In 2021, Schnauzerfest Trustee Camilla, adopted Dido a blind schnauzer who had, until her rescue, been confined in a low-welfare breeding facility (aka puppy farm). We wrote at the time (see here) how Dido’s brave resilience, and Camilla’s love and dedication took her through double cataract surgery.
Dido went on to recover well from the surgery and enjoy a period of time with reasonable vision. She had regular checks with her ophthalmologist, but unfortunately as time passed there was deterioration. However, Dido’s determination to enjoy her life shone through and not being able to see much didn’t seem to bother her as she, and her family adjusted.
During the last few months, it became clear that Dido’s age and neglectful years before her adoption were catching up with her. Sadly, almost exactly four years on from her adoption, with severe liver failure afflicting their beautiful dog, her family made the kindest, but hardest decision and Dido slipped away peacefully last week.
Dido was the third ex-breeder Camilla adopted and where Isla and Mabel had been wary of people, doorways, loud noises and so on, Dido was completely different and craved human company.
Camilla explains more,
“To say that she was a velcro dog was an understatement; she was only happy if she was in the same room as me, preferably on my lap. She would gaze up with her big eyes, asking to come up on my lap and she was completely irresistible. I have never had such a loving dog. In other respects she was just like the others: incredibly resilient, just getting on with everything that came her way.
She really embraced life to the full when her eyesight was restored and watching her watching things was a delight. When her eyesight declined again, she just got on with it and managed incredibly well. She could sniff for England. As she got older our walks took longer and longer as she completely body planted herself, becoming absolutely immovable.
Due to neglect in her previous life, she had a misshapened mouth and ears, but that added to her quirkiness and endeared her to everyone. We miss our funny, quirky, loving little dog more than we can say but feel very privileged to have been able to make her final four years comfortable and happy.”
We know that Dido had the time of her life in those last years, and we are very grateful to Camilla for sharing her story.