Gretchen
After I losing my beloved old female dachshund, Binks, I started really paying attention to, and finding I had a weakness for, the older female dachshunds that came through our clinic from CDTR. I looked on CDTR's website one day and found the oldest female who needed a forever home and immediate emailed Teresa and asked if I could meet her. Teresa was kind enough to have her brought right in from Dallas. I took Gretchen home and knew immediately that she was a very special one a kind gal. Gretchen was 10++ years old, completely deaf, had a hunched back and funny gait. When choosing her name tag, a snowflake seemed appropriate because each snowflake is one of a kind. I also got her the 'blingiest' rhinestone collar I could find which suited her perfectly. Gretchen loved to eat and was very enthusiastic when getting treats - fingers beware! She also loved to sleep in her cave beds. She wasn't the brightest dog (said with affection) and she used to crack up us when she would try to get into her cave bed by shoving her head underneath while at the same time standing on top! She would turn around and around and sometimes actually get in on her own. Gretchen even had a cave bed in the bathroom since she like to hang out with me when I got ready for work in the morning. She moved pretty slow most of the time but once in a while she would get this wild hair and just start running around the house for no reason and do several laps. She reminded me of a ferret running around with her hunched back - she kind of seesawed around - it was quite a sight! Gretchen also loved to just sprawl out on my lap and boy could she snore! We were very surprised one day after Gretchen had one of her silly running bouts when she got into her bed and started to seizure. She had never had a seizure before to our knowledge and we knew it was not a good sign at her age. She never did come out of the seizure and we knew the right decision was to put her to sleep. We only had Gretchen for a little over a year but we miss her dearly and find that the house is just a little quieter and seems to have a void. We don't regret adopting her for a second and feel we gave her a good life her last year on earth and she certainly enriched our lives as well. Rest in peace Gretchen.

Doris
I lost my sweet 15 year old Dachshund Umi in February of 2014. I adopted her when she was about 10 weeks old, and I loved her with all my heart. At the end, she was very sick, and had multiple tumors, and I had to do the right thing and put her to sleep. It took me several months to get over her death and even think about adopting another dog. I started looking on CTDR.org, and had about 6 dogs that I was interested in. I was convinced I couldn't adopt another red short hair female, because that would remind me too much of Umi. But then I came across Doris' page and I was like THIS IS MY DOG! I knew I had to have her. I didn't care about all of her health problems, I just knew she needed to be part of my family. They wouldn't adopt her out because she was still heart worm positive and had many other health issues, but they agreed to let me foster her. I picked her up and brought her home, and she began to work her magic in my home. My 16 year old Dachshund Dr. Dre was a cranky old man, who didn't bond with anyone except me and Umi. It took him 9 months to bond with Umi, yet Doris charmed him in 5 short weeks! The day he got up and walked over to Doris on the couch and laid his head on her back, I burst into tears. Dre and Doris were fast friends after that, and she forged a friendship with my 70 lb Boxer, Monkee. Those two would play on the couch and it was SO cute. My 80 lb Lab/Pit Bull mix Penelope totally doted on Doris and treated her like a puppy. It was so sweet. I only had Doris for about 6 months when she started showing signs of being really sick. I took her in for what I thought was a bladder infection, and my vet told me Doris' white blood cell count was through the roof. Tests and x-rays were bleak. She had several severe infections and tumors, and it was clear it was her time. She passed peacefully in my arms. Doris passed away on 12/31/2014. Do I regret adopting her? No. I cherish every minute I had with her, because she brought so much love and healing to me and my fur babies. I Love you Doris, your mom Lisa

Rocco
On September 13, 2014 Pocco ( formerly Rocco) crossed over to Rainbow Bridge. Pocco was originally adopted from CTDR in 2003 and returned in 2009. His foster mom and dad adopted him in 2014 and was shown so much love over the last 4 years. Run free Pocco!

Skippy
Today, March 31, 2014, the CTDR family is saddened by the death of Skippy. Skippy came into Rescue in 1998.. Skippy is an example of why we don't adopt dogs out as gifts. He was given as a gift, but another family member wouldn't allow him to stay, so off to the shelter he goes! And we're pretty sure that he had already been around the block a few times. His teeth had a pattern of wear that indicates that he has been chewing on bars, as in cages. How sad is that? We just don't understand why no one would want this guy around because he is so easy going and happy-go-lucky. He liked everyone and constantly wags his tail. He takes one day at a time and nothing seemed do bother him. He truly is the perfect example of Austin Cool. After Skippy had been with CTDR for awhile his foster mom noticed that he had some breathing issues. He had been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and chronic bronchitis. Given his history of multiple homes and this new diagnosis, we made the decision that he didn't need to worry about being passed around to more homes anymore, and made his a Hospice Care dog. He was most thrilled because he thinks that his foster mom is just the best! In addition to his medication he had periodic ultrasounds of his heart to ensure that his heart is not being adversely affected. Run Free Skippy!

Susannah
CTDR was saddened to hear of the passing of former CTDR dog, Susannah today. She was adopted April 4, 2009. Today, February 1, 2014, our beautiful, little, Susannah died with her people nearby. She was so funny, so pretty, so noisy--she barked at everything. She loved her "Red Ball," and of course she accompanied the vacuum cleaner whenever the carpet needed cleaning; her Foster Mom, Debbie, taught her not to be afraid of it. She leaves behind two grieving people who loved her unconditionally. Our lives will be forever different without her presence. She will be missed terribly, but she will never be forgotten. She will be cremated and returned to her "Forever Home." Jim and Mona