Juliet and I were privileged to visit them this week and share our blog to help them find loving families.  They have a great family, and these pups are already very well socialized with people and other dogs.  We will post updates from Sharolyn as we receive them.  Meanwhile, if you’re interested in buying a pup, you’ll find more info on the Puppies Available page.

You already know how much I love my dogs and the responsibility I feel toward their care, so you can imagine how I felt when the vet told me that Fritz’s blood work ruled out any infections.  Instead, it was pointing directly at Juvenile Renal Dysplasia.

Canine Juvenile Renal Dysplasia is a fancy way to describe a simple but fatal genetic condition where the kidneys do not develop.  The kidneys clean the blood and expel waste into urine, but just as importantly they also produce a hormone that instructs the stem cells in bone marrow to produce blood cells.  Without functioning kidneys, you cannot produce blood and you cannot clean it.  Humans with non-functioning kidneys can endure dialysis while they wait for a transplant, but it’s not that simple with dogs.  At the time Fritz was diagnosed last June, the vet explained to me that there was only one university in California performing transplants, but the reality is that they have not been perfected yet, and most dogs reject their new kidneys within several months.  Painful surgery with very little life extension or improvement was not an option.

My vet referred me to another vet for an ultrasound and second opinion.  The ultrasound showed that there was less than 25% function in both kidneys combined (animals can survive down to 25% functioning), and where there should have been organ structure and blood flow, there was nothing.  Fritz seemed fine.  A little skinny perhaps, but happy, well-adjusted, full of life.  The death sentence was entirely unexpected.

I cried for three miles driving home, until I looked over at him and realized that he was the one dying, not me.  He was the one whose life was being taken, so I needed to put my selfishness aside.  I made a decision right there that he would have the happiest little life I could possibly give him and that I was going to live every moment I had with him to the fullest.  And I felt an overwhelming compassion for families with sick children.  The hopelessness of helplessness is utterly devastating.

My other concern at this time was the other puppies in the litter.  Would they have the same catastrophic condition?  Each puppy went to a family with children, and I was horrified at the possibility.  I informed the other puppy owners and awaited replies.  Fortunately, all of the other puppies are healthy and thriving.

I took Fritz in for regular blood tests to keep an eye on his progress.  During the fall I noticed black scabby places on the tips of his ears, his tongue was pale lavender, and he was knawing at his paws.  This was a result of poor circulation, and tests showed that he did not have enough blood in his body.  The vet said Fritz should have been in a coma his red count was so low, so he was immediately given a blood transfusion — a relatively simple procedure less expensive and dramatic than expected — and then the vet had me start suppliments and injections of erythropoietin, a hormone to help him produce blood.  The next challenge would be what to do once his body accepted it and started producing blood since he had no organs to clean it.  But we did not get that far.  Our time together here had run out.

This is very difficult to discuss, but for the sake of others facing similar situations I will.  Fritz was the first dog that I have ever had to put down myself.  He was just 13 1/2 months old.  He was the most friendly and loving beast I’ve ever known.  On Christmas morning, he spent a good bit of time outside hanging out with the other dogs.  That afternoon he curled up into a tight ball and would not get up.  Over the next few days he had uncontrollable, foul saliva, but would eat and drink off and on.  By Sunday night, the way he was acting — not staying with me, unusually trying to go off elsewhere — I suspected it was time.  I dropped him off at the vet the next morning, still hoping that another blood transfusion or adjustment in the medication would fix things (temporarily, of course), but that was not the case.  The vet asked me to come in as soon as I could, but I did everything I could to drag my feet.  I know why — because I wasn’t ready to lose Fritz.  But in reflection, I do wish that his last hours had been spent with me rather than in a cold veterinary cage.  I think he was fairly disoriented, but that doesn’t change anything for me.

