The Dachshund ranks expanded yet again, with the arrival of blind Lucy on Friday. She came to us from Riverside Rescue in Vermont, the same local shelter that had asked if we could take Roo, the Chihuahua born without front legs. Lucy came from a puppy mill situation and was born with microphthalmia, which means her eyes never fully developed. While she can hear, Lucy seems to have trouble determining the direction of sound and can't quite get a fix on where it's coming from unless she's very close to the source. (This is different than the deafness problem we've reported Dexter having, which is CSH, or canine selective hearingitis.) So she will often run around in circles trying to get a fix on the sound.
As you can imagine, given their recent close encounter with a too-adorable Chihuahua, the Dachshund contingent was delighted to see another of their kind arrive.
Lucy is a pistol -- full of energy, always in motion, and quite the intrepid explorer. The only time she seems to be still is when you pick her up ... she loves to be held and cuddled. But when she's not in your arms, she's scooting around. In fact, we almost named her Scooter because she has this endearing habit of tucking her butt underneath her and then scooting forward at 100 mph. (Her name was ... yes, Stevie. Been there, done that. We named her Lucy.)
She gets along great with everyone, and although she's a bit timid around the other dogs, she's fine letting them check her out, sniff her, and be around her. But I have a feeling it won't be long before she's romping and roughhousing with some of the other little tykes.
Sharon at Riverside thought Lucy might be a piebald Dachshund, though I'm not so sure she isn't the product of a double dapple breeding, which would explain her disability ... and there's even such a thing as a dapple piebald. (For much more detail on colors and patterns in the Dachshund world than you might want to know, see this site and this one.)
On Saturday afternoon, Alayne and I were in our offices on the second floor of the people wing when Lucy suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs. We hadn't thought about closing the gate to the stairs because we didn't think she'd take her exploring that far that fast, but there she was ... as proud as she could be that she found new territory. (The gate now stays closed.) That's her nature: Inquisitive, fearless, energetic.
The Beagles are wringing their paws over the arrival of yet another Dachshund, which brings the total to eight. Oh my!
Lucy looks very much like my Danny Quinn, also a puppy mill puppy. He, too, has blue eyes: he is a tweenie, chocolate and tan, double dapple Dachshund which, as Lucy has found out, is not a smart color combo to breed, hence his being spared the life of a puppy mill stud. I wish I could send you a photo of him - they almost could be twins. Danny has no difficulties w/his sight or hearing so far. You go, Lucy!
Posted by: Roberta Beach | August 27, 2010 at 02:55 PM
Love the doxies.....I have 2 of my own. I think Lucy is more of a dapple than a piebald
Posted by: kelli raines | August 25, 2010 at 09:58 PM
Could this, perhaps, be renamed the Rolling Dachshund Ranch?
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | August 24, 2010 at 07:10 PM
Even a dapple nose! You're a beauty Lucy! So happy for you all.
Posted by: Margaret | August 24, 2010 at 03:29 PM
RDR... Rolling Doxie Ranch?
Posted by: Lynne Parker | August 24, 2010 at 03:24 PM
Loveable Lucy! Welcome to the fantastic RDR! You lucky girl! It's all great things for you now.
Big welcome hugs,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | August 24, 2010 at 01:25 PM
WHAT A LOVELY DOG. THE COLOR IS FASCINATING, BUT THE PHYSIQUE IS VERY IMPRESSIVE. BET THIS ONE GETS ADOPTED QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY SINCE SHE HAS SUCH A LOVELY DISPOSITION.
Posted by: Barbara Crabtree | August 24, 2010 at 11:30 AM
WELCOME LUCY TO A MOST WONDERFUL HOME & WHAT A PRETTY GIRL YOU ARE. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ALREADY FIT IN QUITE NICELY & WILL KEEP EVERYONE ON THEIR TOES.
Posted by: FELICIA | August 24, 2010 at 10:02 AM
Oh my gosh, she's beautiful! Welcome home to RDR, Lucy!
Posted by: Ann | August 24, 2010 at 05:18 AM
Lucy!!! You're home!!! Welcome to the RDR!!! A fun, adventurous spirit! I'm sure you will be having a blast with all the Doxie's (& possibly a nice beagle) very soon.
