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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Our darling Jewell, our Forever Foster from Lone Star Boxer Rescue was laid down to rest this week, Thanksgiving 2013. For Thanksgiving I'm thankful for Juju and the life she shared with us. Here are 30 lessons I hope Juju would say that she learned. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? 1. The couch is the best thing ever invented. EVER. 2. "Scoot over" means it's time for everyone to snuggle on the couch. 3. Mommy hates kisses, a quick tongue tag is the perfect dose. 4. Daddy has a furry face, it's best to stay 2 inches away for an extended period of time while staring. He likes it that way, I think. 5. Daddy gives table scraps more often but Mommy gives bigger pieces, use your own discretion. 6. Rigby can't potty outside unless I go with her. 7. Not all kitties are bad. Bobo is my pal and can push food off the counter so we can have snack. 8. Steak = heaven! 9. My favorite letters are LSBR. Lone Star Boxer Rescue is fantastic! 10. When you think all humans are bad and lose all hope, I hope you meet some rescue volunteers, they rock. 11. Spin 4 times to the left, 6 to the right, and then scratch the floor to ensure perfect sleeping position. 12. Packs come in all shapes and sizes. 13. Cookies are awesome. 14. Hopping like a rabbit is fun. 15. Spinning in circles is even funner. 16. When you don't feel well, Rigby kisses make it all better. 17. Since Rigby can't potty by herself, neither should Mommy or Daddy. 18. If it fell on the floor it's up for grabs. 19. Cats are crazy, especially Bobo. 20. Apparently, you shouldn't eat kitty poop. I disagree. 21. Mommy calls me her loyal friend. I make sure she's ok every second that I see her. 22. The best question in the world is "who's hungry?" 23. I taught Rigby how to bark at bad guys. 24. I love blanket balls. 25. I still can't figure out what to do when Mommy and Daddy throw fuzzy little things around. What a mess! 26. Baths stink. Haha I made a puppy joke. 27. The best place to be when Mommy's cooking is right underneath her. 28. Jumping up and down when Mommy and Daddy come home makes them smile. Then they love on me. 29. The bigger the wiggle, the happier I am. 30. I have a family and I am loved. Love you Juju Bean
Jill passed away suddenly today, August 30, 2008. I’m guessing she was about 6.5 years old. She was rescued by LSBR from Harris County Animal Shelter the day before Good Friday in 2005. My nephew and I picked her up from the shelter then went to do a homevisit. Jill just curled up in the backseat and never made a sound. She had a horrible case of kennel cough, heartworms, and extremely emaciated. Jilly Billy was a sweetheart, always there for me, and always accepting of the fosters she let share her home. She was my little wiggle butt, loved being outside with me, and went upstairs to work with me everyday, I miss her terribly! Her canine siblings will really miss her too. Miles will miss the races they had out the door, Meris will miss her sleeping partner, and Christie will miss the companionship. Jill may not have been with me a long time but there is something to be said for quality over quantity and she will always own a piece of my heart. Just another reason why I’m involved with rescue. -- Debbie Lon
JJ has been a true inspiration to me and my family's life. He has brought joy back into my Nessa's (His Dog Sister) life as well. I loved the way he would follow me around my house. He would run upstairs to check on the girls. I loved the way that he and Nessa could not be apart. He has been a wonderful dog and he will be greatly missed. I am happy that we were able to give him the home he deserves even if it was for a short time.
In 2001 we adopted Joe Boxer from LSBR, it was for sure the best thing we could have done. I'm sad to say that our Joe Boxer went to meet his maker last Saturday afternoon. He was the best dog we could ever have dreamed of getting and the fact that he came from rescue made him even more special to us. He will be forever missed and loved by our entire family. I attached a photo taken of him just 3 days before he passed. Thank you for your continued hard work. -- Jamie Boling
Giving Thanks for Judge In 2006, a few months after my third Boxer, Lucius, went over the Rainbow Bridge, I began to miss having a Boxer at my side. I knew a few of the Boxers at the Fritz kennels from having walked them during the Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year holidays. For a week or more during those holidays, they were crated to make room in the indoor/outdoor runs for "paying" canine customers. One of the dogs I walked that year was a sweet senior Boxer named Judge. Judge was a gentle giant. Everyone loved Judge, but, inexplicably, he kept being overlooked by adopters. When I learned that he had some physical challenges, I offered to foster him over Thanksgiving week. If it worked out for both of us, I was prepared to extend his stay. I knew Judge would have to be crated, but since I was at home most of the time and it was a holiday week, I figured I could give him lots of quality time. And quality time, for Judge, meant walks. Not just two walks a day. Not just short walks. But hours-long walks, lengthy walks. Walk-'til-he-wears-out kind of walks. So, even though he was at times disoriented from the physical difficulty he was facing, Judge and I walked to his heart's content. His pace was slow, and he liked to stop for rests, but he never wanted to go back inside. He would've been happy to sleep under the stars. We walked to all sorts of places that I thought he would enjoy -- along the edge of a private golf course, through neighborhoods with wide streets and few cars, and to shops where the clerks lavished him with praise, hugs and kisses, and gave him dog treats. As we meandered along, I talked to him, hugged him, and sang hymns to him. Not once did he complain about my untrained vocal chords. For thirteen days Judge reveled in the crisp autumn air, drinking in the sounds and sights and smells of life all around him. On the fourteenth day, Judge was having trouble walking in a straight line or even standing in one place. It was apparent that he had had his fill of physical freedom on earth and was ready to be released to the unconfined joy, harmony, peace of a realm beyond. When I called Aimee at the kennel to let her know that it was time for Judge to move on, we arranged for me to drive him to the Fritz, pick up his friend Dallas there, and then go to the nearby vet's office. At the Fritz, everyone said their teary goodbyes to Judge, who made it clear that he appreciated their love and loved each of them in return. When we got to the vet, Dallas carried Judge gently from the car to the reception room and then into a little room where Gentle Giant Judge would be put to sleep. Dallas held Judge and stroked him and whispered to him, his tears spilling onto Judge's soft brown coat. I had a few tears myself, having bonded with this beautiful Boxer during our two weeks of constant companioning. What comforted me, though, was seeing how peaceful Judge was. We had to wait quite a while for the vet to arrive. The whole time, Judge was as calm and quiet as could be. I feel he knew what was happening, and was unafraid. It seemed like he was attempting to put our minds at rest by letting us know that we were doing what he wanted, what was the "right thing" for him. When Dallas and I drove somberly back to the Fritz, I had no inkling of what would happen next. The minute I walked in, I was led to walk into the room with the crates. There was only one Boxer there, a muscular, thin, gray-muzzled senior who was just finishing heartworm treatment and had to stay crated and quiet. I squatted down and tearfully told this boy about Judge. Then, without even realizing I was doing so, I asked him if he'd like to come home with me. He answered "yes" with his tongue, by licking away my tears. To this day, I am awed to think that my desire to give Judge the gift of a home on Thanksgiving paved the way for Judge to give me two gifts: his friendship plus a new companion named Oscar, who in the last two and a half years of his life taught me many needed lessons about patience and perseverence, forgiveness and friendship. I thank both Judge and Oscar from the bottom of my Boxer-loving heart. Susan Submitted in November 2011
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