Little Oliver’s life is about to change.

Last night, he nipped at the neighbor when she tried to pet him. Luckily, she has dogs of her own and is very understanding.

I immediately emailed three dog trainers in the area, and am waiting for them to respond so we can decide when and where to start behavioral modification training.

People always want to cuddle and love on him, and I think it’s a damn shame that he embarrasses us, and himself, with barking, and now, nipping, so things are going to change.

Ollie isn’t always photogenic. I don’t know if he’s practicing his sunbathing pose in anticipation of fabulous vacation deals or if he’s stretching after a hard game of tug-of-war, but it is not a pretty picture.

Don’t worry, we love him anyway. I’m the last person that should judge someone on not being phototenic!

I’m not the only proud weiner dog owner in the family. Mister Floyd belongs to my parents, and he runs their house just as much as Ollie runs ours, taking over the couch and chewing on the bedding, but getting treats and love nontheless because he’s so damn cute.

Well, the party has died down and Ollie is exhausted from all of his weekend visitors and traveling. Not even the promise of playing tug-of-war with a pair of body stockings could get him out of bed. He crashed and burned this afternoon and probably won’t be back to his old self until tomorrow.

RIP to Oprah’s 12 year old Cocker Spaniel, Sophie, who passed away today from kidney failure. Sophie was treated by the Dog Whisperer for her seperation anxiety and made many public apperances with Oprah and Stedman.

Ollie packed up his travel supplies (leash, treats, puppy pads) and has been visiting with Floyd and my sister since yesterday. Ollie and Floyd are so happy playing and chasing each other around the house that it makes me want to get a second dog so that Ollie has some company. Then the barking and fighting over toys starts and I realize that only a crazy person would have two weiner dogs.

Lots of dachshunds need stair lifts when they get older, and it just breaks my heart to think that one day Ollie won’t be able to jump on the bed, run down the stairs, or launch off the back of the couch. That’s why I’m switching his dog food to the new dachshund formula from Eukanuba to keep his back healthy. It has ingredients to keep his joints healthy and his weight down so there’s no added stress on his back.

Oliver was barking at the kids outside, the ducks in the pond, and every leaf that rustled in the trees, so I had to close the door and blinds, but apparently a little thing like the blinds being closed can’t stop Oliver from enjoying the sunshine. All he needs is a foam mattress and he’ll be the most spoiled dog ever.

Easter is coming, which means that my sister will be visiting for the weekend and Ollie is constantly checking his Technomarine watch and waiting patiently for her arrival.

Ollie absolutely loves visitors. Of course, he barks like a crazy man when they first walk in the door, but within a few minute he’s loving on people and bringing them his rope to play tug.

Ollie needs a job. All he does is sleep.