I Choose Treats, Always

Hi folks!

My name is Millie, and I'm a nine-year-old miniature dachshund who was rescued three years ago. Like my mom, I'm a huge lover of the spooky season—running after squirrels, rolling in dried leaves, getting spoiled with treats, and of course, watching scary movies curled up on the couch. I couldn't wait to celebrate Halloween this year, because I wasn't always physically able to. Life hasn't always been easy-peasy.

The truth is, I've gone through some pretty tough times. Before finding my forever-home, I was terribly sick and had to undergo surgery, not knowing if I would make it out with a good prognosis. Well, I did! But even after my diagnosis was clear and I had fully recovered, a new challenge showed its nasty little snout, blindsiding both me and my mom into a year of stress and pain no one could've seen coming.

The nemesis of all Dachshunds.

Herniated discs.

It took me nine months to get back on my feet, and let me tell you, the journey was incredibly hard. Nine months, during which I had two specialized spine surgeries for two different herniated disc episodes, weeks of physical therapy to condition my legs into working again, and dozens of acupuncture sessions. All of which with absolutely no guarantee that I would get back to a normal life, or that a third episode wouldn't happen again in the near future.

Although mom and I still don't know what the future holds, we take it day by day, and enjoy every moment together as much as we can. So, this year, we decided I deserved to celebrate. I well-earned the right to indulge and make this Halloween one to remember!

Trick-or-treating

After an early supper, we headed outside for the daily walk in our lovely neighborhood, filled with other four-legged furry friends like me. This time, though, I slipped into my costume in preparation for trick-or-treating—I share some similarities with bats, so much so that mom firmly believes I was one in a previous life. It must be the coat color, the wide shiny eyes and the black humid nose, right? Not to mention our shared love of fruits.

Well, today I decided to embrace that resemblance and transform into my winged kin, if only for an evening. Uncanny, if you ask me.

Party preparations

With our bags stuffed with peanut butter cookies, chicken-flavored treats and bites of apples, it was time to head to the store in preparation for the Halloween party thrown at our house after nightfall. I figured this was the perfect opportunity to test out my acting skills and finally make use of the wig that had been collecting dust in my toy basket. The cashier gave me a dirty look when when walked up to the register with two bottles of grown-up juice—I worried he was going to ask for my ID—but then I demanded to see the manager, and bam, I had him wrapped around my finger. Just like that.

Maybe I'm meant for Hollywood.

Crank up the music!

Hoomans, some of my younger brother's cat friends, other canine pals—everyone turned up for the party and made it a massive Halloween success! I tossed both my wings and my wig for those wee hours of the night, changing into something a little more festive: my bunny ears. I ought to give credit where credit is due and thank mom for this one, she always calls me bunny.

I do look pretty cute though, don't I?

Sleepy time

Oof, Halloween sure is exhausting! I volunteered to lick plates clean, but sorry mom, I'll have to leave the rest of the cleaning up to you. Time for bed—this Miniature Dachshund needs its beauty sleep, after all.

Good night party people, and Happy Halloween!

So comfortable, I'm definitely wearing this again.

Now I'm ready for the holiday season—Christmas, here I come!