Speck was always starving. I limited his food because dachshunds shouldn’t be overweight due to back issues. Yes, I know . . no dogs or humans should be overweight due to many issues but, let’s not discuss that please . . not two days before Thanksgiving and just before Christmas cookies are baked!
Anyway . . one day I was talking to our vet and he commented that we were doing a good job keeping Speck trim. I said “He’s always hungry!” The vent said “He’s a hound. They think they’re always hungry!” Maybe I’m part hound! 🙂
Speck truly wanted to eat the moment his eyes popped open in the morning and he spent his day begging for food, til we all went to bed. Even when he was almost completely deaf, he could hear a candy wrapper being opened. He loved Smarties and I finally quit eating them because I knew it wasn’t good to share them with him and I didn’t have the heart to eat them in front of him and not give them to him. Speck could have been in a deep sleep and if he knew I was in the kitchen, he was coming in there. He was sure I would drop a crumb of something.
Once my parents were visiting and my mom said “Your kitchen floor is so clean!” I said “I have Speck”. He was like a little vacuum cleaner in the kitchen.
I divided Speck and Rita’s daily food allotment into three portions – a little at breakfast, most of it at lunch, and a little at night.
With Speck gone, Rita never mentions eating until lunch time. While I was gone, which always happens, I came home to Rita looking like she might need a little less to eat so I’m happy she isn’t checking her bowl for food til lunch. I’m just cutting out the small amount I give her in the morning and she’ll drop back to her slim, trim self in a week or so.
We kept a baby gate up going into the kitchen because Speck would gobble down his food and try to get Rita’s so we fed Rita in the kitchen and Speck just outside the kitchen. We’ve been able to take the baby gate down so that’s been nice. I almost left it up because Rita is used to stepping over the bottom rail. If we get another dog (doubtful at this point), we’ll probably need to separate them for feeding or at least keep a puppy locked in the kitchen at times but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. The gate is down for now and that makes cleaning the floor a whole lot easier . . but I sure miss Speck. I keep waiting for him to follow me into the kitchen, or come by my chair to be petted.
Cilla Tyler says
So very sorry for your loss. At 11:11 this morning my 16 yr old, 4 1/2 lb Dachshund went to Rainbow Bridge. I’ve had her since she was 5 weeks old and fit in the palm of my hand. I’ll have little Haunabe cremated and place her on the shelf with the rest of them. RIP my little Haunabe.
Angie says
I’m so sorry Cilla. But, glad you had your little Haunabe for so many years. I wish our pets could stay with us as long as we are here on earth.
Erin Bennett says
Awe so hard huh! I can’t even imagine what you and Vince are going through.. all the years of reading about Speck.. him having his egg for breakfast.. adjusting to the move.. adjusting to Rita.. hugs…
Annie O says
I do miss our dog vacuum! We’ll probably never have another dog, but it is amazing how many changes you get used to making to keep pets in your home, that become so automatic you forget NOT to do them. Speck will always be part of your family history.
Pat says
Miss Speck. He sounded like such a sweet/mean boy.
cassews says
Cilla: so sorry for your loss.
They get into our hearts lives and become part of us. They are there every day and we take it for granted (at least I did before my poodle baby of 18 years died)that they would always be there. Then the old habits of them coming up or wanting to play are there ….but they aren’t.
Eileen Eisner says
I’ve been thinking about you. It is so hard and missing them hurts so bad. I’m glad you are back for Vince and Rita and Boots and Cat and the chickens but not for the snakes or scorpion things.
Angie says
So sorry Judy, I know the house is so different without Speck. For the first time in our lives we have one dog. And while I worry about our Sassy being lonely at times, she seems fine with just us old folks as her companions.
Kyle says
I am so sorry about Speck. I have been off the blog reading for a bit due to the holidays. I enjoyed all his antics since we had a weiner dog for years. They are unique little animals. Anyone who has had one knows! I would love one more some day. Right now we have a Golden and he is adorable of course. Merry Christmas!