We adopted Riley from D.A.R.E. and love supporting this organization. Here's the story of Riley... Riley was living with a family in Pinellas County, FL and one day the family decided that their child was allergic to Riley (yea riiiiight). Rather than placing an ad in the paper or finding a good home for Riley, the dropped him off at the Pinellas County Animal Services Center in Largo, FL. While at the animal shelter it was discovered that Riley DID NOT like being in a crate. He would bark for hours and was an unpleasant and unhappy dog. Due to his dislike of being crated, his constant barking and dislike of the staff at the animal shelter, he was scheduled to be put down. Fortunately, D.A.R.E. intervened, rescued him from the shelter and placed him in a foster home in Wesley Chapel, FL. We brought Kaiser home in April 2007 and by September he was in desperate need of a friend. I did some research and found D.A.R.E and fell in LOVE with a scrawny, long Red Dachshund, whom they had named Riley. We met Riley in early September and after extensive background checks and a home visit, we were approved to adopt Riley. He has adjusted so well and is one of the happiest dogs I know. He loves being near us, sleeps in bed with us and follows us around the house. While he still doesn't enjoy being crated, he is tolerant of the crate. We still can't believe he was going to be put down... but we're so happy Riley joined our family. And as for his relationship with Kaiser? You would think they were born from the same litter because they absolutely adore one another and hate being away from each other.
The event is hosted at a local dog park and literally has hundreds of Dachshunds running around. It's the funniest thing because the Dachshunds are of all shapes, sizes, colors and ages, but they're all "a half-a-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long." Last year we participated in a live auction and purchased the ramp that allows Kaiser and Riley to get on and off of the bed. In case you didn't know, Dachshunds are notorious for having bad backs... it's because of their long and narrow bodies. Jumping off couches, beds and even running up and down the stairs takes a toll on their backs. The ramp is designed so that the dogs put minimal stress on their bodies from taking the great leap. Unfortunately, Kaiser is the only one who understands the concept of using the ramp to get up and to get down. Riley enjoys leaping off the bed and doesn't quite understand the use of the ramp for getting down.
Kaiser and Riley are very excited to see their fellow Dachshunds and will be participating in two of the main events: the kissing contest and the Dachshund Dash. Kaiser LOVES to give people kisses, so he will be our contestant for the kissing contest and Ian will be the recipient. Riley loves to run, especially for treats and if his mommy is calling him, so he will be competing in the Dachshund Dash and I will be coaching him.
Today is going to be a lot of fun and I will be sure to post pictures from today's festivities.
Love always,
Ian & Kim
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