There’s a long-haired little celebrity rolling through Carmel, Indiana—and she has the business cards to prove it.
Meet Noodle, a four-year-old miniature dachshund and Yard Logs’ September 2026 Dog of the Month! 💚
With her expressive eyes, enormous appetite, nighttime zoomies, and unforgettable attempt at competitive racing, Noodle has no shortage of personality. She even celebrated her fourth birthday on September 14—the same day we announced her as our newest Dog of the Month.
A Graduation Gift With a Perfect Name
Noodle joined Rita’s family in June 2024 as a well-earned present to herself after completing her master’s program.
Her name was inspired by the long, unmistakable shape of a dachshund. “Noodle” simply fit—and judging by how often people compliment it, Rita made the right choice.
Of course, every great dog eventually collects a few nicknames. One of Noodle’s silliest is “Guppy,” proving that apparently no food-shaped name is off the table.
Noodle Is Always Ready for Dinner
Some dogs have a favorite treat. Noodle believes choosing only one would be unnecessarily limiting.
She loves practically anything she can eat—and occasionally a few things she definitely should not.
Her appetite once led to an emergency trip to the veterinarian after she got into a package of balloons. Rita didn’t realize what had happened until Noodle began throwing them up. Thankfully, she was okay, but the experience confirmed that anything remotely edible—or apparently not edible—needs to stay well outside Noodle’s reach.
Her love of food is so legendary that Rita says if Noodle were human, she would enter her in an eating competition.
And if Noodle could talk?
“I’m hungry! What’s for dinner?”
Doorbell Patrol and a Well-Loved Remy
Noodle takes home security seriously.
Any doorbell will set her off—even one coming from a television, movie, or cellphone. Rita once tested her dedication by playing a video featuring several different doorbell sounds.
Noodle barked at every single one.
When she isn’t protecting the house from prerecorded visitors, Noodle enjoys spending time with her favorite toy, Remy from Ratatouille. Remy has lost most of his ears and tail over the years, but Rita can’t bring herself to throw him away.
Some toys are simply too loved to replace.
The Race That Never Started
Noodle’s trip to the Indiana State Fair produced one of her family’s funniest memories.
She entered the dachshund races, but the crowd, noise, and other dogs proved overwhelming for the naturally shy pup. When the first race began, Noodle stayed behind the starting line, looking around in complete confusion.
The organizers kindly invited her to try again during the next round.
This time, another dachshund began barking and ran directly toward her. Startled, Noodle took off—in the opposite direction of the finish line.
After two attempts, she had never technically crossed the starting line.
It’s probably safe to say that Noodle’s professional racing career ended the same day it began.
A Shy Pup Becoming a Carmel Celebrity
Noodle’s greatest challenge has always been her social anxiety, especially around other dogs.
When Rita first brought her home, Noodle was unsure about both people and animals. She has made tremendous progress with people since then. When friends visit, it usually takes only about five minutes before she climbs into someone’s lap for a cuddle.
She is equally content relaxing on the couch, riding quietly in her car seat, or surprising everyone with a burst of nighttime zoomies.
Noodle recently received her own stroller, which has opened up a new way for her to explore Carmel. Rita and her boyfriend regularly take her for walks around town, where people frequently stop to meet her.
That attention is fitting because Noodle isn’t just a neighborhood celebrity. She has her own Instagram account—and her own business cards.
You can follow her adventures at @noodl3andcompany.
Not every celebrity appearance has been a success, though.
Noodle was not particularly impressed by the Easter Bunny. One look at her eyes in the photo tells the entire story. 😅
Congratulations, Noodle! 🏆
From couch cuddles and stroller rides to doorbell patrol, questionable snack choices, and a racing career that never crossed the starting line, Noodle keeps Rita and her boyfriend laughing.
They love her gentle temperament, her excellent behavior during car rides, her nighttime zoomies, and the way she has learned to welcome new people into her world.
Noodle may be shy, but she has found exactly where she belongs—with a family that adores her and a growing collection of people around Carmel who are always excited to meet her.
Congratulations to Noodle, Yard Logs’ September 2026 Dog of the Month—and happy fourth birthday! 🎉🐾
We hope the year ahead brings plenty of stroller rides, couch naps, cuddles, and adventures.
Just maybe keep the balloons out of reach. 😉
Think your pup should be our next Dog of the Month?
Follow Yard Logs on Facebook and watch for our next round of entries. Each month, we celebrate one local dog and the people who make their life special.
At Yard Logs, we believe backyards are made for dogs, family, and memories—not messes. 💚
