Kazm

So sorry to hear about Ernie. We have a very sick little girl at present and are fast approaching the day to say " see you later " never goodbye. I know that it's going to hurt like hell for a very long time. Take care Ernies mum. Thinking of you.

So sorry to read your story Dave. 3 dogs to this is just horrible and a 5 year old too. Wow. That is way too young. I feel for you. This is our second dog to lose to cancer. Our little man was 10 and a half and had lymphoma. It took him very quickly. Zena is just 9. We have Molly who is 5 and I really worry about what her future holds. I would love for her to just grow into an old lady. I so hope we don't go down this road again.

You are probably right. Some dogs I guess wouldn't and it probably comes down to how they are raised I guess. My two have been known to jump on a visitors lap before for attention. I think they sit and study the person first and then the friendship is sealed with a lap cuddle. My Molly doesn't even ask most times. She just takes a flying leap onto the poor unsuspecting visitor. Yes, she does have the occasional bad manners but most of our visitors don't mind and feel honoured by it.

I agree with setting up an area with playpen panels. I do that myself. I often dogsit for friends and I have noticed a few of the boys will want to pee inside. Usually against my dining chair legs. I figure they must be able to smell the others that have been inside. So now i make an area for them and all is good. And if I do catch them they get roused at and sent outside for a while. I too realise this would only be a short term fix for you but yes saving your sanity comes first and training afterwards. Good luck

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is regarding dog cuddles. I recently read somewhere that dogs really don't enjoy humans wrapping their arms around them for a cuddle. I tend to disagree. My two little girls have always loved cuddles. At any time of the day I can call them and say "come for cuddles" and they both come over and as I crouch down ( they are mini schnauzers ) they put their front feet on my leg and then let me wrap my arms around them. If they both come we have " group" cuddles. At other times it seems like they seek me out and if I ask them if they want a cuddle they wag their tail ever so fast. Naturally I bend down and hug them. Even first thing in the morning as we all wake up and yes they do sleep with us, I call them over for a cuddle and they will come and lay in our arms, resting their heads against us. Yes, my girls are very spoilt but they return the affection two fold. Spoilt but obedient and know their place.

I find comfortis to be an excellent product. If my girls start to scratch more than they should I generally have a quick look for the offending fleas but never see any but I pop them a pill anyway and they seem to stop pretty much straight away. We have a cat that may share her little friends. I'm not a fan of the flea liquids like advantage etc as they really need to be used consistently where as the comfortis tablets can be used whenever the occasion arises.

Thanks heaps T and PK. Much appreciated. And yes I have had that talk with her telling her it's fine for her to want to leave. I've told her Molly will be well looked after and that we'll be ok too. Eventually. She also knows that my little boy Arnie is there waiting to see her again plus a few cats she knew. And thanks T, she loves hugs and I will tell her to be on the look out for your 2 beloveds. I have told her it's a happy place where the grass is soft and green and the sun always shines. She has always been my sun goddess and loves nothing better than stretching out in the sun on a winters day. I have told her there will be lots of puppies for her to play with and maybe they will show her where a stash of bones are. And it's going to be a place of no pain and suffering. We are so not ready for this. She actually looked a little brighter yesterday afternoon and did eat a little bit which did surprise me. This morning she's up and wandering around. Slowly but not too bad. I'm not glossing things over either. Still know in our hearts it's happening soon. Just not today.

I have 2 schnauzer girls and feed them chicken necks, wings and fillets. Once a week a small amount of roo meat. Sardines, vegetables, rice and pasta. Cottage cheese and scrambled eggs. Plus some dry food. And bones at least twice a week. And whatever treats they can coax out of me. I believe in a big variety and fresh is best. I don't have any problems with what food I offer as schnauzers love food. All food. Lol

