Tribute to B.J.
'BJ, our male Miniature Schnauzer, was diagnosed with cancer, Lymphoma, 12-26-03 via biopsy. Originally our vet said he had just 1-2 months without treatment and 4-6 months with treatment.We decided to go to the Specialists, Dr Ray Radd and Dr Jessica Heard, who said 12-18 months. We started BJ on the COPP protocol that day, 12-31-03. BJ went into remissions and stayed in remission for 18 months. His second remission lasted for about 9 months and though we tried and tried we just could not get the third remission.
BJ was the 'poster boy' for chemo, minimal side effects and he maintained a high quality of life the whole time. In fact he was out chasing squirrels the day before he died!
Sadly, most dogs do not make it to the one year mark once diagnosed with Lymphoma. BJ was just short of 2 1/2 yrs since dx. That is a great testament to our team of Vets (Dr Mann and Dr Rudd), vet techs (Tracy and Lina), our support groups, his homemade diet, his family's help and support but, most of all, the fight in my boy!
BJ died in the car next to me, while heading for his favourite place to go, his vet's office. He raised his head, looked up at me and then stretched out and took a nap! Even in death BJ took care of his Dad as I was dreading having to make the 'final decision'
BJ was a laid back dog, unusual for a Schnauzer, but never backed down from anything or anyone. The list includes dogs, geese, ducks, possums and his favourite pastime, chasing and catching squirrels.
He was and still is giving hope and inspiration to those still in the fight againt Lymphoma.
BJ was a true Cancer Warrior who willingly went to the vets, walking in with his tail wagging and was the perfect patient, even wagging his tail during treatments.'
Da Boyz!
Butkus and B.J.
B.J. and the Hooter Girls
Rob and B.J.
"This was right after BJ was diagnosed with cancer, Rob was heading back to Richmond, Va after a short visit.
Told him to fight the cancer and Win'
'We Believe He Did'!!!
RIP B.J. Your fight was tremendous and has inspired so many of us!
B.J.
June 11, 1998 - May 28, 2006
Tribute to Bailey
Several years ago, when my dog, Hallie, was about a year old, I decided I wanted another dog. I went to a local shelter because I knew the had a Jack Russell. When we arrived the dog was already getting adopted. This was a small shelter and there were no other really small dogs there I connected with. I realize now this was a sign from above. I told my husband, Steve, we should head up the river to the next county pound to see what they had. When we arrived many of the dogs were tied up outside while the kennels were being cleaned. Steve went inside to the small dog room but my eye was immediately drawn to a gray dog tied up to the fence. He was laying down and acted as though he could barely move. He looked up at me and quickly put his face back on the ground. Out loud I asked "Are you a Schnauzer?" It was hard to tell. Aside from being gray and having a docked tail you'd never know he was a Schnauzer. He was a filthy matted mess with only one eye. I asked the dog warden to take him inside for me. I sat on the shelter floor and looked into the eyes of a dying dog. "Today's his last day" they said. He smelled. His teeth were gray and he could barely stand. I grabbed a pair of scissors and started hacking away at his hair. He had two eyes. One was just matted shut with infection.
Steve came out of the back room glowing saying he'd found a cute gray poodle that was all groomed. I told him "I'm not worried about the poodle, I want this one." I'm pretty sure Steve thought I'd lost my mind. We paid the adoption fee, made the neuter appointment on the shelter's phone and took him home. Just three hours before he was to be put into the gas chamber he was free. Out of the blue, we named him Bailey.
When we got home it took 5 baths to get him clean. The water that ran off him looked like chocolate milk. I got him an emergency grooming appointment. After being completely shaved down, it was clear, he was an old purebred Schnauzer. He perked up a bit after getting cleaned up but he still seemed sick and didn't want to eat.
Two days later we took him for his neuter. I told the vet to do a dental cleaning while he was under. About an hour later the vet called and said Bailey's jaw was broken and he had six broken teeth. He said the injuries were consistent with a kick to the head. He doubted it was from a car. I called the shelter and was told the police had brought in Bailey but they had no other information.
Bailey sported a bar on the outside of his face for eight weeks. The poor kid looked like Frankenstein, even winning the ugliest dog award at Barktoberfest. His appetite immediately improved and he blossomed into the most lovable dog I've ever known. Our local NBC affiliate came and did a rags-to-riches story on him.
Baileys' wonderful temperament and ability to melt the heart of anybody who knew him made me think he would be a good therapy dog. Bailey went along with me and the president of our humane society to local schools where we talked to the kids about proper pet care. Bailey was in Heaven with all those kids loving on him. I also took him to our pet friendly mall where he could get "wallered" by the kids. One of his favorite things to do was to go to the pet stores and watch the hamsters play.
