Play fighting dachshunds.

Melee at the dachshund get-together.

My dog, Murphy, is a dachshund, and we bring him to the occasional dachshund club get-together.  He is normally a very shy dog.  He avoids other dogs by giving them a wide berth whenever possible.  However, he doesn't seem to mind meeting up with other dachshunds.  

I was walking him yesterday and a lady walking her own dachshund was coming from the opposite direction.  Murphy's reaction to other dogs is usually very predictable; not so with other members of his own breed.  They touched noses and actually shared a moment of canine closeness that rarely involves himself in.

Today we went to a birthday party for a 9-year-old wiener dog that had, via her owner, invited a host of other doxies.  There were about 12 of the little dears there and they scampered about playfully.  I took a few shots with my camera and long lens as I had it with me at the time.  The above shot was one of the better ones; I would normally use a different lens as I was out photographing birds and needed the longest focal length lens I had.

A good time was had by all, even our Murphy, who played a bit and didn't seem to mind being surrounded by others of his own kind.  Small steps, Murphy.  Very small steps.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com