Day of the Dachshund
With their squat legs and sausage-shaped bodies, it’s no wonder dachshunds have long been referred to as "weenies" and "hot dogs." Photographer Dratfield (Pug Shots, etc.) takes advantage of these ignominious nicknames, shooting a portrait of a dachshund standing regally in front of a hot dog-shaped concession stand and another in which two affronted-looking dachshunds are ensconced in bun-shaped casings (these same two dogs don hats for a second photo titled "kosher hot dog"). Fortunately, not all of Dratfield’s 60 duotone photos play upon this hot dog theme. He includes the requisite shot of a glassy-eyed puppy wedged into a small container ("a pup o’ tea"), a playful photo of a dachshund peeking out of a long "mail dox" and an irreverent picture of a dachshund licking the naked buttock of a classical statue ("tongue ’n cheek"). At times, the book tries too hard for humor—as is evidenced by a heavily cropped photo of a dachshund lounging on a dock ("sittin’ on the dox of the bay")—but the photos succeed in highlighting the quirkiness and charm of this singular breed.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.