Welcome to our NEWS page and listings of our current Puppy showings!

Here is where you can find out any current news or changes made here on The Farm, including listings of our coming puppy showings, where you can come and meet us and see our puppies.

Please visit our website often to keep up with the newest of NEWS here on The Farm.

I would love to get to know each of you better and if I can be of any help in an adoption just holler. You can view articles that are posted under INFO that will help you decide if a Schnauzer is the right family member for your household.

Thanks,

Patsi

Here's testimonials from some of our loving adoptive families.

We have a new page dedicated to Schnauzer Rescue.

In 2003 Kim Van Landing Ham, Patsi's brother, designed and maintained this website until October 2008 when health issues did not afford him to devote anymore time to Lit'l Bit of Heaven Schnauzer Farm.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to share with you my loss..and the loss to many that Kim was friends with or just knew in his everyday routine.

My son, Darrin and I neither one knew that the other was on their way to Kim’s house to check on him Thursday, May 14, 2009 when we arrived we found Kim dead in his home. Kim’s contribution to my business thru all of his design, support and love for me and and all of my Schnauzers has aided me so much in being able to do what I love so much for the rest of my life.

The funeral home is Beresford Funeral Services. You are able to view the obituaries , sign the guest book and if you care to share your memories or thoughts about Kim please do so..The website for the funeral home is www.beresfordfunerals.com

VERY IMPORTANT
PLEASE READ

WARNING - DO NOT USE COCOA MULCH IF YOU OWN PETS

Verified by Snopes and also VERIFIED ALSO BY GOOGLE.

Yesterday one of our dog agility friends experienced a tragedy and wanted me to pass a special message along to all of my dog loving friends and family. Please tell every dog owner you know.

Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she
eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk. Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs.

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it." True informationabout the mulch can be found here -

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoa.htm

This site gives the following information: Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called "Theobromine". It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution, check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.

Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that
ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cocoa bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

Announcements

Due to the decision for Kim, the talented person who created this site not to be on board with Lit'l Bit of Heaven hopefully relieving stress for him to improve his health issues, we are pleased to announce we have been so successful in hiring Gerlinda from Washington State. Gerlinda since November 2008 has done such a SUPER JOB for all of the little babies and all The Clan, and making Mama Patsi's life easier as the days fly by. We are looking forward to do some changes and deletions to update the site and offer more for each of you. As life goes on we know that changes have to be made and want to express again the appreciation for all of Kim's hard work helping God and me to bring Lit'l Bit this far.
. ........WELCOME and Many Thanks Gerlinda............
Please enjoy the website and visit back often. There is alot always happening here on The Farm, and do hope that each of you will let us be the home your baby comes from.. Call 979-884-2850 or e-mail patsi@verizon.net if we can help in any way!

Always loving Schnauzer and appreciating all of the families God sends my way, Patsi

Rescue Schnauzer Boss and Lovey
now called Charlie & Angel
adopted by Davis Family Houston,TX

We expanded our family yesterday with the addition on two Miniature Schnauzers. They are brother and sister and will be 3 years old on March 28. We have named them Charlie and Angel. Charlie is the short chubby black one with soft curly hair and Angel is the taller lean silver (salt-n-pepper) one.

These dogs were adopted from a breeder who recently got them back. When they were born, an older couple had purchased them. Last year the man had a sudden heart attack and passed away, then recently the lady was diagnosed with terminal cancer and her condition was deteriorating quickly. I heard about this story from a friend at work who has adopted schnauzers from this breeder and I had to send it to Tony. It worked out that we were a good home for them and we would keep them together. So they came to live with us last night. They are very well mannered and crate trained. There is a picture in the body, but I am also attaching in case some of you can't see it.

The Davis Family
Houston, TX

We are proud to anounce that we now offer a discussion group where anyone can read and post their questions about Mini and Toy Schnauzers.

To visit the group click here.

If you desire to join the group you can subcribe here.

PLEASE READ AND SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE WHO HAS DOGS, ESPECIALLY SMALL DOGS

Bella, 3 years old, 4 pounds

Product - Smoke House Chicken Breast Tenders Treats

Bella became suddenly ill ,and now hospitalized with her life threatened due to Smoke House Chicken Tenders.I recently purchased at Pet Smart. It doesn't matter where you purchase them, just don't purchase them.

This was the first time I bought the Smoke House treats. Having read the label, it was listed as all natural, no additives, dyes etc. The treats were purchased on or about August 17. She loved them and I was happy because she typically only likes one treat. By August 23 she vomited bile, and again on August 24. Her personality began to change becoming lethargic, wanting to stay in her bed, loss of appetite. excessive drinking, urinating frequently in excessive amounts. urine became orange like in color. By August 28 she was severely dehydrated and lost one of her three pounds.

