Matti
(Published May, 2002)

She goes by a variety of names: Matti, Matti-Puppy, Matti-Rag, Matti-You-Little-Bitch. But one of the names designates her primary role here at Dachshund Delights: Matti-Mom. Even though only one of the other six dachsies is her offspring, she is without a doubt the Matriarch of the bunch.

She is the Caretaker, the Groomer, the Disciplinarian, the Enforcer.

Mother to Rhett (and also to our beloved Stubby), mate to Oliver, she rules the roost with a firm but gentle paw. And so with the celebration of Mother's Day this month, we shine the spotlight on Matti.

Her name is short for Magic Manhattan – one of our favorite cities to visit. Just as Manhattan is a city of many faces, Matti is a dachsie of many characters. Her playful nature, animated expressions and vocalizations earned her the Matti-Puppy name. Even though she will be 13 this September, we still call her frequently by Matti-Puppy.

Matti-Rag is descriptive of her appearance. Her unkempt ears defy grooming attempts. Her tail is a veritable broom, bringing in treasures from the outdoors as well as picking up small bits of debris about the floor. Her frog-like posture (with back legs spayed out) aids her rhythmic belly-rubs on the carpet.

Matti-You-Little-Bitch is frequently the name yelled out in exasperation at any one of a number of devilish behaviors: getting into the cat litter, chasing the cats, chasing the cats into the woods with a pitch that summons emergency crews, barking, barking at nothing, barking and inciting a riot among the rest of the pack, screaming and barking at another dog that would dare to be in the same neighborhood as our walk, not coming when called, coming close enough to tease you and then running the other way, not coming inside when called from the outdoor kennel and making you walk out in your robe and slippers (or sometimes nothing at all) to bring her in, not coming for breakfast call, not coming for dinner call, running upstairs when called to be put to bed (in her crate), peeing in the house after just coming in from outside, pooping in the house after being outside… we'll stop here – no sense in giving you the wrong impression.

But it is Matti-Mom that truly describes her best. Each of the other six has had his or her turn in Matti's grooming chair as she meticulously washes their faces and ears. Any sore or wound is licked back to health. A new puppy is pampered and played with. The older ones soothed by her gentle caresses. But just like a mom, don't rub her the wrong way. The others know that if she has a treat or bone, they had better take heed of her warning growl. And don't think about getting into a tussle with her. She will set you straight about that thought in an instant. In a squabble with one of the others? You'll soon be worrying more about Matti getting into the middle to settle it.

But, it's all part of being a mom – a Matti-Mom.