Schnauzer Addiction

Congratulations to the Skinner family on their newest addition, Brigitta!

Since I am keeping Friedrich, that is the end of Juliet’s first litter.  It’s a bittersweet thing.  It’s sad to see these precious animals go, but there are also wonderful things to celebrate:  1) I’ve met new people, converted others to my addiction, and now have an extended Miniature Schnauzer family as a result.  2) All of the puppies went to loving families.  3) Each puppy has a special purpose and place, and I look forward to hearing about how they grow and contribute to their new “packs!”

Juliet is deserving and in need of a good rest now.  Lately I’ve noticed her personality becoming even more gentle and playful than she was before she had pups.  I’m very proud of her and grateful for such a good pet and dam.  She’s earned her day at the spa! 

At this time I do not have plans for another litter.  Any future plans will be posted as necessary.  If I receive additional updates from the puppies, I mean, new owners, I will be happy to post them.

Blessings to you all from Schnauzer Addiction!

Congratulations to the Jester family — Liesl has become their newest family member!

This has been a really hard week for me, saying good-bye to the last of this beautiful litter.  There is one more puppy left to say goodbye to, and I am certainly not looking forward to that.  But I am very grateful that the puppies have all found wonderful homes!  Check out the Keeping in Touch page for updates from their new families.

The end of last week, the puppies did have their second round of shots.  Potty training and socializing and lots of play time continues.

The pups had a busy New Year’s weekend.  After getting settled back in at home, we got into a new routine for potty training and play time.  On Saturday, Friedrich and Brigitta visited their dad (Brutus), and he sent one of his toys — Eeyore — home with them to play with.  Needless to say, it was an instant hit.  The pups got their first hair cut on Sunday while it was warm (but then it went and got freezing cold again on Monday).  Liesl and Friedrich are doing very well about going potty outside on the grass instead of inside.  Along with taking them out frequently and learning their “tells,” I have eliminated the newspapers in their play space to help them get the idea that it’s not ok to go inside.

Juliet loves having space to play with the “kids.”  She spends a good deal of her inside time in their “play pen” romping with them and resting with them.  Outdoors she is teaching them the finer points of playing with sticks (first, you find one; second, you get the silly human to chase you with it; third, you eat it) and “playing” frisbee (she does not catch it, she chases it, then I chase her, then I give up trying to recover it and she chews on it).  The puppies just love all the new outdoor games they are learning!

Congratulations to the George family — Gretl went to her new home with them on New Year’s Day!

I took lots of pics this weekend.  Enjoy.

The electricity’s back on, so we’re all moved in back home.  A HUGE thank you to my mom for being gracious enough to allow this entire litter into her home, especially during this busy Christmas season.

Yesterday we began to more seriously work on potty training.  Every time the big dogs have gone out, so have the little ones.  But this weekend we’ll be striving in earnest — practically every hour on the hour the pups will have the chance to do their business.  They are getting used to a different yard and will be working on getting out there on their own power as well.  So far, they are all doing great.  The families that get these pups will have a head start!

I’m so impressed — the pups already know when I clap, it means to come.  Their hearing is great, and their vision has really started to improve, so they can see me and Juliet better to know where to come.  They love all the room to run and play — and play they do.  They are growing more independent, weaning well, and are just all around wonderful animals to be around.  Their sweetness and goodness is the best de-stresser, joy-filler I know of!

The puppies had a playful Christmas.  Louisa, Kurt and Marta had already left for their new homes, so the remaining four had more room to spread out.  It was warm enough yesterday that not only did they have their two normal playtimes, they also got baths and got to play outside with the big dogs.  Enjoy the pictures, and have a blessed Christmas season!

Today it was lovely and warm, so at lunch time I thought it would be a great day to let the pups go outside to introduce them to the world that will soon become their favorite.  Not only did they get to see what grass and wind and leaves are like, but they also got to go out with the big dogs: Juliet and my mom’s collie and lab mix.

