🤔 Would you choose a pet based on the breed?
“There's so much love and care that people have for their pets, and I never really got it until I got Beans. I was always like, ‘Why are people so obsessed with their dogs?’ They're cute, but it's just because I had never had that experience growing up…
But I totally see it now.”
When you grow up around loving pets, it’s easy to want them in your life as an adult. After all, life would be incomplete without them!
But what if your experience with pets as a child was less than ideal? Would that leave a lasting impression and deter you from them later in life?
When Callie Chambers–media guru, pawblicist, and ween mom of two–was young, she begged for a pet to call her own. As a middle child with five other siblings, her parents lovingly joked, “We don’t need another kid.”
After a little convincing, she finally got her wish… And ended up with pets who wanted nothing to do with her.
Instead of writing off pets altogether, she was determined to feel the love only they can give.
Now, with Beans and Rooney, she finally gets it.
Becoming a wiener dog mom
"My best friend Ellie grew up with a wiener dog family and I would talk to her all the time about her animals. I also got to hang out with her mom's wiener dogs and would think, ‘These guys are so funny. I would totally want one for myself.’”
As a young adult, it was clear to Callie that people all around her were having positive interactions with their pets… Something she didn’t believe was possible for her.
The hamster she convinced her mother to get her wanted nothing to do with her. The bunny she got after spooked during a thunderstorm and died. And the next bunny was so cute, but hated people.
“I don't know what it was about me not being able to find a small animal that loved me. I was like, ‘Am I just getting the wrong ones? Is it me?’”
But still, something inside her knew there was a special kind of companionship we get from pets.
After a few moves and finally settling down for a bit, Callie knew she needed to get a dog. And right away, she knew she wanted a Dachshund–just like the ones she had met through Ellie.
For her first, Ellie’s mom recommended a breeder. Showing her photos of a current litter, Callie noticed a spotted puppy right away. She knew that would be her Beans.
Not even two years later, she came across a Dachshund rescue that had just taken in an abandoned pregnant breeder dog.
Inquiries for the new puppies came flooding in, but many just expressed interest in having a cute puppy.
“I was one of the very few that explained, ‘Here's me and here's Beans and I would love a brother for him. I have ramps in the house and baby locks on things and I know how to take care of their long backs. I've done a lot of research. They were like, ‘Thank you. You were one of the few that did that.’”
The desire to do it right
Before getting Beans, Callie had never had a dog. Not only did she want to feel prepared, but she wanted to make sure she knew how to take care of Dachshunds specifically.
“It was very much like my inner child was just geeking out. ‘Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm a dog mom. You’re mine and I’m responsible for your life!’
I did a lot of research beforehand. What's the best way to pick them up? What do they need to have for ramps?”
Researching the breed helped Callie feel confident she could give her new dog (and his future brother) the best care possible.
She learned about their unique quirks and needs, and even had a custom ramp built to fit perfectly with her bed.
When she introduced Rooney into the home, she was prepared to give them time to meet… But they immediately started playing, running after each other, and playing tug of war together.
“I always wanted to see Beans playing with his tuggies with another dog, and to see him finally do it, I was like, ‘Oh my god, it's happening. It's so sweet.’”
Pet parenthood definitely came with its challenges too though, many of which she never would’ve thought to even prepare for.
When she first got Beans, he came with a nasty parasite, giardia. Being a rambunctious little puppy, he kept reinfecting himself too. The tummy troubles were uncomfortable and frustrating.
The whole process is part of why Callie decided the breeder route wouldn’t be for her anymore.
When she got Rooney, however, he came with his own set of unexpected issues. Being from a rescue, he was neutered before he went home. He was only three months old.
Neutering him that early may have stunted some of his growth and may have led to his tendency to be an anxious boy.
All things considered, her dogs are now quite healthy and being committed to their happiness and well-being, Callie continues to improve their care.
Lately, she’s been introducing more opportunities for mental stimulation with things like snuffle mats, puzzle toys, and even little DIY activities to keep them busy.
And while she’s looking into scent training to tap into their Dachshund instincts…
The training she already does with them at home has shown her how loving her dogs really are.
Strengthening their bond with special moments together
“They're so eager to learn new things and they get so excited when they get it right... It's so cute. They don't even need a treat. They accept positive reinforcement after learning a new trick and just love to get love from us.”
As Callie spends more time with her dogs, she’s seen how even simple everyday things help solidify the connection she feels with them.
She loves teaching them tricks, using “chassé” and “meerkat” as verbal cues for fun movements like spinning or standing on hind legs, and “whisper” for a quiet little bark.
Every time they complete a command, she showers the dogs with love and affection which, for them, is arguably more exciting than a treat.
They also get to join her for adventures, no matter how big or small.
Whether it’s a trip to get a pup cup, an evening out at a dog-friendly restaurant patio, or a cross-country journey to explore new beaches and waterfalls along the west coast, Beans and Rooney love spending time in the car with their humans.
When at home, daily walks are also the perfect moment to connect. While Rooney walks with Callie, Beans walks with her partner, Gavin.
Beans loves to walk right next to him, constantly looking up as if to say, “Yup, I’m walking with Dad!”
And when it’s time to relax, the dogs know exactly where they want to be.
Rooney, being a physical touch, Velcro kind of dog, will crawl up his human of choice and put his paws on either side of their neck to give a literal hug. He might sneak kisses too.
Beans will paw at Callie’s legs when he wants to snuggle, then will squeeze right between them so he’s perfectly close.
Beans and Rooney even love each other, with Beans taking the big brother role to groom and clean his little brother before they snuggle together.
When it’s cold, they’ll even gladly accept special wiener-dog sweatshirts from their humans to help seal in the warmth.
(Beans is trying his hand, well, paw, at being a dog-fluencer! His favorite hoodies are 10% off with BEANS10)
To Callie, it’s clear that these boys have completed their little family and have filled everyday moments with so much love.
Her childhood dreams come true
“They've shown me that their unconditional love is just that–We are the most important people in their life and they would do anything to make us happy. And as an already highly sensitive and empathetic person, that has made my squishy heart even squishier.”
Over time, Beans and Rooney have helped heal Callie’s inner child that didn’t get to experience a positive connection with pets.
What started as a deep longing for that special bond turned into her new reality, and it’s something she’s grateful for every day.
To her, these dogs are her children, giving her an outlet for love and affection, and getting it right back in return, unconditionally.
And to see how they interact with each other fills her heart with so much happiness and joy that they get to experience that closeness with another dog too.
Now, she gets to spend her days just as she imagined as a child.
When you have a special bond with your pet, you’ll do everything in your power to give them the best life possible.
But if you had to step away for a few days, would someone know exactly what to do to keep them happy and safe?
If something happened, could someone confidently step in and take your place?
Putting a Cotl plan in place ensures your pet is taken care of, just the way they’re used to, no matter what.
Discover how the process works or book a call directly with Sean, our founder and CEO, to see what a plan could look like for you.
