A few weeks ago Nancy had no name, no life, no love. She was only valued for the puppies that her neglected body could produce for the puppy farmer whose ‘property’ she was. Nobody will ever know for sure what Nancy’s life to this point has fully entailed but it’s clear that little in it has been good.
All that changed at the end of July when she was taken into rescue. Her breeding days over, she could now get on and live her life, but first she had to recover from the abuse and neglect she’d been subjected to as a product of today’s puppy breeding industry. Nancy was rescued at the same time as Dolly and Ada
Nancy’s rescue, Friends of Animals Wales (FOAW) arranged for her to go straight to her foster home and receive all necessary veterinary treatment which a Schnauzerfest Grant paid for.
Nancy was the most shut down of the 3 schnauzers and needed an extra special foster home. At the time of writing, she’s living with 3 cavalier King Charles foster siblings. Her favourite is Charlie. Over the past week, Nancy has started trying to get Charlie to play with her and loves nothing more than snuggling up beside him for a snooze.
This is all perfect preparation for Nancy’s final and forever home which she will be going to in a couple of weeks. She has an excited little brother and even more excited new mum waiting for her.
NANCY’S ADOPTION UPDATE
Nancy, safe in a dog-sling, venturing out in her new neighbourhood, getting used to the wider world
Nancy now lives in Northumberland with Jo and new brother Colin. After spending several weeks in her foster home, a good amount of preparation has helped the transition for her from knowing only life inside a puppy farm to one living in a regular home. However, as to be expected, the change brought by her adoption has unsettled Nancy. Her fragile trust in humans is in its early stages. All this has been taken onboard and understood by Jo and the time it will take Nancy to bond and trust her new family, to relax and enjoy every moment of her life, will be whatever it takes, they are there for her.
One thing Nancy is guaranteed in her life from hereon is an abundance of opportunity to not only exist, but to thrive as the dog she really is. Her journey is one that will have great days and not so great, she will move forwards and slip back at times. The work that puppy farm survivors undertake every day to put their past behind them, for some is an epic effort. For others, it’s simpler. Each dog is unique, each one has a unique history and personality. With Jo and Colin, Nancy’s is beginning and we look forwards to sharing her highlights.
“Nancy was understandably terrified to be bundled into a bag but once we got going she started to relax. Her nose was twitching, her ears were going & she was mesmerised by Colin’s antics rolling around in the grass! A resounding success!”
OCTOBER 11TH UPDATE
We got very good news about Nancy yesterday, a day when Colin and Jo should have been hosting their first ever Schnauzerfest Walk (cancelled because of Covid). But instead of feeling gloomy, Jo and Colin had this wonderful moment with Nancy - her first outside walk, on her own 4 paws. Her first experience of being with Colin and Jo on just a simple local walk, simple, but a huge event for them all.
NOVEMBER 2020
Nancy on her first visit to the beach
Two months on from adoption and Nancy’s confidence continues to steadily firm up. Her brother Colin is her best teacher, and the pair of them have settled into a reliably content relationship. Nancy has learnt to bark, to express what Jo says is very evidently happiness when she is out on walks.
The healing and rehabilitation process for dogs saved from puppy farm lives is as variable and unique as each dog is. While Nancy is learning to trust Jo, she is still wary and far from ‘normal’. The life she now enjoys is carefully designed around her needs. Every day is an exercise in her learning that life is good, that she is safe, that no harm will come to her. We can only guess at what is in her mind, but her behaviours are certainly showing signs that she is studying hard to be the happiest she possibly can be in her life from hereon in.
“Nancy’s starting to build confidence in the house but still feels safest in one of the dog beds. Once she’s out on a walk she’s a different dog, pouncing at Colin trying to initiate play. It’s such a pleasure and privilege being part of her journey. Colin is the best big brother, he’s so caring and supportive with her, he makes me very proud!”