We've been featuring the dachshund puppy cam on the front page, and in fact every page of our website. I asked the proud puppy cam host and owner of the dogs, known to us as "maggiebabies", if she would answer a few questions. I was delighted that she agreed! So here is the interview which will give you some insight into what it's like to have dachshund puppies and then experience the goodness and sometimes the sadness that follows, all the while being in the public eye 24 hours a day.
Tell us about yourself.
I am first and foremost a wife and mother, then a big doxie lover! My husband and I have been married for nearly 25 years and have three beautiful daughters and a son-in law. Our oldest daughter is a registered nurse in a birthing center and our son-in-law is in law enforcement. Our second oldest is in college, and our youngest is still in high school. I work in the healthcare field and have my entire adult life. I have a wonderful extended family and enjoy spending time with family and friends.
I became a lover of dachshunds in 2004 when we got our first 6-month old long-haired black and tan dachshund, Roxi! She melted my heart and I have been in love with dachshunds since.
Before this began, how many dogs did you have and what are their names?
We have three dogs:
Maggie is a one-and-a-half year old long-haired piebald dachshund.
Gracie is our 4-month old long-haired red doxie. We got Gracie after we had to put our other dachshund, Roxi, to sleep in September.
Our third dog is Cotton, a yellow lab. She is an outside dog and loves to swim and fetch water toys.
How did you decide to have puppies?
We had bred our other dachshund, Roxi, one time several years ago and really enjoyed the babies. Maggie just has such a great disposition and we knew some people who wanted a “Maggie dog” so we decided to breed her. We just love dachshunds and wanted to enjoy babies and then share that with others we know.
Who is the father, how did you arrange (or not arrange) to breed your dog?
The puppies’ daddy, Moosie, belongs to some people we know. They are both school teachers here and we know their family. We wanted to breed Maggie with a piebald dachshund so we would be guaranteed a litter of piebalds, and the puppy daddy’s family wanted a puppy like Moosie to give to a family member.
What gave you the idea to put video of the birth and puppies online? Was the Shiba Inu puppy cam an influence?
The Shiba puppies were the influence. A friend at work introduced me to the puppies as she knew all about Maggie being pregnant. I fell in love with the Shibas and witnessed the joy they brought to others. I decided to share our love for dachshunds with others. Puppies are just so adorable they deserve to be shared.
What was the birth process like?
I was a nervous wreck. I had read everything I could get my hands on during Maggie’s pregnancy because our little Roxi had to have an emergency c-section in the middle of the night. I just wanted to make sure I knew everything possible so Maggie and the babies would be happy and healthy and we would have a safe delivery. I even planned a week of vacation after Thanksgiving because I did not want to take a chance that Maggie might go into labor while I was at work.
How and when did the c-section occur?
The c-section occurred about 5 hours the first puppy, Belle, was born. Maggie had the first two puppies within 10 minutes – Belle then Bentley. An hour and a half went by before Lily Rose was born. I could still see that at least one more puppy was in there. After 2 hours went by and Maggie was resting and exhausted, I called my vet and he said to bring her on out. He tried to induce her with oxytocin but it didn’t work. We had a c-section and I chose to have Maggie spayed at that time. There was only one more puppy in there, a little boy that looked just like Maggie, but he didn’t survive longer than about 90 minutes. They tried to save him but he was a “stressed little puppy.” He is buried down by the lake with Roxi.
Do you already have homes for the puppies? Are you keeping any?
We are not planning to keep any of the puppies. They all three have very good homes and will be with people we know. Since they will be close by we will be able to keep tabs on them, know how they are doing, and watch them grow. However, we will be keeping close tabs on Lily Rose and are unsure right now about whether she will go to anyone outside of the family.
How has having the camera running 24/7 affected your life?
Just making sure the camera is at the right angle, the light is on so the puppies can be shared, and taking time out to chat with others has taken time. But… it has been worth it.
Have you been contacted by a lot of people who watch the puppies to wish you well?
Absolutely! Especially little Lily Rose; it’s like she has her own “fan club.”
Have you received any negative feedback?
The only thing that was a learning lesson for me was the “trolls” and “spammers” in the chat room. The best thing I did was ask "miamipuppyluv", who checks on Maggie often, to be a moderator and help ban those trolls and spammers from the chat room. I was shocked at how cruel some people can be. I had never even participated in a chat room discussion before these puppies were born. I feel hopeful that we will be able to keep the chat room going throughout this experience.
One negative “chatter” remarked that we were putting our puppies on there so we could sell them for $5,000 each. That is so not true. I doubt that we break even with vet bills from the c-section, etc. and I don’t care. My primary focus is the happiness and health of these babies and Maggie. I despise puppy mills and breeders who only care about making money by breeding animals. There are a lot of awesome, reputable breeders. Although I am not a breeder, I firmly believe that no breeder should be ashamed to show you, on camera or off, where those puppies have been raised since birth.
Would you do it again?
Probably, as long as this continues to be a positive experience.
Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, just know that it is a commitment.