Maggie Zimmerman
Maggie Zimmerman May 1, 1998-August 10, 2012 An angel from heaven We lost our precious Maggie last Friday, August 10, and our hearts are truly broken. She touched so many lives which is evident from all the emails from friends and dachshund rescuers, cards, flowers, and contributions that we’ve received over the past few days. We got Maggie from a breeder before we knew about dachshund rescue. The day I first saw her in 1998 she immediately put her head down and snuggled up under my chin which sold me right away. That continued to be our little ritual over the next 14 years and I held her there as she crossed the bridge. Though sedated, I’d like to think she knew I was there to kiss her one last time. I always knew this would be unbearable for me to lose her and it is. Her little sister, Penelope (a rescue baby), sits at the front window waiting for her and not understanding what happened to her friend. She came to work with me often and everyone here is feeling her loss as well. Maggie liked to go on the AADR transports and rode in the back of the car with the little ones going to their new furever homes. She brought out the best in everyone and provided comfort. Though we love them all, there are some who just deeply become part of you and touch your heart and soul. Rest in peace my precious little baby. Debbi and Jerry Zimmerman

BROWNIE
RIP sweet Brownie: 5/16/2008-6/22/2012 We adopted Brownie from a local breeder. She was the chubbiest little puppy of the whole litter and the alpha dog. Gracie, our older dachshund, was a little leery of having a puppy in the house that she must attend to. It was not long that the two were best of friends. They played with each other all the time and started napping together. Brownie loved to be outside playing in the yard. She especially liked going to visit her grandparents and their dachshund Molly in Wilkesboro, NC where she could stay out all day in their fenced in backyard. She loved to go out in the rain and try to catch the rain drops as they fell. She enjoyed jumping through the snow, but preferred to be in the warm house during the winter. Her favorite spot in the house during the winter months was laying on the heater vent where she could feel the warm air on her body. In the summer she enjoyed laying at the glass door with Gracie and her kitty sister, Chessie, as the three of them napped and sunbathed together. In January 2012, on a Friday night, Brownie had her first seizure. Needless to say it scared us to death. We did not know what was happening to our little girl and rushed her to REACH Hospital in Asheville, NC. There the doctor informed us that this was common in her breed and for now just to watch her and record the incidents to see if there was a pattern or cause. We did as we were told and also took her to her vet, Dr. Freeman at Skyland Animal Hospital in Asheville, NC. He told us the same and loved on her telling her she would be ok. In February, she had 5 seizures spaced out at two hour intervals and my husband, Randall rushed her to the vet and that day they started her on Phenobarb. It seemed to be working. She was down to about a seizure or two a month and we learned to regulate her meds and give them to her at precise times each day. On April 29, 2012 she had 2 seizures and we were able to control them with her rescue medicine. She went for almost 2 months and then on June 21, 2012 she started having cluster seizures. After 4 in a row we rushed her to the vet where they did what they could and told us to watch her all day and if she had anymore to take her to REACH. She had more and we rushed her to the emergency hospital where she stayed the night. The doctors there had trouble keeping her from seizing but did give her some sedatives that helped her relax but the seizures didn’t stop. We took her back to Skyland Animal Hospital and at that time we knew that Brownie was in too much pain and the seizures were taking over. With the guidance of Dr. Wilson, who was covering for Dr. Freeman, and the staff, we made the painful but loving decision to have Brownie put to sleep. It was the hardest thing for me to do and watch. We know she has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and is now pain and seizure free waiting for the time when she will be reunited with her family. Brownie is survived by her sister Gracie, dachshund and her two kitty sisters, Ginger and Chessie, and her human family: Luke, Mike, Randall and myself. Her ashes are going to be scattered in the communal garden at Forever Friends in Asheville, NC where we can go visit and enjoy the memorial there for all beloved pets.

MARTY 06-20-12
RIP SWEET MARTY It is with a sad heart and a tear in my eye that I write you tonight. My dear Marty (AKA the toothless wonder dog) is no longer trapped in his crippled, sightless body. Although I miss him terribly, I know that he is in a better place and has fulfilled his purpose here on earth. Three years ago, I thought I was just adopting a senior companion ... if I'm a senior shouldn't I adopt a senior dog?!?! Instead, I adopted a miracle worker who left behind a beautiful legacy ... the joy and importance of rescue! When you rescue one dog, you actually are rescuing two ... the one you adopt and the one you made room for in foster care. Marty's foster mom (Melissa) and her family continue to foster for All American Dachshund Rescue (AADR). Marty was such a terrific addition to my life, that I eventually adopted four more dachshunds (Callie, Izzy, Grace, & Mickey) ... and each of their foster moms (Stephanie, Agnes, Ronita, & Melissa) continue rescue dachshunds. WOW that totals 10 dogs rescued ... BUT ... Marty was responsible for even more dogs finding forever homes. Two years ago, I began to volunteer with AADR and since that time have been instrumental in finding volunteers to do home visits for hundreds of dogs across the USA. This is one of the final steps in the adoption process. Without Marty, I wonder how many other dachshunds might not have found loving forever homes. He was a VERY special dog who immediately touched the heart of everyone he met. There was something in his aura .... and maybe his tongue hanging so loosely from his toothless jaw ... that put a smile on any face. Through AADR I have made umpteen new friends all over the country ... thank you all for your endless devotion to rescue! Marty, you are and will be missed, but your legacy lives on ... God Bless you, Marty ... rest in peace. Meg

JUNIOR4 06-15-12
RIP JUNIOR I'm so sorry we could not save you, know that you were loved to the end and you'll never be forgotten, foster mom Diane

BITSY 06-14-12
RIP SWEET SWEET BITSY Our little foster girl, Bitsy, passed away last night. It was very sudden and the vet feels that it may have been a heart attack. We were all out in the yard and it happened so quickly. I think the grass was her favorite place to be. My dogs would be doing all of the smelling and Bitsy would find a warm spot in the sun and plop down. She loved to have her belly rubbed and always had the cutest little smile.