Thoresa was placed with Schnauzer Rescue in April 2005 with a severe urinary tract infection. She was placed on antibiotics immediately, but the infection persisted. Several trips to the vet ultimately resulted in four bladder stones removed, steel sutures from previous bladder surgery repaired, her teeth cleaned, three teeth removed, several lumps and a hanging tag removed, and her ears cleaned.

Thoresa is a very resilient little sweet pea. She got through the significant surgery with no problems, and healed quickly. This gentle little girl was an absolute pleasure to take care of - she had wonderful manners, both in the house and in the neighborhood, in spite of her many health issues. I think she knew that we were there to help her - and we were pleased that we could play a part in returning her to good health.

The gods were smiling on Thoresa - she came into rescue - we were able to help her - and Bob and Carol were there to adopt her. Bob and Carol met with our vet following Thoresa's surgery and were briefed on post-operative care, short term and long term. They came over to visit with her several times while she was healing, and also took her to their home to help her become acquainted with her new surroundings. By the time Thoresa was ready to go home, she was totally comfortable with Bob and Carol. They had become her new best friends!!

The thing about a rescue dog is one doesn't have a full history so never knows what to expect. Given what we did know about Tori's past we expected a rather meek and mild dog. Were our expectations ever wrong!! As Tori continued to feel better her physical side emerged. Just after a few days she was bounding up our boulder retaining wall more like a mountain goat than a dog. As we became more confident with her and were able to let her off leash in the green spaces surrounding our neighborhood she became an avid huntress. She pounces on field mice, frogs and snakes. She stalks birds and the neighborhood cats (although she is discriminating enough not to chase our cat). And she runs flat out faster than you think that chubby little body could ever go, after rabbit and deer.

Tori is an intelligent dog and learns so quickly. She is very loyal and protective. She is also a very jealous dog and if she feels Little Cat is getting too much attention she ill put an end to it by climbing into your lap and pawing your face.

Tori has some funny quirks that help define her personality. In the morning she will only come halfway down the stairs to the landing; she will sit and watch us make coffee, open the blinds etc., until she sees one of us pick up her collar - that signals her morning walk and she comes bolting - barking with pure joy, her whole body wriggling. Tori won't eat her food unless she hears it being rattled in her dish first. If we fix her food when she is out of the room, she will sit and look at her food until we come over and rattle her dish. She loves the water spraying out of a hose nozzle or sprinkler and will chase the water spurts endlessly. The funniest thing is that Tori will only sit while in the car, she never lies down. She has ridden for hours sitting, ignoring commands to lie down, please to lie and even bribes. If anyone has any suggestions in this regard I would love to hear them.

Tori is an excellent little dog and well loved; she gives so much love in return. If she could only differentiate between the doorbell on television and the one on our door she would be perfect.

Carol and Bob