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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Chavez came into my life when I desperately needed a friend and remained faithful by my side. He is the reason I turned to rescue, and that I continue rescuing and dedicating myself to the boxer breed.”
- Alicia & Terry Ligon
In loving memory...
- Sharon Reitman
Christie loved chasing the squirrels out of her yard but had the most impeccable manners inside the home, she was a real Lady. Hopefully she’s reunited with the brother and sisters she knew that passed before her.... Jake, Kiku, Jill, and Hope.
- Debbie Lon
Keller was a spiritual, "once in a lifetime" dog, inspiring all those he met to love more, be more and give more.
The Callan Family
We lost our Vivi much too soon. Only three months into our love affair with the sweetest, smartest and most beautiful boxer in the world (!), we lost her to cancer. You would have never known she was as sick as she was by her actions! She loved to run on the beach, chase her toys and play tug of war with just about anything. When she started exhibiting some signs of a problem, they were subtle, but we knew something was wrong. As the week progressed and no medicines were helping and Vivi seemed to be getting worse, Dr. Rosser did some more extensive tests, and she found masses in her stomach and lungs. So devastating to hear and decisions so agonizing to make--but we didn't want Vivi to suffer.
We first found Vivi on the LSBR website. After we lost Helga, another sweet, smart and beautiful talking boxer baby from LSBR, we thought we couldn't love another one as much. But we missed the boxer wiggle and that love only a boxer can give, so we cautiously began looking again. Vivi was older, was very sick when she was saved by LSBR and undergoing heartworm treatment, but, oh, that face! And that cock-eyed ear! We fell in love with a picture and knew we had to meet the real thing! We met Vivi with her foster mom and "sister", Ann and Chloe Callan. We knew they loved Vivi very, very much and Vivi returned that love to the family that saved her (Vivi followed Ann everywhere while we were there--her big eyes watching her wherever she went!) Chloe vetted us carefully, as did Ann, and lucky for us, we passed their muster. Vivi was going home with us that night. After we received all the instructions for her care, feeding and recreational activities (toys, toys, toys), we loaded her into the SUV and started the ride home. Vivi turned and watched Ann and Chloe until she couldn't see them anymore--and then she continued to watch out the back window, only turning around when we arrived at her new home. We wondered if she could ever love us as much. After only a short time, our worries appeared unfounded. Vivi turned on the charm, and we were in love! It was definitely a mutual admiration society at the Price house. For the short time we had Vivi (or Vivi had us!), we smiled more, hugged more, tossed toys more than you could imagine. And, we loved more. So, we're trying to convince ourselves that when you adopt a boxer, especially one that is a little more mature, that it's the quality of time rather than the quantity that matters. We're trying very hard, but most days we just miss Vivi very much.
The Price Family
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