Bindo

Many thanks for answering my question, Mysticview :)

Hi Bec. Great choice of dog! I've read all the replies in this thread from breeders and others but from personal experience, I think it's still a bit of a lottery. We were inexperienced dog owners when we bought our first MS, but had had kelpies and working dogs as kids (when Mum did all the work!) We were offered the last little boy in a litter, met him once when all the others had been picked up, and of course fell in love. He was a gem, the best dog one could hope for with a young family, and so easy to train. Our next MS, a female as suggested by the breeder (different breeder, the first one had retired) so we wouldn't compare, couldn't have been more different. We raised her in the same manner as the first, but she was very nervy and highly strung, and nowhere near as affectionate. Still gorgeous in her own way, but thank God she wasn't our first family dog. A similar thing happened to my sister in law, first staffy just perfect, second one chosen by interstate breeder (of course this makes it more difficult for everyone, owner and breeder) and he is reactive and dog aggressive. Luckily she is very experienced and spending lots of time and effort in overcoming the issues. Our current girl is like our first boy reincarnated! However, she is a rescue from the wonderful Schnauzer Rescue NSW, we got her she she was 6, and I have no idea of her origins, whether breeder or backyard job. We couldn't have a better dog! Just our of interest, a question for the breeders in this thread. What do you do, if you recognise a nervy, fearful pup in the litter? What happens to this dog if the right owner doesn't come your way? Not trolling, a genuine question. Good luck with you research Bec and hope you enjoy your MS puppy when he/she arrives! :)

The cat minder:

Should have clarified, my experience is with mini schnauzers.

If you already like the breed, why not a schnauzer? They're great dogs and seem to fit all your requirements, including the cat issue. I've had two from 8 weeks old, who came into a household with a cat, and there was never a problem. My latest girl, a rescue at 7 years old who had never lived with a cat, didn't bat an eyelid at the existing 13 year old cat and visa versa. Now the cat grooms her beard :laugh: . Of course, there will always be individual personalities, but I know lots of 'schnauzer friends' where they live with cats without problems. :) Edit to add: We also spend a lot of time in the bush/at the beach and they are a great breed for not wandering when off lead, staying within eyesight and training a good recall.

Oh no, I just saw this thread. So very sorry for your loss PFL. You were always so supportive of our little group in the Palliative Care forum, so just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you at this sad time.

I haven't been on here for a while, so thanks for the lovely thoughts Anne, GWP4Me and Vizsla Momma. Yes, it is comforting to know that even though they didn't know each other, they are with each other now in their favourite place of all times. :)

Ah well, I am blonde :laugh: ! Sorry, it was late and I was rushing. Anyway, as you say, a low grade MCT is probably 'better' than a haemangiosarcoma. Most importantly, Boof is sounding like he is recovering well :)

Good to hear Boof is back home and in your expert care! That's a big lesion for a little dog; I'm sure he will feel more comfortable soon and back to his old self. Fingers crossed for clear margins on the pathology. :)

Just a postscript; we scattered Lucy's and Darcy's ashes together up in the bush last weekend, over a glass of wine. It was the most beautiful summer evening and as we were doing it, some kangaroos appeared on their evening route, from the paddocks to the forest, straight through our place. The dogs would have loved that! It was sad but at the same time comforting to know that they are both together in their favourite place.

All the best to you and Boof for the next battle Anne, hope it all goes smoothly and he is up and about soon afterwards. :)

So sorry to hear about Boof's latest battles Anne. Hope all goes well the future surgery and the pathology results are benign/low grade.

Michelleva, she sounds (and looks) adorable and I'm with your husband and kids! I am a first time foster failure mother too, so don't worry, there's others out there. My girl Missy, wasn't from a puppy farm, but she was separated from her brother of 6 years, so there was some adjustment. She paced a lot too in the beginning, and also ran the perimeter of the yard, probably looking for how to get back to her brother. She was also a terrible eater for the first few weeks, but I found that letting her eat within 2 metres or so of our other dog (who was not food defensive - it never lasted long enough :laugh: ) helped her, and of course, I supervised. She is also a bit of a velcro dog when I'm home, but I have never arrived home to barking or any problems - she's usually asleep in her bed, even now she's on her own. Sounds like she is settling in very well, considering her past life and you are doing all the right things. Please let us know the outcome! :)

Frodo.

