Whenever I run across a children's book featuring a dachshund on the cover, I smile. I've always thought dachshunds were a great breed but I never thought I'd be a pet parent to one of these  comical looking little dogs with the odd proportions.

Almost three years ago, I went to the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle to adopt a dog. They had an adorable year-old terrier. I was set to adopt him and went back the next day with my husband. We got there 15 minutes after the shelter opened and he was already being adopted.

The following week I looked on their website and saw a photo of a dachshund available for adoption. In the photo he was sitting on a table covered in a blue cloth which set off his copper colored fur. His head was tilted slightly to the side and he had a pleading expression in his eyes. His name was Dougie. I was intrigued and found out he was still available for adoption.

I went to the shelter the next day and told the man at the main desk that I wanted to meet Dougie. In a few minutes another staffer came up with this squirmy little dog. He asked me if I wanted to take him for a walk and I said sure. We stepped out into the hot August sun and began walking around the neat grounds. Then I said, "Okay Dougie, let's run" and we sprinted off. Since then, he's been my running buddy.

Today Dougie is quite the charmer as he happily walks or runs by folks, eliciting smiles and happy comments from both children and adults.

So for dog and dachshund lovers alike, here are some children's and adult books that celebrate this spunky little dog with the big personality.

Pretzel by Margret Rey; with pictures by H.A. Rey.

Pretzel is the longest dachshund in the world, but that's not enough to win the favor of Greta, the little dachshund from across the street.

Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats.

In this classic story filled with bright blocks of color, Peter, wants to learn to whistle and play a trick on his dachshund, Willie, by hiding in a box while he whistles.

Lumpito and the Painter from Spain by Monica Kulling; art by Dean Griffiths

Did you know that a dachshund was the muse to one of the most famous modern artists? Lump the dachshund, lives with a photographer and a larger dog in Italy. They travel to the south of France to meet Pablo Picasso, who promptly names him "Lumpito," in a story based on actual events.

The Ire of Iron Claw by Kersten Hamilton; with illustrations by James Hamilton.

Boy inventor Wally Kennewickett, along with his loyal dachshund Noodles and his scientific genius family, along with a staff of automatons join forces to keep the world safe from evil sky pirates, cross Europe in a giant mechanical spider, and defy the evil Mesmers.

Zoe Sophia's Scrapbook: An Adventure in Venice by Claudia Mauner and Elisa Smalley; illustrated by Claudia Mauner

Nine-year-old Zoe Sophia travels with Mickey, her dachshund, on an amazing journey from New York City to Venice, Italy, for a visit with a famous author—her aunt Dorothy.

Bud Barkin, Private Eye by James Howe; illustrated by Brett Helquist. (Tales From the House of Bunnicula 5.)

In an affectionate parody of the gumshoe genre, Howie, the wirehaired dachshund, tries his paw at writing a new kind of novel, a mystery in which he stars as a private investigator and Delilah as the "mysterious dame" (a beautiful blonde, not the breed).

The Amazing, Odorous Adventures of Stinky Dog by James Howe, illustrated by Brett Helquist. (Tales from the House of Bunnicula 6)

Howie, the wire haired dachshund, creates a story featuring a super hero whose ability to stink enables him and his side-kick, a sparrow named Little D, to fight crime in Central City.

Albert, The Dog Who Liked to Ride in Taxis by Cynthia Zarin; illustrations by Pierre Pratt

Albert the dachshund loves nothing better than riding in taxicabs. One day he embarks on a taxicab adventure to the airport.

Timothy Cox Will Not Change His Socks by Robert Kinerk; pictures by Stephen Gammell

Timothy Cox, who enjoys following through on ideas, decides to wear the same unwashed socks for one month, ignoring the strong objections of his dachsund, Walt, and everyone else around him.

A Last Goodbye by J.A. Jance

Ali Reynolds is finally marrying her longtime love B. Simpson. But wedding plans seem to be going awry with her simple Christmas Eve wedding getting more complicated by the minute. Even as Ali's friends—Leland Brooks, Sister Anselm, and more—descend on Vegas, the bride-to-be finds herself juggling last-minute wedding plans and a mystery in the form of a stray miniature dachshund. Ali's grandson rescues the little dog when she's tossed out of a car on the Strip, but Ali's not in the market for a pet right now.

The End of the Road by Sue Henry

Maxie McNabb and her miniature dachshund, Stretch, investigate a murder that shatters the quiet in their hometown of Homer, Alaska.

The Refuge by Sue Henry (a Maxie and Stretch mystery)

Maxie McNabb and her miniature dachshund Stretch have spent nine months on the road and Maxie is ready for some R&R, Alaska-style, but no sooner has the sixty-something RVer parked the Mini-Winnie than a pleading phone call sends her flying to Hawaii.