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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Family portrait taken May 2014 before Last Wishes came to the house and peacefully ended the struggle of our stalwart Penny on August 15. Our lucky Penny came into our lives in June 2007 with a bad case of heartworms, starved and buckshot. LSBR had already spayed, vaccinated, and had dental work done prior to the heartworm treatment that they arranged. It looked like she was abandoned by a puppy mill when she was worn out. We met her at a foster home where dog crates with every variety of happy boxer lined a sunny room off the patio. I asked to meet a couple of dogs and then Penny picked me by climbing into my lap as though to say, “What are we waiting for?” For all the abuse and neglect that Penny suffered in her first 5-6 years, from day 1 she was incredibly sweet and loving. Even still, it took a few years for her to get comfortable snuggling or to make a sound – until we went back to LSBR to adopt our fawn ingénue, Gypsy. Gypsy taught Penny to bark and Penny taught Gypsy to hunt possum. We shared endless love and contentment and walks on the beach. We hold Penny dearly in our hearts until we cross the Rainbow Bridge where our sweet and loving Penny will be waiting. We are so grateful to LSBR for the comprehensive care and compassion they provide to these beloved boxers. We’ll be back. Deborah, John & Gypsy
It is with a sad heavy heart, and many many tears that I am writing this to inform you that Missy, who we later named Harley passed away this morning from Pneumonia. We noticed her having difficulty breathing Saturday morning and she did not respond to the first two days of oral antibiotics, so she was taken back to the vet on Monday. They decided to keep her overnight, added two intravenous antibiotics as well as an IV to keep her hydrated. Despite all we tried to do, she had stopped eating yesterday afternoon and passed early this morning. She was with our family for the birth of two skin kids, a move to another state, and adding another fur baby. I'm not sure what I will do without her now stuck in a house full of males! She was a good dog and always great with the kids, and cleaning up their messes!! She protected the pecan's and acorns from any squirrel that dared enter our yard, she was a rock for our Oklahoma adopted Boxer rescue Cooper. And always loved unconditionally. Thank you for saving her, and allowing us to save her in turn. She will be greatly missed. The Shattuck Family
From the first day Mikey came home our lives would be forever changed. He showed us he was independent and that his blindness would not stop him from living his life to the fullest. Mikey explored every inch of his new home inside and out. As time passed it bought me joy to see Mikey run in his backyard. I knew he felt comfortable and safe in his home. He loved to be petted. Just a couple of minutes of petting was not acceptable. He required several minutes. If you tried to stop he would find your hand and nudge you and nudge you! He would "stare" (no pun intended) at his dad when he was eating. He always knew that his dad would slip him bites of whatever was being eaten. He enjoyed car rides, walks and especially his squeaky toys. He would make chubaka sounds as he played with his squeaky toys. He had a keen sense of hearing. Mikey would start his days with my off key singing and him rubbing his ears and grunting to please stop singing. He amazed and charmed everyone who met him. He will be dearly missed. Our home is too quiet and feels empty. Our hearts ache for our baby boy whose life was full but cut short. Israel & Diana Luna
I'm sorry to say we lost our beloved Bevo on August 23, 2014. He became suddenly ill and passed away from an insulinoma. We only had him a year and a half but we loved him very much and he had a good life with us. We love him and miss him very much... This picture shows one of his favorite things to do, laying out by the pool.. David, Jan, Rachel and Sarah Henson
Junie left for the rainbow bridge on June 16,2014. Although she was only with us for 5 years, she brought so much joy and happiness to our family. She deserves all the recognition for being our perfect fur baby. She was the light of our lives, and everyone who met her instantly loved her. I really wish that she was still with us & every day I'm saddened that she left us so soon. We love & miss you deeply and we hope that you're enjoying all the bully sticks that are being thrown at you. Rest in peace little Junebug.
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