Truth be told, we had discussed getting another dog sooner rather than later. My only advice for my wife was that the dog could not shed and I don't think I could stomach something too girly, while she wanted a true small lap-type dog. My family has owned several Schnauzers over the years, so I had secretly hoped to stick with that breed when this happened.
While Denise and I were dating, over 11 years ago, we bought our first together, Georgia; a beautiful salt-n-pepper soft hair miniature Schnauzer that gave us 9 wonderful years before she succumbed to internal problems. She is missed and loved today.
During a difficult time in our lives, we got our current miniature Schnauzer, Jasper. He was just what our hearts needed at the time. He, like his late big sister, is a salt-n-pepper soft hair that has been as true a friend as I have had in a dog.....even rivaling the Schnauzer I grew up with, Monty (short for Montgomery Allouisious.....don't ask about the middle name, it just was). Jasper is hitting year 4, and we are so blessed to have him.
Schnauzers have really become our breed of choice. They are fiercely loyal, wonderful with children, protective of their homes and families when need be, sweet in disposition, and want so much to please their owners. Love them even a little, and they will love you a whole lot. I can't imagine getting another breed.
But the two that we have owned have not been true miniatures. Both Georgia and Jasper grew well beyond true miniature stature, most likely just the luck of their blood lines. So we pretty much settled on a true miniature Schnauzer for our next breed to satisfy Denise's want of a smaller lap-dog. Plus, I have always loved the look of the soft champagne ones. Secretly, and silently, I hoped we could come across one.
Everything seemed to line up correctly. Denise happened upon a very nice local family that bred AKC-registered true miniature Schnauzers....both salt-n-pepper as well as champagne. They had a litter ready for owners, and lo and behold, a few male champagne mini's left. Their blood line is gorgeous, and this is such a nice, law-enforcement connected, dog-loving family. They had a very nice, free-roaming set-up for breeding, no puppy mill about them at all, and truly loved their dogs. We had found the breeder for us...and if anyone is interested, contact me and I'll get you in touch with them, you won't be disappointed.
The kids had such fun carting around all the puppies, playing with them, watching them, loving on them. But Denise quickly found her favorite. A champagne male, ready to go home today, weighing in at 2.3 ounces at 7 weeks old, expected to peak at about 12 pounds...and such a cuddle-bug. The kids had already settled on a name, and so it was.
On Saturday, June 25, Einstein Caspell came home. And our breeder was correct when he said that the world would be a better place if we learned to love as unconditionally as these sweet dogs do. He's right.
Welcome home, Einstein.
