Hercules

Hercules wasn't a dachshund but he was the guardian of the dachshunds. When we brought Joey, our first foster dachshund, home he was in horrible shape and he found great comfort in being by Hercules' side. When Hercules died suddenly we knew we had to do something in his honor, that's how DDR came about . We loved our lab and our dachshunds and Hercules shared his bed, his bowl, his home with any dachshund that came through our door. Our big red dog now wanders the 100 acre woods across the Rainbow Bridge. I know he waits there for us so we can garden, chase rabbits and play as we used to. He'll someday be the keeper of the dachshunds again.I miss my big red dog!

Joey
Joey was our very first foster for the Humane Society, before DDR ever was a thought. Joey was so afraid of people, when you approached him he was splay out on all four legs as close to the ground as he could for fear you would hurt him. It took a very long time, lots of love and another outgoing dachshund named Phoebe and a great lab named Hercules to help Joey learn to trust and then love us. Joey taught us the true meaning of unconditional love. Rest in peace my little friend, chase the rabbits with Hercules, keep Grandpa Dick company while you wait for me at the Rainbow Bridge.

Reggie
Reggie, you came to me about 4 years ago. I was very hesitant due years to your age, about 11, as I had just lost Angel, my precious pup. And I did not want to go through that again. But I couldn't help adoring short chubby Reggie with his big brown eyes. So, I adopted you. We became very close, going for walks every day, visiting a dog park and you're favorite going to the Falls. How did I know how much I would love you. I still want to hold you in my arms. When I thought of the abuse and neglect you went thru for the first 11 yrs. of your life it tore at my heart how you had suffered. He was shy at first, afraid that I would hurt him too. When he knew I wouldn't hurt him we became instant cuddle buddies. When I saw for myself. how afraid you were of violence I knew how badly you had been mistreated. As you sat by me on the floor while I was putting the plastic face back on a large clock, I had to hit the plastic face with the side of my hand to fit it on the clock. And then I noticed all of a sudden you were gone. And then I realized how I had scared you. When I went to look for you, I noticed your tail under my bed. I got down on my knees to talk to you and you turned your head and would not look at me. I patted his foot and up under his body. Then I reached for his front paw but he pulled that under him too. My heart broke for you. One memory I will cherish forever is when you slept right next to me a couple of nights before you passed. You had always slept at my feet. But that night, you moved right up next to me, and I put my arm around you, and you snuggled even closer. Did you know Reggie? Did you know you were soon to pass? Reggie you'll be with me forever in my heart. XOXO Mom

Phoebe
Phoebe came into the DDR after one of the volunteers heard about a Yorkie that the family had sent to the local vet to be euthanized after the owner suddenly died . She was a 13 yr old,chubby, food driven pup with her famous Yorkie demeanor. It took her a month before she decided we could be her foster family but once she settled in we couldn’t let her go so she became another foster failure! Sadly Phoebe only lived a little over a year with us but she had lots of adventures and spoils in that short time. She is missed but we know that her spirit is happy to be reunited with her first mom. Senior pups are often over looked in favor for puppies or younger pups but they have a lot of love and companionship left to offer.

Rusty
Hi Diane, I just wanted to give you an update on Rusty- i adopted him and his brother Stretch January 2017. It's not a good one. I unexpectedly lost my baby this past Saturday. I took him to the ER last week after he wasn't feeling good and we found a mass on his liver and prostate. The last 6 years with him were the best, he really was a special dog! His eyes were contagious and his love was one of a kind. Anywhere we went he was loved on. Thank you for giving me my best friend. I will cherish our memories forever ♥️