Jake and Chester have become celebrities for their numerous photographs on Page 2A of The Gaston Gazette over the years.
Several readers have asked to know more about the adorable dachshunds so we asked their owner Susan Mauney to give us the low down on her pets. Here’s what she had to say:
Where do Jake and Chester come from?
Jake and Chester will turn 4 in August and yes they are out of the same litter.
I got them from Stephanie Wright from Lion's Gate Dachshunds in Fletcher. She only raises dachshunds.
How do you tell them apart?
Chester is my bigger boy and has bigger ears than Jake, which I also call Baby Jake because he is so much smaller.
Do they like each other? Yes, they love each other. Chester will always kiss Jake in the morning and they still like to snuggle in bed together even though they have seperate beds. They never fight but Chester does enjoy taking Jake's toys away from him when playing. They have been together since birth.
I got them when they were six weeks old and only have been apart from one or another for a few hours and that's only when one had to go to the vet and the other did not. They worry if one is not around.
They are both loving and sweet but Chester, even though he is my bigger boy, is shy with strangers at first but warms up to you fast. Jake doesn't meet a stranger. They can be shy around bigger dogs too, since they were scared by a few when they were puppies.
Do they like dressing up?
I have been dressing the boys up since they were 6 weeks old and they love it.
They know what a camera is. I will say "who wants to try on a sweater, coat or collar etc." and they start wagging their tails and jumping up and down to say let me try it on first and they get excited when I say "want to get your picture taken?”
What’s their favorite holiday?
I think their favorite holiday is Christmas. They always get their picture made with Santa Claus (a real one) and then I always take them several times to see the Christmas lights at McAdenville and then we always walk through them on one night as well.
While driving through their heads will be hanging out looking at the lights. On Christmas morning they will each find a stocking filled with toys and treats.
They make all the holidays fun.
What do they like to do most?
Their favorite pastime - chasing squirrels and cats in the neighborhood. (That is with them on a leash and me running with them.)
They love to go for rides and are great on family trips.
They also look forward to going to Happy Dog Cafe in Belmont for Yappy Hour on Saturday afternoons. Did I mention they like to howl too?
Susan Mauney lives and works in Gastonia. Photography is her hobby and she enjoys going on trips, especially to the beach. Jake & Chester are my "kids."
Want to share photographs or even a story about your pet or hobby? Send information to kellis@gastongazette.com.