At first they were like, “What is all this stuff we’re stepping on??  This doesn’t seem right to me!”  But a few sniffs here and there told them they were indeed in the right place after all.  Friedrich and Gretl made me the proudest.  They soon became fearless.  Most of the pups wanted to explore, but those two were not detered by the new surroundings or the two really big dogs.  In fact, I saw both of them challenge the big dogs to play.

The pups discovered the joy of sunshine, fresh air, crunchy leaves, and teething on fallen tree branches.  They were so cute!  I didn’t get any pictures this time, but next time should be even better, now that the pups and Mother Nature have been properly introduced.

There’s still time, but it’s running short if you want a pup for Christmas — if you are interested, be sure you fill out an application and email it to me as soon as possible.

The pictures speak for themselves, but what they don’t show is the group behavior in the tub.  When they first got in, they thought they were inside a giant water bowl and started lapping it up.  But the good times just couldn’t last.  While two were being bathed, some of the others tried to climb the slope at the back of the tub to get out, and when they couldn’t, they just huddled together back there, awaiting their impending fate.  Friedrich thought he might be talented enough to go AWOL over the side of the tub.  Then to the hairdrying “station” where they got warmed up quick.  Kurt was the genius in the group — it occurred to him that he could actually get out of the sink where he was being dried in order to explore the counter.  So, of course, his sister followed.  They go from looking like wet rats to big ol’ balls of fluff within five minutes.  It was too funny.

Update:  I forgot to mention — the puppies had their first shots yesterday.  Everyone did very well!

Eat your heart out — here are some puppy pictures for you to enjoy.  Note: the puppies are pretty “scruffy” right now.  As I mentioned in previous posts, it’s been very cold so we’re delaying grooming as long as possible.  They’re still utterly adorable anyway!

The puppies had a great weekend.  While my mom was busy decorating the house, the puppies were taking their meals and having some playtime on the kitchen floor.  They played peek-a-boo under the chairs, “hide and ambush” (the schnauzer variation of “hide and go seek”), lapped up (played in) their water bowl, and cleaned their dinner plate.  Liesl is doing well learning to go potty on the papers, and she loves to snuggle against my neck.  When I carry Friedrich, Louisa and Brigitta, they put their paws on my cheek and give kisses.   Marta does very well chewing on the sockie, and Kurt and Gretl love to play.  More playtime pictures coming soon.

Congratulations to the Cross family on the newest addition to their family: Louisa will go home with them just in time for Christmas!  Only three puppies remain — go to the Puppies Available page for updated information.

The puppies have had a busy week.  On Saturday, they tasted real dog food for the first time (see pic below).  I figured they would just play in it and be a little skeptical of its value (nothing is as good as mama’s milk, of course).  But that wasn’t the case.  The minute I put it down, they knew what it was and what to do with it.  You would have thought they were starving to death by the way they chowed down!  Since then, they ravenously enjoy food now twice a day while Juliet still feeds them the good stuff in between.

Another first for the pups:  I’ve introduced them to “sockies,” the favorite toy of our family schnauzers.  Don’t tell PetSmart, but my favorite present to put under the tree for the dogs is a simple package of men’s tube socks.  You knot them up, they tug on them, and you throw them in the washer with a little Clorox and they’re just about like new.  So now they have a few of their own to explore and enjoy.  Some are catching about how to teeth on it, but it will probably be a little while before they figure out how to play with them together.  Like human babies, they are exploring the world with their mouths now, and there’s nothing they won’t investigate.  You can catch a glimpse of the sockies in the picture.

Last night, they took their first bath.  Each one got wet and soapy, and though they were not especially thrilled about it, they did really well.  They were clean and fluffy and fragrant…for about 2 seconds. 

Here are some individual updates for you:

Liesl likes to chew on the sockie and is very playful and bright.   She’s got that “soulful” eyes thing going already.  Friedrich is quickly catching up to Liesl in size, as it should be.  Both Friedrich and Louisa like to find and attack my ears and roughhouse with me when I hold them — I think I must be their toy.  Kurt is still smaller than the rest, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to pounce on his biggest littermates.  Brigitta is a very round ball of fur, full of energy.  Marta also has lots of energy, and she’s easy to spot with her dark fur and three white paws flying around.  Gretl has gained in size to compete with the other females and is growing in her confidence and playfulness.

