When Sarah stopped by the Schnauzerfest stall at All About Dogs we were delighted to get to meet Calli and her schnauzer brother Oscar, affectionately also known as Oski. Calli was adopted by Sarah in January 2022 having left a life of breeding in Wales. Sarah kindly agreed to share insights into their first few months together with Calli.
Tell us a bit about why you decided to adopt a dog
We had been wanting to bring another dog into the family so that Oscar had a furry sibling. He loves to play and walk and we knew he’d love sharing his life with another. We also felt we had plenty of love to give another dog.
As well as Oscar, Calli has a teenage human brother and 10 year old sister Emi who adds,
We found Calli and she was perfect for us and our daily life. We really wanted to rescue a dog so that we can give her the loving home she really deserves to have.
Sarah continues,
During lockdown I came across several schnauzer groups and came to learn about 'adoption' and some reasons why dogs are given up to rescues. When I read the stories of puppy farm dogs, it hit a little harder on me, as these dogs had not known a 'normal' life.
For me, it made sense to give a dog who needed one, a home within a loving family to enjoy life as best as they can. Doesn't every dog deserve that? Then Calli - known at the time as Celeste - came up one morning, I read the description and applied in a heartbeat.
How have things been since adopting Calli? Have there been any challenges?
After collecting Calli, she was very quiet for the first few days and weeks. She would hide in her bed with her head turned away from everyone. She took really well to myself and would follow me around the house whenever I moved. if we were in the kitchen, she’d come in and find a corner and curl up in a ball on the cold hard floor. This was so so sad to see, because all we wanted was for her to be happy and sit in her lovely warm comfortable bed. Why would she want to curl up on the floor? She wouldn't eat to begin with, we were almost hand feeding her just to show her that there was food for her.
However, outside in the garden, she seemed to absolutely love it. She would not come in from outside, and I would have to carry her in and out of the house to the garden. I now know that doors can be an issue with dogs from similar backgrounds.
Fast forward a few months and she’s settled in really well. She now comes and goes at her own will through the door to the back garden. Going out the front door for walkies was a big issue. I had to carry her in and out for a few weeks, but she now loves her walks. She goes in and out of the front door but will sometimes stop and think and it can take several minutes before she is ready to come through again.
When the family were all in the front room, in the evening, Calli would take herself off to the kitchen where she’d spend the time alone. To us this was sad as it felt she didn't seem to want to be with us, but obviously this was just her learning all about life in a home. Now, she will happily chill in her bed in the same room as us.
We have recently seen a dog trainer as Calli had started to bark at the humans in the house (all except me). This is difficult for all, it’s been helpful that she was ok with me, as I was on hand to help calm her down. The trainer has helped us put some processes in place that we will be using to help Calli. It's early days but we are positive that we will see results.
Calli is a gorgeous, beautiful girl. She is delighted to see me if I've had to pop out of the house and come back in again, she is like a happy little puppy with her waggily tail and her playful paws (bottom in the air). She has started to jump up on to the bed and greet us every morning...a little wet nose in my face and a playful attitude, this fills me with happiness and lots of love for this little angel.
She is also a very inquisitive little girl, she loves when the humans go out. We watch the dogs on a camera and she is like a little daredevil, jumping up onto the sofa and checking out what has been left on the tables. Sometimes having a little chew!! We’ve learnt to put everything away or out of reach.
10 year old Emi adds,
Since the first day she has changed massively. Both in ways we thought she would and in some ways we didn't expect. When we first got her she didn't want to leave her bed, she wouldn't eat, wouldn't drink and she would jump, at everything. Now she's much more confident. She's chosen 'a person' in my family that she's very comfortable around. She gets out of her bed more now, she's eating a healthy amount but most importantly she's become so much more adventurous and out going.
