<p>but those of you with family pets might understand. Two years ago when my first went off to college I adopted a small white schnauzer. Never had a dog of my own, family dogs, yes, but not just Mom’s. Never had a small dog, just labs, etc. Anyway I’ve become attached to this pup. This morning I took her in to the vet for a minor hernia surgery and I am worried sick. </p>
<p>Are you laughing at me? I feel foolish and a small bit insane… Tell me I’m not alone and some of you are crazy about your dogs as well. Please!</p>
<p>Of course you’re worried. Some dogs just hit your heart that way. I have two dogs right now. I adore them both, but one of them is just such good company that I take her everywhere and feel weird if I go for a walk without her.</p>
<p>I am not laughing at you and would never laugh at someone who loves their animals.
I am totally in agreement with your feelings and would be the same way. Here’s to hoping all goes well and your girl is home soon.</p>
<p>You are normal. I was worried 2 years ago when my rabbit had to have surgery.
Animals are part of our families, so of course we love them and worry when they are sick.
I hope your sweet dog recovers soon.</p>
<p>Also have a miniature schnauzer(13 years old) that I have not seen in a week (am traveling), and I still worry about her! I worry when I take her in to get her teeth cleaned (it’s an issue with schnauzers, so keep up with it, and it’ll pay you back in the long run by not having teeth pulled - mine still has all her teeth and they are in good condition) as she goes under anesthesia. Can’t wait to see her tomorrow night, when she’ll ‘sing’ for me when she sees me!</p>
<p>Sistersunnie – fingers crossed that everything will be ok.</p>
<p>We’re a mini schnauzer family as well. BTW, teriwtt, such good advice on the teeth problem. I regret that we didn’t keep up with our little guy’s teeth as vigilantly as we should have; he’s lost some and has a few other health probs, and now at almost 12, the vet does not want to anesthetize him to clean his teeth. So he’s on a long term pulse antibiotic regimen to keep infection at bay…</p>
<p>Vet just called, she out and fine. The repair went well and they scaled her teeth while she was out. I can pick her up in a few hours, glad that’s over. </p>
<p>I rescued (or is it the other way around?) her two years ago, adopted from local dog control. She was taken out of a crack house during a drug bust. She was nearly 2 years old then and vet said she had given birth a few times already. She had some health issues and even more behavioural issues. Very food aggressive, I’m sure it was a survival thing for her. We bonded immediately, not so much with her and my daughters. It happened but took many months. Also took months to get her straightened out health wise, it has taken nearly two years to fully address the behaviours. But she is a sweetie and smart, very good company. </p>
<p>Last spring, they raided the same house again and pulled out a senior gray mini schnauzer. They called me immediately and I had my hands on him within the hour of the raid. Talk about a mess! Anyway he is 9+ years old and apparently hasnt had any vet attention, grooming, etc either. This is the first scaling for her and I will stay on top of it, but he has never had it done and we will attempt in the spring. Its taken this long to address other issues with him. </p>
<p>Love these schnauzers, but boy I sure hope that dog control doesnt find anymore! its pretty unusual to see or hear aobut them around here. </p>
<p>Oh and Teriwit, she sings for me too. I laughed till I cried the first time I left her and returned to the recital! The only other one she does that for is my stepdad, who sings back at her!</p>
<p>I’m glad she is doing well. I love our 4 legged ones also. We lost one of ours this year, and I still hurt from it. His brother is doing fine, but I worry about him. All of us at our house really love the animals we adopt.</p>
<p>I don’t think you’re crazy at all. We’ve always had dogs as well but big ones. Almost no one in my real life knows this but a big part of the reason I got my pug was coming to terms with infertility. It had been an epic struggle to have our only child and ten years later (I’m a slow learner) when it came time to well and truly end the journey for child #2, I got my pug. </p>
<p>Lkke the children we dream of, my pug is her own “person.” She has no interest in being “my baby” and so I’ve learned to love her for other traits. Of course, I do have my 60lb pointer who loves nothing more than to lay on my lap and cuddle. </p>
<p>Okay, so maybe we are a wee bit crazy about our wee pups, but what’s so bad about putting a little more love into the world?</p>
<p>When my cat had surgery and an awful recovery (a “benign” tumor that ran halfway down her back, a huge incision), I cried at work. It’s just so hard to try to help an animal because they don’t understand why they’re in pain. You can’t tell them that it will get better, or why you took them to the vet that “caused” such pain to them. My cat refused to eat for 2 days and became dehydrated. I had to force-feed her a watery broth/food solution. Again, I cried because I couldn’t explain to her why I was <em>hurting</em> her. </p>
<p>In the end, she recovered and is fine 2 years later!</p>
<p>This made me think of one of my favorite stories about my mom:</p>
<p>She was a psychiatric social worker and worked in a large hospital. Our dog got aplastic anemia when she was 11 and was hospitalized for several weeks. One day the vet called and said things weren’t looking good and my mom got upset.</p>
<p>She was in the hospital cafeteria crying about the dog and a nurse (who didn’t know my mom) came over and asked my mom what was wrong and if there was anything she could do - she didn’t know my mom worked there and assumed my mom was crying because her husband or family member was gravely ill or had died. My mom wouldn’t tell her what was wrong (she was embarrassed that she was crying over a dog!) and the nurse persisted in trying to help. Finally, some of my mom’s co-workers came in and “rescued” her.</p>
<p>The good news is the dog recovered and lived to be 17! And my mom is no longer embarrassed that she cried over a dog!</p>