The vet gave me a couple of hours to collect myself and make a decision.  A friend came over — the same one who helped me take his little puppy picture a year before — and she went with me, even into the examining room.  The vet laid Fritz down on the metal table in front of me, and he rested obligingly.  A syringe filled with pink poison pushed into his veins was more than I could take.  No resistance, Fritz just left me there, sobbing uncontrollably saying goodbye to his precious little body.  With all my heart I wished that I could have taken his place.  I’ve never done anything so cruel to another life before.  Merciful it may have been, but that still doesn’t change the death I caused.

The day after, it came to me what might help me: making a remembrance stone.  Craft stores like Hobby Lobby sell stepping stone kits that you can personalize.  The Christmas before Romeo died, my sister-in-law gave me a Paw Print Kit.  I didn’t have the chance to get Romeo’s done, but I remembered it in time to do one for Fritz.  I mixed and poured the concrete, drove it to the vet, and stamped his paw in it.  From now on I am going to do stepping stones for all my dogs…preferably while they are still young.  I’m going to do one for Juliet and one for Romeo, and my plan is to set them in a garden sitting area under the trees in the backyard over their ashes.  It’s a place where they can “watch” the squirrels they loved to chase, and a place I can go to remember my old friends, their unconditional love, and the lessons they taught me about the kind of person I want to be.  Making that stone did me a lot of good by giving me something I could finally do for him.

It took Juliet a few days to stop looking for him.  Maybe because she lost Romeo before she figured it out, but I think it took her longer this time.  Fritz never left her from the moment he was born.  When they napped, he always laid his head across her.  She didn’t want the towel or toys that smelled like his last days.  Toys hold no interest for her without a playmate.  So even though my wound is still deep, I think it’s time for the pitter patter of other puppy paws, for Juliet’s sake.  I’m grateful that Pixie has had pups because she is similar to Juliet in personality.  I’ll never have another Fritz ever again, but I’m hoping for a brother who is as good-natured and as similar as he can possibly be.  So I plan to buy one of Pixie’s boys and make Schnauzer Addiction available to help the Wilkins’ find other families for their darling new litter.

That’s the thing about dogs.  Their unconditional love changes your life forever.  You know when you hold that tiny little creature in your own giant paws that they are going to break your heart, but without their presence and forgiving hearts, your own life just does not hold the same meaning.  I wish I knew why God gave dogs shorter lives than ours.  Maybe it’s a reminder to us of how precious and short life can be.  So I’m just going to keep on cherishing each little slobbery nose, chewed up shade pulls, ”accidents” waiting to be cleaned up, and my shady seat in the garden.  As much as I miss them, I find comfort that my precious departed Best Friends are waiting for me to come Home.  Maybe then I’ll finally have that Schnauzer Plantation I’ve always dreamed of.

Rest in peace, my precious Friedrich von Brutus.

Since I am keeping Friedrich, that is the end of Juliet’s first litter.  It’s a bittersweet thing.  It’s sad to see these precious animals go, but there are also wonderful things to celebrate:  1) I’ve met new people, converted others to my addiction, and now have an extended Miniature Schnauzer family as a result.  2) All of the puppies went to loving families.  3) Each puppy has a special purpose and place, and I look forward to hearing about how they grow and contribute to their new “packs!”

Juliet is deserving and in need of a good rest now.  Lately I’ve noticed her personality becoming even more gentle and playful than she was before she had pups.  I’m very proud of her and grateful for such a good pet and dam.  She’s earned her day at the spa! 

At this time I do not have plans for another litter.  Any future plans will be posted as necessary.  If I receive additional updates from the puppies, I mean, new owners, I will be happy to post them.

Blessings to you all from Schnauzer Addiction!

This has been a really hard week for me, saying good-bye to the last of this beautiful litter.  There is one more puppy left to say goodbye to, and I am certainly not looking forward to that.  But I am very grateful that the puppies have all found wonderful homes!  Check out the Keeping in Touch page for updates from their new families.

The end of last week, the puppies did have their second round of shots.  Potty training and socializing and lots of play time continues.

