HELPED IN 2019 AND IN 2023 WE’RE HERE AGAIN FOR ZENA’S NEEDS

It was early in 2019 that Schnauzerfest first assisted Zena’s rescue with her veterinary costs, which included cataract surgery. Her story is detailed below.

Now she needs Schnauzerfest help once more and because of your amazing support, she is getting it.

Zena recently had her annual vet check up and a significant heart murmur and arrhythmia was picked up. A heart scan was recommended to understand the extent of the issue and assess how it can best be managed.

Zena has lost almost all of her sight in her one eye and can hear very little. But despite this she enjoys her life, which is comfortable and calm walks with the companionship of her adopted sister Piper.

In 2019 when Zena was taken in by a rescue, she was a confused, broken soul. Being totally blind, and having survived years in a puppy farm, it was no surprise she found everything utterly bewildering.

Many dogs coming from a cruel, neglectful background struggle to adapt when they find themselves in rescue. It can take many weeks, months in some cases, for them to learn any sense of trust.

Zena underwnt cataract surgery while in rescue, funded by Schnauzerfest. it turned out to be more difficult than had been expected. This was entirely due to how long her cataracts had been left untreated - if the puppy farmer had given her correct attention and care, or released her to rescuers sooner, the situation may well have been different. As it was, for her best interests, one eye had to be removed. The cataract in her remaining eye was treated. With no lens it is always going to be limited, but, even some sight would help Zena navigate her future life more confidently.

AUGUST 2019 - UPDATE

Zena was successfully adopted by a wonderful family as soon as she was ready. They live on the south coast and Zena had her first human family and canine sister Piper who is helping her learn how to enjoy her new life.

Her family are patient, loving and perfect companions for Zena whose journey to being a regular, much loved, normal family pet is well underway. Being able to restore partial sight means there is less challenge for her than if she was still blind. This is what Schnauzerfest fundraising makes possible.

Here she is, learning to play with her sister Piper, probably for the first time in her life.

UPDATE - February 2020

After 6 months with her family Zena is thriving. She loves her walks, stopping to smell everything, making the most of her freedom and doggy life. Sarah, her mum tells us that when she first arrived Zena would walk so slowly it was only possible to cover very short distances. Now she’s gained fitness and confidence, she speeds up to a brisk trot, managing long walks without problem. Sarah’s hopeful that with the help of Pepper she’ll learn that running is also fun!

“The sight in her surviving eye is not perfect and her hearing seems to be poor too so she can be easily startled. But she finds the world a much less scary place than a year ago. She walks through gateways and confined spaces without hesitation. She’s no longer worried by people walking past us on a path - unless they try to touch her, she doesn’t like touch so I don’t often get to cuddle our amazing, brave, resilient girl. She’s so gentle she’ll take a treat from your hand without you feeling anything. She’s no longer the totally shutdown dog she was and expresses herself with tail wagging and head-up barking when we come home. This makes my heart sing every time.”