Little Rusty Pipe is a very happy, healthy fellow that LOVES to play "soccer". You put his tennis ball on the floor, give it a kick and I defy you to get it past this little guy. He'll even give you a half hour to stop trying.
 
Rusty was obtained by his now foster two years ago for an aging gentleman that did not have long to live. I've no doubt that he gave this gentleman  at least a year to 18 months of life beyond what he would have otherwise have had.
 
Rusty's human past away about a week ago with his trusty little Rusty by his side. Rusty is now looking for another human that will love him and care for him for the years he has left. Rusty was about 5 when I found him for Pops and is now around 7 or 8. He has a slight cateract in his left eye and a fairly severe one in his right, posibly even blind. However, he doesn't let it bother him in the least and shows NO signs of being vision impaired.
 
Rusty will bark and growl at my Danes when he's on the other side of his child gate but when let out he mostly ignores them. I believe that he would enjoy a little guy more his own size. Rusty is about 16 lbs, loves to cuddle, to sleep on the bed with you if you wish but is also content being in the kitchen at night with the baby gate up and having his little crate to sleep in...with the door open. He is VERY house broken and can go for several hours between pees. He's a good little dog.
 
I'm not sure how Rusty is with cats and small kids. I'm guesing that as long as the kids are gentle with him he would love them. Since Rusty is used to having someone around 24/7 I would love to see him be able to go to an older person/persons that are home most of the time.

Update:  9/2/'12. After observing little Rusty at the Mall yesterday I discovered that he loves kids, adults and other dogs. He was eagerly greeting any and everyone that would take a little time to say hello to him. He gets along so well with my Danes that I'm hoping now that when he gets adopted he will have another little dog to play with, someone more his size. Rusty, when adopted, is going to make someone a wonderful companion.

Rusty qualifies for our senior for senior program. If adopted by a senior person (55+) his adoption fee is $75.

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Dachshund (pronounced dak sund) originated in Germany many hundreds of years ago. "Dachs" is the word for badger. The Dachshund was bred to hunt and follow these animals to earth, gradually becoming highly evolved, with shortened legs to dig the prey out and go down inside the burrows. Smaller Dachshunds where bred to hunt hare and stoat. Dachshunds have many "terrier" characteristics. They are versatile and courageous dogs and have been known to take on foxes and otters, besides badgers. Lively and affectionate; proud and bold, almost rash. Tenacious. Can be willful and clownish. Curious and mischievous, they are very clever and may attempt to train the owner rather than allow the opposite. Devoted to his family, some fanciers feel the long-haired variety is calmer than the other two types. The wire-haired variety is more outgoing and clown-like. All are slightly difficult to train. Dachshunds are good dogs to travel with. They are best with older, considerate children and are moderately protective. These little dogs like to bark (their barks are surprisingly loud for their size) and are compulsive diggers. They are generally okay with other pets, however, they can be jealous, irritable, obstinate and very quick to bite. Sometimes they will refuse to be handled. They should not be over fed, for this breed tends to gain weight quickly. They have a life expectancy of 12-15 years.