A real dwarf?

As you can see, Dharma is well-qualified to play the Seven Dwarfs. Here she is, being "dwarfed" by the tulips. (This was taken last spring. This spring, there are tulips but Dharma would need a little raft to sit in front of them.)

Dwarf Doxie

In fact, dachshunds are dwarfs. Their little short legs are caused by a genetic mutation very similar to one that can cause dwarfism in humans. Corgis and bassets are also affected. It only affects the long bones, so the torso develops normally, only the legs (and the feet) are short and curved. It might look silly, but it is very handy for fitting down rabbit holes!

Oddly, dachshunds don't often have leg problems, but they are prone to back problems. This difficulty seems to be caused by selective breeding for the longest possible torso. The ribcage in doxies is so long that it holds most of the back rigid, protecting those vertebrae. But that leaves only a small area of flexibility in between the ribs and the pelvis. Those vertebrae take a lot of stress. I wonder if studying doxie backs could help us treat lower back pain in humans?

In case you were wondering, our hard-working model celebrated Easter by hunting plastic eggs filled with dog treats. We had to hunt in the house, since it was raining. She is very good at it, and she can pop those eggs open in nothing flat. This picture was taken last year, when it was warm and sunny.

Alas, the Snow White series is finished. What would you like to see next? The months of the year? The Seven Deadly Sins? Mythological figures? American history?