Hello my name is Beate (geb. Steinborn) born and raised in Wertheim, Germany.

I met a US soldier (who was stationed at Peden Barracks in Wertheim) in February 1980, we married in July 1981, and moved to the USA (7-1/2 months pregnant) in July 1982.

We traveled from Florida in a Ford Pinto to our new station (Washington state), and on the way we visited his relatives in Iowa. While there, we got the idea to add a dog to our growing family (I missed my Strolchi). Since Brian had had Dachshunds in his family as a teen, that's what we looked for.

We found a litter of mini smooth puppies in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and welcomed little red dog Waldi (with his already-crooked tail) into our family.

He traveled with us for 15 years, all around the world, and awoke the undying love for Dachsies in us. This brought us into Dachshund rescue about one year before Waldi passed (in March 1997), after we had established our home in Maryland.

Today our family includes Snoopy, Madeleine (red smooth mini and tweeny, respectively), and Valli (our first wirehair dachsie). Snoopy learned and passes on all of Waldi's tricks and traits. A great big "Thanks" to Dee and Tim Mantz from Virginia for giving us the chance to own and show our first show-quality Dachshund.

My personal wish is never to live without at least one Dachshund in my life.