Today We Rescued Your Dog
by Pat Closher
Today we rescued your dog. We don’t know where you got him from - maybe you saw him in a pet store window or maybe one of your neighbors bred a few litters a year just to make some vacation money or because they loved their dogs so much that of course they wanted to have puppies. We don’t know much about how you cared for him either, although our vet thought that for such a young dog, his teeth were in pretty bad shape.
by Pat Closher
Today we rescued your dog. We don’t know where you got him from - maybe you saw him in a pet store window or maybe one of your neighbors bred a few litters a year just to make some vacation money or because they loved their dogs so much that of course they wanted to have puppies. We don’t know much about how you cared for him either, although our vet thought that for such a young dog, his teeth were in pretty bad shape.
Did you know they were going to keep him outside? At least it was a pretty mild winter. There were no heavy snows, not much heavy winter rain and only a few days of bitter cold. But for all of those weeks he had no companionship, no care, and no love.
For some reason, your grandparents took him to the shelter. Maybe a neighbor complained about him or maybe their own health gave out or maybe they just got tired of him. You know the local shelter is a kill shelter, don’t you? You know that their own statistics indicate that about half of the dogs that enter are killed, don’t you? Maybe your grandparents thought he would be adopted quickly. He is a purebred, after all. No one was interested in him, though, maybe since he’s an adult dog and not a cute little puppy. No one contacted the purebred rescue group either. They probably would have placed him quickly, since he really is a great boy. The shelter is a clean place and they take good care of the dogs. They get good food and they’re bathed and brushed. It’s still a shelter though, and is noisy and chaotic and frightening. He spent two months there in that confusion, away from everyone and everything he had known.
One day, we saw him on the shelter web site. We called and asked about him. The shelter workers were so happy to hear from us and were delighted to agree to bring him to a local pet store where they do adoptions. Do you want to know why they were so accommodating? He was scheduled to be killed that afternoon. He didn’t know that, but the shelter workers certainly did. It hurt them and he felt that, so he knew something was wrong. All of a sudden, though, the shelter workers were happy and excited and so was he. They bathed him and brushed his coat. We think they probably told him this was it - his big chance, or maybe he just knew it somehow. When we met him, we all fell in love.
He had to go to the vet to be neutered, of course, but then he came home. He has his very own 13 year-old boy. You know, it’s almost like watching one of those old Lassie movies, seeing how well they’ve bonded. He’s got good food and his own toys. He’s taken on walks three times a day, is regularly groomed and is taken to the vet for needed care. We’ll be with him always, even if we have to make that last, difficult decision, because, you see, he is our dog and we are his family.
He has a good heart you know, but then he is a dog, so that’s to be expected. He’s probably forgiven you and, with a dog’s grace, doesn’t even remember you dumped him. He’d probably even be willing to greet you at the Rainbow Bridge. But you know what? He’ll greet us and go with us at the Bridge, and then he’ll be with us forever, because he’s our dog and we’re his family.
The way we heard the story, you moved out of state and didn’t want to take him with you. You left him at your grandparents. Maybe you thought a lively, handsome dog was just the thing for them, and under better circumstances it might have been. Maybe they have been cleaning up your messes for your entire life and an unwanted dog was just another mess to clean up.One day, we saw him on the shelter web site. We called and asked about him. The shelter workers were so happy to hear from us and were delighted to agree to bring him to a local pet store where they do adoptions. Do you want to know why they were so accommodating? He was scheduled to be killed that afternoon. He didn’t know that, but the shelter workers certainly did. It hurt them and he felt that, so he knew something was wrong. All of a sudden, though, the shelter workers were happy and excited and so was he. They bathed him and brushed his coat. We think they probably told him this was it - his big chance, or maybe he just knew it somehow. When we met him, we all fell in love.