Great news Dave, sounds like all is going well. Jazz sounds like she has such a great love of life and you are doing everything possible to support her. Isn't Veronika just gorgeous !

This was a freebie from a friend who works for Pet Barn last year: She wouldn't look at me: Oops, just realised it was for a boy, probably wouldn't like a dress! Just love you dog's outfit Tic (and the look on the face - priceless :laugh: )

After sending thank you notes for all their care, to our vets (local and SASH) after we gave Lucy her wings two weeks ago, we received the most beautiful card and hand written notes from the SASH vets and staff. The card was of 'Shirley Schnauzer' sitting in a library, with her story on the back. Such a lovely thing for them to do. I checked where it came from and here is the website: http://www.kirstypilkington.com.au/product/cards/ She has the most beautiful collection of 'doggy' cards that I have seen, and seems to cover many breeds and bitzers. With Christmas coming up, and of course for other occasions too, just thought people might be interested. :)

Many thanks Kayla, Shepherds and GWP4me, such lovely thoughts and wishes. Yes, I also feel like the people in this forum our our 'little family' as we have all been, or are still going through, similar battles. It has been strange, doing the vacuuming and hosing without someone attacking those 'monsters' - Missy just stands there and wags her tail. And although she hadn't done them for a while, I also miss Lucy's spontaneous zoomies up and down the hall, killing the nearest unfortunate toy. Must admit though, all this is far easier to bear when you have another dog to snuggle up to and look after. :)

I know all individual dogs are different, but we have always taken our mini schnauzers to our place in the bush (a few acres, dodgy fencing and temptations galore in the form of wildlife) and have never had problems with wandering while we are there. Of course, if we go out while up there, they are inside as we don't have a secure run outside (snakes would be my worry as well). However, they are the WORSE dogs for the Australian bush in summer, as they attract every burr and grass seed imaginable, unless clipped right down, which sort of defeats the purpose :laugh: Perhaps an older kelpie/kelpie cross or cattle dog as others have suggested? Good luck with the searching. :)

I have just been through this with my girl, thread here :Lucy We decided to do what Kelpiecuddles said above and others have concurred with, ie quality over quantity. She was still eating, drinking and mobile, but getting sicker by the day and less interested in everything and it was only going to go in one direction. We planned her last day to be lovely for her; BBQ chicken breakfast, new squeaky toy (her favourite thing) and then a huge lamb shank in the afternoon, as she hadn't been allowed bones for over a year. The vet arrived at 5pm and she went to sleep in my arms. Although terribly sad, it was the most peaceful death and i felt positive that we had timed it well, rather than having to rush off to a vet's waiting room full of people in an emergency situation. It's never an easy decision, but I'm sure you'll decide what's best for your boy.

Great to hear! The surgeons and staff at SASH are fantastic. Hope she continues to improve and is home soon.

Many thanks to everyone for their kind words and thoughts, means a lot. I know she is in a better place now and can run free again without pain.

We gave Lucy her wings this afternoon. She fell asleep in my arms at home, after wolfing down some BBQ chicken. Despite the weather, she had a lovely day with a chicken breakfast, a new squeaky toy and then a huge lamb shank this afternoon. She spent most of the afternoon at my feet under the desk. I'm so thankful we didn't wait any longer as she really had deteriorated over the weekend. Our vets were wonderful and so caring. Run free Lucy Lou, you fought a good fight but two different cancers in 13 months was just too much for your poor little body. Hope you and Darcy have fun chasing those rabbits and kangaroos at the Rainbow Bridge.

So sorry to hear of your loss Sylvie, but you gave him his peace. Looked like a gorgeous little boy.

Many thanks Maeby, Anne and Schnauzer, means a lot to have the thoughts and best wishes of others who have been, or are going, through the same thing. :)