KnitsPlus: Ruby the Dachshund

Ruby, the Dachshund

On Tuesday, Election Day as it turns out, my daughter and I went to the Oregon Humane Society to look at available dogs for adoption. We intended to adopt a medium size dog, but there didn't seem to be any available that didn't have serious dental or other medical issues. When we approached one of the kennels, this darling little Dachshund came running up to my daughter and licked her hand. The card on her cage said that she shied away from people, so we took this as a good sign that the little dog was ready to be adopted, and we fell in love with her.

According to the OHS helper, not much was known about this little dog, other than that she had come from another shelter in California, to the OHS. She had been there only a week before we happened by. Her age is guessed to be 3 years old, based on her dental record. She had recently been spayed and was suffering a slight case of "kennel cough". Fortunately, we were able to get some free medications to take home for administering to her.

After all the paperwork was filled out, my picture was taken and, I'm assuming (based on the agent's disappearance for a short spell), that a background check showed I wasn't an animal abuser, we took her home. But first, we stopped at the local PetSmart, to stock up on supplied (food, food dishes, bedding, etc.) She slept well the first night on a dog pillow we had not been using, a few fleece covers and a stuffed dog with floppy ears. The next morning I took her outside to do her thing, including 3 separate walks throughout the day, just to get her to pee. But, she was holding out on me and no such luck. The next day we took her to PetCo, where we found the most practical and functional, pink raincoat with Sherpa turn down collar. Since she lacks a full furry coat of hair, I wanted to make sure she would be warm on her walks. I am confused about why she prefers cat food to dog food, and sleeping on the couch instead of on her favorite cover. So, we moved the cover to the couch. She is training us well and we think we are beginning to see the markings of a diva.

We had to rename her because the name she was given at the OHS, Lucretia, which didn't seem like a dog name. We ran through many names: Pepper, Honey, Penny, Daisy, Lucy, Ruby, Sophie and Nala. My daughter commented that we got her on Tuesday, Election Day. And then it hit me - Tuesday. Her new name would be Ruby. As in Ruby Tuesday, a song made famous by The Rolling Stones in 1967: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYx_NfnoHL8.

Going on Day 3, Ruby has adjusted nicely to us and the 9 cats who live here. Our cats are very accommodating, having been raised and trained in a loving home of peace and tranquility. And, being an avid knitter, I am already scouting out suitable knit patterns to make more sweaters to keep Ruby warm, as Winter approaches. It's been very wet and cloudy here lately (a total turnaround from Summer weather which was hot and insufferable). Here's one of the sweater patterns I found from Ravelry contributor, Karen Roman. I love Hounds tooth patterning-what else would a hound dog wear? Dachschund is a German word, meaning "Hound Dog".

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/houndstooth-hundestrickjacke

Houndstooth, of course!

DROPS Design offers a fabulous cable pattern sweater for smaller dogs that is a lovely classic.

Sizes range from XS - S - M. Knit on a US 6 (4mm) circular needle. The yarn they used was Karisma from Garnstudio, but any yarn that gives you the proper gauge will also work. I would suggest a worsted weight or Aran yarn, as cables will provide warmth against increment weather
when walking outdoors.