Bindo

Hi gwp4me, thanks for the Struppie update, always lovely to hear how he is. Good that he is still so keen on his walks and enjoying life. Vets told me that the predisone/macrolone can make them more prone to pancreatitis, so maybe the lamb (which is fairly high in fat) might have upset him a bit? When I look back, I realised that I let Lucy have some lamb just before she got sick during her treatment which probably didn't help her. Trouble is, we want to make their time special and probably tend to spoil them and give them all their favourites - true in my case. When you have time, would love to see some photos of your gang together! :)

Thanks so much to everyone who is thinking of us, very sweet. Without wanting to jinx things, Lucy is traveling really well at the moment. She's recovered from whatever was ailing her a few weeks ago, and seems to have more energy these days. Probably both the effects of the prednisone wearing off and the weather cooling a bit. She is off all medication now, with just good food and lots of TLC. Like Kobe, she is now just four and a half months since diagnosis and the average prognosis with her grade of tumour was 4 months, so every extra day is a bonus. I have been taking both her and Missy down to a large leash-free park area near the river, and let Lucy off (as she's rock solid off lead) and Missy on lead. It's so funny as Lucy bounds ahead as if to show off and say 'I'm still top dog' (which she is). We have a lovely 30 min wander and then back home. Missy is off to obedience lessons, starting on Wednesday, as I don't think she has done any and I certainly need a refresher. Recall is top priority but she's getting there. We're heading up to the bush on Saturday (after the Swans first game - have to get my priorities right!)so they will have a lovely time up there running around with all the exciting smells and two schnauzers next door. I will try to get some good photos, but keeping all four together for a photo shoot is a challenge! I was so sad to hear about Emma this week - makes us all want to give them lots of love and treasure what time we have left. :)

I am so sorry for your loss Silentchild - I had been checking each day lately to see if there were any updates from our little group. It' such a hard decision to make but I think we can see in your story that you made the right one at the right time and it was in Emma's best interests. She and you fought the good fight, rest in peace Emma.

We're up to our third mini, latest one a foster failure : Missy's story. Before Missy, I would have said boys - snugglebums, girls - more feisty and independent, but that's all been turned on it's head! she's the biggest cuddlepie I've ever known. I have nowhere near the experience of others on here such as breeders, but will try to give the pros and cons (not many) of the breed from our experience Pros: good compact size, great for travelling (and all ours have loved the car), clowns and very playful - love their toys, no shedding, very little or no 'doggy' smell, go well in the bush as well as the city and can be trained to be great off lead, gutsy eaters (good and bad!), good on their own but generally very sociable with other dogs and people and of course just such great looks! Cons: regular clipping (but not a problem for you and doesn't worry me), can be a bit pig-headed with training (what's in it for me?), can be prone to biliary problems such as pancreatitis (so good diet is important) and like all breeds need to make sure breeder has done the work with genetic issues. Some are yappy, but again training comes into this. My first girl Lucy is not great with young kids (a bit fearful), but I think that was thanks to a 'kind' neighbour. And they put up with all sorts of indignities: Enjoy your research, hope we have another new schnauzer on our 'breed forum' soon! :)

Yes, I call it their 'environmental enrichment' time out of the city :laugh: Good for everyone, not just the dogs. Two tired but happy girls today.

Glad to hear Struppie is still doing relatively well. Love the photo! He doesn't want to show everyone his grey hair! Your property looks just beautiful, so lush. Even up our way, in the central tablelands, it looks like Ireland at the moment, after being so brown at Christmas.

