After several weeks of searching, I finally found the right home for Lady. She is now with an incredibly sweet, newly-married couple who have a dachshund of their own named Roxy. They live in a house in Orange County with a backyard, king-sized doggie beds, doggie doors and lots of free space to run and play.
When I was first told I had to give her away, I knew the fighter in me would find a way to make sure she stayed. But as time went by, I realized, this may be for the best. Rafe and I adored this little girl to death, but our schedules were beginning to get busier. And some days, I would have to leave her in an apartment building all day. This just didn't feel right. Not for a puppy with the amount of energy she has. I felt guilty coming home to a face like this.
It felt weird waking up this morning without a puppy wagging her tail on the corner of my bed, excited to be fed and taken out for a walk. But she now has a playmate (slash "big sister" as they like to call her), and I'm sure they will keep each other very entertained and active, and that makes me happy.
We'll come visit you sometime, little Lady. Be good!