A Dachshund Puppy Kept His Santa Hat On by the Fireplace All Evening
Resting on a cream blanket in front of a stone fireplace, a dapple Dachshund puppy wears a red Santa hat that sits just above its long, soft ears. Its coat has a lovely mottled pattern of gray and tan, and its brown eyes look calmly into the room. Two stockings hang from a mantel draped with greenery, while a fire glows behind it. A chew toy, a mug, and a pair of reading glasses lie on the floor nearby.
Dachshunds were bred to hunt in burrows, so they have curious noses, brave hearts, and long backs. Their spines are delicate, so it helps to prevent jumping from furniture, use ramps if needed, and support the hindquarters when picking them up. Keeping a healthy weight is also important for their backs, and your vet can advise on what is right for your pup. Around a fireplace, always keep a protective screen in place, and never leave a puppy unsupervised near a fire or hot hearth.
This relaxed pup, whom we will call Frankie, seems entirely at ease. The hat is a little silly, the fire is warm, and the blanket is soft. It is hard to imagine a more peaceful way to spend a winter night, with nothing to chase and nowhere else to be. Dachshund puppies often fall asleep in exactly this pose, so the hat may stay on until the fire burns low.
