Nikki is a 2 1/2 year old Miniature Schnauzer that I adopted from the pound
in mid-March. When I got her, behaviorally, she was hand and foot shy (you
could not get near her to pick her up), nipped constantly, was very
protective of her food, and was the most hyper dog I have ever seen.
Physically, she was also a mess. She had never been groomed and was fully of
matts and leaves, was so thin that I could see and feel every bone, and had
a staph infection the size of a grapefruit on her back.
Today, I am pleased to say that Nikki (on the right in the photo) is a different dog! She is almost (but
not quite) chubby and after having several trips to our wonderful vet, is in
excellent health. She is mostly silver and white, but has a big black circle
of hair on her back, above the tail, where she had the staff infection. She
has a very black "mask" and very white facial markings. Her eyes absolutely
shine! Even better--not only can she be picked up, she no longer growls when
she is eating and someone approaches her, she gives lots of kisses, loves to
be held and cuddled, and has learned to play. Omar (on the left in the photo) , our other Mini
Schnauzer, has taught her to sing (she sings although as she has a rather low
voice)! Nikki is has been through individual obedience classes and is
currently enrolled in group obedience. She has come a long way and has
taught me that patience is indeed a virtue!
Contact Nikki's mom, Liese Vanderbroek at docsgirl@iastate.edu