Dave and Jane Rodrigues regularly fundraise for the charity by organising dog walks in their local area. Dave tells us more about why they love supporting Schnauzerfest.
Jane and I met five years ago and as well as bringing together 5 children, there was also Jane's dog Lexi (14) who was a sweet little 9 year old mini schnauzer. From that day on Lexi has never left my side; becoming my work from home buddy and also the Queen of the Household. This early interaction with Lexi enabled me to embrace Jane's love and fascination with schnauzers and that has increased over the years.
Since becoming involved with Schnauzerfest we decided that rehoming/adoption was definitely for us. First we adopted an ex puppy farm dog Buddy (4) and then rehomed Colin (2) from a family who were splitting up.
How did you come across schnauzerfest?
Our first sight of Schnauzerfest was in 2017 when we discovered a walk searching on Facebook for local people with schnauzers. At that time in Southsea (Portsmouth) not much turned up in the search apart from this walk. Unfortunately that year we weren't able to make the date but vowed to go the next year in 2018 which we did. After enjoying ourselves so much and wanting to ensure that another walk happened, in 2019 we held one in Southseand that 's really where the love affair started in earnest.
Why do you fundraise for the charity?
Schnauzerfest is living, breathing proof that ex puppy farm dogs can one day experience the love, affection and freedom that they absolutely deserve. Schnauzerfest means everything to us! I can't imagine it not being in our lives now, especially communicating, socialising, online support and meeting in person with Schnauzerfesters and our South Coast Schnauzers group.
What do you enjoy doing for Schnauzerfest?
There are so many examples of what we get the chance to do for the charity, and that is what makes it so special. Nothing is thrust upon anyone, just lots of encouragement and ideas to help you in your thought process for however you want to help.
We set up a local Facebook Group called South Coast Schnauzers with the sole aim of bringing people and dogs together, providing outdoor exercise and socialisation for the dogs and raising money for Schnauzerfest. We are now one of the biggest groups locally raising thousands in fundraising and giving everyone's mental health a boost!
Other things we enjoy include attending Dog Shows where Schnauzerfest have a presence and being involved in the other fundraising events and fun each year.
At All About Dogs Show, Newbury
Post Covid, through our Schnauzerfest supporting Facebook Group we’ve seen a huge increase in requests for help and support for people with their dogs. For example neeing to rehome, or looking to adopt. We as a family have benefited from the help of Schnauzerfest a number of times. Firstly when we wanted to adopt a rescue dog, Schnauzerfest was on hand to give us all of the help and advice we needed before, during and after the rehome. This enabled us to settle Buddy into his new life with us with fantastic support. Also, when a local dog was needing to be rehomed, again the charity was on hand to support and guide us in the correct way to go about it for all involved. These kinds of requests are increasing by the day and Schnauzerfest as a charity is showing versatility in being able to help in so many different ways, displaying a breadth of capability and knowledge, while not being a traditional rehoming organisation itself.
Lexi, Buddy & Colin