Just wanted to say I won't be on the forums posting much for several days as we have a new addition to the family.  It's a schnauzer.    We just saved a male schnauzer from a shelter today and not a minute too soon.  He is going to need a lot of TLC and attention for several days.  I'll post more later as well as some photos for those interested.  Anyway, my heart feels good that we saved this little guy from more neglect and he will be a happier healthier boy in a matter of day or weeks.  So much to tell about him and so little time.  I'm sure you'll all do fine if I don't get on here, as there are enough knowledgeable members here who handle things nicely w/o me.  Right now a special little guys needs my attention more than HCOA does.  I'll get back A.S.A.P.

Good for you and little Schnauzy.

Do keep us posted and good luck.

Dewey:

Drop in for a short, once in awhile, then tell us what NEW TRICKS the doggy taught YOU. LOL 

Hurry back and enjoy the pet. We have rescued many animals over the years and know your pleasure as they them-self become FAMILY.

If we whine and pee on the floor, will you come see us again?

Congrats on the new addition.  Dogs are easier to train than kids.

Rustee, Our new addition is about 2-1/2 yrs. old.  We got him from a shelter / pound in KY and he was one big mat of hair from his eyebrows to his tail.  He is matted so badly that just lifting the ends of a few hairs up gives him pain.  He even has long knotted hair between his toes.  So far we have trimmed his head, beard, ears, and shaved his back a little longer than it should be but we'll touch that up once the rest is done.  We also have his "skirt done, and his left rear upper leg.  All in all that has taken countless hours and even more patience for him and us as well.

I'll try to get some photos added if the site is willing.   These pics were taken 3 months before we got him so his fur coat was even worse than in the pics.  In fact, you can't even tell from the photos that he is suppose to be  a salt & pepper schnauzer.  When we met him the only way we knew his stub tail was wagging, was the matts on his back moved with it. It was almost impossible to see the tail.  We now have that mostly trimmed as well.  His toenails were well over an 1-1/4"  long, and we've only managed to get 3 clipped so far as they are entangled in fur and knots.  I'll post some more photos of how he looks now in a couple days hopfully. 

Here I have been blaming the new addition for the wet floors and now I find out who it really was.  I owe Rustee an apology!   Here boy!

Shame on you Dewey........... Peeing on the floor isn't allowed. Next you'll be wearing DEPENDS .....lol

Cordially,
Gerry

Gerry, Bishons are adorable dogs.  I haven't really read up on them that much, but from what I have seen to tv and read on the internet they are very good house dogs.  

I did manage to get Rustee's upper back legs combed out tonight.  What I did was snip the knots in several strips length wise then squeeze his leg w/ one hand while gently brush one little strip at a time.  Took forever, but by holding his leg tightly he couldn't feel it as much pulling on the skin.  Max, our other male is a breeze to comb as his hair is sorta straight like Rustee's is suppose to be and his in finer hair.  We have had to keep his arm pits shaved as thats the only place he generally gets knots.  Apple on the other hand has curly thick fur so she needs combing more often and takes longer to do.

We generally bathe them twice a month depending on how dirty they get.  Sometimes they require more frequent bathing in the spring and other rainy spells as they like to lay in the dirt by the gate whenever I go in the house to get coffee for me and treats for them.  Well I'm for another session of grooming.  Wish us all luck, and don't let the guys pee on the floor again. 

I finally have the initional trimming on Rustee's front legs done.  I tried doing it by myself tonight and he seemed a little calmer.  I also did it on the floor so he would feel a little more comfortable.  There is just a little touch up left to do on his front right leg. I also managed to get his pads finished and his long fur on the front legs cut to length.  Now I just need to coax him into a nail trimming session.

 As I am typing this he is here beside me with his chin on my right leg looking up at me w/ those adorable big brown puppy eyes....... Ummmm excuse me a minute, there is something coming in on the news ticker .... 

I just received notice that Rustee will be posing for photographs this ww/e and is going to schedule an autograph session for all his many new fans.  Rustee will be sporting a new schnauzer look for the Fall Season.  Unlike the traditional schnauzer cut, he will have on short sleaves, shorter skirt and a new fu-man-chu beard.  .....  More news at 11 

Rustee has an appointment at the Vanderberg Humane Society for the morning of Nov. 2nd. His altering, then all shots, checked for heart worm, etc. to bring him current will only be about $120, and if we can afford to have it done at the same time they will chip him for another $25. If not we would have to wait until next Sept to get the chip done for that price. But I think it's only $35 to have it done at the vet so no biggie there.

Kind of grainy but here's a pic or 3 of Rustee taken today.  The other schnauzer in the photo w/ him is his new sister Apple, also a rescue we got in June of 08.  I'll add another post w/ our first schnauzer rescue Max in a minute.

Here's a photo of Max, our 5 y.o. male sultry silver maxi-mini schnauzer, Rustee's new brother.  We're going to try and get some better photos on Sunday, this camera sucks for inside shots.  Max is not at all camera shy like Apple who is usually way in the background.  Here's Max.....

Cordially,
Gerry

LOL!  Let's hope they didn't...   The wife just called the vets (humane society's)and they said Rustee is out of surgery and all went well.  He is still groggy they said, guess that's why he didn't come to the phone.  HaHa!  He did have a skin disease that we will have to treat w/ special shampoos, but that is no surprise since he was a matted mess when we got him 2 weeks ago yesterday.  Hard to tell how long he had been in that condition.  He is HW neg   and he is now up to date on all shots.  They checked him for a micro-chip but didn't have one, so he is getting chipped and tattooed (the latter to show he is sterile).  We will be picking Rustee up tomorrow morning before 9 am.  He could still use your prayers as he recovers. 

  Dewey, Here's thinking of Rustee. May he be up and running very soon. You, my friend have a heart of gold. take good care of him, and the others as well.

Good to hear Dewey.

 And not to worry, he will be trying to run around after the sedation wears off and he fills his belly. So keep an eye on him.

Then again, you are probably already aware off that.

Cordially,
Gerry

Gerry, when we first got Max, we would lay him on his back and rub his belly really fast and say "Tickle belly" while we were doing it.  Once we released him he would run like that too.  He still likes getting tickle bellies but doesn't run after them anymore.

Cordially,
Gerry
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Gerry your furkids are sweet.  That'll make Rustee feel much better, poor little guy was sick to his stomache today, not sure if it was from the horse pills he had to take or something he might have gotten into.  Looks like you may have them spoiled just a teeny little bit.  Whoever grooms them does a nice job, and that would be a manageable length for their coat compared to the traditional.  I often wonder when some people get a chance to sleep when they have the regular long cut.  We keep our schnauzers beards, and skirts a little shorter than normal because they get so matted playing outside and especially after trying to groom each other.  Thanks for sharing the photos.