I hope all the doggies in this forum are going well at the moment Lucy was not great last week, just seemed a bit flat and yelped a few times when handled. Off to the vets, and after going over her very thoroughly and then an ultrasound, nothing new, so could have just been a minor upset. She's still a bit quieter but seems to be OK. Totally knackered tonight after a weekend in the bush - they are both fast asleep at my feet. Missy had her first weekend at Hampton, and did very well, seeing she's never been off lead with me before. Here's some photos: In doggy paradise: How can I get to those kangaroos?: Not sure about that creek!: Lucy chilling out:

Happy Gotcha Day Lucy! I always enjoy reading the tales of Lucy and how far she has come with you, from her terrible beginnings. Have to laugh too, as it must be the name! I have a Princess Lucy MS, with us from a breeder since 9 weeks, but they share some of the same traits :laugh: Both gorgeous girls though and we wouldn't have them any other way. :)

He looks like a very sweet boy, so sorry for your loss. I hope Chloe does not fret too much - love the picture of them 'holding hands'.

Teddy is gorgeous! Sounds like a lovely boy and how lucky is he to arrived in dog paradise! Hope he, Adi and Struppie have a lovely time together :)

Thank you so much for posting this clip up! I hadn't seen it before and as the new owner of a rescue dog, it just makes me grin from ear to ear (and get something in my eye). Mine is on her snoring at the moment as I work in the study. :)

Good to hear that Struppie is well enough for his treatment and that the disease seems to have stabilised. Shepherds, sorry to hear that Kobe has been a bit flat of late. Sometimes it's very difficult to work out what is causing what, but I'm sure he is getting lots of TLC from Mum. :)

Quick Lucy update for the fellow travelers (and others) on this journey. We went back to the vet today for her first monthly check up since pancreatitis and subsequent cease of chemo/prednisone. So far so good No visible sign of disease and she looks good, has put on a bit of weight since the pancreatitis, which she needed. She will stay on a low fat diet for the rest of her life and no bones (unfortunate, as she loved them) but better to be safe than sorry. Even roo bones are a no no. Missy came with us too (for moral support for Lucy :) ) and got lots of cuddles, pats and treats from all the vet nurses and staff. She lapped it up, and was very well behaved. Thought it would be good for her to have a positive vet visit and it was lovely to see her so happy to see Lucy when she re-appeared. She just loves the car and doesn't want to get out when we get home, so funny. Unless we have any problems in the meantime, they don't want to see her for another 2 months - every finger and toe crossed.

Good luck for tomorrow with Struppie and that he can have the treatment he needs. Pleased to hear that he is still happy and enjoying life - this is the main thing! :)

Poor Boof and poor you! I would do exactly as you are doing - wait and see, with repeat ultrasound in a few months.

So sorry to hear about Hamlet, he sounded like a real character. Take care.

Many thanks everyone! Missy surprises us each day (good surprises!) and you can tell Lucy loves having her around. Lucy tries to initiate play now, but Missy is still a little unsure about that but I guess in time it will happen. I was always hesitant about having two dogs, but can now see the real benefits for each other, plus we have another gorgeous schnauzer in our lives. :)

Good luck for the treatment with Palladia. Lucy was on it for nearly 2 months, but unfortunately either that, or the steroids, caused pancreatitis, so we had to stop. And being a schnauzer, they are prone to pancreatitis anyway, so Boof will probably be fine. Apart from this, she really didn't get too many side effects and it's often hard to tell which drug causes what anyway! AS her vet said, 2 months is better than none, so we'll see how she goes. Good luck with it all for the next few weeks.

Poor Struppie and poor you! The roller coaster never ceases - just hope Struppie recovers from the infection soon.

Fingers crossed for clear margins in the results Anne. Glad to hear Boof has recovered so well this time. Are you planning to follow up with an oncologist, once the results are in? As Staffyluv has said, there are new treatments these days specifically targeted for MCT, and for many dogs, minimal side effects.

I love this breed - how will you give him back?? :)

A schnozzle of schnauzers :) Oops, if it has to be a 'real' word, then maybe a school of schnauzers :laugh:

A big no no for show dogs in mini schnauzers, but I think my foster failure Missy, has the cutest nose of all times!: :laugh:

A beautiful story and well done for giving this little dog another chance and a wonderful home. :)

Many thanks gwp4me! We think so too, full story (with photos) here: Missy's story