When preparing to write this, Paula was startled to realize that her life with dachshunds stretches back 61 years to 1963, when her sister brought home a little dachsie puppy, much to their parents’ consternation. But Rani was there to stay, and so perhaps it’s no surprise that when the time came for Paula to think about a dog of her own twenty years later, it had to be a dachsie. Xena Maxe, a little red haired girl, was the first in what would turn out to be a very long line of dachsie furkids. When Maxe was nine, Paula decided to get a puppy to keep her company; this didn’t turn out exactly as planned. Alex was the kind of the dog most people would have surrendered or had euthanized because of many serious chronic health and temperament and behaviour issues. Paula likes to joke that Alex, and the dogs that followed her, have given her a very expensive veterinary education; if a dachsie can have it, Paula’s probably had to deal with it! But it all started with Alex (although Maxe also had her share of medical issues such as IVDD and losing a lobe of her lung to cancer at 11).
But it’s often the problem children we love best, and so life with Alex made her wonder if there were other “problem children” out there that she could help. In 2000, looking around for a rescue she could volunteer with, she discovered Canadian Dachshund Rescue (CDR) in Ontario. Thinking she was restricted to just making a donation to them, since there wasn’t a group in Atlantic Canada, somewhat by accident she met up with two other local dachsie lovers, and the three of them decided to start a chapter of CDR in Nova Scotia. In time this evolved into the independent Atlantic Canadian Dachshund Rescue (ACDR). When ACDR became defunct in 2024, she was thrilled and honoured to be asked to join some of the other former ACDR board members in starting up Wendal’s Way.
Over the years, Paula has done every facet of rescue from fostering to transporting, doing reference checks and surrenders, as well as staging fundraising events. She has also sat on many boards. But the thing that gives her the most joy is palliative fostering (what we at Wendal’s Way call our sanctuary dogs). It is an honour to be able to care for old and sick dachsies, to give them a place where they can live out their last time with us in dignity, surrounded by love and care, and when it’s time to pass on to the next stage of their journey, to be with them until the end, knowing the touch of a loving hand and a gentle voice. Over the last 20 years, Paula has been that place for James and Jules, Patti (Patapouf), Heidi, Ferkel, Buster, Bean (Buster Too), and of course, Wendal, after whom this rescue is named. The house has been empty since Bean passed in 2023, but the Universe has a habit of sending along the ones who need her most, and so Paula has no doubt that the next little soul is on its way. When not wrapped up with rescue work, Paula works as Senior Program Staff-Special Initiatives for the Coady Institute, St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS. She also is a writer, and is currently working on a novel (which may or may not have a rescue dog or two in it…) which she is hoping to see published in 2025.
Stacey is a nurse living in rural Nova Scotia with her family and their three dachshunds. As a former Animal Cruelty Agent, Stacey was responsible for working with the RCMP on cruelty cases, appearing in court for those cases, and helping to educate the public on the proper care of animals.
Stacey’s first dachshund, Mikey, was a cruelty case that she fostered and kept. He was blind in one eye and ended up with kidney cancer that required surgery to remove one kidney. He only lived about 6 months after surgery.
Her next dachshund, Sanford, was someone’s ‘pet-store buy gone bad’, but he found his forever home with Stacey. He came with the name Sanford, Stacey’s surname! Sanford was later diagnosed with a mass that was removed and had drains in place that required Stacey’s daily care. He also had Cushing’s Disease, then was diagnosed with spleen and stomach cancer. “Sanford’s bucket list” was drawn up and completed.
Malachy, another dachshund of Stacey’s, had back issues, controlled with meds until a slipped disc required surgery. He became a cart dog. By doing physio and water therapy at home, Malachy did regain some mobility, but still needed bladder expressing. He was also diagnosed with diabetes and needed daily insulin.
Sugar, a breeder rescue, was found to have Pyometra shortly after arriving. She was also suffering from a fractured pelvis, most likely the result of a kick, and a broken rib. Scared of men, no idea how to live in a house, suffering from dental disease, diabetes, and back issues, Sugar was very fortunate to find a loving and caring home with Stacey and her family.
