Written by Anna Powell
Before I share my answer, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Anna Powell and I can’t recall a time in my life when I did not have a dog. Growing up in rural Oklahoma and moving several times as a child, all my dogs were mutts. They were, in fact, great mutts and certainly members of our family.
It was not until our first anniversary trip that I ever saw a schnauzer in person. The couple in the hotel room next to us had 2 salt and pepper schnauzers and I fell instantly in love. I told my husband right then that I wanted one.
Ironically, our first dog was a gift he received for officiating a wedding. It was NOT a schnauzer; far from it. Our first dog was in fact a rottweiler! It is a long story, but let’s just say she was amazing and Steve (husband) trained her to be a search and rescue dog. She completed many searches, found the last survivor in the OKC bombing and was featured in multiple books as well as on National Geographic TV. Our second dog was also a gift to be trained for search and rescue and was a…Wait for it... Wait for it… Nope not a schnauzer. Shadow was a stunning Weimaraner. Once again… I loved Shadow, but still longed for a schnauzer. Our 25th anniversary rolled around a few months after Shadow died. I called Steve and told him he could either have a tie or we could go pick out two schnauzers. Thankfully, he had an overwhelming number of ties and did not think twice. He knew I had patiently waited 24 years for this day. We brought home two solid black schnauzers! I was so excited! Gracie and Daisy were wonderful family pets. We were knee deep in being parents to our two very active middle school kids. Both my husband and I were working full time, active in church and I was completing my master’s degree. Gracie and Daisy were wonderful family pets and best friends with our two Siamese cats. They both lived to be 14, dying just months apart.
Since our children were grown and since the death of a dog is hard, we waited several months before searching for a dog. What we did not have to even think about was would it be another schnauzer or not. ABSOLUTELY!
I had a specific purpose for wanting the next two dogs. As an RN, I dreamed that in retirement I would be able to train dogs to be therapy dogs for hospital visits. This is usually a two plus year process. I spent several months researching local breeders. I looked for AKC approved breeders. I wanted to know if they had been inspected by local agencies as well. I wanted to be able to talk with their vet. I wanted to be able to see both parents on site. I wanted to watch the puppies interact. I wanted to know how many litters the momma’s had. I wanted to know about the texture of their coats, who groomed them and what products were used. Most of all, I wanted to know about the people, the breeders. I wanted to see their heart for the dogs they had, both Momma and puppies. How were they loving on the dogs?
We drove across the state of Oklahoma and met two breeders in person. We even put down a deposit on a dog about two hours from our house. I had reached out to Bethany months earlier, but it appeared the timing was not right because we knew we would be out of the country when they would have puppies available and they were all spoken for. We wanted them to be ready for our 40th wedding anniversary.
Although we had a deposit down on a beautiful dog, my heart just wasn’t at peace when we left on our trip. Much to my surprise, while we were traveling, I got a text from Bethany about a solid black, female, with a mega coat that was available. Oh! How excited I was, BUT we were thousands of miles away and would not be able to take her home for another 3-4 weeks. I was sure they would have to place her before then. Thankfully, God answered my prayer and Bethany agreed to keep Layla until she was 12-14 weeks old. I would also need to check with the veterinarian, see puppy interaction, meet parents etc. Thanks to technology, I was able to vet the breeder with the veterinarian, watch interaction with puppies and with John and Bethany. I was amazed to see the dogs on walks with their daughter where you could see everything from chickens, to cows, to peacocks on their farm. Bethany continuously sent me pictures and videos and provided all of the information I requested. Bethany also took the time to get to know us. I have 100% belief that if she did not like what she learned, she would not allow us to take the dog home.
In June we will have had Layla for two years. She is amazing. In August we will have Lucy for two years. Of course Lucy is also from Abundant Joy. She is equally as amazing (and onery). Layla has been able to make visits to long term care and memory care facilities. Lucy is working toward that as well. Bethany and John continue to support and encourage us and have maintained contact with us during this entire time. There is only one place I would get another dog from, Abundant Joy!
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