Monday, October 31, 2011

Tri-Paws Rock - Just ask Sampson

Hi!  I am Sampson, and this is my story….
When I was a small puppy, I had something horribly tragic happen to me.  I was hit by a car, and my back leg was injured really badly and no one took me to the vet to have it fixed.  It eventually healed on its own – but, I was in constant pain and I couldn’t use it.   I held it up so it didn’t get in the way of me moving.  And boy did it slow me down. 
I was on the streets fending for myself until the county dog catcher found me and took me to the Clinton County Humane Society.  I made sure all of the nice folks there could see how sweet I was and how happy I was to be off the streets.  They just loved me and knew I needed some extra help and medical attention to get back on my feet again, so they called Schnauzer Rescue Cincinnati.
I couldn’t believe my luck!  A rescue just for fur kids like me!  Life was getting good!  I got a foster home with five brothers to play with – and a doggie door to use to do my business (boy was my new foster mom Shirley surprised I knew how to use it on the first day!  I am so smart!). 
After I got settled in, I went to see SRC’s vet, and he took x-rays to see what needed to be done to help me.  He was so sad for me, the scar tissue was really bad from my injury – and he couldn’t imagine how I dealt with all the pain.  He thought I hadn’t used my leg for almost two years and knew I would be happier and healthier without the leg slowing me down.
I had my procedure done on October 10th, and my stitches are out already!  Don’t you dare feel sorry for me one bit, as you can see in the video my foster daddy took of me I zoom around so much better without it slowing me down!  I am so happy to not be in pain and dragging that dead old leg around!
When my foster mom came to get me after my surgery she brought a blankie for me to cuddle with on the car ride home (I love car rides, but I was a little out of it that time so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I normally do).  I was so happy to have something of my own to snuggle with.  I love my blankie and carry it around with me at home.   When it is time for bed I grab it and take it to bed with me.  My foster mom is so awesome!  I know she was really worried for me when I had my surgery, so I was a really good patient and followed the vet’s orders so she would know it was the right thing to do for me.
One of my favorite things to do is somersaults!  I get up on the leather sofa at my foster home and just do them until I roll off onto the soft carpet.  I also do them to show you how excited I am!  I know all sorts of commands, and love to show off how smart I am. 
I am such a happy guy with my foster mom Shirley - but what I really, really, really want is a family of my own to love.  I love running and playing – by myself, my foster siblings and my humans.  I am just so happy to run and play - I am one quick little guy.   I even know how to drop the toy when I fetch it to bring it back to you!
Check me out on Pet Finder to read more about me and to share me with friends.  Make sure to check out all of the other fur kids that need homes while you are there!
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/OH447.html
My buddy Zippy is also a tri-pawed like me – and he is quick too.  He already has a home with Amy who is the Fundraising Coordinator for SRC.  Zippy loves to blog - you can read his blog at Zippy's Blog




 

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Gypsy Rose Schnauzer - from Mill Survivor to Loved Companion

Gypsy Rose Schnauzer was the first of the Missouri 11 to find a forever home.  The Missouri 11 was a group of schnauzer siblings that were rescued by SRC prior to the large snowstorm that crippled the mid-west last January.  You can read more about their rescue in back issues of our newsletter at http://www.schnauzerrescuecincinnati.org/

Gypsy’s Mom, Linda Pelley, shares her thoughts on her first 6 months with us.


I can't believe it's been 6 months since I opened my home and my heart to Gypsy Rose Schnauzer. She is so beautiful, sweet and smart and I love her so much. She filled the whole in my heart left by the sudden death of my sweet boy, Murphy who died just before Christmas.

Murphy was a Silky Terrier and he had been rescued from a puppy mill in Missouri in 2005. He was in bad shape emotionally and physically and was older than we originally thought. As we know, patience and love can work wonders on these poor dogs and in the short 4 years I had him he bloomed.

When I found Gypsy I knew what I could be in for since she came from a puppy mill in Missouri. Gypsy is my third schnauzer, my 5th dog since 1976. My first dog was a mini schnauzer, my second was a German Shepherd/collie mix, and number 3 was another schnauzer and finally Murphy and Gypsy. (Muffin, Molly, Mac & Murphy, I didn't plan that M theme).

Gypsy is totally different from Murphy. She is out going, friendly and loves everybody. It didn't take her long to win over the neighbors who think she is the cutest dog ever. She made herself right at home the first day. She gets along great with my two cats, Cali and Pattycake. Just recently she and Cali have started sleeping together on the dog bed.

Gypsy is very smart and picks up on things quickly. She goes straight to the kitchen after her potty walk to wait for her treat. I did not teach her that. She sits on command and automatically sits when I put her leash on. If I hide a treat in my pocket she will sniff it and take it out.

She definitely knows about riding in the car. She was nervous at first. I let her ride in the back of the hatchback the first few times then moved her up to the passenger seat next to me. She is harnessed in and loves to go for a ride, especially to Skyline Chili because she gets a hot dog at the window. She knows when I am ready to go somewhere and will sit at the door looking pitiful, hoping I will take her.

Our biggest issue has been house-breaking. I didn't think she would EVER get the idea to go outside. She has ADD outside. She will walk around for an hour or more, even half squat and any little thing will distract her and it starts all over again. I am happy to report that she is 98% trained now! She still has accidents in the house but I think most of that is getting back at me for not taking her with me every time I walk out the door. She does use a pee pad most of the time for those mishaps. Just the other day she went to the door and barked to go out. Major breakthrough.

She has a lot of toys but really doesn't play with them. She LOVES chews. I had her groomed about a month ago and she enjoyed that, except for the hair dryer. She likes baths and loves being brushed. She will roll over on her back so I can brush underneath. The only thing I can't get her to do is go up and down the inside steps. She's never been to the second floor. I've tried treats and coaxing her but she looks up that flight of steps and turns away. She only goes to the basement by using the outside steps. She loves the basement, room to explore and there's an old mattress she lays on with her chewies.

One of cutest things she does is when we are outside she will sit in the yard next to my neighbors porch and "woo woo" hoping she comes out to talk to her or pet her. I hope all the others rescued with her have found forever homes. The pictures are her and Cali on the dog bed. Her by the door looking pitiful so I will take her with me and her first swim with my daughter-in-law.