Juliet loves having space to play with the “kids.”  She spends a good deal of her inside time in their “play pen” romping with them and resting with them.  Outdoors she is teaching them the finer points of playing with sticks (first, you find one; second, you get the silly human to chase you with it; third, you eat it) and “playing” frisbee (she does not catch it, she chases it, then I chase her, then I give up trying to recover it and she chews on it).  The puppies just love all the new outdoor games they are learning!

Congratulations to the George family — Gretl went to her new home with them on New Year’s Day!

I took lots of pics this weekend.  Enjoy.

Yesterday we began to more seriously work on potty training.  Every time the big dogs have gone out, so have the little ones.  But this weekend we’ll be striving in earnest — practically every hour on the hour the pups will have the chance to do their business.  They are getting used to a different yard and will be working on getting out there on their own power as well.  So far, they are all doing great.  The families that get these pups will have a head start!

I’m so impressed — the pups already know when I clap, it means to come.  Their hearing is great, and their vision has really started to improve, so they can see me and Juliet better to know where to come.  They love all the room to run and play — and play they do.  They are growing more independent, weaning well, and are just all around wonderful animals to be around.  Their sweetness and goodness is the best de-stresser, joy-filler I know of!

At first they were like, “What is all this stuff we’re stepping on??  This doesn’t seem right to me!”  But a few sniffs here and there told them they were indeed in the right place after all.  Friedrich and Gretl made me the proudest.  They soon became fearless.  Most of the pups wanted to explore, but those two were not detered by the new surroundings or the two really big dogs.  In fact, I saw both of them challenge the big dogs to play.

The pups discovered the joy of sunshine, fresh air, crunchy leaves, and teething on fallen tree branches.  They were so cute!  I didn’t get any pictures this time, but next time should be even better, now that the pups and Mother Nature have been properly introduced.

There’s still time, but it’s running short if you want a pup for Christmas — if you are interested, be sure you fill out an application and email it to me as soon as possible.

Update:  I forgot to mention — the puppies had their first shots yesterday.  Everyone did very well!

Congratulations to the Cross family on the newest addition to their family: Louisa will go home with them just in time for Christmas!  Only three puppies remain — go to the Puppies Available page for updated information.

Another first for the pups:  I’ve introduced them to “sockies,” the favorite toy of our family schnauzers.  Don’t tell PetSmart, but my favorite present to put under the tree for the dogs is a simple package of men’s tube socks.  You knot them up, they tug on them, and you throw them in the washer with a little Clorox and they’re just about like new.  So now they have a few of their own to explore and enjoy.  Some are catching about how to teeth on it, but it will probably be a little while before they figure out how to play with them together.  Like human babies, they are exploring the world with their mouths now, and there’s nothing they won’t investigate.  You can catch a glimpse of the sockies in the picture.

Last night, they took their first bath.  Each one got wet and soapy, and though they were not especially thrilled about it, they did really well.  They were clean and fluffy and fragrant…for about 2 seconds. 

Here are some individual updates for you:

Liesl likes to chew on the sockie and is very playful and bright.   She’s got that “soulful” eyes thing going already.  Friedrich is quickly catching up to Liesl in size, as it should be.  Both Friedrich and Louisa like to find and attack my ears and roughhouse with me when I hold them — I think I must be their toy.  Kurt is still smaller than the rest, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to pounce on his biggest littermates.  Brigitta is a very round ball of fur, full of energy.  Marta also has lots of energy, and she’s easy to spot with her dark fur and three white paws flying around.  Gretl has gained in size to compete with the other females and is growing in her confidence and playfulness.

They are all very bright-eyed, and most come looking for me or cry for me to come play when they know I’ve entered the room — already people oriented.  They know that a hand reaching into the box means affection and attention.  Since they took a liking to the dog food, they seem to be growing almost hourly.  They are getting sturdier, plumper, and there’s plenty more for me to clean up!  (So, yes, the menagerie has converted back to a box, though a bigger, more “dog-run” kind of box than before.)  In particular, I’ve noticed growth in the length and girth of their legs.  Lots more teeth coming in — Juliet must wonder what I’ve done to her.  She has started trying to wean them.  With bellies full of food, they sleep like logs!  They are already ready for a good grooming — they’ve got lots of fur, but with the ice storm, I’m very grateful they haven’t been groomed yet.  There are little tufts of fur on the tops of their head and ears that stick up — but that’s what happens when you roll around with your littermates all day.

