Planes,
Trains and Automobiles…………by Artie.
Hey all you Schnauzer
lovers, I want to share the news about my happy rescue and happy adoption with
all of you.
I was
rescued by SRC in 2011. And boy was I ever so happy to have Iris as my foster
mum!!! I settled right in with Iris and all of her 2 and 4 legged family. I
loved being there, running around the massive yard, floating on the raft in the
pool, going for walks in the woods and doing my bit to help keep the property
clear of pesky critters. Life was good, and I finally ended up in a home where
I was loved and where I could give back loads of love. I was even allowed on
the sofa – bliss!!!
I was not
very good at playing with other dogs, but another rescue Schnauzer called
Destin loves playing, and he used to play with me. He was a good teacher and
helped me to learn to play with dogs.
I have
anxiety/separation issues and marking problems, so I happily allowed Iris to
crate train me to overcome these issues and problems. It was strange at first
being put into a kennel, which is furnished with a really comfortable cushion,
but I soon realized that the crate was exclusively for me and helped to contain
my anxiety when Iris left the house. The crate is my kennel and l am the King
of the kennel.
My new Dad
is called Mick. He rescued two Schnauzers locally, called Pepper and Dusty, in
2001. They grew up together and were great buddies. Dusty sadly passed away in
2011 and Pepper and Mick decided that they would like a new companion.
While Mick
was busy at work, Pepper was surfing the web and she loved SRC’s website. She
filled out all the application forms online and hey, I was matched with their
profile.
And that’s
where I enter the new picture!!
Well, it was
planes, trains and automobiles to get to my new home and meet Pepper. Me and
Mick drove from Iris’ house to the airport, got a train from the car drop off
to the hotel bus shuttle, got a bus to a pet friendly hotel, and the next day I
flew with Mick to my new home.
Mick and I
drove for about 5 hours after leaving Iris’ house, and we had great fun bonding.
I sat in the passenger seat and did all the navigation. We never got lost once,
and Mick kept giving me praise and hugs for barking when it was time to change
lanes or take an exit. The more praise and hugs I got, the happier I was to be
front seat passenger and in charge (I still haven’t told Mick that I was using
the built in GPS in the rental car – ssshh – that’s my secret!!!).
We had room
service at the hotel (how posh!!) and
then retired for our early morning flight. Mick insisted on me sleeping on the
bed with him, because he said that is what Pepper and Dusty do. I didn’t object
- this was my new heaven. Hey – life’s good!!! I curled up and didn’t budge once,
even during all his loud snoring!!!
Pepper met
us at the airport with Mick’s friends, and we all drove home. Pepper is 13
years old, but still very active. We sniffed each other and kissed. Mick took
us for a long walk on the local nature reserve that day so that we could get to
know each other better. We are now best buddies and get on very well.
Pepper
recently had some surgery and I was her recuperation companion. Mick calls me
Nurse Artie because I was looking out for Pepper.
Pepper
doesn’t play much now because of her age, but me and Mick chase each other up
and down the corridor and wrestle on the bed. Pepper sometimes joins in, but I
always beat both of them. I had good training from Destin!!!
Mick is
helping me with my anxiety and socialisation issues. He has great friends with
dogs, and we regularly socialise. Mick’s friends have two Schnauzers and a
Sheep Dog. They live around the corner from us, and all of them come by to let
me and Pep’s out if Mick can’t make it home at lunchtime.
We also have
more friends nearby with Schnauzers, and we go visit them and they come visit
us. I am gradually coming out of my shell and playing with my new 4 legged
friends and lying on my sofa with the people that we Schnauzers allow into our
lives!!! Life is good!!!
I still have
some marking issues, but Mick is helping me big time to deal with them. He
wants me to have the complete run of the house during the day with Pepper. And
so do I – there are sofas, futons, beds and loads of rugs to crash on – the
choice in never ending. I may be King of the kennel, but King of the castle
sounds much better to me!!
 |
| I love living in Bermuda! |
We live on a
quiet lane and I know all the neighbors. They stop off to say hello to me if I
in the garden. I am a great guard dog and bark to let Mick know when they are
at the gate.
I love the
walks every morning before Mick goes to work, and I love the car drives with
the windows down and my ears flapping in the wind!!
I love my
new home with Pepper and Mick. It’s what I always dreamed off – to be able to
give lots of love and get back lots of love.
