When you walk for Schnauzerfest, you are part of something which is far more than a dog walk. Let us tell you Brenda’s story and you’ll see what we mean.
The funds you raise with walks help many dogs receive veterinary treatment every year, plus you bring awareness of the charity’s work. Work that is not always as obvious as paying a large vet bill.
Read Brenda’s story to see how much you bring to the world when you walk for Schnauzerfest.
While she wouldn’t have known it, when Brenda arrived at Clare’s home a few weeks ago, her life was heading in a great direction. But to get there, Brenda’s world had to turn a little topsy turvy. It wasn’t the first confusing time in her young life. One which had started in a low welfare breeding facility. No details of her life before rescue are known, but in her first home, her adopter witnessed common challenges displayed by dogs from deprived backgrounds.
Clare is an experienced fosterer and when it was decided that Brenda’s first home wasn’t working out, she agreed, with Dogs Friends Rescue, to take Brenda under her wing. We were confident that for Brenda this would provide her with a secure future, even though it would wobble her world temporarily.
After a short settling in period with Clare, Brenda was soon thriving and it was time to look for her new home. Dogs Friends and Clare agreed what her needs were and what would be required of potential adopters. They knew they had to get it right for Brenda, because among everything else, she deserved stability.
“Being a foster carer, particularly for dogs with hurdles to overcome, brings a sense of protectiveness, they’re family while they’re with us. This can make choosing the right home very difficult. I always want to get it just right. ”
Into Brenda’s life now steps Rachelle with her 2 mini schnauzers Holly and Ivy. Rachelle was following Brenda’s life in foster unfold through Clare’s public posts.
"I was looking to adopt a friend for Ivy who I'd adopted earlier in the year. Ivy came from a breeding background and arrived with me traumatised and frightened. Holly is elderly and has helped Ivy gain confidence but, I recognised that a younger dog would help Ivy develop further, in ways that I know only dogs can really do with each other.
“Sometimes I have a little niggle in my mind that I might have made the wrong decision about an adoption application. The match might not be the best for both parties.
On a rare and wonderful occasion, I know 100% that the home, lifestyle and human are exactly what that foster dog needs to thrive. This was the case with Rachelle, Ivy & Holly.
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It has been a joy welcoming Brenda into the family. She happily sleeps all night in her crate and in the morning she’ll come into the bed with me for a cuddle - she is a very affectionate dog and loves this morning routine. Brenda is full of energy and enthusiasm, she loves running in and out of the back door, inspecting the garden many times over. But, her favourite place is the front room where she jumps on the sofa so she can see everything.
She wasted no time assigning herself the house security detail, notifying us all of anyone coming in. Which brings me to the challenges.
She will bark at people in the house. We’re working on this. She is a keen learner and I am keen to help us get this right together. Scooping her up to meet people at the door mitigates the barking, and what arises once people are in the house is short lived - especially with house guests providing plenty of treats. In the early days I introduced all the regular people who visit. Brenda is particularly good with my little nephews, who adore her. She has won everyone’s hearts, it’s impossible not to love this gorgeous girl with her huge, enthusiasm for life.
“The moment we met, we spoke about the dogs and the lengths Rachelle had gone to to ensure her dogs thrived with their individual needs. I just knew this was Brenda’s forever home.
I knew whatever hurdles she may have to overcome, this family was willing to do whatever it took to help her.
Rachelle has the perfect demeanour and attitude, cool, calm and unflappable. This is exactly what Brenda needs.
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She is a shoe and sock thief and will find and shred anything I leave around. She’ll hurtle around the house and can jump great heights, hence her nickname Hurricane Brenda! She makes us laugh every day. She’s been the centre of attention in our family parties and Ivy’s recent birthday celebration.
When Holly is having her massage sessions, Brenda insists on assisting. She’s steadily learning how to walk beside Holly’s buggy and it is wonderful seeing her flourish, enjoying the company of her new sisters and all the people in my life, especially my little nephews. She is such a good girl, full of life and confidence.
I’ve made two brilliant decisions this year, the first was adopting Ivy and the second was Brenda. I thank Dogs Friends and Clare for giving me the privilege to be her guardian and forever home. She is so truly loved and bringing us all a happiness we didn’t even know was missing."
“I am overjoyed that Rachelle applied to adopt Brenda. Brenda is a happy girl and as I knew she would, she’s thriving in her new home.”
Schnauzerfest regularly supports Dogs Friends Rescue and Clare with the costs of providing veterinary treatment. Helping rescues be there for dogs like Brenda is a critical part of our mission. Thank you for your support.