Just 11 months after we adopted him Bailey had an abscess tooth. Our vet pulled the tooth but was concerned with the tissue around it and sent a sample off for biopsy. By now Bailey had become my "heart dog". I felt such a strong connection with this wonderful animal. It's hard to describe. When the biopsy came back stating he had malignant amelanonic melanoma I was devastated. I was told there was no cure and I should just take him home and make him comfortable for what time he had left.
I kept thinking this wasn't happening. Bailey had all those years of possible mistreatment and just as his life was getting good... Cancer! I refused to let him die without a fight. I managed to get him an appointment at Ohio State University vet clinic. I was told for about $10,000 we cold remove half of Bailey's face including one eye and at best we'd have him 6 months. I was told they would do chemo and radiation along with the surgery but this type of cancer never reacts to the treatments. Again, I was devastated.
By this time the tumor had grown so far into Bailey's mouth he was biting it and it was bleeding all the time. It smelled like no other rank smell I‘d ever encountered. The stench of cancer permeated everything I owned, my house, my car, my clothes. I took Bailey home and pleaded with my local vet to do something... anything. Dr. Romano took Bailey into surgery and removed as much of the tumor and he could without cutting into Bailey's skull. It bought Bailey a couple comfortable weeks but by the time the stitches were out, the tumor was back and just as big.
I joined a Yahoo group for people who owned dogs with cancer. They were wonderful and taught me about holistic treatments and special diets. I cooked every one of Bailey's meals.
Just 13 months after his adoption Bailey was fading. He wouldn't eat and couldn't get up to meet me at the door. My husband and I fought over when/if we should end his suffering. Finally on October 24th, 2003 we drove to the vet clinic. We asked if the vet would do it in the back seat of my car because Bailey HATED going in that place. He agreed. We waited in the parking lot. I managed to get Bailey to walk around a bit. By this time the tumors had multiplied and were all over his face, eyes, and in his throat. He looked a fright and smelled even worse. A lady came out of the clinic. She'd just put her kitten to sleep. She sat on the curb and cried. In truly Bailey style, he walked over to her and put a paw on her knee as if to say "It's okay lady". Little did he know, he was next.
My vet and my favorite vet tech came out and as I sat holding Bailey in my lap, they set him free. It was the worst moment of my life. I felt the life slip from his body and in an instant his pain was over. We left his body there for cremation. I remember vividly watching Cindy walk away with his lifeless body with his beautiful white leg hair blowing with the breeze. That was the last time I saw my handsome little man.
Adopting Bailey changed my life. Some say I'm the crazy dog lady now but I wear it as a badge of honor.
Thank you for reading this.
Rest in peace my handsome little man.
Bailey
Sept 19, 2002 - Oct 24, 2003
Bailey
Sept 19, 2002 - Oct 24, 2003
Tribute to Lovie & Pepper
Sir "Pepper" Wolfgang was an AKC registered miniature schnauzer born on Oct. 5th, 1992. He and his littermate sister, Lovie, became the beloved pets of Leslie and Deborah Hammock on Dec. 26th, 1992 in celebration of Leslie's birthday.Affectionately known as Little Man, he proved himself to be an extremely loyal dog from the very first day he arrived at his forever home. In his younger days he was quite the squirrel chaser and bee catcher. He loved his cookie treats, and would wait very patiently for them. Though he never had puppies of his own, at the age of 10 years when new puppy, Mollie, arrived in the home, he proved himself to be a great Big Brother.
Pepper died on Friday, August 17th, 2007, just 7 weeks shy of his 15th birthday. Always the follower, his sister, Lovie, lead the way for him on this final journey.
Lovie and Pepper, you are irreplaceable, unforgettable and will be greatly missed by your "Papa" and "Mama", Leslie and Deborah Hammock, as well as "sisters" Mollie and Pennie.
Leslie and Deborah Hammock wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Jeff Brantley, his assistant Charlotte, and the staff at Brantley and Jordan Animal Hospital for your gentle care in helping Lovie and Pepper on their journey.
Lady "Lovie" Katrinka was an AKC registered miniature schnauzer born on Oct. 5th, 1992. She and her littermate brother, Pepper, became the beloved pets of Leslie and Deborah Hammock on Dec. 26th, 1992 in celebration of Leslie's birthday.Affectionately known as Lovie Girl and Muffin, she proved herself to be a dog of extraordinary intelligence from the very first day she arrived at her forever home. In her younger days she was quite the climber, mastering the art of jumping onto and balancing herself on the roof of her dog house. She was also an avid stalker--particularly of her brother--as she would crouch down and approach him in a manner similar to that of a lioness stalking prey. Though she never had puppies of her own, at the age of 10 years she became the surrogate mother to new puppy, Mollie, and proved herself to be a great Mom.