All in all, each one is becoming a wonderful dog.  They are going to make awesome pets for loving owners.

I think I can safely say that in all the winter storms I’ve ever seen, I’ve never seen anything quite like this.  I don’t think tornadoes scare me as much as the sound of huge trees just snapping into bits all around, and you don’t know whether it will fall on your house, car, the neighbors or just frozen grass.  Small branches falling sound like they’re enormous.  It was a very eerie experience, and they say that tonight there will be another round, maybe worse.

I’m praying that you and yours are safe and warm and enjoying the wonderful blessing of electricity!

Before:

After:

Aren’t Schnauzers just the smartest things?  But, ha!  Their plan for world domination has met it’s match — I’ve got thumbs and a plan of my own.  God bless the person who invented Swiffer and the doggie gate!  My former kitchen has been puppy-proofed, and they can explore to their hearts contents during the day and night, except when Juliet and I need a little time of our own for meals and sanity breaks.  Then out comes the crowd control corraling device (a.k.a. doggie gate).  One pass with the Swiffer and my new best friend, Clorox Kitchen Disinfectant, and the room is ours once again.  (Insert head-back, rule-the-world movie laugh here.)

Just kidding.  But that’s what it’s felt like the last couple days.  I’m sure the plan will experience some tweaking (like more newspapers/pad for potty training, etc.), but for now, I’ve got a puppy menagerie.  Juliet’s happy, the puppies are ecstatic, it works.

One of the “whole new world” experiences for the puppies is the water bowl.  I filled it and set it in the middle of the room thinking they’d just bump into it and dance around it for a week or so.  Maybe I’m starting to sound like a broken record but these pups are just so smart.  Their first encounter with it was really cute — they touched the bowl with their noses (or bumped into it with their heads), a few sniffs here and there, and then a couple touched the water with their noses and promptly shook their heads.  Cold water must be surprising up warm little nostrils!  But after a day or two of watching mom drink from it, I’m starting to see a couple of the pups deliberately go to the bowl and touch the water with their tongues.  I would not say they are gulping it down, but they are already getting the idea.  I’m looking forward to the fun we are all going to have when we start working on real dog food — most likely next week.

Congratulations (again) to the Jack family — they have decided to get one of the males as well so that Sally will have a playmate, Lightning McQueen (they are big Cars fans), and they’ll have the added bonus of a familiar littermate.

Other evidence of their extraordinary super powers, I mean, abilities, is that Liesl has developed the smarts to get out of the box.  At first I thought it was just her physical prowess as the big girl on the block, but no — turns out that she has figured out that if the dog pile is below the opening, and she is on top (as always), she can just use the others as a ladder to get out.  Too bad she has not figured out how to get back in yet!  I think the challenge of getting back in has given her a little paws pause for thought before escaping more often.

Add to the list that the majority of the litter now have teeth breaking through.  They seem to be having two come in at a time, top first.  All four of Liesl’s incisors are in.  Do pray for my little Juliet when you think of her!

Yesterday we had our first de-worming.  This will continue over two more days and will repeat in week six when the first round of shots happens.  They did fabulous at the vet — not a peep out of them, and they all did so well being handled.  The vet was very pleased with their appearance and health, not to mention at how fast they’ve grown.  By the next time they see him, they will be weaning and learning how to eat big dog food.

The puppies are enjoying human contact, and, if they are awake, come to look for me when they hear me come in.  They have been really cute learning to scratch themselves with their back paws and exploring on the kitchen floor.  Sometimes I see Juliet in their reactions to things around them.  A few days ago when I let them on the floor to look around, Gretl walked up to me, sat down, rested her tiny head on my leg and just wanted me to pet her back.  Precious!