They are all very bright-eyed, and most come looking for me or cry for me to come play when they know I’ve entered the room — already people oriented.  They know that a hand reaching into the box means affection and attention.  Since they took a liking to the dog food, they seem to be growing almost hourly.  They are getting sturdier, plumper, and there’s plenty more for me to clean up!  (So, yes, the menagerie has converted back to a box, though a bigger, more “dog-run” kind of box than before.)  In particular, I’ve noticed growth in the length and girth of their legs.  Lots more teeth coming in — Juliet must wonder what I’ve done to her.  She has started trying to wean them.  With bellies full of food, they sleep like logs!  They are already ready for a good grooming — they’ve got lots of fur, but with the ice storm, I’m very grateful they haven’t been groomed yet.  There are little tufts of fur on the tops of their head and ears that stick up — but that’s what happens when you roll around with your littermates all day.

All in all, each one is becoming a wonderful dog.  They are going to make awesome pets for loving owners.

I wanted to post a quick update for you of a slightly different nature.  The crazy winter weather that’s been hitting all over the States finally made its way to Oklahoma yesterday.  I’ve lived here for years, and in the same house for 10, and I’ve seen lots of winter storms.  But the one that hit last night was the only one that was ever able to bring down 6 power lines in my backyard and totally destroy most of the trees on the property.  Needless to say, our little family has relocated to a safer and much warmer spot until OG&E can fix things and I can find the driveway again.  All the pups are safe and snug.

I think I can safely say that in all the winter storms I’ve ever seen, I’ve never seen anything quite like this.  I don’t think tornadoes scare me as much as the sound of huge trees just snapping into bits all around, and you don’t know whether it will fall on your house, car, the neighbors or just frozen grass.  Small branches falling sound like they’re enormous.  It was a very eerie experience, and they say that tonight there will be another round, maybe worse.

I’m praying that you and yours are safe and warm and enjoying the wonderful blessing of electricity!

As I mentioned in the last post, Liesl learned how to climb out of the box over the weekend, but this week she has proven she did not need the ladder of the dog pile to do it.  And she is such a generous soul, too — she has been so kind as to show the others how to do the same.

Before:

After:

Aren’t Schnauzers just the smartest things?  But, ha!  Their plan for world domination has met it’s match — I’ve got thumbs and a plan of my own.  God bless the person who invented Swiffer and the doggie gate!  My former kitchen has been puppy-proofed, and they can explore to their hearts contents during the day and night, except when Juliet and I need a little time of our own for meals and sanity breaks.  Then out comes the crowd control corraling device (a.k.a. doggie gate).  One pass with the Swiffer and my new best friend, Clorox Kitchen Disinfectant, and the room is ours once again.  (Insert head-back, rule-the-world movie laugh here.)

Just kidding.  But that’s what it’s felt like the last couple days.  I’m sure the plan will experience some tweaking (like more newspapers/pad for potty training, etc.), but for now, I’ve got a puppy menagerie.  Juliet’s happy, the puppies are ecstatic, it works.

One of the “whole new world” experiences for the puppies is the water bowl.  I filled it and set it in the middle of the room thinking they’d just bump into it and dance around it for a week or so.  Maybe I’m starting to sound like a broken record but these pups are just so smart.  Their first encounter with it was really cute — they touched the bowl with their noses (or bumped into it with their heads), a few sniffs here and there, and then a couple touched the water with their noses and promptly shook their heads.  Cold water must be surprising up warm little nostrils!  But after a day or two of watching mom drink from it, I’m starting to see a couple of the pups deliberately go to the bowl and touch the water with their tongues.  I would not say they are gulping it down, but they are already getting the idea.  I’m looking forward to the fun we are all going to have when we start working on real dog food — most likely next week.

Congratulations (again) to the Jack family — they have decided to get one of the males as well so that Sally will have a playmate, Lightning McQueen (they are big Cars fans), and they’ll have the added bonus of a familiar littermate.

