Eclectic Red Barn: 4 Doxies, the Everglades National Park, and a Sad Ending

Saturday, January 14, 2017

4 Doxies, the Everglades National Park, and a Sad Ending

We took the our four Dachshunds on a hike to the Everglades National Park after Thanksgiving. I know, I am so late in getting this posted, but maybe there was a good reason. As I began to write this post, I was looking at the pictures I was going to use. It was then that the sadness set in.

We take our dogs with us everywhere and there was of course pictures of them. This one in particular made me cry.

Eclectic Red Barn: Three dachshunds at the park

It was a beautiful day although it was quite warm. The dogs love to ride in the car but they also enjoy roaming around.

Inside the Everglades National Park was this lake. It was a quiet day, not too many people around. We had this whole area to ourselves.

Eclectic Red Barn: Everglades National Park

It is not a hugh lake and it is shallow as it nears the shore.

Eclectic Red Barn: Everglades National Park with signs

You could walk into the water at this point. However, the signs tell you "no swimming" and "keep dogs on a leash".

This quiet water and serene setting might fool you, but make no mistake, alligators can be lurking. We didn't see any, but that doesn't mean they were not in the water. After all, this is Florida.

This is Caleigh - our 5 year old Black/Tan Long-haired Dapple.

Eclectic Red Barn: Caleigh a 5 year old black/tan dapple dachshund

This is Louie - he is Caleigh's baby boy. He is 3 years old. They look so much a like. When we walk them, kids think say we have twins.

Eclectic Red Barn: Louie a 3 year old black/tan dapple dachshund

This is Roddy - an English Cream Long Hair. He is 4 years old. He was hunting so I didn't get a good picture of him.

Eclectic Red Barn: Roddy a 4 year old English Cream dachshund

They just had a treat and some water. Our old girl - Marina is the tan one with all the grey on her face.

Eclectic Red Barn: Three dachshunds at the Everglades National Park

You may remember her from other blog posts. We rescued her when she was around 9 years old and has been with us for six years.

Now for the sad part. Right before Christmas, we lost Marina. She was around 15 and had a good life. It happen quickly, which was good for her and sad for us.

She is greatly missed and has left a hole in our hearts. The other dogs miss her too.

Now that our children are grown and on their own, our dogs are our children now. We are so attached to them, so when we lose one of them, it hurts so much.

We have decided not to get another dog at this time, but who knows when we will need to rescue another dachshund. If you have never rescued a pet, I suggest that you consider it. Marina was a blessing and the best dog ever.