I think we are nearly there now. It is so hard to write. We knew this time was so close but it doesn't make it any easier. We haven't made "the decision" just yet but we do know now it will probably be only a matter of days, maybe a week but that might be too long for her. Who knows, my special girl might surprise us again but my heart is telling me different. We had an awesome weekend with her. Friday was a great day at home where she was quite active and very happy spending time outside with me and her daughter Molly. On Saturday we took her to visit friends who bought 2 of her pups. They are now 5 and 3. Big schnauzer boys. Beautiful boys. Molly had heaps of fun playing with her brothers while Zena was happy to watch from a comfy chair. She was super excited to go for the car ride as well as visiting these brilliant friends. Sunday was another great day spent at home following her "dad" while he worked in the shed. She even ate quite well for those few days. Monday and yesterday though she was noticeably more tired and gone off food again. A bowl of ice cream for dinner last night. This morning is the first that we are not going for a short walk. She really doesn't look up to it. Honestly I think she looks a little sad. We are having one of her boys over today so I can give him a grooming session so I am hoping that brightens her up a little. I wish her good moments could continue on but that's being selfish. It's going to be a tough week!!!

Awesome. Let's hope more people respond to it. Cats are great creatures too. Despite having my 2 mini schnauzer girls and loving them to bits we actually have never been without a cat in the house. Somebody has to keep the dogs in check. Lol

Hi. I know this is a few weeks late but I just did the survey anyway. Relatively new to this forum.

Oh yeah. I certainly have been taking loads of photos. But I always have. My phone and iPad are full of my girls and all of their relations. But yes I have taken some very special ones lately. And yes we are enjoying her. She is and always has been an absolute delight. That's why it is so hard.

Thanks Persephone. I realise exact dates can not be predicted and I am very grateful to all the vets that have spent time discussing matters with me. We just love our little girl so much and are just trying to understand this horrible disease. What the vets say and everything that I have read, which is a lot, all point to the same scenario. She shouldn't still be with us. Each day I wake I worry about what it brings. And at times I feel she is so much better than when first diagnosed. We are considering getting in touch with another specialist centre. Just going to leave it for a few days to see how she goes. These last few days may be the "really good " before the end. Apparently cancer patients can have a really good moment before passing. This did work true with a male schnauzer we had who died from lymphoma. Or maybe we are just plain lucky to have a brilliant strong little girl. Certainly cherishing these days anyway.

Just an update on my sweetie Zena. It has now been six weeks since her diagnosis of possible hermangiosarcoma and we are still going strong. A few days last week she was really fussy with food and seemed very tired, I was beginning to think we had a decision to make. I had a really miserable night wrestling with my thoughts but on waking up the next morning she had bounced right back again and spent a good deal of the day wandering around. We also went for a short walk and she actually ran some of the way. She was back to barking at the horses next door and was a very bright and happy little girl. She has also been a lot better with her meals. Still not eating a lot but is feeding herself rather than me hand feeding. Just this morning she actually came into the kitchen looking like she was hungry and she really surprised us and ate more than she has in one meal for weeks. Actually what she ate yesterday was more than she had in ages too. We are now confused again and thinking are the vets right. She just seems so very normal. Yes, she is tired and not as active as she was months ago but everything else about her seems so normal. Yes, her belly is distended but it hasn't got any bigger in the last few weeks. She doesn't vomit and hasn't had diahorrea. Other than not eating much at all for those few days last week she hasn't had a really off day for probably 2 weeks. She does drink plenty of water. Really I just would like to know if anyone else has had an experience like this. Initially we were told she had barely a month to live. I have spoken to the specialist and 2 other vets I have used and they are all very surprised she is still with us. Other than suggesting another ultrasound they can offer no other reasoning behind what's going on. One did admit she is not a text book case. All of them individually have just told us to enjoy what time we have with her. That we are certainly doing but we just have our doubts. All opinions are welcome.

Ok Thanks. I didn't know all that. Sounds a bit nasty. I think doing anything to avoid future possible problems is a good idea.

Maybe females are different to males. Maybe it's the girls that try it on a bit , haha, but I do agree Mackiemad that short bursts of training are best. My Zena, as a small pup, during home training would just walk off when she had had enough. She was very willing to run through everything but if we went over the same command too many times she'd just go. That was my cue to try a new command and mix it up a bit. Needless to say she does know a lot of tricks, words and commands. How old is your little guy?