Today the kids took Christmas pictures for you.  I’ve loaded the best group picture — suffice to say that getting seven puppies who are newly mobile to sit still is what I consider to be an impossible feat.  However, you may be as astonished as I was that throughout the photo session, there was not one puddly-type accident at all!  Apparently these aren’t just your average dog — they are Super-Puppies!

Other evidence of their extraordinary super powers, I mean, abilities, is that Liesl has developed the smarts to get out of the box.  At first I thought it was just her physical prowess as the big girl on the block, but no — turns out that she has figured out that if the dog pile is below the opening, and she is on top (as always), she can just use the others as a ladder to get out.  Too bad she has not figured out how to get back in yet!  I think the challenge of getting back in has given her a little paws pause for thought before escaping more often.

Add to the list that the majority of the litter now have teeth breaking through.  They seem to be having two come in at a time, top first.  All four of Liesl’s incisors are in.  Do pray for my little Juliet when you think of her!

Yesterday we had our first de-worming.  This will continue over two more days and will repeat in week six when the first round of shots happens.  They did fabulous at the vet — not a peep out of them, and they all did so well being handled.  The vet was very pleased with their appearance and health, not to mention at how fast they’ve grown.  By the next time they see him, they will be weaning and learning how to eat big dog food.

The puppies are enjoying human contact, and, if they are awake, come to look for me when they hear me come in.  They have been really cute learning to scratch themselves with their back paws and exploring on the kitchen floor.  Sometimes I see Juliet in their reactions to things around them.  A few days ago when I let them on the floor to look around, Gretl walked up to me, sat down, rested her tiny head on my leg and just wanted me to pet her back.  Precious!

Is there a recovery group for this addiction??

No pics today, but I wanted to write a quick post for you anyway.

One item of business:  It is posted on the Puppies Available page, but I wanted to also post here that 2 of the female puppies are already sold.  Congratulations to the Jack family on their newest addition — Sally!  And I plan to keep one also.

The last 24 hours the pups have really been starting to play with each other in earnest.  It is so cute to watch.  They’ve started to wag their little tails.  Their little eyes aren’t quite in focus yet because they hunker down, give a little noise, and pounce, completely missing the litter mate they were trying to “attack.”  Louisa and Marta have been two of my favorites to watch because they are serious about their play.  Kurt is also fun to watch — he is walking the best of the bunch, very confident of his footing, and I’ve seen him take on Liesl in play but two minutes later lay there while the others play on top of him.  Liesl has a thing about being on top of the pile, or someone, at all times, and she is the most vocal (so far).  Friedrich loves to explore his world — he’s going to grow into a confident and good natured boy like his dad, I think.  Gretl and Brigitta enjoy being loved, and they go back and forth between playing and sitting back to watch the others carry on.  It’s been funny watching them all take turns trying to pounce on Juliet or bite at her ears to get her to play with them — it’s like watching the neighborhood dogs try to get Clifford the Big Red Dog to play.

The individual pics I posted yesterday just don’t do the pups justice.  I think video would be better, but I wanted to wait until the pups got mobile — puppies sleeping isn’t especially interesting!  No promises, but I will try to post a video of them in the next couple weeks.

Update: I forgot to mention that Louisa had figured out that she could bark.  Now the others are learning, too — I think they surprise themselves with it — they had no idea they could bark and then they look like they’re trying to figure out where it came from.  Every now and then they bark that small but distinctive schnauzer bark at the wall of their box, me, Juliet, their litter mates, and things that just aren’t there.  This is one of a schnauzer’s more endearing traits — Miniature Schnauzers think they are BIG stuff.  Even so young, these puppies are in charge, protective and playful.  I take for granted how Juliet and other dogs act — it’s fascinating to watch the pups take on each little behavior that will grow them into what being a dog is all about.

This Thanksgiving we had much to be thankful for, and one of those blessings are these darling puppies.

On Saturday, I saw the first sign of play from them.  Kurt, trying to sleep, was pounced on by Louisa trying to (play) bite his nose while Brigitta snuggled up against him licking his face.  It was a Kodak moment, but unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me.  By now, all of the pups are starting to play with each other.  They are even trying to play with mom — biting at her ears and face.

