is between sixteen and twenty pounds. Dachshunds are by no means fat proof. Jewel should weigh between nine and ten. Today, she's eleven. Dang! Gotta run her up the mountain or something. (Which means I gotta run it too, agh!)

Her food and snacks have to be monitored. I can fill my old Phoebe dog's dish to the rim, and she simply stops eating and walks away when she's had enough. I couldn't make her fat if I tried. Jewel, on the other hand, won't stop until the dish is empty.

My last doxy, Winnie, who I had from 1981 to 1997, was a "tweenie," which is neither a standard nor a miniature. As far as I know, tweenies can't be shown in American Kennel Club confirmation shows. Tweenies are, however, allowed to compete in obedience. Winnie won a Companion Dog (CD) obedience title in 1985. We went to obedience trials when I was obviously pregnant with my first child. What a sight we must have been!

Winnie was on the fat side much of her life. When she was about ten years old, I got firm about changing that and, with the help of Science Diet 'lite", regular exercise (neighborhood walks and hikes on Green Mountain), and nixing table scraps, she reached a fit fourteen pounds. Like all ladies, she was happier with her figure.

My second picture shows the ideal dachshund. Here's a link to information about the dachshund: http://www.akc.org/breeds/dachshund/index.cfm.

The third picture is Jewel, not too fat, could be better, playing with her crate rug. Why did she pull it out of her crate? Does it stink? No, I think she hates it because it's too clean.

Next week's blog- follow up on the Night Owls evening.

Please look me up at my business Web site: www.gailkirkegaard.biz!

< Previous: 'Jewel to be a night owl' | Next: 'Change in plans: good ...' >

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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments

Submitted By: Karin Malchow

posted on 4/4/2008 @ 12:21:59 PM

Rated Blog Entry

My husband's doxie growing up was an eater and the vet warned about the stress on his back from the poundage. When on a diet, he'd go after groceries, puncturing and sucking out eggs and once eating a half pound of chocolate (potentially toxic) before getting caught. Having a fat cat, I now believe some pets are just wired to overeat.

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Submitted By: Erin Feese

posted on 4/1/2008 @ 10:49:39 AM

Rated Blog Entry

Ha. My roommate's cat weighs twice as much as Jewel!

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Submitted By: Michael Rule

posted on 3/31/2008 @ 5:49:36 PM

Rated Blog Entry

My first (and most likely last, as I tend to get "pound dogs") experience with bred dogs is Lucky, our 17# Miniature (Or toy?) Aussie. What a trip he is. We saved him fromcertan destruction and now he keeps my throwing arm in shape with the tennis balls....

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Submitted By: Katherine Jerome

posted on 3/31/2008 @ 8:32:44 AM

Rated Blog Entry

Thank you for sharing your stories about Jewel! They are always so real and endearing.

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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Gail Kirkegaard

Lakewood , CO

Gail Kirkegaard has posted 16 blog entries and 169 comments since joining on 3/2/2006. Gail Kirkegaard 's average blog rating is 4.83.

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