Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Schnauzer Climbs Out Of Rubble In Oklahoma City To Represent The Fight For Survival Amid Tragedy


A miniature schnauzer climbs from
the rubble in Oklahoma City.
When we started this blog in June 2007, the title was meant to honor Murphy Abigail Shuler, a wonderful miniature schnauzer who enriched our lives for 11 years--and helped us survive the early years of our legal woes.

The idea was to celebrate Murphy's good heart, her keen curiosity, her feisty spirit. We had first-hand evidence of a schnauzer's remarkable spirit because Murphy filled our home with it throughout her life. But the world got an up-close look yesterday at a schnauzer's fighting spirit--thanks to a news video that might go down as the most touching moment ever captured in the YouTube era.

A reporter for CBS was interviewing tornado survivor Barbara Garcia amid the rubble of what had been her home and neighborhood. Ms. Garcia was describing how she had been holding her dog when the storm hit and chaos ensued, with seemingly everything that she had treasured gone. Ms. Garcia said she had called for her dog but he didn't come. "I know he's in here somewhere," she said, pointing to wreckage where there was no sign of life.

What happens next, starting at the :24 mark on the video, still takes my breath away--and fills my eyes with tears, even though I've watched it multiple times.

I can't tell if the dog is a pure-breed schnauzer or a schnauzer mix. But with the blunt muzzle and distinctive beard . . . well, there is no doubt this little survivor has deep schnauzer roots. And that indomitable spirit . . . I would recognize that anywhere.


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's so awesome! LS you and Mrs S should get another baby!

legalschnauzer said...

One of our goals in life is to have another schnauzer. Love them to pieces. Love all pets to pieces.

Anonymous said...

So fitting to find this video here.

Anonymous said...

What a life-affirming story, amid so much pain and heartache. We all should learn something from this woman and her little dog.

Anonymous said...

I cried when I first watched this video, and I've watched it a number of times. I did not realize this was a schnauzer until reading your post. No wonder you love these little dogs so much.

Anonymous said...

Most awesome story of the year. Most awesome video ever.

Anonymous said...

Props to the reporters who were on hand to capture this.

Unknown said...

a good cry, thank you LS for sharing this touching moment in how Schnauzers are one of the finest of our loyal 'dogs'. 'Dogs' indeed, the canine brain of love and free.

choggs said...

My gf showed me this. Thought of your wife and you.

choggs said...

My gf showed me this. Thought of your wife and you.

Anonymous said...

Every time I see a schnauzer, from now on, I will think of this video. Great, great story.

Anonymous said...

I saw the video last night & cried. Called my friend who also has a mini schnauzer & sent the link to him. These dogs are so loyal and spirited and this shows all of that! Schnauzers rule!

legalschnauzer said...

I wonder if the dog had a concussion that kept him from barking or otherwise trying to get out/bark for help until that moment. He looked pretty woozy coming out of that pile, so I'm guessing he might have sustained a blow to the head and was knocked out for a while.

theschnauzers said...

It is a wonderful story; when I saw the video the first time on CNN, I was pretty sure this was a schnauzer, but the CBS reporter nor the owner ever said on camera. When I got to see the video a second time, I was certain. So it seems to me Bazi is a pure breed schnauzer that has a pet grooming cut. (Other media have reported that as the name, so I am using it.)

He was apparently dazed slightly in shock from the trauma of being trapped. (I've seen that before (having been around schnauzers for over 40 years in my family.) When they are feeling insecure from something like that they often do not bark. What you saw when Bazi was freed from the debris was perfectly normal behavior.