Roughly 113.9 million households have a pet in the U.S., according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Jennifer Watson, of Milledgeville, is one of them.
On April 11, pet owners, including Watson, will celebrate National Pet Day with their furry friends.
Recently, Watson sat down with this reporter to talk about Milly and Marley, her 5-year-old dachshunds.
Q: Tell me about your dachshunds.
Watson: I have two dachshunds, Milly and Marley. They were born in 2020 and were what we call “COVID puppies.”
Marley was just 3.3 pounds when we got her at seven weeks old and, Milly, from the same litter, was about 3 pounds.
They’ve been a part of our family ever since.
Q: How did Milly and Marley get their names?
Watson: Milly is named after Milledgeville, and Marley just seemed to go well with Milly. Since they’re sisters, we wanted names that complemented each other.
Q: What makes dachshunds unique compared to other breeds?
Watson: They love to burrow and will cover themselves in blankets to stay warm. They’re also natural hunters. Dachshunds were originally bred to hunt badgers, and you can still see that instinct in them today.
Besides that, they’re the most affectionate little dogs.
Q: What’s a typical day like for you and your dachshunds?
Watson: Milly is the queen bee – she needs belly rubs first thing in the morning and refuses to get out of bed until she gets them. Marley, on the other hand, is the alarm clock of the house, making sure everyone is up by 7 a.m. They go outside first thing, and then they wait by their bowl for treats.
They love to sleep on top of each other and have no concept of personal space.
Q: Do they have any favorite activities?
Watson: Marley could stay outside all day hunting around our three-acre lakefront property. She’s obsessed with chasing squirrels. Both of them love boat rides and sunbathing on the dock – truly living their best lives.
Q: What are their favorite treats?
Watson: They love dehydrated chicken and every morning they lick my yogurt bowl clean.
Q: What advice do you have for someone considering getting a dachshund?
Watson: They are the most loving dogs and absolute people lovers.
If you want a constant companion, a dachshund is perfect.
Q: What does National Pet Day mean to you?
Watson: (Our pets) give us so much love, and they deserve to be celebrated.
Q: How do you plan to celebrate with Milly and Marley?
Watson: Extra treats, of course, and they’ll be getting a doggie pedicure at the vet – time for a nail trim.
Q: Why do you think it’s important to appreciate and take care of pets?
Watson: Because they depend on us. They’re like babies. They love us unconditionally, and I truly believe they are God’s gift to us.
Q: Do your dachshunds have any funny quirks?
Watson: Milly always rolls over for belly rubs the second someone walks in the door. She has a unique little yip when she wants to go inside or outside. And she’s fearless – she once chased off a pit bull. Marley, on the other hand, has a routine where she lays on my chest every morning waiting for attention. But when it thunders or fireworks go off, she runs straight into the closet.
Q: Have they ever done something that completely surprised you?
Watson: Oh, absolutely. Just the other night, Marley was lying on the couch playing with what we all thought was a toy .
. . but it turned out to be a real-life chicken. No one expected her to bring a chicken inside from the yard.
Q: What’s the most special moment you share with your dogs?
Watson: Every morning, they sit with me while I drink my coffee. It’s our little ritual, and it’s the perfect way to start the day.