I was recently at your shelter looking to see if I might find a dog to adopt. I wanted a small dog because I live in a small apartment. I saw a little red dachshund that was being called Doug. He was the cutest little guy but was frightened. He came from the W. Virginia puppy mill rescue and he had some issues. But I decided to take him home with me. I wasn't sure about the name Doug, but it kind of grew on me and then a friend suggested re-spelling it, as dachshunds are dogs that dig, he could be called Dugg.

At first, Dugg was afraid of everything. He tried to hide in the dark corners of the apartment and snapped at you if you tried to pick him up. He wouldn't eat and fought the leash whenever I managed to get it on him to take him outside. After a few days, the mouthing stopped but he continued to try to get away when I went to pick him up. He did start eating but didn't like to eat when anyone was in the room with him.

It's now been almost four months since Dugg came home with me. He still has some issues but he has adopted me as his person. When I come home after work or after having been away for awhile, he greets me with a little dance and a madly wagging tail. He definitely loves his food, still doesn't really want me to be too close while he eats, but can deal with it. We go to the park twice a day and he walks very nicely on the leash now. Everyone who sees him smiles. He's always interested in checking out people we meet, not very interested in being petted by them but definitely wants to sniff their shoes.

He still has a bit to go in learning to trust. He doesn't take treats from my hand unless we're outside and he still startles very easily. He still likes to pretend that he's scared of being picked up but he always puts himself into a corner where he knows he can't get away so being picked up is inevitable! Once I have him on my lap, putting on his harness and sweater to go outside are easy. He loves going out and seems to be happiest outside. He's also decided sitting on Mom's lap or next to her on the couch or bed are great too. That way he can get lots of scratching and rubbing.

I'm including a link to a small video I took of Dugg one day just after I arrived home from work. You can see how excited he is to have me back. Also attached are some photos of Dugg. Unfortunately, I still haven't managed to get a photo of him that really shows how cute and adorable he is! I hope you enjoy seeing how much happier Dugg is in his new home.

View Dugg's Movie: http://nodakgirl.com/images/MVI_1483.AVI

Kathy Koppinger
Union City, NJ