They are all walking, still wobbly, but definitely walking.  I anticipate that we will have outgrown our current box by the end of the week.  Aside from playing, I think their huge yawns, sweet scent and thick coats are more schnauzer things I am thankful for.

These puppies are definitely treasures and have already brought me lots of joy.  I’m certain they will do the same for you!

Two quick things to report today:

1) The pups had their first toenail trim last night!  Their little claws must have grown overnight–or over a few hours–because they were really sharp.  Poor Juliet!  But, a little nailclipper and a little patience, and the world is all as it should be again.  It was actually a very pleasant experience:  I waited until they finished their near-midnight snack, and while they were floating on their mealtime high, they were content to just lay on my lap and let me clip.  They were so good about me handling their paws, and it gave me some extra one-on-one time with them.  Turned out to be more fun than I would have thought — nails have never been my thing.

2) It looks like we’re going to have some walkers here pretty soon.  Brigitta and Kurt have been working at it for several days now, and I noticed Liesl giving it a go yesterday.  The others may be trying, but those are the only ones I’ve seen for myself.  My money is on Liesl to be the first — even though the others have been trying longer, I just figure it’s logical because she is the biggest and may not have to try as hard.  They are so cute when they try.  They look like they’re drunk.  Their little bones wobble, and their muscles just aren’t used to it yet.  But it’s only a matter of time!

A week ago, we all curled up with The Sound of Music (part 1 of proper puppy socialization :-) ).  It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it, so it was great to reconnect.  While I was watching, I noticed a significant similarity between the Von Trapp kids and the puppies — can you guess?  I’ve been trying to think of the best way to identify the puppies both for myself and for this site, and, voila!, the answer magically appeared in the form of the best family flick of all time.

Their eyes did open over the weekend, so I grabbed my camera, turned off the flash, and tried to get some individual information for you.  Allow me to introduce you to the Von Trapp Family Schnauzers:

  Liesl — Liesl is the largest pup.  She is mainly black right now with a large white stripe on her chest, white back paws, white chin, and a little “salt” behind her ears.  So far I’ve observed that Liesl is gentle, squirmy, and very serious about meal time.

  Friedrich — Friedrich is the largest male.  He has almost as much “salt” as Louisa and Brigitta, and he also has 4 white paws and a white stripe on his chest.  (Sorry his picture is so blurry.  I couldn’t get him to sit still!)

  Louisa — Louisa is “salty” all over.  She has a large horizontal white stripe on her chest and 4 white paws.  She’s also pretty squirmy.

  Kurt — Kurt is the littlest pup.  He has “salt” behind his ears and across his face, a white stripe on his chest and white paws.  His eyes were the first I saw open.  He enjoys being held, and I expect he may become a sweet little lover dog.

  Brigitta — Brigitta is very similar to Louisa in coloring, except that the only white on her is a small white spot on her chest.  She also enjoys being held; she snuggles and enjoys being on her back in your hands and will also likely become a sweet little lover dog.

  Marta — Marta is very dark with only very little “salt” behind her ears.  She does have a white spot on her chest and 3 white paws.

  Gretl — Gretl is very similar to Marta in her coloring, except that she has no white at all.

I guess that makes me Fraulein Maria (ha!).  I’m sure the puppies wish I could sing like she could — it’s probably a good thing that their ears were still closed when we watched it.

Another note of interest:  Some friends came by to visit this weekend, and Juliet did very well having them enter the house and handle her pups a little.  She has been more protective of her territory, so we rewarded Juliet with plenty of treats and attention and encouragement.  I just had to say I’m very proud of how well she is behaving.

Thanks for browsing, and be sure to come back later for continued individualized updates for the pups about their personalities and goings-on.  They are still doing a lot of eating and sleeping, and their personalities will be coming out more over the next few weeks as they get more mobile.  I’m praying over them all that they will bring great joy into the world through their lives and that God will bring just the right families along for each one of them.

