My Thanksgiving Blessing's Progress

On November 26, 2009, I was blessed with two very good reasons to be thankful. First and foremost, the prayer I've prayed for years was finally answered...my youngest daughter was finally coming home. I bought her ticket that day, and she stepped off a plane the next day. I thank the good Lord every day for bringing her home to me.

Second (and the reason for this post), we rescued a purebred Miniature Schnauzer. She was such a scruffy, abused, timid, untrained little mess, and I knew I had my work cut out for me. I've wanted a mini for so long, and this one needed me as much as I needed her.

Her coat was so matted that it took us over two hours to cut the mats out.

She knew no commands at all.

She cowered at a raised voice.

She'd spent the majority of her life in a crate that was too small for her, so she wasn't housebroken or leash-trained.

She chased Gracie.

She had some food aggression issues and ate way too fast.

She ate her own feces.

And worst of all, she had several large spots on her back where there was discolored or missing hair. Every professional in the animal care field agreed that it was a chemical burn...something had been poured or spilled on her.

My "clearance puppy", as Michelle called her, stole my heart.

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Fast forward to today, February 15, 2010.

We've visited the vet a couple of times for an exam, a spay, and getting her where she needed to be health-wise.

We've gone for lots of walks and are still working on leash training.

We've worked on lots of commands and tricks. She knows at least a dozen now.

She has a basket full of toys and a nice big crate that she sleeps in only at night or when noone is home.

She and Gracie have become playmates, and she gets very upset if Gracie lets one of those drama-queen meows out.

She is not only house-broken, but she rings a bell I hung at the door when she needs to go out.

She LOVES to go for car rides, no matter how short or long they may be.

She has blossomed. She is no longer timid or food aggressive.

And the most outwardly noticeable change...we found a GREAT groomer. Kudos to "All Four Paws" in Beaufort, SC. She finally looks like a Miniature Schnauzer and those discolored spots on her coat are GONE.

Check out her before (November 26, 2009) and after (February 13, 2010)!