Showering My New Puppy with Love and Other Stuff

When I found out I was definitely getting a puppy from my chosen breeder's fall litter, I talked about my soon-to-be puppy to anyone who would listen. A good friend suggested she throw me a puppy shower. "Wow, thanks," I replied, "But I've been a dog owner for so long I already have everything I need." 

It was true, I did have everything I needed, but I soon realized it just wasn't going to be good enough for the newest member of my family.   

Yes, I had a dog crate that would be be serviceable. It even had a divider so the space could be adjusted as the puppy grew. But instead, I decided I needed a just-the-right-size crate when my boy came home. I also realized that a half cup of puppy chow would look so lonely in the food bowl I had from my previous Boxers that I had to have a smaller one. Of course, it came with a matching water dish. And the bowls were even on an elevated stand to provide an ergonomically correct eating position. Definitely a plus. Only the best for my puppy!  

Of course I already had a collar, a hand-me-down saved after my last puppy outgrew it years ago. But it was brown leather and my black Standard Schnauzer was the green collar pup of the litter. Naturally, nothing but a new green collar would do. 

Add to all of the above, must-have stuffies and chew toys, balls and pint-sized bones. I would need soft training treats and specially formulated puppy food. The breeder trained the litter to use puppy pads, so I added those to my list. And wouldn't my little guy love a set of fleece puppy blankets in a paw print for his new crate? Yes!! 

I may have turned down a puppy shower, but a deluge of  puppy essentials was still headed my way. 

It's the Little Things

It's been more than a year since Reacher crossed the Rainbow Bridge. And there are still so many things that remind me of him. 

There are the obvious signs like his leash and collar still hanging by the deck door. And pictures of him that pop up as memories on my phone or on Facebook. There's his name in black marker I see on the bottom of  a food dish, if that's the one I happen to be using for Vega that day. I know some of his hair must still be woven into a carpet, upholstery, or blanket.  

But there are invisible reminders, too. The other day, I spotted one of the neighborhood deer lying in the exact spot Reacher would post himself in the front yard as he surveyed the action across the cross street or at the bottom of our hill. And every time I see my neighbor in his backyard, I remember the way Reacher used to rush to the fence announcing his presence loud and clear in hopes of a treat tossed his way. And tonight when I returned home, the belongings in my work portfoilio weren't strewn across the hallway even though I left the closet door open. That was Reacher's MO. 

The Boxer I saw clowning at the dog park had all the markings and fun-loving attitude as my boy. I knew it wasn't Reacher, but it looked so much like him in his younger days.  

Reacher's no longer here. And he's not coming back. But I still feel his presence in the little things almost every day. 

A Long Way Home

If someone had told me they traveled across the country to pick up a puppy, I'd have thought they were nuts. But last year, I was that person. 

Before traveling from one coast to the other, the longest trip I had ever made to pick up a puppy was about 90 minutes. This puppy pick-up was a two-day affair that involved a five-hour cross-country plane ride, an hour on a shuttle bus, and another 30 minutes in the car. Then, less than 24 hours later, i repeated that same trip -- in reverse, with said puppy in tow. 

I came armed with an airline-approved crate that could be placed under the seat in front of me, a couple of puppy toys, a collapsible water dish, some puppy pads, and a few tips from a travel blogger who often brought her small dog with her on vacation. I told myself if things didn't go well, and by that, I mean if the puppy yipped or whined nonstop on the shuttle, in the airport, and/or on the plane, it was likely I would never see any of the other travelers ever again. Whew!

Fortunately, things went better than anticipated. To my fellow travelers, I apologized in advance for any possible disturbance caused by my nine-week-old puppy. Most told me not to worry about it. After all, they said, "He's just a baby." Nonetheless, I was grateful the fur baby didn't press our luck too far. 

In fact, he performed like a champ for most of the adventure. The travel blogger had advised skipping any designated doggie potty areas at the airport and instead, taking the pup into the handicap stall in the restroom, placing a puppy pad on the floor, and having the dog or puppy do his business on that. The breeder had used puppy pads in her kennel area, so I had my fingers crossed my puppy would know what was expected when I took him out of the carrier and put him on the designated spot. Surprisingly, success! 

He slept in his carrier on the entire flight home! And even better, he didn't have an accident. 

After a six-month search for just the right puppy, weeks of trip planning, and a long two days of travel, we finally arrived at our home sweet home!  

The Search is On

Once I decided a Standard Schnauzer was the breed for me, selecting the right breeder was the logical next step. My search began last March and I soon found out finding a Standard Schnauzer that met everything on my wish list wasn't going to be easy. 

Standard Schnauzers come in two colors - pepper and salt (gray) or black. Some have docked tails and cropped ears. Others have natural tails, but cropped ears. And still others have natural ears and natural tails. The breed standard allows all of those combinations. After looking at lots of photos, I knew I wanted a black Standard Schnauzer with both a natural tail and natural ears. It turned out to be a rather tall order. 

Standard Schnauzers in general are not always easy to find since they are not bred in great numbers. In fact, during my research I found there are only about 500 new Standard Schnauzers registered with the AKC each year. In addition, black is not the most popular of the two colors. 

The SSCA breeders' list currently includes 59 breeders. Only 11 breed black, exclusively. I emailed the breeders closest to me and filled out numerous puppy applications. The best breeders don't breed often and they typically have a waiting list of interested people. It became obvious; I wouldn't be bringing home a puppy anytime soon.

In April, I found a black-only Standard Schnauzer breeder with a website that featured two Standard Schnauzers with natural ears and tails. Even though she was located on the other side of the country, I decided to reach out. At her invitation, I called her after submitting a puppy application.

