You see, I was owned by a sailor who loved me very much. But he often had to go to sea for months at a time. His wife and kids didn't like me very well and whenever he was gone they would hit me and be mean to me. I would spend all my time trying to hide from them so that they couldn't be mean to me anymore. I was always so glad when my owner came back from sea, because I knew that he would protect me. But then, he went to sea and his wife called the humane society and told them to come and take me away. She didn't want me in her house anymore. I don't understand why she treated me so bad. The humane society turned me over to a dachshund rescue group and that same day I was introduced to the person who would become my new daddy.

I was so frightened. I had gone from one home to a cage, to another cage, to someone's house, all in the span of less than 24 hours. This new house was nice, but I was still scared. What if this new person was as mean to me as the nasty lady was at my old house? Would I be sent away again?

When the dachshund rescue people left me with my new daddy, I tried to hide. I hid under the bed, just shaking for the next 3 days. But soon I came to know that this new daddy didn't want to be mean to me. He wanted to LOVE me! I have a home now, not just a house to live in. Sometimes when he moves too fast, I feel scared again, but only for a minute and then I calm down and remember how much he loves me. I love him too and someday, if he keeps working with me, I know I will have the confidence to face the world in true dachshund fashion, with tail and head held high! I'm not far from it now. I've been here since August of 1996, and while I know my new daddy would like for my progress to be faster, I am so glad he is letting me learn to be brave at my own pace.