The Dreamers

For those of you whom don't know me my name is Meaghan. I own 4 miniature dachshund, 3 females and 1 male. Their names (from oldest to youngest) are Pearl, Vixy, Chloe, and Rockit. These dogs are my entire life, my heart and soul. I couldn't live without them all. It's sometimes hard for me to get my priorities straight, but I eventually get things back in line. So let's start from the beginning shall we? I've always loved animals, horses, cows, cats, birds, dogs, you name it, even snakes. I got my first dogs when I was 10, their names are Tango and Chance, they're brothers, they will be turning eight this August. Then came Percy, a purebred Siberian Husky, my dream dog, he was absolutely beautiful. We got him from a rescue in New Hampshire, and after many complications returned him to the same rescue. After that came Hunter, a purebred wirehaired Podengo, such a beautiful intelligent boy. But, due to his high prey drive he couldn't handle it when my mother started breeding dachshunds. Now, technically, Pearl came first, but she wasn't my dog when we got her, it was my mother's dog, so we'll start with the dog that ignited my true passion for dogs, the dog that taught me more than words could ever come close to expressing, Chip. Chip was a miniature dachshund from a puppy mill in Louisiana. I got him when he was just two years young, he came to me with a terrible case of heartworms. Weeks before Chip's first heartworm treatment he developed a neurological disorder, whether it was from genetic issues or the heartworms we will never know. Things went downhill quickly from that point on, one thing seemed to come after another, heartbreak after heartbreak. Chip lost 8lbs within a month, he wouldn't eat anything, was dehydrated, and would drag his back legs. He would be fine in the mornings most days, being his usual chipper self, dancing around my legs while I got ready for school, but by the evening he would be dragging himself once again. Have you ever looked into your dog's eyes and been able to tell that they are suffering? I knew there was only a single thing I could do more for my sweet boy, and that was to say goodbye and let him go. August 2009 I made the decision one morning to take him into the vet's office, I stayed by his side, and the only thing I could say to him was how much I loved him and how sorry I was that there was absolutely nothing I could possibly do for him, that this was the best choice I could make for him. Seeing him close his eyes, holding him as he took his last breath I knew  he forgave me, that he didn't hold anything against me. I shut down for quite a while after that, but slowly Pearl wiggled her way into my heart, she is what kept me strong through one of the hardest times in my life. She's the dog that was always there to welcome me with a wiggling butt no matter how bad a day I had. Then came Vixy, the dog who absolutely captured me. I was looking for my first show puppy when I came across her litter, I had originally been looking at her sister but the moment I saw her eyes I knew she was meant for me, a few weeks later Vixy was home. She is my shadow, always by my side. After her came Chloe, my little stinker, given to me as a gift Chloe was a bit of a surprise. But, she quickly grew on me, always causing trouble, she's the girl that keeps me constantly on my toes, never knowing what to expect from that day. She's my adventurer, my sidekick, my partner in crime.Lastly came Rockit, the new kid, always able to make me laugh, he's such a big goof and always smiling, always ready for something. This is my story, and a bit of their's as well, I know each and every one of these dogs, and many others have molded me to become who I am today, and I couldn't ever possibly thank them for it.