Toothless Hank and the Rawhide Chew

Hank guarding his rawhide chew from Hercules

It’s no secret that dachshunds are prone to dental problems, and Hank is no exception.

At age 13, despite all our efforts, ol’ Hank only has about half a mouthful of teeth these days. (It probably doesn’t help that Hercules the puppy keeps eating the dog toothbrushes.)

Still, Hank’s a dachshund, so he’s as stubborn as they come and isn’t about so let some young whipper-snapper snag his rawhide chew.

Hank actually has a novel solution to the no-teeth-can’t-chew-hard-food problem. Once Hercules has given up on trying to take Hank’s and wanders off to eat his own rawhide, Hank sneaks off to the front yard with his.

There, away from prying puppy eyes, Hank will bury his rawhide in some moist soil and let it sit for a couple days. Once it’s softened, Hank will dig it back up and enjoy gumming a nice, soil-conditioned soft and floppy rawhide.

I’m not really happy when he drags the dirty, half-chewed soggy rawhide on to the couch, but hey, that’s what couch covers are for.

Enjoy your rawhide, you old doxie, Hank!