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Paris, March 14, 2006 – September 20, 2022

Ch. Wagsmore’s French Impressions ML

Paris is the most amazing gift we have ever received. Paris was a Champion show girl, and Geoffrey handled SeQueL and competed against Paris in the ring. They competed and flirted while they all looked for a nod from the judge.

Then one afternoon we received a phone call from Mary Louie, Paris’ owner. She asked if we would accept Paris into our pack, explaining she and her husband were splitting up.  I hate to see relationships end, but there was no hesitation that we would love to have Paris.

Geoffrey holds a newly arrived Paris in our backyard

Geoffrey holds a newly arrived Paris in our backyard.
(click on any photo in this post for a full-size version)

Paris always had her own classy style, and she loved being a surrogate mother and willing playmate. She was devilish while looking regal.

Paris "Gardening" in the Backyard

Paris studiously NOT jumping in the flower box

Paris in Apex and Zenith's whelping box along with SeQueL

Paris in Apex and Zenith’s whelping box along with SeQueL

Paris also had two unique, strong, spectacular abilities.

Most important, she let people relax and feel their emotions when holding her. Her support and love let an impressive number of adult men break down and cry.

We’d leave a visitor in the backyard with Paris while we fetched snacks, and we would return to see Paris being hugged while she licked the tears from their face. This happened a weirdly high number of times.

Firooz and Paris Snuggle

Firooz and Paris Happily Snuggle – No tears here!

This special bonding talent was strong when she was in the prime of her life, and it also continued into her maturity. Just last year our 30ish neighbors came over and met the pack. Ever since that visit they ask how Paris is doing as if the other girls were in the backup chorus.

Thank you, Paris, for being such a warm dog.

Now her other special talent is just as strong but not quite as charming.
Paris had the instinctive ability to be underfoot.
Her whole life she has suddenly shown up under me while I am chopping food for dinner. Or, I’ll turn around and on an unplanned impulse I will head for the refrigerator, only to have my leg bang into Paris’ side.

It’s not just me. She can predict where Geoff, our guests, anyone is about to walk and beat them there.

More amazing is that despite her recent blindness there has been no lessening of the ESP that gets her in front of me, even when I had no idea I was going in that direction.

Very fun… in retrospect. But, how did she do it so well so consistently?

For 16 1/2 years and one week, she blessed this side of the rainbow bridge. Thank you, Paris. We will miss you greatly.

Enjoy her memorial video at https://bit.ly/WagsmoresFrenchImpressions or visit her photo gallery at https://ozdachs.smugmug.com/Dachshunds/Paris-2006-2022/

By |2022-09-21T11:33:18-07:00September 20, 2022|dachshunds|1 Comment
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SeQueL, November 21, 2008 – November 23, 2021

Grand Champion Lilliput’s Royal Munchkin of Wagsmore

From the moment SeQueL arrived at Ozdachs on March 8, 2009 she was the guiding spirit of our second pack. She was the fifth dog Geoffrey and I had, so we thought we knew how we would train the three-month-old girl. Instead, starting on the first day, SeQueL explained to us what she wanted and what we needed to do. On Day One we were puppy whipped.

SeQueL on Day 2Throughout her entire life she did not whine. Instead she communicated with her eyes, with happy enthusiastic barklets, and with terrific gruntled noises when we were doing the appropriate thing. Her enthusiasm and happiness permeated her pack and our lives.

When she arrived three members of our original pack greeted her. Syntax, Vector, and Array were delighted to see an energetic puppy around them, but they were older and happily yielded the center of attention to the newly arrived play machine. From her early days here, SeQueL has set the tone and standards for pack behavior.

SeQueL as Winners Bitch

Best of Winners at a Major

SeQueL trained to become a show girl, and under Geoffrey’s handling became a Champion and then a Grand Campion. She loved the attention she received in the ring and the adoration given her while she was sitting on our laps waiting for her turn to strut her stuff. To the end she jumped into crates whenever we offered because she thought she might be going to another dog show.

SeQueL always treated members of the pack with openness and joy. She seemed delighted to have relocated to our home. She made friends with the older residents. Then when Paris came to live with us, SeQueL welcomed her without jealousy as a full-fledged pack member. That was SeQueL’s imperative: everyone in the pack would love each other.

SeQueL spent a lot of effort finding in-home playmates. Initially, the other Ozdachs were older and wore out easily. One of the reasons we all wanted her to have puppies was so she would have someone to chase around the house. Even that was not enough sometimes!

SeQueL was a spectacular mother to Zenith and Array. She watched over them and clearly enjoyed their company. Syntax, our first mother dog, did a great job of whelping and taking care of the small puppies, but when the nursing was over, she created some distance between her and her children. Not SeQueL. Up to her last month of life, SeQueL would chase, be chased, growl and play with both her children and her grandchild, Auroara.

SeQueL, Apex, Paris, Zenith, and Auroara eagerly perform.All of SeQueL’s pack gets along and cares for each other. In SeQueL’s last days, Zenith and Paris slept close to her wherever she was, cuddling her with their bodies. Apex and Auroara would also check in, lick, sniff, and love.

SeQueL’s spirit has guided the Ozdachs for twelve years and her memory will continue to empower and comfort us.

