Jake doesn't think he is an old man.

Jake is 12 or 13 today, which makes him in his 60s if he were human.

Our dachshund owners group had its monthly meet-up yesterday, and we brought a cake. Jake did get a few bites of the white cake—no icing—and he liked it and being with more than three dozen wiener dogs, and a handful of honorary dachshunds, such as Hope. Windy was more of the social butterfly.

Jake is in great shape. He loves walks, gets excited when you come home, is enthusiastic with toys and knows how to demand what he wants.

The only medical issue we had with him was a benign tumor on his right flank a few years ago. The incision from the side looked like a magician had sawed him in half. He has a long scar still.

We are blessed with Jake’s good health. In the past we have had furkids with diabetes (We gave insulin shots twice a day), Cushing’s Syndrome, a brain tumor, incontinence, blindness, allergies and kidney disease. With good nutrition, exercise, love and regular vet visits, Jake should be around for quite a while longer.