I scamper over to the couch and sniff at the slipcovers. Hmm, strawberries and mint here as well. But there’s something else too. Not an animal. More like a human. I dive deep into the scent. Hmm, do I have a new master as well as a mistress? It’s certainly not the scent of a woman. While I’m still mulling this over, Caroline lifts me up and puts me on the couch (yippee!), and sits down next to me. I lick her hands full of glee – this woman clearly knows what dachshunds love. She laughs and pulls her hands away, then she looks at me thoughtfully.

‘So, little guy, I’ve got everything you need: a basket, a lead, a food dish and food. There’s only one thing missing…’

I shake my head; as far as I can tell, that sounded pretty complete.

‘You still need a nice name.’

I squeal in surprise – I have a nice name already! Or did von Eschersbach just park me at the animal shelter without mentioning it? Without saying a few things about me? How cold-blooded of him!

Evidently, Caroline notices my sense of outrage, and she lifts me onto her lap; then we gaze into each other’s eyes.

‘Hmm, now, what could a little fellow like you be named? What do you look like?’

I try my best to act haughty and dignified. Maybe if I do that, she’ll think of Carl-Leopold all by herself. To enhance my distinguished appearance, I let out two more statesmanlike barks. Come on, Caroline, put your thinking cap on!

‘You’re certainly no ordinary dog; you strike me as someone with real character. In some way you’re much bigger on the inside than you seem from the outside.’

Yes! Exactly! She’s just about to come up with it! I throw my head back majestically.

‘I know! I’ll name you Hercules.’

What was that? HERCULES? I’m ancient Greek instead of ancient nobility?

chapter two

Hercules! I admit that Caroline may not have the best of taste when it comes to picking names for dachshunds, and this strange new name will take some getting used to. But she does have the knack for choosing the right place to live. The house where I’ll now be living seems to be almost as big as Eschersbach Castle. My hunch that Caroline comes from the finest of backgrounds appears to be correct. The neighbours don’t exactly live in simple cottages either. Just behind our house is a park, though I’m not entirely sure whether it all belongs to Caroline, since it is so huge. When we take a walk there, I can’t even tell where the park ends – amazing!