We are situated on the Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire border, a stones throw away from open fields and riverside where the dogs can run free. We are a family with four sons, aged from 11 to 1. I firmly believe children and dogs belong together - but ONLY strictly supervised. We do not mix our youngest three children with the dogs without an adult on hand. Michael, the eldest, has his own dog, the "Jack Russell Terrorist" called Dolly. Dolly has learned the art of coming into the house via the window rather than the back door. Isaac is the Doorbell Reinforcement Officer and Sam gives advance warning of any lawnmower that could be looming on the horizon (he has an illogical and pathological hatred of them) and Donna is Knitting Supervisor - she has ruined several balls of yarn. Trevor the Patterdale Terrorist is the newest addition, and while we know very little of his history, he is the perfect gentleman in "almost" every way, and a great early morning running partner.
Our garden is not huge, 100' by 75', but is securely fenced with 6' panels, rested on stone plinths that are sunk into the ground to foil diggers. The dogs have their own summerhouse which my husband built specially to house their feed, show equipment and trolley, leads and collars, bowls, grooming paraphernalia and my own huge collection of Dachshund history and books etc. It was taking over the house. In this summerhouse, they have their own sofa and armchair (well, the sofa actually belongs to Isaac but he graciously shares with the others). They have their own freezer (we feed a mainly raw diet plus fit n' fertile and Yumega supplements), dehumidifier and I have a computer and phone down there. It is my child free zone for studying in. Sam has the moses basket which I pull out and he snoozes in it next to me if I am working. I could not bear to rehome it after all my children had slept in it, so it has found a new occupant.
Our Dachshunds are all show, or ex show dogs, but first and foremost they are part of the family and much loved. We enjoy them very much and they come out and about with us. All the dogs enjoy the car. We frequently drive down to Holland-On-Sea or Walton On The Naze so the dogs and children can spend time chasing balls and frisbees - or simply just running the tickle out of their feet! Dolly is a swimmer, Sam and Isaac prefer the tennis balls. All walk happily beside the pushchair. Many of our local pubs are dog friendly.
We are lucky to be near to two ringcraft clubs. We have an agility club that meets within five minutes walk, and an obedience class or three in the village hall. It is a nice, dog friendly place here, and we have the best of neighbours. My husband is a carpenter, and races motorbikes in his spare time. I am a registered depression management counsellor and am working towards a smoking cessation qualification and my Gym Instructors qualification next. I am kept busy with the boys and the dogs and in my spare time I enjoy the gym, knitting and crochet.
I do believe these little dogs are capable of far more than we give them credit for, and that all dogs deserve to have fun. We have just begun to do canicross (and they run me off my feet - I am definitely the weakest link!) and hope to try bikejor later this year.
I also enjoy photography and am often snapping away discreetly ringside. Photos do not get distributed anywhere without permission of the dog's owner, and if I get a really nice one, it is always given to the owner. They won't end up on the internet without the dog owners permision.
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