Today I am one year old. Yes, I have left puppyhood behind and am now embarking on the great adventure of being a grown dog. I’m not sure I’m ready, but Momma says that little dachshunds have to grow up sometime.
It’s been a great day, filled with little surprises and revelations.
As I look back on my first year of life, I realize a few things about myself. I am not exactly the easiest dog to live with. My family is very patient and kind even though I tend to get into trouble quite a bit. I’m lucky to have been the dog they chose to keep!
I think back to how the day started…
“Oliver!” Olivia called. She was in the other room, and I wondered what was going on. Her voice sounded very excited. I wagged my tail and ran into the kitchen to find her. As I did, a strange smell tickled my nose.
Sniff, sniff.
It was familiar, but at the same time, I knew I hadn’t smelled this particular fragrance in a long while. As I entered the kitchen, I saw why. My sister, Violet, stood there!
“Violet?” I barked.
She turned to look at me and wagged her tail in greeting. I trotted over to her and together we engaged in some mutual sniffing. My tail wiggled so hard that I felt it might be in danger of falling off, but I was so happy! I thought I would never see my sister again!
“Oliver,” she exclaimed. “It’s so good to see you. Happy birthday!”
“Happy Birthday to you, too!”
“Can you believe we are now a whole year old? Time sure does fly!”
“Oh, just look at my two pups!” Momma let out an excited bark. “My babies are all grown up!”
“What are you doing here, Violet?” I asked.
“Didn’t Momma tell you? We are here for a birthday party!” She grinned at my surprise. “I bet you thought you’d never see me again. Well, your owners have kept in touch with mine, and now we are going to celebrate together.”
“Really? What about Tinker and Otis?”
“I’m not sure about Tinker, but I think Otis is coming, too!”
Suddenly, I was overcome with excitement and had to race outside to relieve myself in a bush. Grown up dogs did not have potty accidents anymore!
“Wow! The back yard is bigger than I remembered,” Violet said, having followed me out. “I love your sandbox!”
“Jack built it for me because I like to dig so much.”
“Me, too. I even dug underneath my fence once.” Violet smiled and her eyes twinkled with mischief. “My owner wasn’t too happy about that, though.”
We chased each other around the yard for a few minute before plopping down in a sunny patch of grass, exhausted.
“So what do you think about cats?” Violet panted.
“Cats? They are terrible! I don’t like them at all.”
“Really? Not even a little bit?”
Something about the way she asked that question made me nervous.
“They’ve been nothing but trouble for me,” I said.
“I have a cat friend.”
For a few seconds, all I could do was stare at her. Did she say she had a cat friend? That was just…shocking!
“Violet, how could you? Don’t you know how dangerous and sly they are?” I asked. “No sister of mine should be playing with cats. That’s got to stop!”
“Don’t be so closed minded,” Violet said. “Cats can be great pets, too. You just have to learn how to tolerate each other.”
“I don’t know…” I couldn’t disguise my doubts.
“Perhaps you’ll change your mind someday. Maybe you can come visit me at my house and meet my friend. Her name is Bertha. She’s very wise and friendly, not at all like the stories Momma told us when we were little.”
A vision of Violet, Tinker, Otis, and myself came to my mind. We were very little and cuddled up together in the old box where we’d been born. Momma had told us stories about mean cats. If I’d never heard those stories, would I feel differently about those furry legged creatures?
Probably not.
“Oliver!” Bonnie Belle, my girlfriend, called to me through the hole in the fence. “Who are you playing with?”
“C’mon,” I said to Violet. “Come meet my girlfriend!”
Together we ran over to the fence, and I introduced Bonnie Belle to my sister. They hit it off right away. While they chatted, I quietly headed back inside the house.
I really needed to talk to Momma.
“Momma,” I whispered in case Violet came in. “I have to tell you something. Violet likes cats.”
Momma sighed, and I expected a bigger reaction from her. I figured she’d start barking or run around the kitchen in an angry frenzy. A slow sigh was a let down.
“Oliver, I was afraid this might happen,” she said. “Don’t worry. There’s nothing wrong with Violet.”
“What do you mean? She likes cats!”
“Calm down. Cats are not my favorite creatures. They are entirely too furry and smell bad. However, I have heard there are some dogs that actually get along with them.”
“What? Is there any way to change that?”
“Silly boy, it’s not a crime to like a cat.” Momma shuddered. “It’s just not normal.”
“Isn’t there a doctor we can call? Someone who can make Violet better?”
“I’m afraid not. We just have to let it go. Violet is a grown dog now. She can make her own decisions.”
Before I could contemplate this further, the sound of another dog distracted me.
“Momma? Oliver? Violet? Where are you?” The dog barked out the words. Momma and I darted into the living room, running right in to Otis. The three of us rolled across the room as the sound of our owners laughter surrounded us.
“Look how cute they are!” Olivia squealed. Her tone was so high pitched that Momma, Otis, and I all wagged our tails before running to the little girl. We jumped up, trying to out do each other with kisses. Olivia laughed. “I’m being licked to death by squirmy dachshunds.”
“Happy birthday, brother,” I said to Otis and led him outside to Violet.
She barked with happiness when she saw him. Then the three of us played catch-the-tail and scampered in the sunshine. I thought a little bit more about Violet’s cat revelation and the more I pondered it, the more it started to seem okay. As Momma said, it was her life and her decision. I was a big grown up dog, too.
I would start making my own decisions as well.
Later, we were treated to a special meal by our owners.
Since Olivia had celebrated her birthday a few weeks ago, I knew it was customary to have a cake. I doubted that we new grown up dogs would get lucky enough to get one, but I still had hope! I kept a close watch on the refrigerator door, trying to get a glimpse inside every time someone opened it up.
“Look at the dog.” Jack nudged Trudy. “ I think he wants something out of the fridge.”
“It’s Oliver,” Trudy said with a smile. “When doesn’t he want something out of the fridge?”
Everyone laughed and I wagged my tail.
“Should we give the dogs their special treat?”
Special treat? My brother and sister sat up at attention. The three of stared at Jack with round eyed anticipation.
To my delight, Olivia retrieved a white bag from the refrigerator. The smell of baked cheese wafted down to us, and my taste buds started salivating. I wasn’t sure what was in the bag but it smelled doggie friendly. She reached inside and pulled out a cookie that was decorated in the shape of a dachshund.
“This is a special gourmet doggie biscuit that we had made. Each one of you gets one with your name on it!”
I looked closer at mine. O-L-I-V-E-R was printed on it in yellow. That was my name!
Olivia handed it to me and then gave one to Violet and Otis with their names on it, too. I was almost too excited to eat it. In fact, I had to put it down. I scampered to Olivia and gave her a little kiss on the nose.
“Look, he’s saying thank you!” She laughed.
And I was saying thank you. Thank you, Jack and Trudy for making me part of your family. Thank you, Olivia, for giving me kisses and playing with me. Thank you for giving me such a great home!
Now, as I chew on my biscuit, the sounds of my family wrapping around me, I think again about the past year. It may have had its ups and downs but I know that I am lucky. I survived a whole year of life and with a little luck, I will survive many more. After all, I am a big dog now.
Happy Birthday to me!
Related posts:
- Puppy Tails – Oliver Chews
- Puppy Tails – Oliver Meets the Vet
- Puppy Tails – Oliver Worries
- Puppy Tails – Oliver Thinks Outside the Box
- Puppy Tails – Oliver Gets First Aid
