A Dachshund Went Looking in the Knitting Basket and Got Wrapped Up

Noodle the Dachshund was only trying to investigate the knitting basket. Now he is wrapped in cream-colored yarn from his ears to his tail, his chocolate-brown face peering out from the loops with huge, startled eyes. The wicker basket lies on its side with balls of pink and white yarn rolling across the floor, and a trail of string stretches behind him all the way across the room.

Dachshunds were originally bred to follow badgers into their burrows, and that long, low shape still makes them agile explorers. They are curious, brave and often stubborn, and they love to dig, burrow and wriggle into tight places. A basket of soft yarn is a perfect nest. Dachshunds also have long backs, so it is best to avoid having them jump from high furniture, and to talk to your vet about back care.

Yarn is a classic hazard. Swallowed string or thread can cause serious intestinal trouble, and it is an emergency if a dog or cat has eaten some. If you notice any dangling from your pet's mouth, do not pull it, and call your vet right away. Keep craft supplies in a closed bin or on a high shelf.

Noodle holds perfectly still in his woolly tangle, as if the yarn were a new fashionable coat he never asked for. Somehow, he still looks very proud.