He had to go to the vet to be neutered, of course, but then he came home. He has his very own 13 year-old boy. You know, it’s almost like watching one of those old Lassie movies, seeing how well they’ve bonded. He’s got good food and his own toys. He’s taken on walks three times a day, is regularly groomed and is taken to the vet for needed care. We’ll be with him always, even if we have to make that last, difficult decision, because, you see, he is our dog and we are his family.
He has a good heart you know, but then he is a dog, so that’s to be expected. He’s probably forgiven you and, with a dog’s grace, doesn’t even remember you dumped him. He’d probably even be willing to greet you at the Rainbow Bridge. But you know what? He’ll greet us and go with us at the Bridge, and then he’ll be with us forever, because he’s our dog and we’re his family.
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This is our beloved Blue. He was adopted from the LSBR 6 years ago when he was just one year old. He died on December 6th, 2010 from cardiomyopathy. He was so sweet, gentle and lovable. He is greatly missed by his family and his dog brothers. He will live forever in our hearts.
Barbara Mack
4 years ago I visited Tracy (Tulsa Boxer Rescue) at her home to meet a Boxer she had called Wrigley. He was 25 pounds, 2 years old and had a bad case of mange. I adopted him anyway. I had him for 4 great years and believe I gave him a great life (he made mine greater). Regardless of how much I gave him, he gave more. Sadly, Bogey passed away today due to a heart attack. He had been diagnosed with a heart murmur, then heart failure a month and a half ago. Rescuing him and providing the life I did for him was easily the most rewarding thing I have done. Bogey had a significant impact upon everyone who ever met him. He is and always will be missed by all, but fondly remembered as well. - Brian P. Hatcher -
Dear LSBR Friends, Last night Debbie and I comforted Bootsie while she crossed the Rainbow Bridge. As her co-foster mommies, we are heartbroken that we had to let her go but we know that it was time. I pulled precious little Bootsie from Harris County about a month ago. Her black and white coat was not only unique for a boxer but very beautiful. Debbie would agree that she was the epitome of sweetness and even though she felt terrible, she tried to show us her best. If only her previous owners had just given her a distemper vaccine before dropping her at Harris County, Bootsie would likely be with us today. We lost a precious soul last night but heaven gained another angel. Please send a prayer for Bootsie as she journeys to her permanent home where she will only know love and health. We'll miss you sweet girl!" Ann Callan & Debbie Lon
In loving memory...
- Sharon Reitman
On May 6, 2010, Bosco will be euthanized for a variety of medical problems and just plain old age. We have watched him struggle for several months, and seen the quality of his life go down, and we just decided it had to be done to end his suffering. I honestly don't remember when we adopted Bosco, but it was a lot of years ago. We had just lost Fritz, who was our first rescue Boxer, to cancer, and our other LSBR dog, Ginger, was not coping with Fritz's loss very well. I have had a pair of Boxers almost all of my life - over 6 decades - and so we decided to replace Fritz, to provide Ginger with companionship. Bosco was unusual for us because he had not been abused that we know of. A guy got him for his girlfriend, and then they split up so he didn't want the dog, so he left it with his elderly parents (apparently older than we are!) and they couldn't cope with a rambunctious dog, so they got LSBR to help place him in a better home. And so he came to North Texas and has lived the life of a King ever since. Bosco was probably a California Surfer in a previous life - just a laid back, easy-going, friendly, loving dude. He didn't really care if he was the alpha dog or not - he was just happy to be loved, and loved he was. He was a big old boy, even for a Boxer, but never mean, never aggressive. Just a plain joy to be around. Ginger was replaced with another LSBR female, Allie, and quite frankly Allie is a Diva and I don't think she will miss Bosco for a minute. Now she will get all the attention, which is what she wants. So for the moment, we will give her that spotlight, but we will dearly miss our big ole chunk of chocolate, Bosco. And time will tell whether we get another male Boxer, but if we do, it WILL be from LSBR - you guys are the best!
Roger and Barbara Alexander Garland, Texas
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