Their eyes have still not opened yet — that’s what I’ve been waiting to post about — but they’re still growing, and I wanted to share those pics with you.  These were taken late Wednesday night.  Their heads are getting huge, and their ears have started growing.  Look closely in the 2nd and 3rd pics to see their ears — you can tell that on a couple of them, their ears are no longer pressed against their heads.  And those pups are actually moving their ears around!  Personally, I think ears are the best part of a puppy dog…and their eyes, their noses, their “toes,” their whiskers, their fur…  Nevermind.  I guess my favorite part is the dog itself!

But there is something special about schnauzer ears.  They are so soft, and they do the cutest things with them.  Juliet may not be able to speak English, but when she gets her ears and nose moving, she is so very expressive.  Thank God for puppy dogs…and their adorable ears!

These pups are growing so fast, I’m able to actually see a difference every day.  One day I noticed their bodies were bigger, one day I noticed their heads were bigger, and one day I noticed their paws were bigger.  Their comparative sizes are evening out, except for the one female that is still bigger than the rest and one male that is still smaller.  The pups in between are pretty similar in size now and growing more similar in color.  When they were born, two had white stripes on their chest, and two were more “salty” (the brownish color along their heads and sides that will eventually silver up, creating “salt” to go with the “pepper”).  Their faces are beginning to lighten with markings.  Their fur is so thick and shiny and comes complete with that “new puppy smell.”  :-)  I know I saw one of them twitch it’s ear yesterday!

I would love to have individual pictures of them for you, but it’s very difficult to get them to sit still right now (they are full of wriggly energy), and this week we have to be careful about pictures because their eyes will be opening, but we’ll work on it.  In the meantime, I tried to get closer pics of them for you.  One of them is great — they are all lined up, except for the seventh one who is buried under the rest (you can see it’s leg sticking out).

It’s snuggle time at our house!  One of my favorite things to watch is Juliet snuggling with her loveable babies.  Their bellies are always full, and even the little ones show great thriftiness and determination.

One of the girls is considerably bigger than the rest, and she is determined to lay across Juliet’s neck…that is, if she can’t manage to get comfortable across Juliet’s face!  Even if you move her across the box, she’ll just go right back where she wants to go.  This she-pup reminds me and my family of one of our most beloved schnauzers.

If it is at all possible, the “kids” get cuter and cuter everyday.  They were so precious napping yesterday, I had to take more pics (one of the downfalls of my addiction).  Enjoy.

Juliet delivered 7 very healthy puppies in the wee hours early Sunday morning: 5 females and 2 males.  The pups eat and sleep and eat and sleep.  They are about as perfect little angels as they come!  Yesterday, the pups had their tails docked and dewclaws removed.  Though a traumatic experience for them, Juliet was very glad to have them back home with her for some TLC.  I’m a little tired myself, so I’ll write more later…as they grow.  Next week their eyes and ears will open!

I’m a fan of the Brit-coms on PBS, and “Keeping Up Appearances” is one of my favorites.  If you’re a fan you may remember an episode where Hyacinth ”Bouquet” is expecting furniture to be delivered–in a van with a royal warrant on it, no less.  She goes outside early in the morning to set out orange safety cones and a large sign for all her neighbors to see: “Delivery Imminent.”  I believe that is the status at our house today. 

Juliet is about to burst, though she still has a few more days to go.  I really feel for her–she’s getting so uncomfortable.  Last night I was petting her, and there was what felt like a puppy face pushing really hard and sticking out.  Since this is Juliet’s first litter, I wonder if she knows what’s happening to her or if she thinks that she’s in a bad “Alien” movie.

One of my co-workers found out she was pregnant the same time Juliet was breeding.  As we talked she was surprised to find out that it only takes 9 weeks for puppies to gestate when it takes 9 months for humans.  I told her to think of it like the old saying — if she has a “bun in the oven,” then Juliet is doing more microwave-style cooking. 

Juliet gets lots of yummy and healthy mommy things to eat, and she got her “mommy special” hair cut last week at the groomer.  All she wants to do right now is find a comfortable position and a safe “den.”  Last night she indulged in her favorite pasttime–laying on my clean laundry.  Fortunately, it was fluffy towels I had just bought for the little ones.  She buried her nose, then her head, then her whole body before she was finally happy.  It won’t be long now…she and I are both counting the days!