Dachshund's Best Life18 Mars 2025

17. (TW: Pet Loss) What is a Good Death? Saying Goodbye to Gretel with Compassion

After an amazing camping weekend, and the the best life I could have given her, I had to let Gretel go to on to her next adventure without me. My whole live has been punctuated by loss and grief. I think it's something that needs to be talked about more openly - especially pet loss when so many people don't understand that pets are family. Sometimes, the loss of them hurts even more.

In this episode, I read a letter I wrote while I was still reeling from the loss. I also discuss what giving your pet a good death means, because I truly believe giving them the best life includes what happens at the end. That stepping out of your own despair to do what is best for your dog is the last, best, most compassionate gift you can give them.

Gretel is the reason that I started our blog back in 2010, when blogs were the social media of the day. That blog, and Gretel, totally changed my life. This is the end of a 14 year chapter for me. Near the end of this episode, I also discuss ways I am considering to keep Gretel's memory alive so she can continue to help improve Dachshund's life forever.

When I had to let my first Dachshund Chester go due to advanced dementia, I wrote this letter to him the same morning. I mention it in this episode and it will give further insight into how I view saying goodbye to a pet in the most compassionate way... and the negative thoughts that I struggle with.

Love and Loss: Letting Go of My Dog With Dementia

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22. DachSand Bound! Where to Find Us and What I'm Looking Forward To

DachSand is the largest weekend beach festival for wiener dogs on the west coast. Last year, over 400 Dachshunds showed up!The event is put on by Doxies of PNW Club and it's their biggest annual fundr...

9 Sep 22min

21. Off-Leash Dogs: Advocating For Your Space

Last week, we encountered an off-leash dog that wouldn't leave us alone. My initial subtle "scram" signal didn't work, and the owners either didn't try to recall their dog or the dog wasn't listening,...

30 Aug 33min

20. Big (Good!) Changes Are Coming

While I've slowly been shedding my identify as a "pet blogger" over the last few years, a few big personal losses, and the realization that I've never held one "career" for 15 years, makes me feel lik...

15 Feb 26min

19. Pet Grief Update: Is There a Bright Side?

It's been 2 months since we said goodbye to Gretel. In this update, I talk about the emotional balance between feeling sad but not too sad. I also explain about trying to find the opportunity in the h...

20 Maj 202519min

18. 10 Things I Will Absolutely Train Every Dachshund That I Own

Believe it or not, Dachshunds can be trained. What is often interpreted as "stubborn" or defiant is simply a breakdown in communication. Your dog needs to understand what you expect of them and have t...

13 Apr 202557min

16. Go Easy on Yourself. You're Doing the Best You Can

We all want to give our Dachshunds the best life that we can. However, even I, who left my government job in 2012 to dedicate myself to my Dachshunds and helping others, can't always give 100%. The fa...

31 Jan 202536min

15. Can You Have Too Many Dachshunds?

They say Dachshunds are like potato chips, you can't have just one. These cute, funny, quirky little dogs will snuggle into your heart, and you may want another. Obviously, a person can't really have ...

29 Dec 202432min