Sugar was found in her urine which would typically indicate diabetes.  Bella was put on IV and given an antibiotic to take while tests were being done over Labor Day weekend.

Test results showed "irregularity in the lower part of her kidney.
Possibly a hole in the kidney because of the malfunction.

By today Sept 7, she was no better and very low on energy and interest in being around anyone. I brought the package of Smoke House Chicken Tenders with me to the vet because it was the only thing that was different in her diet.  My wonderful vet, a graduate of Cornell University searched the Cornell Veterinarian site where veterinarians report unusual cases which are tracked. The search was done by symptoms. A second search by chicken treats.

There were numerous cases on the Cornell University Veterinarian web site, all with the same symptoms, test results and yes, related to chicken tender treats made in China. Never did it cross my mind that this product was made in China. When Dr. didn't find complete listing of ingredients on the package he called the number listed on the back of the package identifying himself and asked for ingredients to help understand what was happening to my pet. The only thing the person on the phone with a strong Chinese accent was "all natural, all natural". Sure enough looking at the small print on the bottom back of the package is "product of China", the same source of other products that have been killing our pets. I sat beside my vet and read along with him. Following are primary repeated findings;

-severe damage to the kidney often resulting in complete renal failure and death

-numerous reports in the past four to five weeks, a larger number on the East Coast
- chicken and beef treats promoted as all natural -it does not matter what the label is, if it is a product of China

-if caught early enough, hospitalized on IV hydrating and flushing the kidney over days with nutrients may help the kidney heal itself and the pet could then live with the damaged kidney

-if not caught early complete renal failure is expected

-most cases reported are related to small dogs

-initial symptoms indicate diabetes -mold is often found when flushing the kidney (found in Bella)

I have been in touch with Pet Smart requesting them to help get the ingredients. Time is lost analyzing the food. Today a vet at Cornell purchased a bag after reading the report my Vet posted on Bella. He then contacted my vet to say the bag he bought had mold in it despite an expiration date one year from now. I was asked to look closely at whatever was left in my bag, but saw none.

After Bella was admitted to the vet I went directly to Pet Smart in Nanuet NY, told the Manager what happened and asked her to assist getting the ingredients identified. I was met with a hostile attitude. She was only interested in getting my name because she felt I was going to file a complaint. The person at PS headquarters responsible for knowing food ingredients at Pet Smart headquarters is trying to help.

The information available to vets on the Cornell web site is not public information. No one seems to be aware of this. Dogs are misdiagnosed.

PLEASE SEND THIS ON TO YOUR PET LOVING FRIENDS AND SAVE A PET AND LOTS OF HEARTACHE.

PLEASE POST THIS INFORMATION ON ANY WEB SITE YOU CAN CONCERNING PETS.

Allan and I are hoping and praying.

I bought a bag today.  All but one bag on the shelf which was light in color were the deeper color. The center pieces are from the bag Bella ate from. Because of the difference in color I asked Pet Smart what the difference was. Were there dyes added? The response was "it's all natural chicken so that's why the difference in shades". I pointed out that every single package was the deep color, except the one left from the same batch I bought.

I hope we have better news to tell you soon.

April 2007,

Dear Schnauzer Lovers:

Time has begun to lessen the loss and pain I have felt since December. So I am now able to include in our website the news of Dillon’s death. I have shared with everyone what a joy Dillon has been and now share with you what he will always mean to me in heart cherished memories. I did send out to family and friends and Schnauzer families that had been to The Farm to visit with Dillon an announcement on the day that he died, December 13, 2006. I would like to include it now in our website for all of you to know that you too can have such joy in your life by the love of a special canine family member.

Dillon, my precious pet, and companion past away early morning hours of December 13, 2006, He came to live with me when he was 12 weeks old and has loved me unconditional for almost 21 years. His 21st Birthday would have been on December 27, 2006. In my heart and mind I know that God carried Dillon to be with Him. I rejoice in knowing that he knew he was loved by hundreds… family, friends and all of my extended Schnauzer Family. His last day was with me carrying him on his pillow from room to room where he could watch me groom and take pictures of puppies and then to  computer room to e-mail clients. Being loved by Dillon has been one of the largest blessings of my life. I will miss him more than I can express. The comfort he has given me and loving me and cuddling with me thru bad emotional times in my life all of these 21 years.  I pray that his passing was smooth and painless. I look forward to being with Dillon again when God comes for me. Cherish who you love and express those feelings

Always, Patsi

We have added a new page telling you about our Grooming and Puppy Play Day! Groom/Play

Last Updated: January 18, 2010 10:27 AM

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