Pet Spotlight: Duke and Rudy

Life is good down by the riverside, but it’s especially good for miniature dachshunds Duke and Rudy.

Duke and Rudy and their owner, J.D. Dorger, live in Milford, near the Little Miami. Duke is a senior gentleman at 12 years old and Rudy is four years old, and both of them enjoy a wonderful life of love and leisure. Rudy is taken on frequent walks along the river (Duke can’t walk very far anymore), and they are both given lots of rawhide bones to chew on, a place on the bed every night, and, best of all, pup cup treats!

But life wasn’t always so wonderful for Duke. He was born in a puppy mill in Falmouth, KY and spent his first four months there. “He was the last of his litter, and he was living outside in the winter, in the mud, in a shoebox.” J.D. recalls. “I decided right then that he was the one I would take home.” Duke’s life made an incredible turn for the better, but his personality is still a little affected by his early experiences. “He’s a good dog,” J.D. says, “but he’s always been a little bit timid, because of his start in life.”

Rudy, however is almost the complete opposite of Duke. “He’s very social, always wanting to play, always wagging his tail,” J.D. says. Rudy’s start in life was a lot better than Duke’s, because he was treated very well by his caretaker. He had a down bed to sleep in, time with his siblings, and a bath every day. J.D. adopted him in Lebanon, OH.

Despite their differences, the two minis get along just fine and even share a love of stuffed toys, although for very different reasons. “Duke likes to suckle and carry the toys around in his mouth because he was taken away from his mother too early,” J.D. says. “But Rudy, well, he just tears them up. I go over to St. Vincent de Paul every couple of weeks to get new ones.”

Because Duke is getting up there in years, J.D. recently replaced his outdoor stairs with shallow steps to make it easier for Duke to go up and down, and he has ramps around his house. The dogs are allowed to spend time in the enclosed back yard in nice weather, and they have blankets to lie on and a water bowl, plus plenty of room to romp and play. In the winter, they can come and go as they please through a doggie door.

“They’ve always been loved,” J.D. shares. “They have an easy life, which is what I wanted for them.”

Miniature dachshunds were bred in Germany to hunt badgers in their dens, and they generally stay small, averaging 11 pounds. Their coat can range from smooth to wirehaired to longhaired, and it comes in a wide variety of colors. Minis are typically friendly, playful, affectionate, and alert dogs, and they live around 12 to 16 years. They are athletic and enjoy moderate exercise.