🐾 Why Are There So Many Dachshunds at Thistle Fox?

Jan 2
3 min read

Updated: Jan 27

— A cozy peek into our pup-filled pages and the creative hearts behind them

At Thistle Fox Books, stories often begin with a spark of magic…But in our case, many of them also begin with a wagging tail and a pair of floppy ears. 🐶✨

If you’ve browsed our coloring books, cozy critter tales, or just peeked inside the bookshop, you’ve probably noticed a theme: a whole lot of dachshunds.

So today, we thought we’d share a little behind-the-scenes story about why these short-legged, big-hearted pups pop up across so many pages — and how they’ve quietly become the unofficial mascots of the Thistle Fox Forest.

🐶 Meet Chelsea Torres

Coloring book creator. Dachshund devotee. Future veterinarian.

At the heart of our Dachshund Coloring Adventures is Chelsea Torres, a Southern California–based author and artist who creates joyful, screen-free books for dog lovers of all ages.

Author Chelsea Torres sitting with her dachshund Milo in the park and there is a ball beside them. — Milo — the muse behind the pages — and Chelsea enjoying a park day.

Chelsea’s inspiration? Her real-life dachshund, Milo — the lovable pup who appears in her books donning party hats, exploring flowery fields, and celebrating every season. Her dream of becoming a veterinarian adds another layer of heart to her work, blending gentle learning with playful art and pure doggy charm.

Her coloring books — like Dachshund in Magical Nature, Macro Blooms, and Flora & Fauna — are designed to bring smiles, spark creativity, and celebrate the special bond between people and pets.

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From black and white to tail-wagging wonder — every page is made to be brought to life.

🧶 Enter Poppy Loxley

Cozy storyteller. Forest friend. Lifelong dachshund fan.

A sample of an inner page of one of Poppy Loxley's books. There is a brown bear sleeping, a bee with honey and a mini dachshund in the scene. — One of Poppy’s cozy inspirations… and a little long-bodied friend who snuck in.

Another author you’ll meet in our bookshop is Poppy Loxley, the heart behind The Cozy Critter Chronicles — a series of handmade-feeling picture books with woodland animals, rhyming verses, and timeless charm.

What readers might not know? Poppy has shared her life with five dachshunds over the years — and she’s known for gently nudging anyone looking for a dog toward this beloved breed. (We’ve learned not to ask unless we’re ready for 20 reasons why dachshunds are perfect.)

Though Poppy’s books focus on forest animals, you may spot a sneaky dachshund or two popping up between the pine trees.

An older mini dachsund sleeping on a couch with it's head nestled in a blanket and a view of a cozy fireplace in the room. — The next literary companion? Stay tuned…

🌙 And Even Anwyn Brooks Is Falling for Them…

Our third author, Anwyn Brooks, is best known for her dreamy, folklore-filled young adult novels — set in seaside cottages, shadowy forests, and old houses with secrets.

But recently… she’s been looking at dachshund rescues. (Just browsing, she says.)

Something about their soulful eyes and quiet companionship has been tugging at her heart. She’s especially drawn to the idea of adopting an older dachshund — one who might curl up beside her as she writes the next moody tale.

We wouldn’t be surprised if one of these pups finds their way into a future story. Or her lap.

💛 Why Dachshunds?

There’s something about this breed — their loyalty, playfulness, and perfectly odd proportions — that makes them such rich characters. They fit our worlds of whimsy, warmth, and handmade charm.

They make you laugh. They make you feel. And they remind us, in every tail wag and long stretch, that magic often comes in the smallest packages.

So will there be more dachshunds in future Thistle Fox books? Absolutely. Other breeds may join in too (eventually)… but for now, the dachshunds are proudly leading the pack.