megan_ Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Today is Lucy's fourth Gotcha Day. It has been an "interesting" four years with lots of high highs and some low lows. Just over four years ago Lucy was a breeding bitch on a puppy farm at Kerang. She had no name, was never walked, never knew what a scratch behind the ear felt like, never received vet care and lived a pretty miserable life locked in a cage with a group of other mini schnauzers. She was rescued by the good people of the Schnauzer Club of Victoria and four years on she is a well mannered, spritely little mini with a few personality quirks. When I first met Miss Lucy her way of dealing with the overwhelming fear was to shut down. It took a few months for her to progress to sitting next to me on the couch (and leaping off if I moved a muscle). She had no idea about living with humans and for 2 months she used to wake up at 2am and come into the bedroom to get Fergus to play! She then learnt that aggression made all the scarey things - dogs and people - go away (run away!), which provided us with a whole new set of challenges. Fast forward four years and she is a great little watch dog who loves walks, training and agility, even though she isn't particularly good at it :). It has been well over 18 months since she did so much as growl at something that scared her (bar when my sister stayed with us for 3 months, she hates my sister with a special kind of passion!). She still needs tight management and she isn't the kind of dog I'd ever take to the dog park and let her run riot - it would all be too much for her. She now knows how to make good decisions when scared (scarey thing = I look to my mum for guidance and I get rewarded for being a good girl!). We've had a few incidence where we have been approached by off leash dogs or scarey looking people and she has handled them calmly. Every morning she wakes up and demands a scratch behind her ears and a little cuddle. Every evening as I come home from work she dances at the door waiting for me to open it up and then rushes to pick and apple off the apple tree. She wags her tail every time I say her name. Every. Single. Time. I will never get sick of the sound of her tail beating on the floor boards as she is lounging in the sun and I say "hello Miss Lucy". Basides Fergus, her BFF is Cosmolo's Gilbert, followed by the rest of the Underdog pack. It is great to see her playing like a 'normal' dog with her friends. Fergus deserves a special mention because he has been such a patient, understanding little brother who gave Lucy plenty of space when she first arrived. I will never forget on day 2 I got up early in the morning and found them both outside (I spied through the window). He was sniffing around in what I now know to be a calming signal as she gingerly followed him, sniffing too. There have many times when I have thought Lucy has reached her full potential. Like the first time she was introduced to agility and she was too scared to even go near the pause table. Now she stands on that table with a grin and her tail wagging a million miles an hour. Or the first time she went to the park and she sat like a lump for 1/2 an hour. Now she squeals with excitement when we drive down the avenue towards the Botanical Gardens - her favourite walking spot ever. So Happy Gotcha Day Lucy. Every time I have thought your cup is full you bring out a bigger cup. Love The Lady Who Gives You Food At the puppy farm :-( (given they weren't named, I'm not 100% sure this is her, but based on her body language I believe it to be her): In hospital after eating a mouldy sandwich last year: Partners in crime: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Happy Gotcha Day Lucy!! Happy that you 2 found each other :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinabean Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Happy Gotcha day Lucy. :) Megan the puppy farm photo is worlds away from how Lucy looks now. She is so evidently loved and cared for. Friends of mine have a mini Schnauzer too. They are such smart, spunky little dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Attack Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 You're such a gorgeous girl, Miss Lucy :) Happy gotcha day, and big hugs to your amazing mummy! Xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeelerLove Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I like 'gotcha day'.. I decided that my rescue boys birthday would just be the day I got him (even though I have got no idea how old he is or when he was actually born!) but I think I'll change it to 'gotcha day' instead :) Happy gotcha day Lucy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnauzer Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Happy Gotcha Day Lucy. Megan, you have done such an amazing job with Lucy. She is a very lucky girl that she found you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Happy Gotcha Day Lucy! I'm so glad there are now good things in your life :) you're a champ megan btw :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Lucky girl, Lucy Talk about land on her paws :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyleigh Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Happy Gotcha Day Lucy! What a gorgeous girl she is. No doubt due to the work and love you've put into her Megan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 Thanks guys. I am *so* the wrong owner for her but I'm what she's got! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merikuri Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Happy Gotcha Day, Lucy!! She looks so beautiful :) I'm so glad that you both found each other! What a great owner you are Megan :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bindo Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 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. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 It seems to be a popular name Bindo. She was named after Lucy the Valiant from the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe series - a brave little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyStar Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Happy Gotcha Day, Lucy!!! xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankdog Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Happy Gotcha Lucy. Lucky girl to have such a patient mum and brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 (edited) Happy 4th Gotcha day Lucy. You are such a lucky girll :) And I feel the exact same way as you do megan. I am so not the "right" owner for Stella either. No where near experienced enough but that is what she has ended up with too :) Edited March 4, 2013 by BC Crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simply Grand Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Lucy and Fergus together so adorable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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