Dixie’s story

In the second post here for Schnauzerfest Week, I asked DBARC manager, Janet to tell me about one special schnauzer who’s currently in their care. Dixie needs a lot of TLC, which she’s guaranteed to get, and some expensive veterinary treatment, which, Schnauzerfest supporters are certain to help her receive. Here’s Dixie’s story told by Janet:

Dixie has been out of the puppy farm for only a few weeks, so not surprisingly she’s still suffering badly from the trauma of that life. Right now, she’s in a DBARC foster home learning that life is now safe for her, and never again will she be abused by humans.

Dixie is painfully underweight, and when she arrived with us, her coat was filthy, matted and in a shocking state. She has an obviously visible cataract in one eye, but we’re not sure how severe it is or if she has the same in the other eye. We’ve not yet been able to have her checked by our ophthalmologist – because she’s so scared of human touch that she bites in fear.

It is so, so sad to see this poor little girl dreadfully scared of human contact. She’s obviously expecting somebody to do something very bad to her, and the slightest touch makes her tense in fear, and if pushed – she will bite. To think this poor dog has had multiple litters in the puppy farm destined for the pet market, not only likely passing on cataracts to her puppies, but also her nervous nature.

Dixie is now being loved for the first time, and is responding well. She’s taken to home life very well, and normal household noises (washing machines, tv’s etc) don’t worry her at all – it’s people she is scared of! But, she’s beginning to approach people and showing willingness to take treats, and is just beginning to give little kisses to a hand outstretched to her, but she still will not allow herself to be touched. She wears a harness so we can attach a long line to it, to enable her to go outside and explore safe, secure areas with the other dogs. She loves this, being out and feeling the grass under her paws, smelling all the interesting smells, things she has never been allowed to do before.She’s learning to be a dog.

She’s just been groomed by a friend of DBARC, a kind, caring & gentle groomer who took things slowly with her – and although she was obviously worried she managed to hold it together and we got the job done without her even attempting to bite – she was amazing, so brave!! She now looks much better and must feel so much more comfortable.

Dixie will remain with us in her foster home learning to trust humans for a while yet. Her eyes will be checked as perhaps some of her fears are because her sight is poor. If necessary, and possible, she will receive surgery to improve her sight before she’s allowed to move on to her forever home to begin the next chapter in her life. The support DBARC receive from Schnauzerfest supporters means so much to us all, and to dogs like Dixie.

Dixie

If you would like to support the work of DBARC so they can help Dixie and others like her, donations can be made here