Diana, a chiweenie (a chihuahua and dachshund mix), may be small in size, but she’s making a big impact in the Beeber household. Introduced to the family in December through Prairie Pet Rescue, Diana was meant to be a companion for Izzy, Al Beeber’s dog, after the passing of their beloved Ben. However, she quickly established that, although she might be tiny, she had a strong personality and clear preferences.
Al’s first thought when meeting Diana was that she looked much smaller in person than in the rescue photos. At just eight inches tall and weighing seven pounds, Diana is indeed small, but her fearless and active nature more than makes up for her size. Despite her initial shyness, Diana soon became attached to Liz, making it clear who her favorite person in the house would be. While Al, who works from home, has slowly formed a bond with her, it has been a gradual process. Diana prefers her morning naps under blankets and is not quick to be picked up, but she is slowly warming up to her new family, allowing belly rubs and giving butterfly kisses in return.
Diana’s energy is boundless—she is constantly on the move, chasing toys, squeakers, and keeping Izzy busy. Izzy, who was previously accustomed to a more laid-back companion in Ben, now has a playmate who is always ready for action. However, Diana’s tiny size presents a few challenges, such as her fear of leashes and collars and her limited time spent outdoors, especially on cold days. She’s still in the process of being housetrained and relies on puppy pads, although she’s learning to explore the backyard as the weather warms up.
Diana also has an insatiable love for squeakers. Al spends a large portion of his day retrieving toys from under furniture, as Diana is particular about which squeaker she wants at any given moment. But despite the small frustrations, Al enjoys being her “squeaker person” and her chosen human servant, especially as Diana’s dynamic with Liz often leaves him feeling invisible when Liz returns home. But he understands that in the world of chihuahuas, it’s the dog who adopts the human, not the other way around.
Her tiny size also means Al spends a lot of time sweeping and vacuuming, as Diana can sneak into places where you least expect to find a dog. At night, she’s a constant presence, alerting to every sound and even catching a car prowler, much like Rio, the family’s shepherd. Her howl, coming from such a small body, is astonishingly loud, a reminder of how big her personality is despite her size.
Diana’s presence in the home has brought an undeniable spark to the Beeber household. She’s quickly become a treasured companion, and Al hopes that one day she will be comfortable enough for walks in the neighborhood and visits to the dog park. But for now, he knows better than to push her—Princess Diana will decide when the time is right.
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