09/17/2026
I'm sorry, but we are now in our off season until spring. I also apologize for not checking our puppy messages like I should have been, or making any posts. Those who know us, know we are normally busy with our kids schedules, our businesses, the farm and ranch, our EMS commitments to the Fessenden Fire and Rescue, and the Fessenden Ambulance and the Harvey Ambulance Services.
But then, most recently, our now 17 year old son as of the 14th of this month, injured himself on the 4th of July in a dirt bike accident. He had emergency surgery that night to repair parts of his foot, and had another surgery Aug. 12 to place a donor bone section replacing the part he lost in the accident. That surgery resulted in an unexpected eight day hospital stay at St. A's in Bismarck because of a bone and skin infection. He is supposed to have another surgery to repair the damaged tendons in his foot, but we are taking one day at a time. He just got the PICC line taken out of his arm today after four weeks of at home daily antibiotic infusions. He will continue taking strong oral antibiotics now for the next eight weeks, and continue his weekly trips to the hospital for lab work. We are hoping to kick this infection and keep it at bay. We are so thankful 🙏🏼 as Westin has been feeling decently well, considering. He has been strictly non-weight bearing on his left leg since his accident so needs to use a knee scooter. However, he has been learning all sorts of new tricks to do on that scooter, which he finds quite entertaining. Me, not so much. 🫤 A lot of my time now has been spent focusing on Westin's medical needs, which is another reason for our early end of this year's breeding season.
We were so hopeful for a fall litter from Cleo and R***r this year, but that didn't happen. I guess Cleo must have thought R***r wasn't very attractive, or perhaps R***r just wanted to be 'friends.' Either way, maybe a winter apart will stir up some romantic feelings again between them so we can enjoy sweet little pups this coming spring.🤷🏼♀️❤️🙏🏼
We sincerely apologize to everyone who has been waiting so patiently for a pup from us. We will continue to seek and trust in the Lord's plan for our lives, and pray daily for a complete healing for our son.
We look forward to what springtime will bring... But until then, please take care! And, thank you for your patience as we navigate on auto-pilot for awhile.
Sincerely,
Carrie Opdahl
OP Miniature Dachshunds
Fessenden, ND