Lovie died on Friday, August 17th, 2007, just 7 weeks shy of her 15th birthday. Always the leader, she lead the way for her brother on this final journey.
Lovie and Pepper, you are irreplaceable, unforgettable and will be greatly missed by your "Papa" and "Mama", Leslie and Deborah Hammock, as well as "sisters" Mollie and Pennie.
In the Loving Memories
Lady "Lovie" Katrinka & Sir "Pepper" Wolfgang
Lady "Lovie" Katrinka & Sir "Pepper" Wolfgang
Lady
Oct 5th, 1992 - Aug 17, 2007
Pepper
Oct 5th, 1992 - Aug 17, 2007
Tribute to Maggie
This beautiful little girl came into our lives the summer of 2005. She was a senior stray whose health had been neglected for years. Lucky for her she was recruited into Schnauzer Love Rescue. The short story is we volunteer for SLR, fostered her & fell deeply in love. She became our Maggie, also affectionately known as Magpie, Magenta & Magatha Titsy, just to name a few. She was our precious baby girl, full of spunk and sass. She was a spit-fire and added much joy and love to our lives and the lives of our friends and family.In March of this year Maggie was diagnosed with breast cancer. After two surgeries cancer cells remained and they quickly spread to her lymph nodes. We learned that if she had been spayed before her first heat cycle the breast cancer could have been prevented. Maggie would want everyone to know this fact so others can avoid going through what we experienced.
Maggie's presence enriched our lives and through her illness we have grown in many ways. Thank you, Maggie, for the positive impact you made in the lives of your mama, daddy & schnauzer brother, Niko. You have permanently changed us! We feel blessed to have shared your last two years on earth. I hope that the love & care that we gave you could somewhat make up for your less than perfect past.
? - 09/21/07
Tribute to Misty
Misty
I also lost my precious little Misty in August 2006. She was a rescue and had been used for a breeder, kept in a cage for the five years before I got her. She flew into my arms and never ever willingly left my side. She slept right beside me, touching me all night for the next nine years. I never even knew she was sick. She was a little short of breath going up the stairs, but I did not think much about it. She was a little old fat dog and I am even short of breath going upstairs
She and my other Schnauzer, Schultz, were fighting over a piece of watermelon on Thursday. Friday, she did not want to eat, took her to the vet and she had enlarged lymph nodes. They thought maybe her teeth, the few she had left. They gave her antibiotics and sent her home. She ate a little on Saturday, wouldn't eat Sunday, ate a little bit Monday and I took her back to the vet Tuesday. They sent me to a specialist, and they ran a lot of tests, kept her overnight, the only night she ever spent away from me. They called me at 6 the next morning and told me it was lung cancer, and I went early that morning and held her during her last moments of life.
I also lost my precious little Misty in August 2006. She was a rescue and had been used for a breeder, kept in a cage for the five years before I got her. She flew into my arms and never ever willingly left my side. She slept right beside me, touching me all night for the next nine years. I never even knew she was sick. She was a little short of breath going up the stairs, but I did not think much about it. She was a little old fat dog and I am even short of breath going upstairs
Schultz & Misty
She was the most precious little dog I have ever had. She loved only me, and as one person put it, she had never seen a dog who had her own personal god. She only tolerated the other dog, the cat, and my husband. She loved only me. I am so glad I was with her to the end. She had a happy life with me and I am ever thankful I answered the ad in the paper June 1, 1997.
Katie
Shadow
Katie
I have two puppies, one year old , Katie and Shadow, and I love them dearly. I guess there is always a schnauzer shaped hole in your heart when you lose one. There is room to love them, but nothing can ever fill the void she left in my heart.
My Schultz is now 15, and deaf. He mourned and looked for her for a long time. He is happy and comfortable, but I realize he does not have long. I am thankful for him. He has been my travel buddy on many trips across the U.S.
Schultz & Katie
Schultz
Misty
Will be Missed
July 13, 1992 - August 2, 2006
Will be Missed
July 13, 1992 - August 2, 2006
Tribute to Mollie
JP Greystone Mollie is what I named the little ball of fur. She chose me as I was sitting on the kitchen floor of her owners’ home. What a dollbaby! Natural ears that tipped over so beautifully, great personality and boundless energy. However, the more weeks that went by, the stronger her ear muscles got and, voila! Here is what they became…and she wouldn’t have been the same without them. They just made her “Mollie”. And when she became an adult, she had the most beautiful silver coat I have ever seen. She looked like a shiny new nickel after her bath.
Mollie
May 19, 1990 - December 27, 2003
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