Welcome Home Odin and Ozzie: Our New Dachshund Duo

Many of you know I love dogs. Big dogs, little dogs, breed dogs, mutts. I love them. All of them.

It’s been fifteen years since we had to say goodbye to Cody – our first dog and the original member of our pack. It’s been two years since our sweet Sunny (the final member of our original pack) passed away and people began to ask, “Do you think you’ll ever have a dog again?” Yes. My answer has always been yes.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Odin and Ozzie!

Odin is a 7-year-old blue and tan dapple dachshund and Ozzie is a 5-year-old Isabella and tan dapple dachshund. Due to poor dental care, Odin lost 21 teeth, and Ozzie lost 19. They are a bonded pair that are fine with other dogs, but also like being with their people. They are on a weight loss journey (same, friends, same) and are good boys. Odin is more reserved, a little fearful, but both will warm up quickly. These are the things we learned from their rescue post and in speaking with the wonderful adoption coordinator at All American Dachshund Rescue (AADR).

Over the course of two weeks, following our application for adoption, MOH (my other half) spent hours preparing and securing the back yard, building a ramp from our deck to the backyard (with invaluable assistance from our neighbor), installing gates at the top (and bottom) of our stairs… and so much more. 

Once we were confirmed, AADR’s friendly and devoted group of volunteers arranged to transport these boys from Shelbyville, Tennessee to Grass Lake, Michigan. Odin was still wearing a doughnut after his extensive dental and I was already in love, and a nervous wreck, about their long journey. Not to worry. During their day long journey, we received text updates and pictures as they traveled toward us. This was extremely comforting and we simply cannot thank everyone enough for taking time out of their weekend to drive these pups on a leg of their journey, bringing them closer to their forever home.

And then they were here!

After being cooped up in the car(s) all day they were full of energy. They explored the yard and the house and the yard and the house and then the yard and the house some more. They were perplexed about the outside stairs being blocked and were uncertain about the ramp. We spent time encouraging them up and down the ramp, and we got plenty of exercise going up and down the stairs beside them. (For those that don’t know, stairs are not good for a dachshund’s long back).

I was prepared for them to be shy and hesitant. I assumed they would need time to warm up to us, and I was also ready to work on housebreaking re-training. Neither of these was need for concern. They were snuggle-bugs with both MOH and me immediately, and taking them out regularly on an established schedule, happily resulted in only one potty accident in the first week.

What I had not anticipated was how many trips we would make up and down the stairs while we were training them on how to use the ramp. But they were champions by day four, which is pretty quick, all things considered. I also hadn’t thought about the impact of sleeping in a new place. All of our previous rescue pups had joined a family with established dogs to show them the ropes. This makes a difference, and having dogs that already know the program certainly helps. But again, by the end of the first week, we’re in good shape.

Odin and Ozzie are super sweet boys who love snuggles and to have sweet nothings and kissies whispered into their ears. We’re working with them to not jump on our legs when they are excited. They are eager to please and it always helps for a dog to be food motivated during training sessions – and that definitely applies to both of them. Odin also jumps straight up into the air which I’ve never seen a dachshund do. I appreciate his enthusiasm.

And then there are the things that I’ve missed the most; and these are often the simplest things. As they start to settle in and don’t feel like they need to follow us from room to room, we find them resting together in a bed positioned in a stream of sunshine. While I was at work MOH recorded their first chase and wrestle match. And as I was getting ready for work one morning, I passed through the living room to see the sun catching little doxie nose prints on the front door. I choked up a bit as my heart melted.

So welcome home Odin and Ozzie. We love you. We’re glad you’re here. And we have so much more love, snuggles, and happy times ahead.