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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05-05-2003 I don't know who all knows about this, but I figured I would break the news...Willie was put to sleep today. He had cardiomyopathy and I guess he just couldn't handle it anymore. He got to spend his last night in a real home thanks to Sherri and today he was put down at Greenway. I wish I would have known he was sick or even that he was being put down I would have been with him, but I know it all happened very fast. I know that Storri spent some time with him in the end while he was down and I thank you for that from the bottom of my heart. I will always regret the fact that Willie did not stay at my house as a foster, he deserved so much better than what he got. I will remember him always as the big goofy boy he was just wanting someone to love him. -Amanda
To Willie: Sweet, sweet Willie Billy....run free and happy with all of the other pups that have gone before you (hook up with Nadia...she can show you the ropes and snuggle with you at night). I miss you, but I am happy that you are not suffering any more. No more kennel runs to make you sad...just run free and be happy sweet boy. Wait for me and I will give you the love and attention that you so very much deserved! -Storri Peterson
LSBR Archive - 2003
The day Nadia came into my life I knew what a special girl she was. From her sweet, loving & gentle personality you would never know what a difficult life she had. I was sure she wouldn't make it without medical attention and lots of TLC. I became Nadia's foster mom, and the next few months were both tough and wonderful. That's when I decided she was mine to keep. A couple months later I noticed small tumors appearing all over her body. Biopsy's determined Nadia had Skin Cancer and that is was in-operable. The specialist at this point gave her less than a year to live.
I can honestly say that the last 2 year's of Nadia's life were spent being spoiled rotten. I helped her cross over Rainbow Bridge 04/10/03 after the cancer had done enough damage it was hard for her to walk & breath. My precious girl lived a happy ending despite her life before we met.
I would like to thank everyone for the support. I know Nadia is in a special place without pain.
To my Nadia-
My precious girl you will always be in my heart and the heart's of everyone you met. Until we meet again-Love ya!
Mom & Ash (boxer brother)
LSBR Archive - 2003
She was the perfect balance of love, kindness, strength, and courage.
Zima is a flashy brindle female with an incredible will to live. She was rescued from her owner who was about to shoot her for having a broken leg.
Despite being in pain, Zima is full of love and she will muster up the energy from deep inside to get as close as she can so she can lick you then rest her heavy head in your lap. Its a testiment to her character that she can be in such pain and still try her best to please her new friends with a boxer kiss. She is the perfect balance of love, kindness, strength, and courage.
January 27, 2003
Dr. Rosser called... The swelling in her leg is due to cancer. She said it was fully metastasized and it has most likely spread into her lungs. Both of the Vets had looked at her and spoken with Sharon and all of were in agreement that the best thing for Zima would be to put her to sleep.
I went to be by her side as she left her pain behind and started her journey to the rainbow bridge.
I sat down with her and she came over and leaned on me again. I told her that we were about to make the pain go away and she raised her head and licked my face then she rested her head on my shoulder. You would have thought that we knew each other our whole lives.
Later on as I sat in my car waiting for the tears to come and wondering why they weren't I could have sworn I felt a big strong boxer paw on my shoulder and some very enthusiastic boxer licks all over the side of my face. Perhaps she hung around for a few minutes to say... "Look, no more pain... thank you!"
I only knew her for a day but I know she will come running up to see me when I get ready to cross the bridge.
-- Jon Winters
A donation to Lone Star Boxer Rescue has been made in loving memory of Zima.
LSBR Archive - 2003
I picked up Daphne from the LaPorte pound. She looked so terrible I thought she had been tortured. The vet's tests showed she suffered from an auto-immune condition. She could not be cured or even made comfortable.Through all of this suffering, she maintained a gentle, sweet, loving disposition. I held her while she crossed over to Rainbow Bridge. She is past her suffering. I hope she finds some great playmates at the Bridge.
LSBR Archive 2003
A donation to Lone Star Boxer Rescue and this memorial were submitted in loving memory of Ringo.
"Defender of the Intersection, Queen of the Couch - a magificent creature in a suit of stripes, forever loved and desperately missed." Ringo - the World's Greatest Brindle.
LSBR Archive - 2002 and eariler
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