Stacey currently has dachshunds Martin, Xander James, and Arabella living with her. Xander James has a heart murmur, arthritis, and HGE. Arabella has Extraocular Myositis, autoimmune disease, acid reflux, and stomach issues.
With a background in nursing, 25 years of dachshund experience, fostering for three different rescues, her experience with high medical needs dachshunds, past experience finding the perfect foster homes for incoming dogs, and the ability to stay calm when dealing with stressful surrender situations, Stacey is a definite asset to Wendal’s Way in her role as Surrender/Foster Coordinator and Vice Chair.
Ruth began her dachshund journey in Papua New Guinea with Snake, a 6-month-old standard. From the day he arrived, Snake wanted to be the boss of all the other dogs he encountered. The main challenge in owning Snake was to restrain him from burrowing under the fence to attack the rottweilers who lived on the other side. A good day was when he only peed on them through the fence. A bad day was when he became over excited and got his nose too far in the fence and got bitten. Their second dachshund was Tarzan. He came to them as a puppy and he was a fire breathing dragon who believed he was the King and Ruth the Queen. He bit the 6-year-old serf who dared to sit on Ruth’s lap. Fortunately, they had a very good friend who was a stay-at-home guy due to disabilities. Tarzan went to live there and never looked back. Ruth, on the other hand, misses the little guy to this day.
Their third dachshund was Beans (aka Xena Warrior Princess). She came to them at 9 months old. She was very timid and had had no training or socialization whatsoever, having spent her first few months in a kennel run. Beans lived as their Princess for 14 years. She was a cuddly girl who slept with whomever would let her in and loved hunting mice and snakes in our extensive gardens. Beans suffered from back problems as she aged and as a result, Ruth became very confident during the two worst episodes in helping her to express her urine and in keeping her quiet to allow her to recover. Fortunately, surgery was never required.
Following the loss of Beans, Ruth acquired two dachshund puppies. Biggy and Itchy ran their home for many, many years. Biggy could never be convinced that she was a dog. She had about 14 commands that were issued regularly…most having to do with covering her, uncovering her, giving her her down blanket, removing Itchy from the preemo spot. Itchy was the opposite, loving the outdoors, hunting mice and other dogs. Both had health issues. Itchy developed an issue with a growth plate in her hip that required surgery and plenty of massage and exercises afterwards. Another skill for Ruth to learn. Itchy emerged triumphant and was able to enjoy good use of her leg. Biggy suffered back issues due to her excessive nature…at three she launched herself into a Christmas tree to get the stocking placed there. After unpacking it she played so hard all day she could not walk the next morning! The skills learned with Beans were used several times with Biggy who required the same kind of care during a few relapses.
Currently Ruth owns August, a 2 year old long hair standard. Augie exhibits the dachshund’s stubborn personality. He is a digger and has his sights set on taking down an enormous pine tree under which he has excavated a hole bigger than himself. He adores his fur brother Muggins, but does not tolerate insubordination of any kind. The best bone, the first pick of toys, the best spot in bed are prizes claimed by Augie.
In addition to an enduring love of the dachshund breed Ruth has an MBA from the University of Massachusetts and years of experience in a variety of business positions ranging from VP of Finance and Taxation, to CEO to COO in a mid-sized manufacturing corporate environment. After a decade back in Canada, Ruth is extremely proficient with Canadian regulations. She has extensive experience in preparing financial statements, tax and regulatory filings, and managing banking relationships. Over the years Ruth has accumulated over 30 years of volunteer experience, with about 20 years of that on various non-profit boards. Given all of Ruth’s valuable skills, Wendal’s Way is very fortunate to have Ruth as their Treasurer. She current lives with her husband Jim, and dogs Augie and Muggins in rural Cape Breton.
Laura worked 31 years in the Workers’ Compensation system before retiring in 2019 and re-settling with her husband Mark to Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. She is currently owned by their two dachshunds – Sir Cormac McWeenie, a standard short haired red, and Rhys, an 8 lb silver dapple chiweenie – both of whom were adopted through Canadian Dachshund Rescue Ontario.
