Sugar Pie
Today, January 11, 2014, CTDR said goodbye to one of our longtime fosters, Sugar Pie. She went to Rainbow Bridge in the arms of her awesome foster mother. Sugar Pie came into Rescue on 6/1/2009 at the age of 13 years old. She had been dumped at the local shelter. She tested low positive for heartworms at that time and due to her age, CTDR did not put her through heartworm treatment. She was able to live out the next 4.5 years in a wonderful foster home filled with love and happiness. Run free at the Bridge Sugar Pie!

Jasper
Sweet baby Jasper arrived at Central Texas Dachshund Rescue, having a difficult time on his road to good health. His first battle was with intestinal parasites; followed by an upper respiratory infection. Then he was truly fighting for his life. Tests uncovered that he had a liver shunt, or an abnormal “connection” from his circulatory system to the liver. This congenital defect prevented blood from going into his liver to be filtered from toxins and by-products, causing the toxins to build up in his blood stream, making him terribly sick. As a result, Jasper needed surgery to correct this condition in order to have any chance to live. Jasper went to surgery on Monday, October 21, 2013. Surgery was attempted to fix his liver shunt but unfortunately his condition was found to be inoperable. Due to post-operative complications, we had to let Jasper cross over the bridge today.

Dusty
Dusty adopted us about a year ago with her daughter and granddaughter (Ruby and Miss Molly whom live with their family now). We had the girls for a few months and then moved to Oregon. Dusty wanted to go with us. During this time Dusty was diagnosed with critical cancer and was given a few months to live. She lived in a very loving household with her family. She woke us up every morning and told us that she was ready to eat. She never missed a meal and often was quite excited to see if she could get other morsels throughout the days. She often "escorted" us as we fed the other kids and would "bounce" around waiting for her food which she always wanted by the water dish so she could eat and drink together. Dusty owned the couch and one of our poppa son chairs. She was a firm believer in taking as many naps under the blankets but with her head out so she could watch her family. Dusty enjoyed short walks in the park, eating by candle light and listening to orchestrated music like Mozart or Tchaikovsky. She loved to sun out on the porch and on rainy days she would walk through the back yard like a Queen over her Kingdom. Dusty was vibrant, loving and always available for laps. When she came to us she did not know how to play, be loved or love. She was taught all of these beautiful attributes from her family and by learning her own personality. She died quickly in Trina's arms while we laid with her on the couch for her final days. We kept her as comfortable as possible and we made the decision to keep her at home and as comfortable as possible. We did not want to take her to a Vet to have her put to sleep in a strange environment. She wanted to pass with all of her family around her and in her home. She deserved this after all that she had been through. It was the least we could do. She has done so much for us. She has brought all of us closer, taught us humor and patience and loved all of us unconditionally, just like we loved her. She is now at rest and her body was placed in a large planter where we planted a lilac bush. We got the most beautiful and fragrant one that we could find. She loved to smell the flowers and was often in the front yard smelling the flowers while roaming her Kingdom. Dusty was loved by: Becky, Trina, Owen, Brightly, Toy Toy, Tally, Gizmo, Fuzzy Bear, Cubby Bear, Archer, Sammy, Ottie, Sedona, Peanut and Shark Bait. We miss her dearly but realize that she is in a much better place.

Cosby
We got word tonight, June 30, 2013, that sweet Cosby had passed away. Cosby came into Rescue in 2008 at the age of 12 years old. He had a number of serious health issues but was shown so much love over the next 5 years. Run free at the Bridge Cosby!

Cubby
Cubby.....The Cubster...... What can I say about this boy? Cubby came home to be with me and my Pack about 3 years ago. From the very first moment, Cubby was as unique as they come! When I offered to foster Cubby, I pictured a, soft, cuddly, snuggly, little guy, that was in constant need of attention, and had the personality of a teddy bear! But that was just NOT Cubby! I quickly started calling him THE CUBSTER! THE CUBSTER was the epitome of a Fine, upstanding, dignified, Gentleman Dachshund! He carried himself, almost regally with his head held high, and his tail high and slightly wagging back and forth and he almost marched when he walked! I could really picture The Cubster in a Rolls Royce, with a chauffeured driver, pulling up to someone, and saying, "Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?" The first night, The Cubster, came inside, found an empty crate, snuggled in, and went to sleep. That was the only night he spent in a crate. He quickly found the steps to the big bed, and from then on, that was where he slept. In the mornings, he would quietly wait until I awoke, then walk over to me, and gently kiss me on the cheek, then head for the front door to go out to do his business. The Cubster quickly became the pack leader of the Johnson Pack. He was not loud or rowdy, and he didn't play, but somehow the other dogs knew HE was in charge and they quickly started deferring to him. He got the first food bowl, and the first treats, and the biggest and best of whatever was offered, the first to get attention, the first out the door, and the first to pick the best spot in the bed. If one of the others were so bold as to take the best bed spot, The Cubster would, not so gently, just push the offender off the bed! The Cubster, had Cushings Disease which was fairly well controlled, but required him to make visits to the Vet Clinic. The Cubster objected to the Clinic...LOUDLY he objected to the clinic! When placed in a cage, to await tests, he would object, and if no one would come to his rescue, he would pout! He would turn his nose to the back of the cage, and put his rear end in the front and ignore everyone! About a year ago, he started having an eye problem, and was sent to a specialist, which determined he had glaucoma of unknown cause in one eye and it had stolen the vision in that eye. It was causing significant pain, so late in the year, it was removed. The Dr also found a small tumor on his remaining eye, but earlier this year, was able to laser that one off successfully. About a month ago, The Cubster started coughing. It started quickly and quickly became significant. X-rays showed some major clouding in his right lung. It was originally thought it was some aspirated pneumonia and The Cubster was started on high power antibiotics. After a couple weeks, another x-ray was taken, and things were a little worse. A radiologist looked at the x-ray, and felt that The Cubster did not have pneumonia but probably had a tumor or cancer in his lungs. The Cubster was brought home with instructions to spoil him beyond belief for whatever time he had left and to make him as happy and as comfortable as possible. On Friday, The Cubster, who loved his food, stopped eating. Early on Monday June 24, The Cubster started coughing up blood and struggled to breathe. He let me know, in his way, it was time to allow The Cubster, My Cubby, to cross over to the Rainbow Bridge. So that day, Monday, June 24, at 8:46am, The Cubster, laying in my arms, crossed over. He left us, as he was in life, dignified and with love. He was 15 years old. The house is quiet now. He never made much noise here, but somehow it has become so much quieter since he has gone. He has gone to find his Grey Poupon! And I can picture him, being driven around in a chauffeured Rolls Royce at the Rainbow Bridge, and I can see him, knocking other pups off the Big Bed so he can have the best Spot! My heart is broken, but these mental pictures make me smile. Give them Hell Cubby! Mom loves you and will see you soon!