Tag: dachshund

A photo of Kelvey's dogs overlaid on a pink background with the words September 2022: 'The Little Book of Hygge' + How To Feed A Vegetarian on it

September 2022: ‘The Little Book of Hygge’ + How To Feed A Vegetarian

Posted on by Kelvey Vander Hart in L I F E

September, you were great. Here’s your monthly recap: 

Best Book I Read This Month 

The Danes have a word for all things comforting and cozy: hygge. As we start facing colder weather, learning more about hygge seemed appropriate. The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking was an excellent primer on the concept. Learn more here. 

Best Article I Read This Month

Shameless self-promotion, once again. In early September, I wrote about ways to have a sustainable fall season for America’s Future. You can read the piece here. 

Tip + Trick of the Month

We took our mini dachshund and mini schnauzer on a road trip at the beginning of the month and ended up doing a little bit of mountain hiking. They kept up! My tip for you? Don’t assume that your little dog doesn’t want to go places and do things with you. They love it as much as big dogs. 

Kelvey Vander Hart's dogs on top of a mountain
Watson (L) and Missi (R) enjoy their mountain views.

Quote of the Month

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing. A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days.” -Annie Dilllard

Kelvey’s Thought for the Month

I’ve been a vegetarian for years now, and I get one question constantly: What can I feed you? 

My friends and family are very sweet and want to make sure I can eat with them. However, feeding a vegetarian always seems more complicated than it actually turns out to be. To help you feed your next vegetarian, here are a few ideas for you: 

  • Pasta is always a good option. Very simple to let people add the meat to their own dishes. 
  • Already getting a supreme or cheese pizza for the party? Congrats. You just fed the vegetarian. 
  • Sides are a vegetarian’s best friend. Mac and cheese, vegetables, BREAD, etc. I always joke that Thanksgiving food is even better now that I don’t have to save obligatory space for turkey that should really just belong to mashed potatoes. 
  • If looking for a restaurant, Mexican, Asian, and Italian food are safe bets. Numerous fast food places (Taco Bell, Burger King, Starbucks, your local sandwich joint) are also awesome options. 

In the end, know this one thing: To feed a vegetarian, just make sure they’re not eating meat. If you’re worried about dairy and eggs, you’re thinking about vegans. And honestly? I would need to write for a lot longer to help you feed a vegan. 

Enjoy your spooky season. I’ll catch you next month.

dachshund peering out from blankets with text

Theology As Taught Through Dachshund Injuries

Posted on by Kelvey Vander Hart in S P I R I T U A L

I don’t write about him often, but last summer I adopted a stray, senior mini dachshund. The little guy lights up my life. 

Unfortunately, dachshunds are extremely susceptible to back injuries, and Watson is not an exception. A couple of weeks ago the inevitable took place and the days since have been filled with crate rest, pain killers, and a little dog frustrated at not being able to run around like he wants. 

And, because I think God delights in teaching me lessons through animals (over and over and over again), He’s taught me through this. 

I’ve caught myself telling Watson, “It’s for your own good,” over and over and over again. It’s for your own good. It’s for YOUR own GOOD. 

He hates the crate rest, but it’ll help him heal. 

He hates being carried around and kept from running, but it’ll also help him heal. 

He hates being on a diet, but it’ll help him lose more weight so his back isn’t under as much stress. 

And, I feel like the way Watson reacts to my care for him is exactly how I react to God’s care for me. 

I kick and scream about the discipline and the stretching and the growth, and God just reminds me He’s working for my good. I can look back over my shoulder and see the good, but the good certainly doesn’t FEEL that way in the moment. 

Hebrews 12 speaks to this: 

 

“‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? …For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (vs. 5-7, 11)”

 

Everything I do is for Watson’s good. I never do anything to purposefully make him sad or to harm him. If I, a mere human being caring for a little animal, can so carefully work for his good, how much more our heavenly Father, the Creator of all things? He works on our behalf, even when it doesn’t feel like good.