Second Chance Schnauzers
Nick & Rudy applaud those who've given our orphan schnauzers (as well as dogs of all kinds) a second chance. We encourage those thinking of getting a dog to seriously consider adopting a homeless dog... there are so many deserving dogs who lost their home due to no fault of their own. There are many pluses to adopting an adult dog, for more information on adoption click here. Also visit The Schnauzer Rescue Message Board to find out what schnauzers may be available.
During our schnauzer surfing we found some happy rescue stories we wanted to share with you.
Pierre in foreground and Ladie behind him
Tramp on left and Ladie on right
Pierre's owner writes about their experience ---
This love story began, 11 years ago, when I felt like my little "Ladie" (the white mini) would be much happier with a mate. When we brought the lad home, we thought we had made a big mistake. He was a loud and aggressive pup that thought things should be one way, HIS! Because of his nature we named him, Rolling Thunder... but those that loved him, just called him "Tramp".
As time passed and with a lot of gentle guidance, his disposition changed and at the time of his death, he was the apple of our eyes and as we referred to him... a pile of love mush. He had a congenital heart valve problem and we learned that sometimes, no amount of money or technology can give you what you so desperately want... life!
Very little time passed, before I was on the search for a male schnauzer. I had heard about rescue organizations for specific breeds and I started surfing the internet and making phone calls. My husband wasn't quite as eager, but something deep told me that another dog would never replace what we had lost, but could help to heal the tremendous pain.
Within two weeks, I had a potential dog. An 8 yr. male, who's owner had a stroke and no family member to take him. He was boarded at a vet for 3 wks and off to a foster home for a week, before I found him. I drove 4 hrs to meet him and as they say... love at first sight and the rest is history.
We've had Pierre (pictured with Ladie under the Christmas tree) now for 3 months and it feels like he's been apart of our family forever. He is a GREAT dog and we are blessed to have found him. He's helped to heal the pain and makes us laugh on a daily basis. He's not Tramp, but he has earned a place in our hearts and Tramp would be proud that we've helped many, by one simple act... adoption!
If you're out there and considering a dog... a second chance dog... they know and are grateful for the love and opportunity that you can give them.
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What a cute couple this pair makes...  Utley, a 3 year old rescue B/S min. schnauzer (left) enjoys his new life hanging out with his buddy Tilly (right), a 10 year old S/P min. schnauzer. Tilly feels much younger now and has the wag back in her tail thanks to Utley! |
I married into ownership of two Schnauzers and about a year ago the one who had "adopted" me passed away. He was only 10, and I still miss him. He was a black Schnauzer, Buddy, and he really was my buddy. I finally talked my husband into another dog (as companionship for our other Schnauzer, of course) and we took Tilly with us to the SPCA. She was being entrusted with selecting our newest family member!Low and behold, there sat Utley (as he later became known) looking as pitiful and forlorn as could be. We were told he is a Schnauzer because the roof of his mouth is black (I had never heard this before). The dogs pretty much ignored each other, and Utley was so timid I was afraid he'd never come out of it.
Within 24 hrs of coming home with us, Utley became a holy terror!!! He is the most exhuberant little dog I've ever been around. Utley doesn't "walk" anywhere, and the two chase each other from one end of the house to the other at least 10 times a day! Utley is my dog, follows me everywhere, and as soon as I sit down somewhere is ready to cuddle.
Not only did we save Utley, he saved us, including Tilly, who had never been alone before. Now, once again, she has a "buddy"!
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Woodie helped ease the pain   Woodie, 5 year old S/P min. schnauzer (left) helped ease the pain for Candy after losing her beloved Charlee black min. schnauzer (right) of 15 years. |
My beloved Charlee stayed with me for nearly 15 years, but then time ran out for us. I spent 5 very lonely months without my best friend. I was drawn to the Knoxville animal shelter where I had never been before and they sent me to Adopt-A-Pet where they had just sent a 5 year old, beautiful, grey schnauzer named Woodie. Woodie and I are very close and he has helped me adjust without Charlee. Wood dog as we call him, has been here about 1 and a half years now. He has skin allergies and has to get shots about once a month, but he's worth it. Thanks to people such as us, these throw away dogs have been given a much better life than they previously had.