Is there a recovery group for this addiction??

One item of business:  It is posted on the Puppies Available page, but I wanted to also post here that 2 of the female puppies are already sold.  Congratulations to the Jack family on their newest addition — Sally!  And I plan to keep one also.

The last 24 hours the pups have really been starting to play with each other in earnest.  It is so cute to watch.  They’ve started to wag their little tails.  Their little eyes aren’t quite in focus yet because they hunker down, give a little noise, and pounce, completely missing the litter mate they were trying to “attack.”  Louisa and Marta have been two of my favorites to watch because they are serious about their play.  Kurt is also fun to watch — he is walking the best of the bunch, very confident of his footing, and I’ve seen him take on Liesl in play but two minutes later lay there while the others play on top of him.  Liesl has a thing about being on top of the pile, or someone, at all times, and she is the most vocal (so far).  Friedrich loves to explore his world — he’s going to grow into a confident and good natured boy like his dad, I think.  Gretl and Brigitta enjoy being loved, and they go back and forth between playing and sitting back to watch the others carry on.  It’s been funny watching them all take turns trying to pounce on Juliet or bite at her ears to get her to play with them — it’s like watching the neighborhood dogs try to get Clifford the Big Red Dog to play.

The individual pics I posted yesterday just don’t do the pups justice.  I think video would be better, but I wanted to wait until the pups got mobile — puppies sleeping isn’t especially interesting!  No promises, but I will try to post a video of them in the next couple weeks.

Update: I forgot to mention that Louisa had figured out that she could bark.  Now the others are learning, too — I think they surprise themselves with it — they had no idea they could bark and then they look like they’re trying to figure out where it came from.  Every now and then they bark that small but distinctive schnauzer bark at the wall of their box, me, Juliet, their litter mates, and things that just aren’t there.  This is one of a schnauzer’s more endearing traits — Miniature Schnauzers think they are BIG stuff.  Even so young, these puppies are in charge, protective and playful.  I take for granted how Juliet and other dogs act — it’s fascinating to watch the pups take on each little behavior that will grow them into what being a dog is all about.

On Saturday, I saw the first sign of play from them.  Kurt, trying to sleep, was pounced on by Louisa trying to (play) bite his nose while Brigitta snuggled up against him licking his face.  It was a Kodak moment, but unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me.  By now, all of the pups are starting to play with each other.  They are even trying to play with mom — biting at her ears and face.

They are all walking, still wobbly, but definitely walking.  I anticipate that we will have outgrown our current box by the end of the week.  Aside from playing, I think their huge yawns, sweet scent and thick coats are more schnauzer things I am thankful for.

These puppies are definitely treasures and have already brought me lots of joy.  I’m certain they will do the same for you!

1) The pups had their first toenail trim last night!  Their little claws must have grown overnight–or over a few hours–because they were really sharp.  Poor Juliet!  But, a little nailclipper and a little patience, and the world is all as it should be again.  It was actually a very pleasant experience:  I waited until they finished their near-midnight snack, and while they were floating on their mealtime high, they were content to just lay on my lap and let me clip.  They were so good about me handling their paws, and it gave me some extra one-on-one time with them.  Turned out to be more fun than I would have thought — nails have never been my thing.

2) It looks like we’re going to have some walkers here pretty soon.  Brigitta and Kurt have been working at it for several days now, and I noticed Liesl giving it a go yesterday.  The others may be trying, but those are the only ones I’ve seen for myself.  My money is on Liesl to be the first — even though the others have been trying longer, I just figure it’s logical because she is the biggest and may not have to try as hard.  They are so cute when they try.  They look like they’re drunk.  Their little bones wobble, and their muscles just aren’t used to it yet.  But it’s only a matter of time!

Their eyes did open over the weekend, so I grabbed my camera, turned off the flash, and tried to get some individual information for you.  Allow me to introduce you to the Von Trapp Family Schnauzers:

  Liesl — Liesl is the largest pup.  She is mainly black right now with a large white stripe on her chest, white back paws, white chin, and a little “salt” behind her ears.  So far I’ve observed that Liesl is gentle, squirmy, and very serious about meal time.

