I know...we're supposed to write about our own dachshunds on this blog but I just couldn't resist.

Adopting Calvin a mere thirty minutes before my friend Kimberly adopted his brother Tofu has created a long-running partnership in crime against all difficult dachshund traits. We've talked each other through potty training, food allergies, and so much more. It was only natural this relationship would extend into puppy-sitting duties.

Over the past few months, we've enjoyed Tofu's company for longer stints than we had before and it has been lovely. Considering it takes him a day or two to get settled, it's nice to have him for a full week to let him have a bit of a doggy vacation with his brothers and the fenced in yard.

This past week I had a breakthrough. I always knew Tofu behaved a bit differently than Calvin and Theo but I could never put my finger on exactly what was going on...

Tofu is an extremely deliberate cuddler.

While my boys are happy to contort around my limbs in any manner as long as they're pressed firmly against me, Tofu will not settle for just any old snuggle. Oh no. Big T will go in for attempt number one - pawing his way from one side to another, snouting arms and legs into the right position, and curling into what you'd think would be his makeshift nap position.

But oh no.

He might try it for a few minutes but he'll quickly realize that it isn't exactly how he had envisioned it, get up, jump off the couch, run around to the other side, jump back up and start the process all over again. His way of saying, "Okay...I see where you were going with that but let's try a little something more like this...."

I never got it right with less than three attempts. I guess that's just him reminding me that I'm alright to hang with once in a while but he knows damn straight who his real parents are.

Touché, Tofu. Touché...