Fair enough Showdog. I can only go on what other owners have told me about the giants and standards. I have only owned minis. I will disagree with you though about the stubbornness. When I got my very first mini, 20 years ago, the first thing a dog obedience instructor ( who had worked with all breeds for 40 years ) told me was that they are fantastic dogs, eager to learn and please but yes you do need to be firm other wise they will rule the house in no time. Intelligent to the point of putting it all over their owner if they are too soft. And stubborn if you let them. I can honestly say my second mini, Zena, who is 9 is all of the above. She is a stubborn girl, likes to do everything I ask of her but on her own time. But she knows what I say and she's never in trouble. She has always made us laugh. She is the most amazing, beautiful girl I could ever have owned. Over the years of reading on the internet she is a schnauzer right down to the last word. I have often sat reading and thought, my gosh are they writing about my girl. Lol. Her daughter Molly, who is 5 is exactly the same as are all of her brothers and sisters. I also know other people who own minis that are not related to mine and they all say the same thing. But don't get me wrong, the stubbornness is not a bad thing in my eyes. It just shows the dog is smart and thinking and the schnauzer seems to be blessed with lots of brain power. Both my girls have been trained and learnt things very easily. An absolute dream to own.

I've always been led to believe all 3 sizes of schnauzers were very similar. I have always had minis but a friend owns a giant as well as 3 minis and she swears that the giant is just a huge mini. Same characteristics just more foreboding at the gate. Minis are definitely stubborn but hey keep a firm hand on them and they tow the line brillliantly. Highly intelligent, and very eager to please. I have people that have bought puppies from me who have owned other breeds previously and they all reckon they are now schnauzer addicts. Won't own anything else now. They are just a great all round dog. Sorry if I sound totally biased.

Total scum. Should be shackled in the streets and left for regular people to best the s***out of. On a nice note though I know the brother of a young guy who took on one of the staffys from there and the dog is gaining weight and confidence in human beings again. Sounds like he has finally found a good home.

Interesting read Boronia. Sorry to hear of your loss. We are coming into that time with one of my precious girls. She was given barely a month to live 5 weeks ago but with my love and her determination she is still here. Still here with sparkly eyes and a wagging tail. We know our days are limited. And that's hard to accept. Anyone who knows me knows my girls are an important part of our family. We are absolutely devastated to be losing Zena. We have been down this road several times before with a gorgeous boy and several cats and that last moment is special and I think that only an animal lover would understand. I know some people must think I'm crazy but then they don't have pets. On the other hand both my mini schnauzer girls have produced a couple of litters each and those people who bought puppies from me are amazing. These are true pet owners and have been so supportive during this rough time. More than I could ever have imagined. They understand that losing a pet is similar to losing a human relation or friend. I personally think that yes it can be harder losing a dog just because we spend so much time with them and do everything for them. Plus they give so much unconditional love in return. A friend and I have talked about this just recently. She feels the same way. We are very much alike. She has 2 of my puppies and is so attached to them. Just like I am with mine.

Cool. That's good to know DeltaCharlie. I shall pass this on to her as well as she is an older lady and will worry a bit less.

Thanks for all info. Good point Rebanne about being stolen. Purebred whole dogs would definitely be on some people's agenda. I have spoken to my friend this afternoon, I have actually been looking after her little fella for the past week. She was very grateful for all of the info and I have a sneaky feeling he will be weighing a little bit less very soon. Lol

Thank you everyone. I shall let her know and see what she decides. She does live in suburbia and goes to a dog park every day. And mentioning the c word, is it relatively common in male dog parts?

I have a friend who owns a 2 year old male mini schnauzer and she is unsure whether to desex him or not. I have females and they have been done but I have never had a male done before. Some have told her that once over a certain age it's not a good idea. I've never heard that before. Just putting the question out there for her. Any advice would be good.

Hey bushriver. I can't see any problems with drumsticks. What size dog are you feeding? I only have little ones and just in the habit of buying the wings and necks plus I also have a cat who eats them. Couldn't imagine her munching on a leg. Haha