Update 9/24/13

Jack found a wonderful home with a couple who adore him in Atlanta! He has a sister now, a senior schnauzer named Kiki who loves him so much. And, I will get to maintain contact with Jack and get regular updates and pics which is wonderful. Thanks so much to everyone who took an interest in Jack and Doc and helped us in their care and upkeep. Some people were beyond generous with their donations and I hope they know how much it meant/means to these sweet little dogs. Here are some pics of Jack in his new home with Kiki.

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Doc Adopted to a Wonderful New Home!!

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Update 1/5/13

Jack and Doc were adopted by a wonderful family in Jackson, MO, who accepted them as older dogs, that still have a lot of love and life left in them. I have received several email updates as well as photos of them in their new home and they are both doing great. I think they are the BEST Dogs in the World and the person who adopted them is very blessed and lucky I think to have the pleasure of sharing life with them and I'm sure Jack and Doc feel the same way.

Update 2/22/13

After being in their new home for about a month and a half, it turned out that Jack was not fitting in with the family as well as Doc did. We have learned that Jack does better not living with small children. And he also tends to like a more quiet or calm routine. He can seem a little timid, nervous and anxious at new or unsure movements or environments. However, he is quickly soothed by a kind word of reassurance or a big hug. Doc was doing great and I am glad that Jack knows where Doc is and Jack was very happy to come back home with me. Doc also knows that Jack is safe and with me. So, we are back to looking for the perfect, forever home with Jack. We understand that things don't always workout, and Jack's adoptive family love him very much. Jack still gets a long very well with other animals.

Update 4/30/13

We tried a new wonderful home for Jack this past weekend and unfortunately, it did not work out. It appears now after two unsuccessful placements that Jack seems to be very attached to me. He seems with his placements to attach to one person and become fearful and jealous of other housemembers, particularly men. I'm sure the anxiety of feeling abandoned by me when he is dropped off also makes it more complicated. Jack Is Staying with Me, Unless a single person, with no other pets or children falls in Love with Him, and lives close enough to give him a try! Thanks to Everyone who has taken an interest in him! --Lana

 

Photo Album of Jack and Doc

The Story of Jack and Doc
2 Sweet, older Schnauzers dumped on a lonely country road in East Tennessee

I was visiting my Dad in East TN where he lives on a farm. We were driving up the "holler" which is basically a lonely, non-occupied country road. We noticed some people who were out of their car and seemed to be shooing the dogs away. At first I thought I had caught someone "dumping" the dogs. They pulled their car over to the side and we stopped and got out, but then they drove off. Both dogs were really frightened, seemed confused and were obviously in poor physical condition. Based on the shape they were in I think they had been outside and exposed to the elements and fending for themselves longer, so I now suspect the people may have been checking on the dogs and trying to shoo them out of the road when they heard our car. Then left, probably relieved that someone else stopped to help them. Both dogs were older, unneutered, in poor shape and pure breds, which based on my experience in animal rescue leads me to believe they were used for a puppy mill/backyard breeding operation and then dumped when they were older.

We took them home and bathed them. They were full of fleas. We fed them and gave them water and a warm place to sleep. They were taken in briefly by another person who fostered them for a couple of weeks and they had an initial vet visit. Both were heart worm negative, but did have worms, dehydration, malnourishment. And now we are in the process of helping get them placed in a safe loving home.

  • Age:  Upon initial exam from the vet 1 day after finding them malnourished/dehydrated, not in the best shape the vets estimated them to be between 10 - 12 yrs of age.  Doc is the older/smaller 11 lb dog.  Jack is the younger/larger 15 lb dog.  Of course their teeth could be deceptive due to no care at all.  Doc's teeth are in bad shape and I am sure he will need extractions.  Jack's do not look nearly as bad but still need a dental.  Doc seems to have some age related arthritis/stiffness in front left shoulder neck area in the mornings.  However, he does great with 40 min. long walks.  Enthusiastic, leads ahead, shows no signs of tiredness or pain.  I think a little dose of Metacam and some joint supplements would really make a difference for him.
  • Level of Bondedness:  I think these guys have been together from the start of whatever experience they had.  I suspect that the were abandoned together in the wooded area I found them for some time due to their dehydration and anemia.  If I'm petting one the other isn't far behind.  They sleep curled up together and lie together most of the time.  Ideally I think it would be nice for them to stay together, but as we know how very adaptable and amazing dogs can be from all kind of situations. It would be wonderful to find a really good home for them even if it meant being separated.  They do great with other dogs.  My little dog Rascal can be quite the bossy one, smaller than both of the Schnauzers and Jack was running and tripped over the curb and rolled in the grass and Rascal immediately ran over barking and growling at him (sort of bossy/playful).  And he just totally was unaffected, didn't bother to get defensive or anything. 
  • Vet Care update:  I have an appointment for them at TimberTrails vet http://www.timbertrailsvet.com/#!home/mainPage.  I have set up a fund for people to donate toward their vet care.  Hopefully new blood work will be more conclusive than their initial blood work since they are healthier overall.
    • Oct. 31st, both of them were neutered through a rescue who has a vet that works with them
    • Wed. Nov. 28th - blood work up and urinalysis at Timber Trails
    • Wed. Dec. 5th - dentals for both of them
    • They will also need their vaccinations: Rabies/Distemper/Parvo/Bordetella vacc.  I was going to wait till after their dentals to do this.
      ThankYou
  • Potty Training:  As I mentioned at first they were marking every corner at first in my house, in my dad's house.  I think it's partly because it is a new environment and partly having not been neutered and partly never having been taught.  I have been using diapers as a male wrap some as well as positive reinforcement.  I use a can with coins so if I see them start to hike I can shake it and redirect them.  When I'm home, I have been leaving the diapers off much more and last night when I got home, I took them and my two other dogs for a 40 min walk in the neighborhood on leash.  They did great, got just a bit tangled, but overall great for 4 dogs.  Doc is very energetic and outside.  I left their diapers off the whole evening without any incidents, so I think they are learning.  I open the back door and let them out to "potty" frequently and I think the other two dogs are teaching them as well.  They are very "treat" motivated and have already learned to sit and come.
  • Adoption Efforts:  The people at Schnauzer Love Rescue have them posted as a courtesy listing http://www.schnauzerloverescue.org/old-tn-pair-notes.htm I have contacted other local rescue groups as well.

They will be vetted and should be in good shape and ready to go.  I had never had/been around Schnauzers before, but I have to say I have become a total fan of them.  These dogs personalities have blossomed.  They are wonderful with other dogs. I'm not sure about cats, but based on their behavior I think they would be fine.  They are not food aggressive at all.  They would definitely make a great pet and I think they have a lot of life left in them despite their rough start. Another intersting fact is that when walking on the non-busy path near the lake outside that I take the dogs on, they walk great off leash.  They stay right with you, come when called.  I think they are afraid of being left again