Late last year Best Friends had some very special volunteers spend some time with us.  Vitoria had been to Best Friends several times before, but it was her friend Chrystine’s first visit.  Normally it doesn’t take two people to volunteer here – many people come by themselves and do just fine – but it takes a team if you bring your disabled dachshunds with you!

Bambi was the reason that Vitoria fell forever in love with Dachshunds.  She wasn’t a rescue, but at 7 weeks old, she won Vitoria’s heart, and 11 years later, still has a firm grip on it!  Vitoria became a member of Disabled Dachshund Society in South Dakota (DDSSD) and is friends with the founder.  It was this organization that introduced Vitoria to 4 year old Jewels.  A back injury had left Jewels paralyzed and incontinent, and ultimately to a life tied in the backyard of her previous family.  DDSSD convinced the family to turn Jewels over to them, and when Vitoria adopted Jewels, she came complete with a cart. 

However, it wasn’t long before Vitoria saw Jewels walking on all four feet!  Jewels no longer uses the cart, and her back legs do occasionally let her down, but she runs with the best of them.   Vitoria has had Jewels for 7 years, and has found a holistic vet and today Jewels receives acupuncture and chiropractic services every 6 – 8 weeks.  Since she is incontinent, Jewels has to have her bladder expressed 3 times a day, which was a great excuse to bring her to Best Friends!

Dachshund Number 3 is Sammy.  Sammy is 4 years old, and Vitoria adopted him 2 ½ years ago from Almost Home Dachshund Rescue.  In his previous home, Sammy broke his pelvis, and treatment wasn’t given.  As a result, things healed incorrectly, and while Sammy was at the rescue, they decided with a vet to remove Sammy’s rear leg.  Vitoria adopted Sammy 1 month later.

The last, and most recent rescue didn’t come to Best Friends with Vitoria and Chrystine, but stayed home with Dad.  Leonardo is, surprisingly, NOT a dachshund, but a 15 year old Italian Greyhound mix.  Vitorias neighbor sadly had to give up Leonardo when her home went into foreclosure.  A rescue group was located, and was willing to take Leonardo, but they didn’t have the finances to give him the medical treatment he needed so desperately.  Dental work, a heart murmur, and a growth on his hind quarter are all things that Vitoria took on when she adopted him.

Linda asked Vitoria if she feels her family is now complete, and she simply said “no, I will rescue more, but they have to be disabled.”

Heartfelt thanks to Vitoria for caring for these wonderful dogs, and to Chrystine for helping Vitoria to be able to volunteer at Best Friends as well!

Written by Linda Blauch & Jennifer Johnson

Photo taken by Mary Pat Dutton