My Kaya-girl,
a 16-yr old Pointer-X, passed away a year ago and it’s taken all this time to
finally feel ready to welcome a new dog into my life.  For the past couple
months I’ve been busily searching Petfinder.com looking for the perfect dog and
found myself bouncing back and forth between large dogs and small dogs. I just
couldn’t make up my mind, but the one thing I was sure about was that my new
dog would be a rescue and probably a hound-type dog like a Pointer, Spaniel or,
on the smaller end of the scale, a Dachshund.

 

I went to
check out a Bassett Hound, at the Kelowna SPCA, but her separation anxiety and
barking problem definitely wouldn’t work for me this time round (Kaya had both
those problems in super-large doses). Next was Bubbles, a Wire Haired German
Pointer, but her over-abundant energy made me realize that perhaps a smaller,
less rambunctious breed would better suit my lifestyle. A darling Beagle named
Harvey, still puppy-like at 10 months of age was another option, but prior to
taking the lengthy drive to visit him, I got the call… the Victoria SPCA had
just brought in a number of Wire-Haired Dachshunds to their shelter. Apparently, the breeder who owned the dogs had disappeared and neither her family nor police had yet located her.

 

Dachshunds
were one of the breeds on my doggie wish-list, with a Wire-Haired being my
first choice, so it took me all of a second to make up my mind that I would make the trip to go see them.

 

After
completing the necessary paperwork and being accepted as a suitable candidate,
Jennifer, Modern Dog’s editor and I enlisted the help of dog-friendly Harbour Air who flew
us from Vancouver to the Victoria harbor where a short cab ride later brought us to
the doors of the SPCA. I felt both nervous and excited. With eight dogs, all them adorable, how difficult
would it be to choose just one?

 

Jennifer and
I were shown to the gym and the eight Dachshunds were then ushered in. It was both overwhelming
and emotional. With the heartache of losing Kaya a seemingly recent memory, here I was, about to make a lifetime commitment to another canine soul. Was I really ready for this?  The sweetness
of those little wire-haired dogs soon had me absorbed in their playful
quirkiness, albeit  they were more docile
than they normally would be, still feeling the after-effects of
their previous day’s spay/neuters and dental checks (many of them had tooth
extractions, too).

 

We were there
for nearly four hours hanging out and playing with the dogs. They were all so
cute, each one had endearing qualities from Twinkles the very plump female to
the little boy dog whose name was merely a number. I finally narrowed it down
to just two, a very affectionate and lively female whom looked a little like a
Cocker Spaniel with her shaved coat and lion’s tail (she must have been quite
matted as she was the only one of the Dachshunds to have her coat shaved), and
the smallest boy dog whom whenever I tried to put him down would lean back into
me as if saying, "I’m the one, take me".  I would have liked to bring both home but had
previously promised, my significant other (multiple times), that "yes, I would
bring home just one dog". I finally
decided on the playful and loving female and haven’t regretted my decision
for one second (although I do still think about that little boy dog who REALLY
wanted me to pick him – but I’ve since been reassured that he has gone to a good home).

 

Once a
decision was reached it was mad dash to complete the paperwork, pay the fee, get my new dog safely ensconsed in a crate and
get back to the harbour to catch our flight back to Vancouver. In just six
hours I had completed my mission, acquired a new dog and altered my life forever.  I haven’t regretted my decision for a second… every day I love that little soul more.

 

So the next
big decision –  what will I call her? We called upon our Facebook friends for their suggestions and with loads of excellent ideas for names and after much consideration, decided on the perfect name (one that a Facebook
friend came up with). Tomorrow, I’ll tell you the name I decided on and why it rang a bell
with me.

 

Thanks to both the Victoria SPCA and Harbour Air for their help in facilitating this adoption!

 

Here are some
photos of our trip to Victoria and the dogs:

At eight o’clock on a chilly Vancouver morning, Jennifer and I walk out on the Harbour Air dock to climb into the plane that will fly us into the Victoria harbour. 

I got to be co-pilot, sitting up front and chatting with our very friendly and efficient pilot. He had lots of good dog stories to tell me including those of his Border Collies he grew up with back in Australia.

With great expectations, we’ve landed and at the dock in Victoria… it won’t be long now!

Penny, the manager of the Victoria SPCA ushers in the eight Dachshunds.

After spay/neuters and dental work the previous day, the soft blankets and snuggles with siblings provided comfort and security 

 

Look at these faces, all so sweet! How do you choose just one??

Narrowed down to just two. The little boy on the left or the little girl on the right?

This face and personality nearly won me over. I still think about him… if only I could have brought home two dogs!

 

Here’s the one who stole my heart… she is so bright, continually making eye contact and following me around like a little lamb.