Laura’s love affair with this breed first began 24 years ago when Kirby, her very first dachshund came charging, quite literally, through her front door and instantly into her heart. Kirby was the first of many dachshunds over the years for Laura, each helping her gain valuable experience in the many nuances and medical conditions associated with the breed. Sadly, she has lost two dogs, both Kirby and Finnigan, to Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).
Another special dachshund who joined their family was Heidi who was a morbidly obese, 38 lb senior lady. Laura’s husband went off one day to buy a used motorcycle from someone through Kijiji, and came home with Heidi instead! It took over a year for her to safely lose over half her body weight, but she eventually slimmed down to a healthy, svelte 18 lbs. Laura likes to say they gave Heidi the best last 3 years of her life.
Laura’s current dog, Cormac, came with aggression and behaviour issues as a very young pup. She says this wasn’t the dog she was looking for, but he was definitely the dog she needed. Cormac & Laura have worked tirelessly on his issues, created a very special bond, and have both learned so much from each other during their journey together over the past seven years. He continues to amaze her every day.
Laura has been a volunteer and foster in the rescue community for the past four years, three of those years, serving in the capacity of Secretary and Communications Coordinator on the board of another rescue. She has fostered many dachshunds over the span of four years and given her experience with Cormac’s specific issues, she has developed an affinity for fostering dogs who arrive into care with behavioural issues. Despite Cormac’s quirks, he welcomes every foster dachshund into their home and along with Laura, he helps them to become the very best version of themselves…healthy and happy to move on to their fur-ever homes.
With over 24 years of dachshund experience, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge, support, and kindness to Wendal’s Way – just what every dachshund needs.
Marianne is a retired Halifax career firefighter and Graphic Artist who lives in rural Nova Scotia with her three senior miniature dachshunds (originally a pack of five). She has been volunteering and fostering with dachshund rescues since 2015, most recently as Volunteer Coordinator.
All three of her dachshunds have some form of IVDD:
Marianne has 16 years of experience with dachshunds, from the puppy stage to end of life care, including varying degrees of IVDD, Degenerative Myelopathy, Cushing’s, Diabetes, chronic UTIs, food/environmental allergies, dementia, chronic eye care, and chronic ear infections.
Mary Cook was born and raised in Newfoundland and has been living in Nova Scotia for the past 17 years. Mary’s journey with the dog rescue world began in 2008, when she teamed up with a neighbour and a few other dog savvy people to start a local rescue. From there, Mary fostered and volunteered with quite a few rescues over the years. Once Mary and her husband took in Cheddar, their first dachshund, they knew then that dachshunds would become a regular part of their lives.
Mary has owned and operated an in-home dog boarding facility for the past ten years, along with a few years working in customer care in the veterinary field. When not busy with all other commitments, Mary enjoys working with clay and making ceramics.
Mary and her husband Gary currently live in Lockhartville, Nova Scotia, with their two dachshunds Chip and Remi, their St. Bernard-mix Moose, and two cats.
Chip is almost 3 years old and is a double dapple. These dogs are prone to a range of hereditary health issues, including the risk of being born deaf and/or blind. As adorable as double dapple dogs may be with their unique markings, they are often a result of irresponsible breeding. Chip was born deaf but luckily in his case, it wasn’t intentional and the breeder surrendered him to a local rescue when they realized they wouldn’t be able to sell him. Mary has prior experience with a deaf dog and as a result, she was the perfect foster for Chip. She and Chip have worked diligently together to learn sign language. She fostered Chip from when he was only 8 weeks old, before becoming a ‘foster fail’ and welcoming him permanently into their home. This family has been a strong advocate for dispelling the mistaken belief that a deaf life is a disabled life.
Remi is the newest member of the family, joining their pack earlier in 2024. He is 5 years old and a retired stud dog.
Mary is a welcome and valuable addition to Wendal’s Way.
