Although this looks like just another Dachshund sunning himself, there's a little more significance to this photo. That's blind Willy, who came to us last November after several twists and turns along the way. Willy is kind of an odd duck, a little fellow who keeps to himself and lives in his own world. He's formed an attachment with Alayne, but otherwise that's about the only connection he's made. We wonder if he doesn't have a canine version of autism, because he just doesn't interact like a typical dog. (And most disabled dogs, even blind-and-deaf ones, interact like non-disabled ones.) He's fine with the other dogs, but it's because he ignores them, as if they aren't even there.
When we put Willy out in the yard, he spends hours just zooming around, in constant motion, heading one way and then suddenly switching direction. What is driving his erratic navigation we're not sure, though presumably sometimes it must be smells. It took months before he finally ventured up the ramp and onto the front porch, though he rarely stays there. He's much more likely to be on "cruise control" in the yard, going back and forth across the grass.
Thus it's a rare moment when he finally just stops to lie down and enjoy the warm sunshine. I was putting other dogs out the other morning and noticed him lying there next to the gate. He had one ear back, in that Dachshund way, and was clearly enjoying the moment. But once he heard me out there, after I had taken a couple of photos, he was up and going again.
"To each his own," as the saying goes. Willy seems to be in his groove here, and though his social universe is much more limited than the one the other dogs enjoy, it's of his own choosing. So all we can do is provide a supportive, loving environment and see if, over time, he's willing or able to engage more.
Rolling Dog Farm Blog 
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