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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Gertie was pulled from a shelter in November 2007. She was guessed to be about 10 yrs old, spayed, and heartworm negative when LSBR took her in. Gertie was a favorite of many and I couldn't help but name her after my favorite Grandmother. Gertie got along with the other foster siblings and promptly made herself at home in a donut bed where she was always close to the family. She was anxious to meet and greet guests while keeping a close eye on the pantry door at mealtimes were her favorite. We noticed Gertie had a problem getting around shortly after pulling her from the shelter. Her back end would often slip from one side to the other but she managed. In the last few months it became too much for her to get around on her own and she had to be carried bodily or by sling to be mobile. We miss Gertie and can't imagine how or why she would have ended up in a shelter but so glad we had what time we did with her. Gertie passed away October 9, 2008 and will always have a special place in our hearts. We all miss you! Debbie Lon
My precious boxer mix, Gillie Bean, left me on Easter Sunday, 4/20/14, the day before my birthday, when I walked her to the Bridge and said "see you later baby girl". She had congestive heart failure and we fought it for so long; she was a brave girl and fought the good fight. Gillie had a zest for life like no other pup I've ever known. She loved her Mr. Chicken toys more than anything and had about 6 of them at any given time. Some more "loved" than others. Gillie (pronounced like "Jill") rescued me about 3.5 years ago and I think she had been beaten and mistreated before LSBR rescued her. I started out to foster her through LSBR and ended up happily being a foster failure. Even with a sad start to life, that baby girl never knew anything but pure love and happiness at this house and she returned that love in spades. She lived everyday with joy. She was always so happy when I got home from work. She would meet me at the door and pull the door open to let me in. She quickly learned how to snuggle, mooch food, get belly and neck rubs, steal as much of the bed as possible (I even had to buy a king size bed to accommodate me, Gillie and her boxer brother), pull my arm over a hundred times each night for scratches behind her ears, and she definitely knew how to tell me what she wanted and it usually involved love, treats or food. She really liked to dress up in dresses or pretty collars with flowers or her pajamas that her Aunt Kathie got for Christmas 2012 and she especially prissed around when she had on her purple fuzzy coat and scarf. Everybody loved Gills. She answered to many names including Gill, Gills, Bean, Beanie, Beaner, Beans, Princess Peanut and Peanut. She also loved, loved, loved to "go". Go anywhere at all! She loved riding in the car or Jeep and even on her very last day when she had no strength left and it was time for her last ride, she came to the door because she saw me get her special collar which meant it was time for a ride. On the day that I picked her up to foster her, I swore to her that she would never have another unhappy day - and I hope I kept that promise to her. When I took her to the Bridge, Mr. Chicken went with her so she would have him there. I have to keep reminding myself that it was the kindest thing that I could do for her and let her go when I wanted to be selfish and delay my own pain. She didn't deserve to suffer at all after such a terrible start to life. I miss her with every fiber of my being and always, always will. Her boxer brother Sarge adored her and he misses her. Rest easy, Gillie girl. Mommy loves you more than you'll ever know and I miss you every second of the day and I look forward to the day that we will be together again to play with Mr. Chicken, share Funyuns and have snuggles, scratches, go for rides, give tons of kisses, hugs and love. Lots and lots of love. Thank you Debbie and everyone at LSBR for allowing me have the joy and the honor of being Gillie's Mommy and her person for 3 years and 8 months. "Farewell sweet Princess... and a flight of Angels sing Thee to thy rest..." We love you very much Angel Baby, Mommy, Sarge and Grandma. (The Nethery family)
A donation to Lone Star Boxer Rescue and this memorial were submitted in loving memory of Ginger, who crossed over to the rainbow bridge on Sept. 17, 2002.
My days are so lonely without you. No more kisses, one hundred at a time. No more butt wiggling when I get home. You blessed me with your unwavering devotion for almost 10 years.
From your mischief filled puppy-hood to your gray-haired last days, I could not have loved you more. I know you felt the same. Although I often cry, I can't help but smile and laugh when I think of the things that made you so special. The way you howled when I came home. The way you would roll and scratch your back when you were happy. Your facial expressions when you heard a familiar word or phrase. The way you would paw at me if I didn't share my food. But most of all the way you always had to be near me. I still catch my self looking for you and wondering what your doing. I always knew the day would come but I never imagined it would be this hard. Please forgive me if I held on too long. You were my heart and soul.
I know you are looking after your bubba at the rainbow bridge. Daddy will be home soon.
Steven and Julie Smith
LSBR Archive - 2002 and earlier
Ginger came to me when she was approximately 10 years of age. She was a stray that was found by a Good Samaritan (Brandy) with a huge heart. Brandy took her in, got her to a vet, and contacted LSBR. Ginger had a jagged scar down her back, one of her rear legs was not usable, and the other had a huge mass around the ankle that was at first thought to be scar tissue and a possible infection. Ginger may not have been the “perfect” looking boxer to most people but she was beautiful to me. I fell for her immediately! She loved being around people and loved all other animals. After antibiotics, tests, and x-rays, it was determined that the mass was cancer, and it was fairly aggressive. This little girl was an ANGEL. Ginger was very stoic, never complained, always went outside to potty, and would even run to catch up with me as much as it obviously hurt her. I feel extremely fortunate to have had her in my life, even for a short time. This is what rescue means to me. -- Debbie Lon --
Grace came to us in 2008 and passed away in May, 2016. We went to a LSBR meet where we intended to meet a few boxers, including Xander. We instantly fell in love with both Xander and Grace and decided we could not adopt a boxer that day; we'd have to adopt two. Grace was a foodie, an alpha, and possibly her favorite thing besides eating was expressing her hearty bark. Above all, she loved her family and always expressed it with plenty of kisses. --Missed by Alex R and Family
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