@CeliaVL
When the dahlia first sprouts, after planting, the slugs attack it and retard its growth. The biggest problem with dahlias is getting them past the sprouting stage. The slugs can't keep up with its growth when it gets going.
As far as storage for the dahlia it's placed in a cardboard box in a storage room of our house. The room gets little heat and is always dark and dry. We have a forced hot air furnace that keeps the air very dry all winter. The dahlia needs a cool, dry, and dark place for storage. There's no risk of too much moisture here but like a rotten apple, it spreads to other tubers. It doesn't hurt to check them once and a while. I have each dahlia in its own box with its name on it.
In the spring I expose the tuber to light and it starts growing. When first planting 'you're not supposed to water them'. Let nature take its course or it will rot in the ground with too much moisture.

@MojoDave
Longwood Dainty has the smallest flower and the shortest growth of the six. The stem is long and makes a great cut flower. Unfortunately Longwood Dainty is one of the fussy ones for me and the slugs love them. It had about 5 flowers this year. It's my favourite until I see it bloom profusely.

@Cutiebeauty
Our neighbour who has long since passed gave us that one. We call it 'Galley Red' because her last name was Galley. Her husband still enjoys them from his front window looking into the garden they're planted in.

You probably rescue stray cats too.

@flower_nut that's sounds very nice.... And a bit sad.

@bigpawbullets
Yes, we have taken a stray cat that someone gave us. The best cat I ever met

@Cutiebeauty
Yes, but her memory lives on with 'Galley Red'. She gave all she could and enjoyed her last days from home.