Steve & Alayne, thank you for giving her a place to call home!
Posted by: Colleen & In Memory of Sweet Kitty Erin | August 23, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Lucy is so beautiful - she was the inspiration for my daily art. You can see it on my blog - klaydoughdreams
Posted by: Klay Arsenault | August 23, 2010 at 09:15 PM
What a pretty girl - love her adventurous spirit, too! You guys are the best for taking her in. Love the beagle/doxie banter! Just precious.
Posted by: Lisa in CA | August 23, 2010 at 05:41 PM
She is beautiful!! What a noble profile. I love her spirit!
Posted by: Nancy | August 23, 2010 at 02:16 PM
She is so-o-o-o gorgeous and boy does she know how to pose for a picture!!! I agree, there is NEVER such a thing as too many dachshunds!!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | August 23, 2010 at 02:09 PM
What a wonderful combination of intrepid explorer/little baby doll. Lucy is a gem! Welcome to doggie heaven, Lucy.
Posted by: Angela | August 23, 2010 at 12:45 PM
WELCOME HOME LUCY WELCOME HOME
Posted by: Eric | August 23, 2010 at 10:38 AM
She is adorable! I suspect a minion is on the horizon with this girl. ; )
Posted by: boundforglory | August 23, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Well she certainly is another cutie. How old is she? She may be timid now but I'm sure in no time at all she'll make friends and feel a part of the big happy family. It was wonderful that Roo was adopted to make room for Lucy. And any update on how Herbie is doing? I think he was a favorite of a lot of us and we wonder if his owner has been in touch. Thanks.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | August 23, 2010 at 09:09 AM
Welcome what a cutie..
Posted by: gayle | August 23, 2010 at 08:49 AM
What a beautiful girl. Never seen such coloring in a Dachsund before. Hope you settle in well 'lil Lucy.
Posted by: Harry | August 23, 2010 at 08:29 AM
Lucy, welcome to RDR, you gorgeous creature!
Posted by: Moon Rani | August 23, 2010 at 02:27 AM
A very warm welcome to sweet (and intrepid) Lucy!! What a cutie!
I'm afraid the Beagles have enough reasons to worry about a "Doxie takeover" of the RDR...;-)
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | August 23, 2010 at 02:24 AM
She is gorgeous. And what an independent character. I'm sure she will give Dexter and Widget a run for their money.
Posted by: MarySue | August 23, 2010 at 12:38 AM
Welcome, Lucy! You sure picked a good place for your new home! We're eager to see and hear about your adventures, as you explore, settle in and establish yourself with the other dogs.
Posted by: Vicki Small | August 22, 2010 at 11:47 PM
Most excellent!
Posted by: Adele in the Bronx | August 22, 2010 at 11:19 PM
She does look like a double-dapple piebald. What a cutie, and what a LUCKY little cutie! How old is Lucy? I hope the mill didn't breed her, but they've been known to do things like that.
Posted by: Vickie | August 22, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Welcome Lucy.....what a beauty you are! I am already missing new photos of little Miss Roo so I am thrilled to see a new little cutie to take her place. Your coloring is gorgeous.....love the spotted nose too!!
Posted by: Marla | August 22, 2010 at 10:21 PM
OOOHHH LUCY!!!
What an adorable girl,she will fit right in perfectly!!Tthe beagles surely will be staging a woo-woo-"coo!"
Posted by: Doe George | August 22, 2010 at 09:42 PM
You can never have too many dachshunds! Congratulations Lucy!
Posted by: Amy A | August 22, 2010 at 08:27 PM
What a beautiful girl! Welcome, Lucy!!!!
How old do you think she is? She looks young in her photos.
Posted by: Linda | August 22, 2010 at 07:33 PM
Lucy is absolutely adorable !!!
Posted by: Jolene | August 22, 2010 at 07:28 PM
Widget and Briggs have no intension of taking this lying down (although lying down for belly rubs is a beagle staple). They are looking up the name of their new congressman to lodge a complaint about too many doxies in one place. It must break some federal law. That lack of opposable thumbs thing might keep their angry letter writing to a minimum but they are madly composing the text in their (ah-hem) beagle brains.
Posted by: Bob | August 22, 2010 at 05:51 PM