COVER STORY
FALLING IN
LOVE CONTEST WINNERS Cover Winners Sammy & Husker Submitted by: Julie Siebler See more LOVE stories online: www.PAEMagazine.com
Photography by Mona K Photography
&Husker
Sammy
Sammy and Angel were born into the Nebraska Dachshund Rescue organization at my home on December 21, 2009. Their mama, Halo, was about to be put down by the breeder. The breeder took Halo to the local shelter to have her put her down. I told the shelter that I would take Halo into my home, as all of our foster homes were full. Halo came to my house scared and nervous. After a couple of days, she would roll over and want me to rub her belly. I thought, “What a plump little gal!” Well, her plumpness continued to get plumper and I knew that I was going to have “puppy time!” Finally, Halo started having contractions. At 9:00 pm, Angel was born. Halo started licking on Angel and Angel would let out little squeaks of life. It was just precious. Then at 10:09, Sammy was born. Sammy was a bit more difficult for Halo to push out. His chocolate colored fur was so pretty. They were truly Christmas miracles. Today, he is a busy, happy boy with his other 3 dachshund siblings. He is my “heart dog”. He is staying here with me. As for Halo, she is living and loving the diva high life with her family in Omaha and other dachshund sisters; and Angel is spoiled and loved by her family in Omaha and her other canine siblings. We have even had “reunions” with Mama Halo, Angel and Sammy. Their lives are for living and their love is for us. 6 | pet & ANIMAL enthusiast
Husker, named for his Red and White colors, is an adorable and sweet piebald boy. One day as I was scrolling through all of the dachshunds available at HUA in Auburn, NE, I saw his picture. He had just been rescued from his prior existence in an Arkansas Puppy Mill. I came to learn that Husker lived in an abandoned hog confinement in Arkansas. Fortunately, he came into the caring hands of Hearts United for Animals in the fall of 2006. I saw his picture and had to call them. When I got him home he ran into corners of the house and tried to hide; he did not know how to act with the open space of the home. This behavior went on for about 2 months; finally I was able to pick him up. After several months, I was able to earn his trust—on his terms. He began to play like a puppy; he loved being outside in the yard and on the grass. He learned that sleeping in a bed and under the covers is the way to sleep at night. Not on the steel grate of a hog stall. Husker is a dachshund, a loyal and protective companion. He is a playmate with my other dachshunds. He is sensitive and he is confident. He is loved. Husker is not scared anymore. He is my boy; he is my joy. He will never be hurt or confined again. He is happy; he is free. He is my Valentine.”