Reason 5 of 10: The Sausage Dog Who Brought Me Back

Part of my series: Everyone Told Me to Delete TikTok. I Refused. Here Are 10 Reasons Why.

Here is a fun fact about me that nobody ever guesses — I am a dog judge.

I use it in those “two truths and a lie” moments at work because people never see it coming. But dogs have been close to my heart since I was 15 when we got our first Irish Setter.

When I got sick, a lot of things quietly fell away. Dog judging. Thinking about new breeds. The whole world that had always brought me so much joy. I just needed to get through each day — family, work, and not much else.

And then one morning I was scrolling TikTok and I found Nelson.

A miniature dachshund. Posting a day in my life as a sausage dog. Absolutely ridiculous. Completely irresistible. I showed my husband immediately. I told him I needed this dog in my life.

The more I watched Nelson, the more dachshunds filled my feed. And something quietly started coming back to life in me.

Then I went to Crufts. And I saw him — a stunning little Italian dachshund who came second in his category. I am not exaggerating when I say I heard a love song playing in my head when I laid eyes on him. I crouched down and spent a few minutes with him and I just knew.

I sent the show committee an email. Told them I was back.

In April I judged my first puppy show. And I am so glad I did.

Oh — and I am still waiting to hear from his Italian breeder about whether she will send me a puppy. Iceland’s quarantine rules are complicated. But fingers crossed.

Sometimes a silly TikTok video about a sausage dog is actually about finding your way back to yourself.

Next week: Reason 6 of 10.

#Dogs #Dachshund #Crufts #IrishSetter #DogJudge #TikTok #10ThingsILearnedofTikTok