I was so excited to visit Germany – my ancestral homeland! Of course, “dachshund” meaning “badger dog” in German.
We first arrived in Frankfurt where we headed straight to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a picturesque little town featuring the iconic Bavarian wood framed houses.
It’s also renowned for the fact that it’s one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities.
Through the gates we go!
A little bit of light internet research told me that everyone here wears lederhosen, so that was the only type of clothes I packed.
Unfortunately, as it turns out, most people here wear regular clothes.
While tromping around town, we came across a local treat from the medieval time.
“So let me get this straight. These are balls, but are also treats?!”
“I’ll take all your treatballs please.”
It seems Mum ALWAYS has to have a photo with me every time we come across sunflowers…
*Sigh*
I guess there’s a reason why Rothenburg is on the ‘Romantic Road’.
We had to try some of the famous Bavarian cuisine, too, like this bratwurst, dumplings, and chanterelle mushrooms.
For such a meal as this I had to wear my best pair of lederhosen of course! This pair is an authentic pair that a fan actually sent to me, and which Dad modified to fit me.
I had to wash it down with a cool beer, although admittedly I may need a little help with this one!
That’s when my cell phone started ringing from somewhere deep in my lederhosen. I was looking everywhere for the pocket until I realized you have to undo the little flap in front!
It was a fan in Berlin calling, who was the editor for Fuhrstuckfen-sumthin… Essentially, Germany’s (and actually Europe’s) most-watched morning show. They wanted to fly me over to be on the show, which would also five me an opportunity to explore Berlin a bit!
So before I knew it, there I was, tromping around Berlin, a city so outlined in history that there’s literally a wall!
I didn’t understand what people found to be so fascinating about it, though. There’s plenty of graffiti I can show you back home, too.
For lunch I ordered the wiener schnitzel, of course thinking the word “wiener” would mean it would be some type of sausage.
Yet, it was completely flat, so by the process of deduction I therefore can only assume the word schnitzel must mean ‘flattened into a pancake‘.
With bellies full, we marched onward with our Berlin explorations, down tight sidewalks and busy street corners. Mum always made sure to keep me on a short leash, even picking me up when needed (so I didn’t get schnitzel’ed of course).
It was then that we hopped on the hop-on-hop-off bus to visit some of the most iconic spots in the city, where we soon found ourselves at the Brandonberg Gate!
Of course I needed a selfie for my Instagram!
That evening we learned about a special little pub to visit, called the Posh Teckel, an amazing, dachshund-friendly and dachshund-themed bar.
I met more than a few new friends there, including this cutie next to me! A few people speculated that it might be a doxie-nudie bar, since I was the only dog wearing clothes, but I think that’s just how people go to bars here..
While I sipped a few German brews with the pups, Mum and Dad got to taste the menu. No surprise, the dachshund theme didn’t fall short.
The French fries were shaped like dachshunds. Of course there were hot dogs. Delicious fried cheese (which I sampled), also cut out in dachshund shape. Even the ice cubes in their drinks were dachshunds!
They even had a custom dachshund disco ball for their music nights!
Hey, if you choose a theme, roll with it!
The next morning, I was live on air for all of Germany and much of Europe to see. The interview was in German, but luckily “barking” sounds the same in any language.
Then it was off to Stuttgart to spend the rest of our stay in Baden Baden of the renowned Black Forest!
Here I am perfectly camouflaged as a black dog in the Black Forest!
The squirrels here don’t stand a chance!
Baden Baden is renowned as being an aristocratic getaway for the rich and famous. It feels a little “pretentious” around here, but it’s well kept and very pretty.
It seemed only right that I visit the famous Casino Baden Baden, the most high-class establishment I’ve ever seen, for a little gambling, James-Bond style.
If you didn’t already, watch the video here.
With a pocket full of cookies, I decided to continue my good luck at the horse races.
You can watch that video here!
All the while in Black Forest though, Mum was egging to buy a cuckoo clock, since this is where they originated! However, while trying to decide which one to buy in the clock shop, all that clicking and ticking, cuckoo’ing, clucking, had my head spinning!
So I told her I’d stick to a simpler souvenir, pun intended.
Then it came time for my first international fan meetup in Frankfurt!
There were people from all around; Germany, Switzerland, Holland, tourists visiting from abroad, and Americans from the military bases. One guy even came up to me and handed me his card and a US Secret Service pin and said, “I saw your James Bond video. If you’re ever looking to change profession, give me a call.” Then he disappeared into the crowd.
Whether or not I subsequently gave him a call, I can’t tell you. Super friendly guy though, very chatty.
I made plenty of new friends there, including this cute little wirey fellow, who I was rather skeptical of, but I just loved his hat!
I couldn’t believe it when he popped it right off his head and gave it to me! Wow, I have the best fans in the world.
It was the perfect “touch” to my final day, driving around Frankfurt in my German-made VolksWiener.
“Das Dachshund”. But, all my German fans keep correcting me. It should be “Der Dachshund”. (Das sounds better though).
But guys, don’t forget!!! This is only a sample of my pictures and stories for Germany! I wish I could share it all with you right now, but I’m saving a lot of it for my next book! Please be sure to enter your email here so you can be the first to hear of its release!!!
Once we got back home though, I was peeved to see that Mum had gone against my wishes and bought herself a cuckoo clock!
I was even more peeved to see that there wasn’t even a dachshund on it! So, I commissioned Dad to carve a little wiener dog figure for it, which he did right away, of course.
Much better.
Hope you guys enjoyed following along my trip on social media! Can’t wait to show you everything else in my new book coming Fall 2018 🙂
Keep it dackel!
~ Crusoe
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