Balzac - 'Nando'
4.11. 1995 - 15.11. 2002

In the autumn of -95 we were sitting in the kitchen when I happened to take a good look at Tiiti who had suddenly gained a lot of weight.. We joked that maybe she was pregnant, but that was supposedly impossible, as I had personally been in charge of keeping an eye on Tenna while Tiiti was on heat.. The next day we took her to the vet, thinking she was retaining water.

Of course the ultrasound revealed that she was in fact carrying four pups, due in about 3 weeks! So, we started to prepare for the arrival of the pups. The whole thing was my responsibility so the puppy pen was set up in my room. It wasn't an easy delivery: the contractions were weak, one pup got lodged n the birth canal and there was no milk until a quick stop at the vet solved the problem.

There were 3+1 pups which we named Banderas, Balzac, Bacchus and Boheme. Bacchus was to stay at home. Banderas and Boheme soon found homes but Balzac, whom I had begun calling Nando, was another matter. Whereas Bacchus was a fearless extrovert, little Nando was introverted, a timid, sensitive boy who liked to sit by himself and smell the flowers. He needed a peaceful, understanding home and was going to live with an elderly woman, but when she became ill Nando stayed with me.

Living in the city was very stressful for him and he turned into a fearbiter. With his own family he's always been very sweet and cuddly, but he's terrified of anything new and unexpected. Since we moved to the country he's found some sense of security but still needs lots of TLC. He prefers to eat, sleep and cuddle to anything else.

In 2002 Nando's temperamental diffuculties escalated steadily until finally he could no longer function with me or the pack. In past years he has been very sweet within the family but now bouts of rage and biting became every day occurences which affected the whole household. So the decision was made that November 15th was to be Nando's last day on earth, 10 days after his 7th birthday.

It was a terrible decision because physically he was perfectly healthy. Luckily we were able to make his last day a pleasant one and he had one of his rare good days as well, reminding me of why I loved him and why I had defended him for so many years. I cried hopelessly for a few days even though I knew I had made the only possible choice.

In my sentimentality I firmly believe that he is at the Rainbow bridge, healthy and happy and bold like any Dachshund should be, and that one day we will meet there again.

Jag älskar dej mest av allt i hela världen, lilla Nandobjörnen Fredriksson!