Dearest Tootsie, wonderful and true, we miss you so much. You've been gone for two years, but you will always be in our hearts. Tootsie asserting her decisive personality in North Idaho (Dec. 2015) Tootsie taking a well-deserved break in Dachshund Daddy's arms during a walkie above Lake Maggiore, Italy (April 2015) Tootsie resting on Mom's lap during a road trip across the Appennines (June 2012) Tootsie enjoying a maritime break in Lavandou, France (May 2013 ..read more

Dearest Tootsie, Do you remember your spring naps by the lake? Or your naps on the trail?  You elevated napping to an art form!  Love,  Mom and Dad ..read more

Here's our dearest Tootsie taking a nap on April 20, 2018, exactly three years ago. It's been a full year since Tootsie flew to the great beyond, but her spirit is here -- and always will be ..read more

Dearest Tootsie,  Today I'm thinking of you wrapped up in your green winter coat just below the top of Monte Reixa. January 2017: Tootsie and her mom in the mountains above the Ligurian coastline on a clear winter day. When you didn't feel like walking, I was always more than happy to carry you in my arms. That's because when you were in my arms, you were right next to my heart. You're still there, and always will be.  Forever yours,  Dachshund Daddy ..read more

One of Tootsie's favorite places was the park at the mouth of the Magliasina river. Sometimes, depending on the currents and other factors, a sandspit forms in the shallow waters where the river meets Lake Lugano. It's so much fun to stand on the sandspit! The mountains in the far distance are in Italy, while everything else you see is in Switzerland. That's why every duck in Lake Lugano carries a passport.   ..read more

Located in the town of Prosito in Southern Switzerland, Casa Orizzonti is an animal sanctuary that provides a permanent home for many rescue animals. Casa Orizzonti has been around for a long time, but we only discovered it online the morning after Tootsie's passing. We took it as a sign from Tootsie, and we decided to become members right away. Last Saturday, we were lucky enough to visit them. While practicing social distancing with the humans, we got to meet the many resident creatures: pigs (Hi, Sonny!), goats (Hi, Piper!), birds, rodents, cats, and, of course, doggies! This is Frank, wh ..read more

Today is Tootsie's Gotcha Day. If she hadn't crossed over the Rainbow Bridge just over two months ago, we'd be celebrating nine years with our girl. Here are some of the last photos that Dachshund Daddy took on April 19, the day before Tootsie's passing. April 19 was a Sunday and Tootsie got to go on three walkies: a short one at 11:30, a longer one at 5, and a third one at 8. As usual, she got carried a whole bunch, which she absolutely loved. Mommy, I just ate a flower!!! Whenever DD took his dog-ter on walkies, he would keep Mom up to speed by sending her WhatsApp messages with ..read more

Dear Hearts and Kindred Spirits, At 1:30 pm on April 20, 2020, Tootsie crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Our Tube of Fur has been the center of our family for almost nine years, ever since we were blessed enough to adopt her on July 1, 2011. We will be eternally grateful to Dr Michelle Ward for connecting Tootsie with our family back then. Our sweet Tootsie and her special unicorn friend in November 2019 After spending the summer in the Pacific Northwest, Tootsie traveled to Switzerland with her mom for the first time in September 2011. That's when she became a Bicontinental Dachshund. S ..read more

Dachshund Daddy recently went back to visit our doggy friends at Casa Orizzonti. In the picture below, from left to right: Joy, Keanu, and Frank, who's staring at his yellow ball held by the volunteer who takes them on their daily morning walk. DD was able to tag along and carry Joy for part of the way. Very much like our Tootsie, Joy likes to be carried for a while before she agrees to continue walking with her own four paws. Here's Joy, checking out a pee spot by the side of the road. You can also see Keanu's paws and Frank's forehead. After the walkie, DD stayed to cuddle Frank and hi ..read more

Dearest Tootsie, Thank you for being our everything. You will always be with us. You've changed my life in ways words can't describe. Nothing will ever be the same again without you. Tootsie checks her pee-mail in Pura, Switzerland in 2020 Back when you climbed mountains, I promised you that I would carry you as much as needed in your senior years. I kept my promise, but I had not anticipated how much you would enjoy sniffing the fresh spring air up in the forest from the comfort of my arms. You loved every minute of it, and so did I, because I got to hold you close to ..read more