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Marlin Spellman, of Lakewood, sets sail for Put-in-Bay with his furry best friend, Hans, a wire-haired dachshund whom he adopted nearly three years ago.
LAKEWOOD, Ohio - This is a picture of my rescued wire-haired dachshund, Hans, and me. I got him from a rescuer in Virginia at the North East Ohio Dachsund Picnic three years ago this in July. Yes, he is wire haired. Most people have no idea that this is one of the breeds of dachshunds. They think they are the short-haired or the long-haired.
When I got him from the rescuer at 1 year of age, he was totally house trained, loved to get baths and have his hair cut. Being bred as a German hunting dog always rooting and rolling I made sure he had the German name of Hans. Oh, a mini-wire-haired can start at $1,000. I got Hans from the rescuer for $250.
Here he and I were on a trip to Put-in-Bay last summer on the ferry out of Catawba Island; he is the love of everyone. He has a brother who is black and beige and is in Guatemala with a lady who lived in Tremont and retired there. Hans is a lot prettier, but I am not biased at all.
He is my pride and joy; and, of course, has unconditional love for me. With my entire funeral planned, if he goes before me his ashes will be buried with me in my casket; if he goes after me his ashes will then be sprinkled on my grave. Hope to be able soon to have his picture put into an oval frame attached to my headstone. The obit will say he survives me or if not he preceded me in death; if he survives me, he will definitely be at my funeral.
Of course, just like many rescued animals or those bought at a pet store, he suffers from attachment disorder -- meaning he never wants to be away from me.
Marlin J. Spellman
Lakewood
Do you share your life with an animal that is near and dear to you? Tell us something about your pet - all species are welcome - and send along a photo of the two of you. Be sure to tell us which community you live in. Send everything to Linda Kinsey at [email protected].