Special Needs: April 07 - Tested positive for Heartworms. In response to an e-mail inquiry about how this will affect Madison, Judy replied: "Hi, Madison is a love, playful, loving , runs like a greyhound, settles down and loves to have her belly rubbed. She is being fixed Wed. and treated for heartworms. This is caused by not giving monthly heartguard pills and being bitten by an infected mosquito. She will have to stay quite for 8 weeks NO RUNNING AROUND OR GETTING OVERLY EXCITED, after that she will be fine and takes heartguard pills every month. She is to dye for . Judy Sadly, many people are unaware that ALL dogs in our area need to take a monthy heartworm pill to prevent infection. Please make sure that yours do!

Description:
Madison is a precious 2 year old Dachshund mix. She may be little but she runs like lightening! She loves to play with other dogs too. Unfortunately, like alot of Florida dogs, she has tested positive for heartworms and needs treatment. Would you consider sponsoring her to help offset the cost? Read about sponsorship in our Information section. We thank you and Madison thanks you! We expect her to be available for adoption starting Friday, May 11th.

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Dachshund (pronounced dak sund) originated in Germany many hundreds of years ago. "Dachs" is the word for badger. The Dachshund was bred to hunt and follow these animals to earth, gradually becoming highly evolved, with shortened legs to dig the prey out and go down inside the burrows. Smaller Dachshunds where bred to hunt hare and stoat. Dachshunds have many "terrier" characteristics. They are versatile and courageous dogs and have been known to take on foxes and otters, besides badgers. Lively and affectionate; proud and bold, almost rash. Tenacious. Can be willful and clownish. Curious and mischievous, they are very clever and may attempt to train the owner rather than allow the opposite. Devoted to his family, some fanciers feel the long-haired variety is calmer than the other two types. The wire-haired variety is more outgoing and clown-like. All are slightly difficult to train. Dachshunds are good dogs to travel with. They are best with older, considerate children and are moderately protective. These little dogs like to bark (their barks are surprisingly loud for their size) and are compulsive diggers. They are generally okay with other pets, however, they can be jealous, irritable, obstinate and very quick to bite. Sometimes they will refuse to be handled. They should not be over fed, for this breed tends to gain weight quickly. They have a life expectancy of 12-15 years.