Daschund

Never was attached to pets when growing up. Couldn't understand how people became so attached to them.Wife's cousin was raising Dachshunds and sometimes I think over bred them as Ousier, IMO, was large for a Dachshund. Anyhow after haggling back and forth I agreed but if she could not be house trained she would not stay. Brought her home and she slept in a kennel at night but being afraid she would waken the visitors she was moved to our room. That night she whimpered until she was moved to our bed. That became permanent. On my days off, and only on my days off, she would awaken me as if to say "Time to get up."

It soon became my chore to walk her outside. From that point she became mine.

For years after returning from Vietnam I had bouts of anger and rage. Ouiser taught me patience and was a comfort. I soon came to love her in a special way. She seemed to sense that I needed her close and was always with me. She would lay next to me in my recliner. When I would move a leg she would also move to always have full body contact.

My love for her was only exceeded by my love for the wife, children and grand children and when I think about it I sometimes think that it was equal. So thankful to have had those years with her.