  Friedrich — Friedrich is the largest male.  He has almost as much “salt” as Louisa and Brigitta, and he also has 4 white paws and a white stripe on his chest.  (Sorry his picture is so blurry.  I couldn’t get him to sit still!)

  Louisa — Louisa is “salty” all over.  She has a large horizontal white stripe on her chest and 4 white paws.  She’s also pretty squirmy.

  Kurt — Kurt is the littlest pup.  He has “salt” behind his ears and across his face, a white stripe on his chest and white paws.  His eyes were the first I saw open.  He enjoys being held, and I expect he may become a sweet little lover dog.

  Brigitta — Brigitta is very similar to Louisa in coloring, except that the only white on her is a small white spot on her chest.  She also enjoys being held; she snuggles and enjoys being on her back in your hands and will also likely become a sweet little lover dog.

  Marta — Marta is very dark with only very little “salt” behind her ears.  She does have a white spot on her chest and 3 white paws.

  Gretl — Gretl is very similar to Marta in her coloring, except that she has no white at all.

I guess that makes me Fraulein Maria (ha!).  I’m sure the puppies wish I could sing like she could — it’s probably a good thing that their ears were still closed when we watched it.

Another note of interest:  Some friends came by to visit this weekend, and Juliet did very well having them enter the house and handle her pups a little.  She has been more protective of her territory, so we rewarded Juliet with plenty of treats and attention and encouragement.  I just had to say I’m very proud of how well she is behaving.

Thanks for browsing, and be sure to come back later for continued individualized updates for the pups about their personalities and goings-on.  They are still doing a lot of eating and sleeping, and their personalities will be coming out more over the next few weeks as they get more mobile.  I’m praying over them all that they will bring great joy into the world through their lives and that God will bring just the right families along for each one of them.

But there is something special about schnauzer ears.  They are so soft, and they do the cutest things with them.  Juliet may not be able to speak English, but when she gets her ears and nose moving, she is so very expressive.  Thank God for puppy dogs…and their adorable ears!

I would love to have individual pictures of them for you, but it’s very difficult to get them to sit still right now (they are full of wriggly energy), and this week we have to be careful about pictures because their eyes will be opening, but we’ll work on it.  In the meantime, I tried to get closer pics of them for you.  One of them is great — they are all lined up, except for the seventh one who is buried under the rest (you can see it’s leg sticking out).

One of the girls is considerably bigger than the rest, and she is determined to lay across Juliet’s neck…that is, if she can’t manage to get comfortable across Juliet’s face!  Even if you move her across the box, she’ll just go right back where she wants to go.  This she-pup reminds me and my family of one of our most beloved schnauzers.

If it is at all possible, the “kids” get cuter and cuter everyday.  They were so precious napping yesterday, I had to take more pics (one of the downfalls of my addiction).  Enjoy.

Juliet is about to burst, though she still has a few more days to go.  I really feel for her–she’s getting so uncomfortable.  Last night I was petting her, and there was what felt like a puppy face pushing really hard and sticking out.  Since this is Juliet’s first litter, I wonder if she knows what’s happening to her or if she thinks that she’s in a bad “Alien” movie.

One of my co-workers found out she was pregnant the same time Juliet was breeding.  As we talked she was surprised to find out that it only takes 9 weeks for puppies to gestate when it takes 9 months for humans.  I told her to think of it like the old saying — if she has a “bun in the oven,” then Juliet is doing more microwave-style cooking. 

Juliet gets lots of yummy and healthy mommy things to eat, and she got her “mommy special” hair cut last week at the groomer.  All she wants to do right now is find a comfortable position and a safe “den.”  Last night she indulged in her favorite pasttime–laying on my clean laundry.  Fortunately, it was fluffy towels I had just bought for the little ones.  She buried her nose, then her head, then her whole body before she was finally happy.  It won’t be long now…she and I are both counting the days!