Cookie and Earl Bio

"There have been many new members since I last gave a bio on our furkids and those that know me might like an update, so I decided to re-introduce myself. I am Cookie. Hubby, Earl, and I are in our 40th year of marriage and are full-time RVers since retirement, which has given us the opportunity to travel a bit and meet a few of you. Next year we hope to make another trip and meet a few more and revisit some of you that we have met. Right now we are living in the desert in southern California near Death Valley. We are avid boondockers mostly because few RV parks will tolerate 8 dogs, but also because we like being free from the restraints of society. We live in a community of varied individuals who no longer wish to fit into the accepted norm.

Earl and I did Dachshund Rescue for some years and took in "Special Needs" Dachshunds from shelters and persons unable to care for their down or otherwise handicapped Dachshunds. Of those we have 7 with us that nobody wants because of the special care they require. We, however, do love them and promised them we'd care for them and we are doing just that.

Cal is our oldest @ 17 yrs. He is a wheelchair dog and has been since 2000. He is slowing down some, but keeps going. By entering him in parades and other functions, he has been an ambassador for those that are in wheelchairs, and gives hope to Dachshund keepers who have a dog affected by IVDD.

Next, in the pecking order would be Phoenix. Phoenix is the "Mascot" for this group. He was acquired by one of our members, Joy Brunn. He was in dire straights-unable to function due to abuse and starvation. He is the reason this group was formed, if I remember correctly. At the time, the group several of us belonged to was off line and Phoenix was in the hospital, hence this group was formed to continue to offer support and prayers for Phoenix. I believe that was 8-9 years ago (Jean?). After his recovery, he came to live with us, as we had become somewhat of a sanctuary. He is fine. However, due to injuries incurred, he has no control of his bowels and is incontinent. We believe he was about a year old when he came to us, therefore, he is about 9 yrs. Old.

Peter Pan was an adult dog when found tied to my vet's back door with lash marks and a severe case of malnutrition. He promptly bit the vet. My daughter who worked there called me to tell me the vet was going to euthanize him because of his physical condition combined with his attitude. We took him in. He does fine, but has moments of flash backs and can be unpredictable and bite. He doesn't care much for people so it is fairly easy to keep him safe from biting someone and having him thrown in jail. We figure Peter to be about 12 yrs. Old.

Rudy came to us in 2000. A lady called me bawling and said her husband was going to kill her dog. When I got her calmed down, I ascertained he had IVDD and the husband refused to pay for the surgery or otherwise cope with the problem. Rudy was not in pain. We went to a gated community with multi-million dollar homes on it and picked Rudy up. It took about 6 months of meds and excercise, but Rudy walks today. He has a crooked gait and no control of his bowels and bladder. He is my husbands Velcro dog. He is 13 yrs. Old.

Next came Ranger. He was about a year or so old when he came to us in 2001. He had an electric garage door come down on him and injure his back. He could walk but had no control of his bowels and bladder making his owners give up on him. He has a nickname-Smiley. He lifts the sides of his lips and smiles at you. He does it on command for some people, but alas, not I.

Next-Dixie. Dixie Doodle was bought to me by a senior who could no longer care for her. Dixie was unable to walk and had no control of her bowels and bladder. Today, Dixie walks with a crooked gait and has control of her bladder. Yay. Her bowels usually move in the night while she is sleeping in her crate, so I don't think she knows she is not completely house trained. She believes herself to be a princess. If she wants a toy or bed that one of the others have, she barks until they give up and give it to her. We believe Dixie to be about 12 yrs. Old.

Lily is the most recent addition to our Dachshund tribe. She was surrendered after going through several families that passed her on because of her peeing in the house. Lily can't hold her bladder, if she has to go. She knows when she needs to go and will go outside, if she can get outside. If not, she will pee in the house. She doesn't like pee pads but will go on a hand towel left on the kitchen floor for her at night or if we are gone somewhere. Easy-peasy! Lily is about 6 yrs. Old.

Paco, the Chihuahua, is my Velcro dog. He came to us in 2006 from the animal shelter. He had been picked up as a stray. He had been shot numerous times with a b-b gun. He is blind in one eye and has some b-bs left under the skin that you can feel. The vet said to leave them, as they would do no damage and it would be unnecessary surgery to remove them. He was adopted out to a nice family. This past summer while in Sacramento his caretaker called me and said he could not keep him any longer, as he had been transferred overseas with his company. Taco came back to us and latched on to me and here is where he'll stay. I believe him to be about 8 yrs. Old.

I realize this to be a long email, but I promise not to do it again for a few years. LOL
Here is a link to the community where we have been since November. . Scroll on down until you see the "Slab City" link on the right. Slab City is where we are. We were here last winter, also http://desertdutch.org/"

Well, I've went and ordered new business cards. Camp Winnie and Pooh is a thing of the past, but dogs just seem to gravitate to me. LOL We are trying to make it here through the summer with temps at up to 120 degrees. If we make it, I may be starting to seriously start doing rescue again. Out here in the desert no one bothers us. No one cares. That is fine with me.