Schip Mom tells all
Sharon, an expert Schip mom, shares information about the Schipperke canine breed. She’ll provide us with tips on how to keep her furkids happy and healthy. We will also discuss what inspired her to become a co-author for the book Stories of Multiple Pets.
Click Schip Mom Tells All to hear this radio show.
Sharon & her schip boys
I’ve been surrounded by numerous pets since I was a child but dogs came to be a fixture when I was in my early teens. It seemed as if we had two dogs in some way. First were a Miniature Poodle named Pongo and a German Shepherd named Baron. When Pongo died at 16 yrs of age, a Cairn Terrier named Muffin entered my mom’s life and then a second Cairn named Coco who came from a shelter about a year later.
It was at this time that my husband had a retired police K9, Vello and we got a second dog, a schipperke named Skippy through Divine intervention from our local animal shelter. I was hooked on the schipperke breed since then.
I have had three females, two schips, Skippy and Sierra and a sheltie/dachshund named Tigger. I now have four boys (at this initial writing in Feb 2009) Lance, Midnight, Sage and Chase, all schipperkes and each has their own story of how they came to be with me.
As I’ve been able to use some of the stories to help educate what wonderful dogs are in rescue, as well as how these dogs tend to be grateful and more loving when given a second (or third) chance.
The fantastic lessons of patience, guidance and unconditional love I have learned from each of the dogs who have crossed my path, some for many years and others, such as little Bear whom I only had the joy of having for about 2 years, teach me to take each day as I can and be thankful for even the adversities. I know that I am a rich woman for having multiple pets in my life and the Schipperke breed (which isn’t for everyone) is one of the truest blessings I could have known (along with the humans who adore schips and animals in general).
I know that no matter what, I cannot enjoy life with only one pet…they are like potato chips..cannot have just one!!
On May 12, 2009, my sweet big boy Midnight went out to potty in my yard and never came back inside. My husband found him, called to me and I saw him in the grass, yet still scooped him up to perform CPR just in case there was enough time….sadly, there wasn’t…he was gone (I believe his heart just gave out). There are days when I expect to hear the ‘tic, tic’ of his toenails along the wood floor, or have him wait for me outside the shower so he could lick my feet/legs dry. I miss that big snout that would poke in my eye, a kind of schippy-joke to make me feel better.
I watched as Midnight’s death affected Sage, Chase and Lance for several days in the obvious way of them looking around for him, actually being lethargic and rather depressed and esp, Sage or Lance, wandering listlessly in the yard, knowing their brother wasn’t there to bark at something. In fact, for about a week or two, they did not bark at much of any activity on the street, which is unusual for this bunch!!
