Living In Doodledom, Part 2
(Published February, 2002)

If any of you thought our function here was all about dachshunds, we’ve got news for you: think again. Oh sure, pretty much everything on the site has to do with dachshunds (although how our webmaster, who loves to celebrate anniversaries – especially centennials – finds a dachshund connection to some of his stories, I’ll never know) from the photos to the stories to the items we sell. That’s just a front. Our marquee. Our sales niche. A subterfuge for what it’s really all about around here.

Oh, it used to be all about dachshunds. There used to be no question about who was top dog (Grandma Peewee) and who should just “toe-the-line” (everyone else). It used to be that everything on our site and on our shelves (and, basically, in our lives) was for and about dachshunds … that is until February 17, 2000, the day officially recognized around here as Doodle Day. That’s the day Greta and Garbo came into being and ever since that day it has been unquestionably All About Doodles. (If you are unfamiliar with who The Doodles are and how they came into our lives, please read Part 1 of Living in Doodledom. )

Living with Doodles is similar to a successful marketing campaign where the product is interwoven into our very speech and lifestyle … like TV sitcoms, pop songs, films, or product whose language, lyrics, phrases, style, or fashion become part of modern culture (“May the Force be with you”; “Show me the money”, Kleenex, Xerox, Velcro). Here in Doodleland, we have a language and a certain way of doing things that is “Doodle-ized.”

For the benefit of those of you whom have not had the privilege of visiting Doodledom (or having them visit you): I present to you a brief course in Doodle-Speak.

Doodle Breakfast, Doodle Lunch, Doodle Dinner : basically any meal of the day (theirs and yours – a bite for you, a bite for them …).

Doodle Break : Taking a break from work to play with Doodles

Doodle Nap : Taking an extended break with Doodles

Toast (Is it time for toast? Are we ready to go for toast?): Getting in the car and driving to the local Dairy Queen to sit at an outdoor table and share DQ’s chicken planks basket which comes with a slice of buttered toast. Greta inspired this being called “toast” because she was most certain that every person who walked passed our table was after her toast … and she informed them that they were not invited to share.

PEZ Puppies : Dogs (i.e., Doodles) who know how to take a piece of PEZ candy from the PEZ dispenser by themselves.

Perky Pickle : The name given to the dance Greta does (standing on her head, rubbing her face into rug or bedding while digging furiously with her front paws). Inspired by her reaction to tasting the juice from a “Perky Pickle” … the name of a local pickle farm’s horseradish pickles.

Hoops : The Doodles’ learned trick of jumping through a hula hoop.

The Garbo Walk : Garbo’s skill of walking upright on her back legs without assistance. She will traverse the length of the room for a treat held out in front of her.

Garbo-Did-Business-Outside-Treat : The treat given to Greta because her sister did “business” outside. (Of course Garbo gets one first).

Greta-Did-Business-Outside-Treat : The treats given to everyone because Greta did her “business” outside. A rare occurrence.

Hair Pretties : The hair scrunchies that their Aunt Helene (our harness seamstress) wears in her hair. The first priority of the morning is to strip her of any and all Hair Pretties and then parade around the shop with their trophies.

Pink Poodle : Greta’s personal Ty Beanie Baby. Her “doll” to remind her of half her ancestry (red poodle).

I’m Lookin’ : What one tells Greta when she is in someone else’s lap telling a woeful story. This acknowledges understanding of her plight.

Diddle Duty : Garbo’s new mission in life. Administering discipline and keeping guard over the newest member of Dachshund Delights: Katie Diddle. (She’s not a genuine Doodle, so she has to be a Diddle.)

Calling Uncle Jerry : What Greta begs to do when no one else understands her plight.

Working for Doodles : What we all do here and what you support when you buy from us.