Occy The Giant Schnauzer

Saying goodbye to our Schnauzers is the hardest part. Share your memories here as we bid farewell to our beloved friends. They've crossed the bridge and returned to the meadow in full health and free of injuries. Running free. We won't forget.
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SimonD
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Occy The Giant Schnauzer

Post by SimonD »

This is the post I have always dreaded but every Schnauzer owner knows that one day they will have to post here.

Occy the Giant Schnauzer was born in February 2008 and passed away September 2020. He was purchased by the small amount of money my mum left me when she passed away in 2008. Before I was committed to purchase a Giant Schnauzer I spent years accosting Giant Schnauzer owners when I spotted them in parks or town centres. This didn't happen every day but when it did I took full advantage. In the back of cars, outside banks or on walks. I studied this forum almost weekly and tried to consume as much information about the breed as I could. I will always be grateful for the advice and support I found on this forum. It really has been invaluable. I would like to thank anyone that has anything to do with the admin for this site along with anyone who supported me with advice.

I was aware Giant Schnauzer ownership was going to be a challenge. Growing up I had a Standard poodle and a rescue Airdale. The breeds were important as animals that shed make me sneeze. The first two years of Giant Schnauzer ownership was a challenge. We lost sofas, chairs, remote controls, toilet brushes, and countless rear car seatbelts to the powerful jaws of Occy. I am by no means a good dog trainer but I tried. We attended socialisation classes, flyball lessons, and walked and ran for miles. My dream was to make Occy a therapy dog. Early in Occy's life he passed the test to become a PAT dog.

For many years my career choice was a nightclub DJ. Occy was actually named after a nightclub in North Wales called the Octagon and known by locals as The Occy. Working in the nightclub industry my life was entwined with a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol. This was detrimental to many aspects of my life. Relationships failed, bills were not paid, many aspects of my life were filled with chaos. Oc somehow remained a glimmer of hope. He was the one responsibility in my life that I would always look after. At the most chaotic myself and Oc lived a homeless lifestyle sofa surfing and sleeping in venue store rooms. I believe from the bottom of my heart I owe Occy my life.

Eventually I managed to accept my addictive personality and found support with various organisations. Occy was never far from my side and when able attended support meetings with me. I also discovered my love of mountain biking. This was something me and Oc spent many years doing. Initially it was a good way of wearing him out, but then I realised I had created a super fit Giant Schnauzer that could run miles and miles. This wasn't a concern and some of my best memories of my life with Occy is out mountain biking. I have actually gone on to be a qualified mountain bike instructor. A acalaide I would never have even had a concept of if it wasn't for my four legged friend.

In recent years I changed my career to work in hostels and night shelters dealing with people suffering with addiction and mental illness. A lot of this work is long shifts. I had a fantastic dog walker and Occys welfare was always my highest priority. At the time the manager of the hostel recognised the benefits of dogs and residents interacting. It wasn't long before Occy was a full time member of the team. There were many occasions Oc sat with homeless people in the depths of despair or greeted police and ambulance crew as they attended the project. This was the time I was most proud of Occy. If I'm honest Occy was not a loving dog. He did not crave attention. He was just happy being part of a team. There were times in the office he stole peoples sandwiches and a day wouldn't go by where he wouldn't check all the bins in the office for goodies. I will always be grateful to all the staff I work with on how accepting they were working with a Giant Schnauzer on site.

Over the summer of 2020 it became apparent Oc was struggling. On our usual walks he would stop and refuse to move. He didn't seem in pain but this was unusual behavior that needed a vets appointment. I have since come to learn devoted dogs do not show pain as somewhere in their genetic make up they view this as a weakness. I hope he did not suffer. Taking him for his final vets appointment was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Even though the end happened during testing COVID times the vet was sympathetic and the end was peaceful.

I scattered his ashes in the forest where we had so much fun. Just over three months has now passed and I'm still struggling. It has become apparent while I trained Occy for a therapy dog for other people he was my therapy dog. He was my reason to get up in the morning. He was the reason I paid my bills and went to work. He was the reason I exercised. In his absence I try and strive on in his memory. The loss of Occy has been a painful experience but it does not outweigh the joy he brought.

