Most of us have had a special connection with a dog, and when the beloved pet crosses over to wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge, many of us feel that the connection remains. We think about these special pets off and on at certain events, in certain locations, and at specific times of the year. There's usually that moment or two when the memories are so happy it's like they were with us again.

People who volunteer their time and effort to the dachshund rescue cause typically have one or more specific dachsies that are responsible for this dedication to the breed — the soul mate that we were bonded to in the past, or our current companion animal.

For many individuals who were involved in the early stages of Dachshund Rescue of North America, there's another very special dachshund that has somehow come to serve as a continual reminder of how important and needed our efforts truly are. Even though she only touched our lives for an extremely brief period of time in the physical sense, she has been a compelling and extremely positive motivating force behind our actions which will endure.

"Snausage" was 10 years old when her human passed away, and a local dachshund rescue worker was contacted to assist in finding her a new home. Her journey via the Dachshund Underground Railroad began in rural North Carolina. The overweight sweetheart was clearly confused as the transport slowly progressed toward her new home. She rolled with the punches, and was actually quite pleasant and understanding as the puppies bounced into her, the adolescent dachsies barked, and the younger males made amorous overtures. She waddled in and out of the transport vehicles and foster homes on her flexi-leash, waiting patiently for her turn to be scratched behind the ears and often rolling on her side for the ever popular belly rubs. She stopped off in New Jersey for several months of fostering and a "weight loss" program. Her foster dad decided that "Snausage" was not an extremely lady-like name, and he called her "Snoopy". She was moved briefly to another foster home as the search for a permanent home resumed, and her name was further refined to "Suzy".

Throughout this process, as the formal DRNA organization emerged, calls and e-mails from one member to another inevitably concluded with "Oh, have we found a home for Snausage yet?" Imagine the excitement when plans were finalized for Snausage/Snoopy/Suzy and she was to have an entire family to call her own. A mom and dad, with a human AND a dachshund sister. Seems that she was also the answer to some human prayers, and her predominant name in this forever home became "Angel". She was also affectionately called "Biggie" in comparison to her mini-dachs sister (who was also named Suzy), and the dieting efforts continued. Over the next several months, we received notes about her daily activities: sunning and "gardening" in the backyard, geriatric level romping with her little dachsie sister, "goforarides", snuggling with the humans, and generally enjoying the good life that was always intended for her. These notes were eagerly forwarded from one person to another, backs were patted, and everyone agreed "This is why we do rescue work!!"

No one was prepared for her happiness to come to such an abrupt end, but apparently she had earned her wings. In spite of dieting efforts, Suzy wasn't actually showing signs of trimming down. Several investigative trips to the vet later, she was diagnosed to have an extremely large tumor located in her belly — inoperable, due to its location and size. She didn't appear to be in any pain, so Suzy returned home to spend her remaining days with the family who adored her.

She went to the bridge quietly one morning. Lisa, the mom who had rescued her, found Suzy lying on her side in the kitchen. She sat on the floor, pulled Suzy into her lap, and stroked her little graying head as she went.

In tribute to a dachshund many of us will always remember as "Snausage", and for those countless special dogs that have touched our hearts and souls, Dachshund Rescue of North America has dedicated this Memorial Garden...

As loving and loyal as our dachsies are, I think most of them would be honored to be remembered in a way that would help a fellow dachshund in need. If you would like to make a contribution to DRNA in the name of a beloved dachsie that waits for you at the Rainbow Bridge, we will be glad to acknowledge it by posting a picture and a few personal comments about your companion. If you are making a contribution on behalf of a fellow dachshund lover who has passed away, we will be glad to inform the family of your gift if you supply us with the appropriate name and mailing address at the time of your donation. As with all contributions to DRNA, money will be used directly for the rescue of dachshunds less fortunate than the ones who currently share our lives. Email us your story.