Sandy beloved pet of Dan and Dianne's for 8 years.
Dan Arbuckle writes about his and Dianne's beloved "Sandy" ---
My wife Dianne found her standing in the rain outside of the store she worked at. She was soaking wet and covered with mud. Not a pretty sight to say the least. She dried her off and put her in the car until she got off work. This was 8 years ago. She had no tags but was clipped and well groomed, and we suspected that she got away from her owners. We ran an ad in the paper for a few weeks, but no one ever contacted us, so Sandy (her new name) became a part of our family. We already had 2 miniature Poodles, but what the heck...what's one more?? (smile)We lost Sandy to congestive heart failure last month. The vet said she was a "lot" older than we thought she was, telling us she was probably about 17 or 18 years old! Of course that didn't lessen the pain and sorrow in our household.
We now only have two "kids" at home...Brandy is a miniature Poodle and she is 14. Moby is a Shih Tzu and he's just a pup of 1 1/2 years. Neither one of them know they are dogs and of course we will never tell them the truth!! (smile)
In the picture you see Sandy is wearing an infant sized tee shirt. The Winters in Northern Michigan get rather cold and Dianne always dressed the kids for the weather. She will always remain in our hearts and she is missed tremendously.
Editors note: Sandy's story really illustrates that many years of enjoyment, love and devotion can be gotten from adopting an older dog. Please don't overlook the "oldsters" when adopting as they most often have the hardest time finding homes.
Sam and Max are the pride and joy of the Petrone Family
Mary Petrone writes about her family's Sam and Max ---
My husband and I walked into the SPCA one day, as we often had, to see what dogs were available. There was one room where a woman was looking at a mangy "mutt" and then she left, so we preceded to talk to "Sam", and he seemed alert and intelligent. He had just been left at the shelter as his owner's home had burned down and they were going to a retirement home. Sam turned out to be a very handsome S&P mini schnauzer, and we love him completely. Two years after that I called our closest schnauzer rescue person and asked to be put down for a male (a big help for getting a dog) and she called three weeks later that "Max" had been sitting in the pound for three weeks before they contacted her. His owner had died and the family dumped him there. I got Max, sight unseen, through the efforts of these wonderful volunteers. He has been a great pal for Sam, and makes Sam play more than he thinks he should have to. They get along well, Sam is now 6 yrs. and Max is 3 yrs.WE LOVE OUR BOYS!
Ben the Standard Schnauzer
Debra Dillon writes about her Ben ---
Ben showed up in a downtown memphis parking lot one evening and I took him home when I got off work the next morning. I never found his previous owners but fell in love with him and ended up keeping him rather than to take him to the shelter. He had severe malnutrition and was missing quite a bit of hair in spots. However after some good food and some veterinary care he turned into a very handsome black standard schnauzer. This was a little bit of a shock because he went from 17 lbs. (the vet said that was probably as big as he would get) to 43 lbs. (I guess the vet thought he was a mini). It is hard to imagine now what I would do without him. Read more about Ben on his homepage
Click here for more second chance stories
Some links to more happy endings
The Schnauzer Rescue Board Happy Endings!
Nikki's Story
Princess of Schnauzer Space
Leader Dole
Sam (1997 Spring Virtual Dogshow Winner)
Foster Schnauzers
Tale of Two Sisters
Lucy and Bailey
MS Club of Michigan, Inc. Breed Rescue
Holly's Tail, a touching story of one of our own more memorable rescues
Of course there's Rudy too
If you have a second chance schnauzer story you'd like to share, either a webpage link or testimony (pictures gladly accepted also), please email us we'd love to include your story.
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