At this point I do not think I am far off being able to share my life with another Giant Schnauzer. My workplace have been really supportive including finding a breeder who were recently advertising a litter of salt and pepper giant schnauzers. I called the breeder as requested on the date suggested but was informed they had all gone. This was disappointing as a salt and pepper would have been a different avenue to pursue as would be different to Occy. I have considered rescue, but for a therapy dog to be successful I need to have a large amount of trust in the dog. This is difficult without knowing a dogs history. I have considered different breeds but with my allergies and cycling a Giant Schnauzer seems the best option.

I understand and respect this websites views on advertising breeders and the availability of puppies. Plus it is a very crazy time for dogs. Prices have gone through the roof and in some cases well out of my reach. If acceptable if someone reading this knows of a litter being born in the future if they could let me know I would be most grateful. Im not bothered by distance and hopefully this post shows I can be a responsible owner. Im not in any mad rush to get another. When the time is right Im sure it will happen. This will never replace Oc but hopefully give me a reason to get up in the morning again.

Thank you for reading this and regardless of the size of your Schnauzer they are an amazing creature and we are lucky to share our lives with them.
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Schnauzerluv
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Re: Occy The Giant Schnauzer

Post by Schnauzerluv »

I can't help you find a giant schnauzer, but I had to say your story touched my heart. I also have a heart dog (my mini Chelsea) who saved my life, I understand the feelings you have toward your savior, I lost her in March 2020, I totally have the same feelings about getting up in the morning, exercise ect. She will always have a piece of my heart.

I truly hope you find another companion, we welcomed Ozzy in September and it's been the greatest thing in my life this last year.
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SimonD
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Re: Occy The Giant Schnauzer

Post by SimonD »

Hey Kat. Thank you for your kind words. Good luck with Ozzy x
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Schnauzerluv
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Born: 12 Aug 2022

Re: Occy The Giant Schnauzer

Post by Schnauzerluv »

Tx Simon, you too, good luck with your search and when the time is right, you find your new adventure.
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Dawnspell
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Re: Occy The Giant Schnauzer

Post by Dawnspell »

So sorry for your loss :ymhug: it's really hard losing a family member.

I remember you posting quite a few years ago when you and Occy were doing the 3 peaks. Those are memories you've made and will you'll look back on and smile when the loss isn't so raw.
Our first family dog
Barney - Pocketpark Biali Eyebright 6/2/13 - 8/3/19 Gone too soon
Motto for owners who groom their own Schnauzers -"Never mind it'll soon grow back"
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schnauzer
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Re: Occy The Giant Schnauzer

Post by schnauzer »

So so sorry for your loss, what a lovely tribute to your special boy, reading your tribute brought tears to me as it is heart breaking when we lose them no matter when it is. My last girl was so special to me that I needed another to help me get up in the morning & also to make me happy again, do hope you will be able to have another some day as it certainly helps, another will never replace but then that's not what they do but it will help to ease your pain it certainly did for me.
take care
Christine & Gino (Siglette Shadow (born 9/5/17 ---

Suzi (15/5/04---13/4/17) (Sugarbabe) RIP loved you to the moon & back, miss you so so much precious girl
Oscar 12345
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Re: Occy The Giant Schnauzer

Post by Oscar 12345 »

My goodness what a wonderful story, hope you get another dream schnauzer and so very sorry for the loss of Occy. Keep strong and take care.
Man cannot survive with wine alone...
we also need a schnauzer.
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SimonD
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Re: Occy The Giant Schnauzer

Post by SimonD »

Thank you all for your kind words. I am staying positive and emailed all the Giant Schnauzer breeders through the Kennel Club website.

Im sure when the time is right it will happen and hopefully I will not have to sell a kidney to pay for it. I will if needed! Don't think I would get a lot for one of mine though.

Again thank you everybody who has posted. It helps.

Simon x
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