She answered all of my questions and provided lots of good information -- including many things I hadn't thought to ask. I asked her to put me on her list. She planned to breed her female, Gypsy, that spring when she went into season. In the meantime, we continued to talk, as well as exchange text messages and emails. 

The wait was longer than anyone anticipated. As the weeks, and then months, ticked by, I considered a couple of other litters that had recently been born. However, the puppies’ tails had already been docked which happens just a couple of days after birth. Even though both of those breeders were also on the breeders' list and considerably closer, I wouldn't be getting a puppy with a natural tail. So, I continued to wait. 

Ultimately, the inevitable happened. Gypsy went into season and was bred in early July. Five black Standard Schnauzer puppies were born on September 4, 2023 (only four pictured in the photo below). And one of them would be mine! 

Who's Next?

I will always have a dog. So, after losing Reacher to bone cancer early last year and Vega fast approaching 13, I decided to begin the search for my next four-legged companion. 

I decided I should downsize when choosing my next dog to make any future lifting easier. I was also interested in a breed that would excel in dog sports which I planned to pursue. In additon, little to no shedding was a must-have for me. I've been living with a German "Shedder" for a dozen years and counting. Boxers also shed a good bit even though their coat is shorter, so I was determined to find a breed that would allow me to cut WAY DOWN on vacuuming.  

A dog trainer I had worked with in the past considered my wish list and suggested a Standard Schnauzer, the original of the three sizes of schnauzers. According to the Standard Schnauzer Club of America (SSCA), the Standard Schnauzer is a handsome, robust, squarely built medium size breed known as an excellent family companion. The Standard Schnauzer is also outstanding as a working dog excelling in conformation, obedience, agility, tracking, herding, and therapy. In addition, the coat is harsh and wiry with minimal shedding and is pepper and salt or solid black.

These guys checked all the boxes. 

I happened to discover a couple in my neighborhood who had recently gotten a Standard Schnauzer after previously owning Giants. They invited me over to meet 5-month-old Riley. He was super friendly and excited to meet me, but after about 10 minutes or so he settled down and allowed the humans to have a conversation without interruption. I was impressed. 

Coincidentally, I was acquainted with another woman who had owned German Shepherds most of her life and who had recently chosen a Standard Schnauzer after losing her last Shepherd. She and I trained our dogs together years ago. So, I called her to get a first hand perspective. 

What she told me fit right in with the description I found on the SSCA website: "Like a mishievous and very bright child, they need consistent rules and a firm, but not rough, hand. They will get away with whatever they can and will rule the roost before you know it, if allowed." 

That sounded like a Boxer to me. So, a Standard Schnauzer? No problem.  

Let the search begin! 

 

  

Hot Dogs in Heaven

I've had dogs my entire life, so it's natural that I've experienced my share of good-byes. None of them were easy. But the hardest one so far, has been Reacher. At 11-1/2 years of age he was the longest living and healthiest of my three Boxers buddies. 

His problem started with a limp and eventually resulted in the loss of function of his right rear leg. My crazy Reacher, didn't let that faze him. In short order, he learned to go anywhere he desired as a tripod. He traveled up and down the stairs with ease and even attempted short sprints around the back yard.

His appetite never wavered. That boy was always ready to eat and continued to give me the stink eye as he had done every day during his nearly a dozen years, to let me know meal time was fast approaching. He was drinking water like always and the rest of his bodily functions continued to operate as usual. All except of course, that right rear leg.

At his age, the vet and I agreed not to do a deep dive into his issue which was likely a torn ACL or possibly something more nefarious. In either case, the goal was to keep him as comfortable as possible. So, that's what we did. 

After several weeks, it was clear Reacher was feeling the pain and on a Sunday evening I even noticed some swelling high on his leg near the hip. I knew it was time for a decision. On Monday, the swelling was moving down the leg and I called a vet I know who provides euthanasia services in clients' homes. She came on Tuesday. 

At that point, even Reacher's foot was swollen and getting around wasn't as smooth as it had been. The vet told me, the useless leg accompanied by the swelling was likely a result of bone cancer. And the only treatment was amputation. Which wasn't an option for my "senior" boy.

So, we sent Reacher on his way to the Rainbow Bridge as I fed him chunks of hot dog, one right after the other. He looked at me with those big brown eyes and gave me one last Boxer smile. It was clear, he was in heaven.    

Red Crayon or Black Rubber Bone, It's All the Same to a Dog

Dogs can be a lot like kindergartners. No matter that there's enough red crayons for every student in the class. Kids always want the same one their friend has.

Vega and Reacher are much the same. No, they aren't two artful canines who create masterpieces with their paws. I'm not actually talking about red crayons here. I'm talking about black rubber bones.

Last week I ordered one Kong Extreme black rubber bone to make sure it withstood the Boxer jaw test. If a toy can hold up to Reacher's chompers, it will pretty much hold up to anything. I am happy to report this rubber Kong bone passed.

Of course, for the few days when there was only one black rubber bone, it was the most sought after toy in the house. I get it.

So, when the second new Kong Extreme bone arrived today, there were two bones, two dogs, two satisfied customers. Right?

Wrong.

Vega wanted the new bone. Reacher wanted the new bone. And only the new bone. The Kong Extreme original was within sight. And well within reach. But neither seemed to care. Just like the kindergartners and the red crayon, I don't get it.

Both bones are black. Both rubber. Both the same size. Both make the same wet, squeaky rubbery sound when chewed. And although I have no personal experience, I imagine they must taste pretty much the same.

The only difference? They arrived three days apart. Big deal.

And yes, apparently it is to a dog.