Please see some of our favorite photos of her at https://bit.ly/SeQueL or visit her gallery at https://ozdachs.smugmug.com/Dachshunds/SeQueL-2008-2021/.

By |2021-11-24T06:29:05-08:00November 24, 2021|dachshunds|2 Comments
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Day 189: Walkies!

Despite working seven days a week, Geoffrey has taken Auroara out on 23rd Street for her first two outside walks this past Sunday and the Sunday before. Her first excursion was on her six month birthday, and we took some pictures of that event.

Today, Auroara remembered that going out front was not the end of the world. She hung back a little at first, but after just one house, she was surveying the street and deciding that the front door world at least smelled interesting.

Auroara standing in a show pose as she looks downhill on 23rd Stree
Day 189 – Surveying the Street

She did quite well walking, sniffing, and exploring… until as we approached the corner, PEOPLE appeared! A gaggle of PEOPLE, with these strange-looking and acting small PEOPLE.

Auroara on 23rd St with young neighbor girls
Day 189 – Do I Trust Them?

The human girls were very patient and interested in Auroara. Unfortunately, our girl never gave in and decided it was okay to eat the treats the humans offered her.

Day 189 - Resisting Temptation
Day 189 – Resisting Temptation

As soon as the girls and their parents gave up, Auroara pulled on her leash to follow them stealthily, watching and making sure that their backs remained turned.

We hung back, though, and let the humans go up the hill unmolested.

Once home, Auroara showed no ill effects from the experience. She rejoined the pack and restarted her enjoyment of the day.

Auroara in the sun in the backyard.
Day 189 – Auroara in the Backyard Sun
(actually photographed before the walk)
By |2019-04-02T20:31:08-07:00March 31, 2019|dachshunds|0 Comments
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Day 182 – The Sixth Month Birthday

Happy Six Month Birthday to Auroara!

We celebrated with lots of affection in the backyard.

  • Geoffrey and Auroara Kissing
    Day 182 – Mutual Affection at Six Months
  • Day 182 - Galen holding the 6-month puppy
    Day 182 – Galen holding the 6-month puppy
  • Day 182 - Galen and Auroara both Mugging
    Day 182 – Galen and Auroara both Mugging

Click on any picture for a larger version.

We neglected to weigh her, so we’ll have to go with 11 pounds, 11 ounces… what she was at the vet’s last Monday. We’ll have to check, but this may make her our heaviest girl. But, she’s perfect, says, Dr. Chase!

After Geoffrey did her nails, he put a harness on her. The three of us went out the front door, and Auroara went for her first walk outside!

Auroara initially didn’t know what to do on the sidewalk. She hunkered down and wanted to get her bearings.

Auroara on a leash with a hang dog expression
Day 182 – The First Walk: This is Supposed to be Fun?

She really didn’t want to leave home… or the driveway!

Auroara on a leash being held by Geoffrey. She's laying down in the driveway looking stubborn
Day 182 – The First Walk: Auroara is NOT Enthused

We walked down a few houses and turned back. She was beginning to enjoy the smells and the experience. But we didn’t want to push too much!

Geoffrey Giving Auroara a Treat
Day 182 – The First Walk: Auroara Likes this Part Best

As we were about to go in, we saw a young woman coming up the street. So, we stopped and waited.

We she passed us, the woman complemented Auroara on her cuteness.

We decided to declare victory. Geoffrey carried Auroara up the stairs, and we relaxed the rest of the afternoon.

On her first outside walk, Auroara stops to wait and watch a woman walking by.
On her first outside walk, Auroara stops to wait and watch a woman walking by.

Happy Six Month Birthday, Auroara!

By |2019-03-25T20:13:02-07:00March 23, 2019|dachshunds|1 Comment
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Day 134 – The Final Puppy Shots!

Finally!

Ever since Auroara (aka then as MUNI) started venturing out of the whelping box on to the floor where people stepped, we have been taking off our street shoes at the door. And, washing our hands before petting her.

Puppies are not immune to many serious viruses that are Out There. They need a series of shots and booster shots against common illnesses. Parvo is the disease the vets are most worried about, but there is distemper, canine influenza, kennel cough, leptospirosis, and other nasty bugs out there.

So, we’ve kept our shoes off and asked visitors to de-shoe and wash up before handling the puppy.

Today we took Auroara to Dr. Chase for her final series of puppy shots! Her final parvo booster, her second and last canine influenza booster, and kennel cough nose spray. Her mother accompanied her and had her own annual exam and shots!

Auroara and Zenith on the exam table being held by Geoffrey
Auroara is seeing Dr. Chase for the final puppy shots while Mother Zenith is getting her annual checkup. Photo by Dr. Jill Chase

Dr. Chase says that Auroara can start meeting the public and go outside on the street in 10-14 days. This means no more shoe changing at the doorway in 2 weeks!

Side note: so the shots become fully effective in 10-14 days. In what world would we, after all this time, decide to not wait the extra 4 days to make sure the shots were completely effective? I can just see a puppy getting sick because we waited only 10 days after the final shot!

A good vet visit. A good milestone.

By |2019-03-08T17:09:31-08:00February 4, 2019|dachshunds, Uncategorized|0 Comments
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