Dash's 4th Stop - Maryland
Dash arrived in Maryland on May 3, 2025
I arrived today and met my new host family and their rescue dachshund Tessa, She likes me!
Tessa's Rescue Story
I was looking for an adult dog to provide love and care for, and to join our family – I had grown up
with dogs and had friends with dogs who I had cared for too – I loved dogs and felt that it was
finally the right time. I always thought that I was a ‘large dog’ person- dogs with a good
temperament – think Labrador or Golden Retriever – I looked online for rescue organizations in the
area and thought I found the perfect (large) dog at Hail Mary Rescue – they rescue dogs out of
Louisiana and have foster locations in Virginia. I was contacted by Mary, the president at Hail Mary
Rescue about my application – she asked me some questions, especially about my experience –
she stated that the dog I applied for had certain requirements, and needed someone who had a
home with a very high fenced in yard and more experience, especially with a large dog – she put
me in touch with Cathy, who fosters many dogs for Hail Mary Rescue at her farm in Virginia. Cathy
contacted me and she told me that they really try to make sure that the adopter and a potential
adoptee were the right fit the first time. They even have a 2 week “trial period” in case anything
comes up, like pet allergies, etc. I told Cathy that I was looking for a dog that is gentle with people
(including young children, since I had a 5-year-old daughter), friendly with other dogs, is
housetrained, good on a leash, and who would enjoy walks and hanging out with me, since I work
from home. Cathy asked me if I was okay with a smaller dog – I said, “Of course, as long as they
had the other qualities”. She told me that Tessa was “the one” – she was a dachshund mix, around
6 years old and owner-surrendered (most likely due to moving, and not being able to take her
along), and was just recovering from cherry eye surgery at Cathy’s place. We met and adopted
Tessa on July 2, 2023. Cathy was absolutely right – Tessa was the perfect match for me and my
family (husband and daughter) – she is an absolute love bug – a sweet, gentle, loyal, loving, and
super sassy companion. I am totally obsessed with her and dachshunds in general. I am a total
convert from a ‘Large dogs’ to ‘Dachshund’ person!
Cute photos of Tessa
5/4/2025
Today I went with my host’s daughter to her swimming lesson. Tessa did not want to join us – she is
not a water lover in general. She runs in the other direction when she’s called to take a bath, and
she sure doesn’t like to go out when it rains! Sometimes if it’s just sprinkling outside, she will shake
her body as if she is soaking wet! Host mom has bought her many raincoats and other attire for the
elements.
After that, I went to see a play at the Kennedy Center, which is in Washington, DC. The great thing
about being in Silver Spring, MD, says host mom, is that it’s pretty close to other cities and states.
It’s called the DMV area (short for DC, Maryland, and Virginia). Back to the play – it was called
Marooned, and it was about an astronaut who was stranded on a faraway planet, and she had to
figure out how to get back to Earth (she figured it out in the end). It was a good play with a mix of
puppets and humans. Since it was May the 4 th , a lot of people dressed up like they were characters
in Star Wars, including my host daughter (she dressed up as Rey), and they greeted each other
with “May the Force be with you”.
In the evening, we went for a walk in the neighborhood after dinner with Tessa.
Tessa has been a great host dog so far. She just sniffs me and lets me hang out with her.
Before bed, we read some books about Sammy the Dachshund – he has some great adventures.
Then it was bedtime with Tessa – she let me share her cave bed with her.
5/5/2025
Today, we went to Brookside Gardens, which is in Wheaton, MD – we took a walk around the
beautiful grounds and got to see a lot of beautiful plants, trees, and flowers. We also looked for
birds and other wildlife, like turtles and frogs.
Afterward, we came home and did some planting of native plants in the garden, including asters,
beebalm, Brown-eyed Susans, and a Black-Eyed Susan (rudbeckia hirta). The Black-eyed Susan
has been the state flower of Maryland since 1918. It also has two of the colors of the state flag,
black and gold.
It rained and thundered quite a bit in the evening and overnight – it didn’t bother Tessa too much,
as it can – she stayed in her bed and didn’t try to go into host mom’s bed.
5/6/2025
Today I woke up bright and early to go with my Host Dad to work. He works just over the state lines in Washington, DC. He was busy with desk work and meetings most of the day (boring for me, but gave me a chance to rest), but he took me out with him to get a view of the city. I mostly rested while he worked and posed for pictures inside and outside of the impressive building where he works.
After work we went home, and Host Mom had prepared tacos for Taco Tuesday. It’s one of Host Daughter’s favorite foods. Tessa and I weren’t allowed to have any because of the garlic and onion in the seasonings, but Tessa did enjoy her side of roasted sweet potatoes with her dinner.
In the evening, the weather was much nicer, so we went for our daily evening stroll.
5/7/2025
This morning, after snuggling with Tessa under blankets (her preferred morning spot), I went with Host Mom to her pottery class at Dusty Road Pottery. She has been learning to create a lot of pots, mugs, plates and other functional objects.
After that, we (Host Mom, Tessa, and I) did a school pickup of Host daughter, and then it was off to musical theater/dance class for Host Daughter. We took a stroll in the neighborhood around the dance studio while waiting for dance class to be over. Host Mom told me that Tessa doesn’t really dance, but that she loves to ‘sing’ when she hears Host Mom singing, or playing the clarinet, or if she hears host daughter playing the recorder. Tessa can ‘sing’ (howl) pretty high notes, although her normal ‘speaking/grumbling’ voice is pretty low – you would never expect such a small package to have such a deep and loud voice!
Then it was dinner, walk and bedtime!
5/8/2025
Today was a pretty chill day – there was a lot of resting today - I rested with Tessa while Host Mom did some exercise, while Host Mom did some work (she works from home), and I was her emotional support dog for a medical appointment (she’s okay, it’s just a check-up).
5/10/2025
Today was a beautiful and busy day – I got to visit Alden Farms, in Beallsville, MD. There was a beautiful garden and a sculpture garden onsite, and I even got to meet Nala, the resident dog. She seemed very interested in eating me, so I stayed away from her for the most part. We saw a couple of frogs in the pond. After that, I accompanied Host Family to the Strathmore Mansion, in Rockville, MD for a Mother’s appreciation tea. There was lovely art inside and outside of the mansion. Finally, I went with Host Family to a school play. It was well done!
5/11/2025 Happy Mother’s Day! Host Dad and Daughter prepared a lovely breakfast (and dinner) for Host Mom. Tessa and I could not have most of the food, but Tessa was allowed to have strawberries and blueberries from the fruit salad. Host Mom got a lovely book called When You Love a Dog, by M.H. Clark. We read the book, and it was very sweet, and all true. 😊
5/18/2025
This evening I went with Host Family (including Tessa) to an outdoor spring concert put on by the Riverworks Wind Ensemble, in Poolesville, MD. It was perfect weather to be outside and enjoy a variety of music, from Ravel’s Bolero to the Blues Brothers! What a great performance!
5/19/2025
Before my next adventure in NJ, I accompanied Tessa to her dental cleaning at her vet. At the vet’s place, they were very kind and calming, even though Tessa was quite nervous. Host mom was also a little nervous, but knows that dental hygiene is very important for Tessa’s overall and long term health. Good-bye Host Fam and MD!
5/20/2025
Today was my last full day with my host family. Host daughter helped me to pack my belongings, say goodbye and packed me up. I had a lot of fun adventures and will miss my host family (and they will miss me), but I am looking forward to moving on to my next adventure in New Jersey, with Debbi Z.
