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We??™ve had Miniature Schnauzers for over
25yrs. Statistically it??™s said that people who have
Schnauzers remain loyal to the breed more so than any other
breed.
Schnauzer #3 was a beautiful black and
silver named Maggie. She was purchased from a very well
respected breeder, who also introduced the first black
Schnauzers into the state of Texas. Maggie came from a very
long line of champions and was a perfect specimen. The
breeder, who had also become a friend, convinced me we
should breed her at least once to one of her studs.
That was one of the most thrilling
experiences I??™ve ever had. Maggie got bigger by the day
until we thought she would ???pop???. How a dog that size ever
managed to produce 6 perfect pups still amazes me.
At the same time we had a precious Salt
and Pepper Schnauzer named Tiffany. She had been spayed and
never bred. I??™ve always felt there were too many dogs
without homes and breeding was never considered until the
one litter with Maggie. Those two female fur balls were the
best of pals.
Naturally, when the time came, labor
started very late at night! Tiffany was mesmerized and
hovered over the event like a midwife. She barely left room
for me to deliver the pups as she paced, watched, squeezed
up close, and salivated of all things. All I could figure
was her hormones had gone bonkers, as she knew exactly what
was happening.
Two mornings after giving birth Maggie
was in the kitchen, and I walked to the back of the house
where the babies were being raised in a regular child??™s
playpen. Just as I entered the room I saw Tiffany with a
pup in her mouth (held properly I might add) and she
disappeared under the loveseat with it! I knew right then
that she had decided five were enough for Maggie ??“ all she
needed to be happy was ???JUST ONE??? to call her very own.
Of course, I had to scold her somewhat
and return the baby to its littermates. I just couldn??™t
have her abducting and hiding babies all over the house!
She never again snatched a baby, but she was in and out of
the playpen tending to them right along side Maggie.
Sometimes she would hop in and check them when Maggie was
napping or in another room. Oh, how she adored those babies
that weren??™t even hers. What lucky puppies to be mothered
by two such attentive ladies.
The thrill of this experience came to a
screeching halt when it was time to advertise for homes. I
interviewed these callers like they were adopting a child
and had to tell some of them ???I??™m sorry, but I cannot sell
to you???. Finally we were down to one black male that was a
beauty. In fact, the breeder had told me to raise the price
on him because he was so perfect. Due to his price he was
with us the longest. I had cried as each pup sold, but I
was literally sick for days when Handsome Jack left us. His
buyer had somehow outsmarted me and a week later the bank
notified us the check was no good. It took some detective
work (as she had just moved) but I was able to track her
down even in a city the size of Dallas. We did not call, as
we wanted to catch her off-guard. When we arrived at her
apartment complex Jack was in the window crying and tangling
himself the blinds. My heart simply broke and I was tempted
to break down the door regardless of the consequences.
Instead we sat for several hours waiting for his ???new owner???
to return home. As we waited neighbors out walking began
talking with us. We found out he was left alone constantly,
he cried constantly, etc. We decided right then and there
that he would NOT stay in a home like that.
The owner finally pulled in after
dark. Knowing she would probably bring Jack outside to
potty we waited??¦??¦then here he came (off leash!). We got out
of the car to confront this woman, and the minute Jack heard
my voice he ran like lightening and was in my arms. He
stayed in my arms as she tried to explain the check, and
told us she had the cash in her apartment. No amount of
money could have pried that boy out of my arms!
We arrived home well after midnight
very tired and emotionally exhausted. When we walked in with
Jack you can??™t imagine the reunion these three dogs had. We
were so weary and wanted to go to bed, but they romped and
chased until they were literally ???dog-tired???. It was a
beautiful sight to see, and these three had wonderful lives
together from that night forward.
Unfortunately Jack died of cancer at
the very young age of 6. By then Tiffany was 13 and she
immediately started going down hill. I??™m convinced she just
kind of gave up as she grieved for him, and within two weeks
we had to have her put to sleep. Losing two that close
together was almost more than I could bear, but our dear
Maggie lived to the ripe old age of 15.
The day we were taking Tiffany to be
put down the last words she actually responded to were ???do
you want to go meet Jack at the Rainbow Bridge???? She raised
her head at the sound of his name. At two
days of age when Tiffany ???stole the
pup??? they all looked identical, but in my heart I??™ve always
known it was Jack. She wanted ???JUST ONE??? and she got her
wish after all!
Author Unknown - if you know who wrote
it, please let me know
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May you be blessed today
Bob Johnston
Editor / Publisher
To read archived stories, click on this link:
http://archives.zinester.com/9516/2004
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