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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We adopted Luke over 4yrs ago. I just wanted to let everyone know that Luke has passed away. We received the very sad news that he had cancer a few months ago and he passed away on Monday. Thank you and everyone at Lonestar Boxer Rescue for bringing Luke and Rudy into our lives. We loved them sooo much. We hope to adopt another boxer in the near future.
The Willoughby Family
Dear LSBR Friends,
It has taken me a while to work up the courage to tell you that dear Oscar, who was rescued twice by LSBR (the second time thanks to quick-witted Alicia), passed away in early April.
We were walking on a cool afternoon, and we stopped behind a church to say our prayers and hug for about 15 minutes. (He sits in my lap whenever I get down to his level.) He was in great shape in every way. I guess he and God decided that after prayer-and-cuddle time, it was time to move on to the next stage of Life's grand adventures. After we got up to resume our walk, on the other side of the church property he keeled over and breathed his last.
I prayed again with him, knowing he could still hear me. Then I ran across the street to the dental office of a former neighbor of mine. This dentist had just finished working on his last patient for the day. He kindly put Oscar in the trunk of his Jeep and drove us the short distance to the vet, who the next day buried Oscar next to Lucius on his horse ranch.
Oscar, along with Lucius, Olivia (LSBR), Judge (LSBR 13-day foster who led me to Oscar) and Cassius (my first Boxer), will ALWAYS be in my heart. The photo of his pretty face, which LSBR snapped when he was first rescued, is now prominently displayed as the first one in my wallet.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing Oscar to me, LSBR volunteers one and all.
Appreciatively,
Oscar the Angel's mom Susan
Heidi is not a boxer, but like dogs of all kinds in the LSBR program, she deserved a chance. Sadly, Heidi suffered from multiple seizures and has crossed over the rainbow bridge; rest assured she knew love in her final days, and her caretakers will meet her at the bridge.
- Lone Star Boxer Rescue Volunteers
Barkley came to LSBR in March 2009 – during the routine vet check he was diagnosed with distemper and heartworms – diseases which can be easily prevented if the owners would be responsible enough to take proper care of their dog. But sadly, Barkley’s owners were not responsible enough – they dropped him off at a shelter “because they didn’t want him anymore”. That’s where LSBR found him, and made every attempt to give him a second chance at a new life and a family who would love and care for him properly.
The vet clinic worked very hard to save Barkley and the experience took its toll on the staff as well as the LSBR volunteers. This little guy had a lot of people pulling for him but it was out of their hands... His future family never got the chance to meet him. Run, play, eat, and play again Barkley!
The four of you quickly captured a place in our hearts after bringing you into our home to foster. Knowing it is not easy caring for such young ones as you were, we never thought twice about it. Never thinking you would be with us for such a short period of time. Losing the four of you broke our hearts, but knowing you are now in a better place eases the terrible hurt we have because we know someday we can love and play with ya'll once again. You are truly missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Love Your Foster Mom & Dad,
Charlotte & Ronnie
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