Dear Abby - Pet Related Collections: Barbara's Dachshunds, Guinea Pigs, and Cats

Dear Friends,

I am delighted to introduce you to my friend Barbara.  You may remember her from visits she's made in the past - telling the rescue story of Zeus the cat, remembering her beloved dachshunds Auggie and Billy, and introducing her pet family: Oz the dachshund, Zeus the cat, and guinea pigs Radar and Magenta.

Abby:  Barbara, thank you for visiting.  How did you begin your pet related collection?

Barbara:  Our first dachshund, Auggie, joined our family in February 1995. Shortly after his arrival my passion for collecting "all things dachshund" started. At first it was just the odd thing here and there. Dachshund items seemed more difficult to find at that time.  Over the years my love for our big red long dogs grew, as did my collections. I am always on the hunt for something new. But, now friends and family also contribute dachshund treasures for holidays and special occasions. It might not be the most organized of collections, but we are surrounded by bits and pieces all through our home. No matter where we stand there is a dachshund sharing our space. Whether they bark or just represent our much loved canine family members, they always make me smile and help to brighten the darkest of days!

Abby:  Oh, I like that!  Very well put.  What do you collect?

Barbara:  Everything tastes better when served in a dachshund mug. True confession: I always take my biggest dachshund mug with me when we travel and stay in a hotel. I like to enjoy my morning coffee and afternoon tea this way!

Every dachshund home needs one of these. Enter at your own risk.   😉

Many of these special treasures were given to me by friends and family. They all hold a special place in my heart.

Here is one of our most loved dachshund treasures!  This is Low Rider. He is an all time favourite in our family. When you push a button, he plays the song after which he was named. His body moves up and down, his head nods and his tails wags. No one can watch without smiling and laughing. He might be meant for Christmas, but he stays out in our dining room all year long!

I have seen people on social media who have dachshund ornament themed Christmas trees! So far this is my collection, but I hope to find more. Every year I scour the shops, but this is all I have found so far. They are always placed front and centre on the Christmas tree though.

Books, bags, stuffies and even a cushion! Never too many and I love them all!

Here are a few items that are representative of our other pet family members, guinea pigs Radar & Magenta, and kitty Zeus.  Guinea pig collectibles seem harder to come by. Our kitty collection has just begun!

Abby:  Thank you so much for visiting, Barbara!  I really loved seeing your collection.  You have a great variety of pet treasures.  I have to admit, I especially like the fun Low Rider dachshund!

I can't resist adding photos of Barbara's beautiful fur kids.

Oz

Zeus

Radar

Magenta

Dear friends, you can leave a message for Barbara in the comments below.  If you would like to feature your own pet collection, please let me know in the comments too (with your email - thanks!)

Thanks for visiting!  I hope you have a great weekend.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Dear Abby - Pet Meet and Greet - Oz, Zeus, Radar, and Magenta

Dear Friends,

I'm excited to introduce you to some of my great friends today!  Mom and I met Barbara and her furkids through the Doxieposse on Twitter (and later Facebook).   They are a wonderful family, and I know you will enjoy meeting them as well! 

Abby:  Who are your pets (names, breeds, ages)?

Barbara: 

Oz: 10 year old, red standard dachshund, male

Zeus: 7 year old, grey long haired cat, male

Radar: 6 1/2 year old, short haired guinea pig, female

Magenta: 5 1/2 year old, long haired guinea pig, female

Oz and Zeus both came to us with their names when we adopted them. Oz was a former breeding dog in his previous life. He was born in Kansas and originally slated to go to Australia. We were told that is why he was named "Oz". 

Zeus is a very big boy and Zeus is a very fitting name. We don't know about why he was called this, but he answers to his name and we didn't think changing it was necessary.

We named Radar after the character on the much loved show M*A*S*H.

We named Magenta after the character in the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Abby:  Do you have any special stories to share about your pet family?

Barbara:  Oz and I walk through a nearby park. One evening we stopped to look around and I felt something on my foot. Much to my horror, it was a mouse. I screamed and Oz, being a good dachshund hunter, decided to go for it. I swear that mouse flew through the air as my 27 pound ball of muscle went after it. I nearly ended up flat on my face. Every time we go back to that area of the park, Oz still looks for the mouse that got away.

Zeus likes to claim our belongings as his. There have many times that we go hunting for things, only to find him sound asleep on the article we are looking for. We often decide to change our clothes selection in order not to disturb him! He has a particular love for sleeping on a blue denim messenger bag of my son's. There have been a number of times that Patrick has taken his second choice back pack instead of trying to wrestle the messenger bag from the kitty.

The guinea pigs share an office with my journalist husband. He often interviews people by phone, or does on air appearances via telephone.  If we don't feed the guinea pigs ahead of time, they have been known to start squealing (wee weee weeee) while the interviews are in progress. A person being interviewed once asked my husband what the loud noise was. Another asked if he had birds. When I listened to my husband speaking about football in a taped interview, I could hear Magenta squealing at the top of her voice in the background! 

Abby: Is there anything else you would like to share about your pets? 

Barbara:  Oz is a very agreeable dachshund. He happily goes out to potty rain, shine or Canadian snow storm. The humans complain much more than Oz does.  When he goes to the vet, he is the epitome of co-operative. He wags his tail while being examined from head to toe. However, try to take his weight. He won't stand still on the scale, and it often takes 2-3 of us, with multiple attempts and offers of treats, to get an accurate weight.

Zeus came to live with us when he was about 3 1/2. He had been returned three times and labelled as vicious by some (which he certainly is NOT). He had been shaved  to the skin, which accentuated his rather large body. People laughed at the bald, chubby kitty. We swore this would never happen to him again. He has regular grooming to keep is very long fur under control. He is so good natured and just loves to be with us. He doesn't sit in laps, but is always nearby, his loud purring heard by all.  The only thing that makes Zeus hiss is when we try to take his photo!

Radar and Magenta could not be more different in personality. Radar is docile, calm and easily handled. Magenta is wild and crazy, just like her ever-growing hair. She talks constantly and has been known to bite the hand that feeds her. They must live in separate cages (end to end) as they will fight!

We love all of these wonderful pets. To us they are just perfect. They bring so much joy to our family.

Abby:  Thank you, Barbara!  I loved learning more about Oz, Zeus, Radar, and Magenta here today.  I hope readers will leave any questions or comments for you in the comment section, below.

Also - I am still looking for pets and pet families to spotlight for future Dear Abby posts.  If you'd like to be included, please leave your email below.  Thanks!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo