Meet the Weenies Behind the Whispers 🖤🐾

A special post dedicated to today’s Cerise Falls celebration

If you’ve spent any time in my stories, you’ve probably noticed one very important thing:

there are always dachshunds.

And today felt like the perfect time to finally say it out loud — this post is lovingly dedicated to today’s celebration of The Mystery of Cerise Falls and to the little four-legged muses who sneak their way into my pages every time.

Let me introduce you properly.

The Hardix Doxie Clan 🐾

Meet Reese, Razzy, Rubble, and Wyatt — the real-life weenies behind so many of the fictional ones you’ll find in my books.

Reese, lovingly known as Reese the Haunted Halloweenie, is the heart of it all. He’s the one who made it impossible for me not to write spooky stories with tiny paws involved. Razzy brings the mischief. Rubble brings the courage. And Wyatt — who until this past September was the youngest member of the clan — brings that quiet, soulful presence that somehow always ends up stealing the scene.

If a dachshund appears in one of my stories, chances are…

it started right here at home.

From Real Life to the Page 📖

One of my favorite fun facts for readers is this:

every weenie in my stories is inspired by these guys.

That includes the dachshunds you meet in The Mystery of Cerise Falls — even the ones belonging to Heather Mays. Their personalities, their quirks, their loyalty, and that unmistakable “I may be small, but I am mighty” energy all come straight from real life.

They’re never just pets in my books.

They’re watchers. Companions. Quiet protectors. Sometimes brave. Sometimes silly. Always important.

Why Dachshunds? 🖤

Because they’re brave in bodies that underestimate them.

Because they love fiercely.

Because they’re curious about shadows and absolutely convinced they can handle whatever lurks there.

Honestly… they fit perfectly in a spooky Appalachian mystery.

A Little Thank You 🖤

As we celebrate The Mystery of Cerise Falls today, I wanted to pause and share this small piece of the story behind the story. These four have been curled up beside me through drafts, edits, late nights, and whispered ideas — and they’ll keep showing up in future stories too.

If you’ve ever smiled when a dachshund appeared unexpectedly in one of my books… now you know why.

Welcome to Cerise Falls.

And welcome to the weenies behind the whispers. 🐾🖤

—

Tibbi Ann Hardix