I was a stray wandering around a neighborhood. I was very skittish and hard to catch. A special family was worried about me and worked really hard to catch me. They knew I was scared, hungry, and homeless. The nice family was finally able to catch me. They welcomed me to their family. After 6 months, I was still very skinny despite eating daily.
34lbs upon arrival to the rescue
They cared for me as long as they could but they knew I needed medical attention that was beyond their financial means. The kind family was so nice to contact BRBR.
Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue was able to take me in to their care in late June. They got me to the nice vet who checked me out and got me on meds for hook & whip worms, and spayed me. I am light Heart Worm positive and will start my treatment in September. I was skin and bones when I arrived at the vet. My worms likely prevented me from gaining weight. Upon arrival at the vet I was only 34lbs. I have gained weight and looking much better.
Look close you can see my fawn markings
When I arrived with my foster family despite being malnourished my coat was shiny and beautiful. I am unique in that I look like I am black but I am not! Boxers do not carry the gene for black coat color. I am a “sealed brindle” which means my brindle has so many dark lines it seals out the fawn lines making my coat appear completely black. It is not really black, it just has excessive dark stripes. The AKC classifies me as brindle. If you take me out in the sun light you will see all my fawn stripes/markings. I am gorgeous and unique. My other unique feature is that I am a tiny girl who is full grown. Everyone mistakes me for a puppy, but I am a refined mature boxer with the estimated age of 5-7years old. I am the size of a typical 10-11 month old Boxer puppy. Some people call us “pocket boxers.” I am as precious as a puppy without the puppy behavior. Well , at least not all the time
Rex 71lbs and Lizzie 34lbs
I am currently living with my foster family in Raleigh, NC. I have three fur siblings who are also rescued boxers. Lucy, Rex, and Potter. I also have two skin siblings a 12yr old tween girl and a 10yr old boy. How could I forget my wonderful skin Foster Mom & Dad. They are taking such good care of me. I have adapted very nicely into the established Boxer Pack!
I am a sweet lovable girl. I follow my foster mom everywhere. We cook, clean, do laundry, etc. I am with her all the time except when she is at work. She is super special to me because she picked me up from the vet. I was so scared that day it took her 10 minutes to get me to the car. Back in those days, I was scared of every noise I heard and did not walk through doorways. Also I did not like men. I have come a long way in a matter of weeks. While still cautious, I am not nearly as scared as I used to be. I am making progress every day. My foster family is very active and fast paced so I have learned to be comfortable with noise and chaos. I don’t run and hide as much anymore. I am still working on my fears….one day at a time. I love attention and love to be wherever my people are. Here are some additional things you might want to know about me:
I am a super sweet girl who loves to be by my humans side.
I am totally potty trained.100%
I like my Crate I can sleep in my crate at night (or be left out…I am so cute my humans let me sleep on the bed) I chill in my crate when my humans have to leave the house. My humans know they are spoiling me by letting me sleep on the bed with them but I am just so tiny and cute they often treat me like a baby. I deserve a little extra attention don’t you think
I get excited when you come home. I have not showed off the famous “boxer bean” as of yet but I am learning how to be a boxer.
I don’t get on the furniture in the house my parents don’t want me on the furniture in case my “new family” has the same rule. The basement is another story….when I am with my skin siblings I can sit with them on the sofa…but only in the basement.
I love being with my humans and will follow them where ever they go especially my mom. She is my favorite. I love my Dad, he has taught me not to be scared of men. I even great guest in our home after I figure out they are ok
I know my name. My foster family gave it to me.
I come when called.
I don’t dart out doors or gates.
I like all dogs
I don’t really like being outside (probably since I was forced to be in the elements as a stray) However, I will chill outside with the other dogs. I love being inside the comfort of the house. It is not as scary.
I use the doggie door to come in and out as I please.
I swim and my little ears stick out like batman
I am a runner! My parents take me trail running and I most prefer to run along side them “off leash” where permitted.
My parents have only heard me bark twice…don’t be fooled by my size it is a BIG bark.
Rex, Potter, Lizzie, Lucy…Loving their second chance at life.
I do like walks and have gotten much better on the leash. I get really scared when noisy trucks come by. I stop dead in my tracks.
I am a super sweet beautiful girl. I am as precious as a puppy without all the puppy craziness. I would be the perfect addition to a home with kids, dogs, maybe cats etc. I would also be good as an only dog. Please consider giving me a FURever home. You will not regret it!
Last weekend I participated in my first running relay! What an adventure living in a van for 37hours with 5 fellow runners. The Blue Ridge Relay relay starts in Grayson Highlands State Park,VA (near the base of Mount Rogers- VA hightest peak) and ends 212 miles later in Asheville, NC! (the mileage varies year to year due to course adjustments)
I joined the 12 persons Designated Drinkers Team, an established relay team who have run the BRR year after year. Last year, The Legend of the Space Goat was formed. The history of the Space Goat is cloudy at best…the only thing we know for sure is the name morphed out of the description of two of the hardest running legs that are famously deemed “Mountain Goat Hard“. In 2012 we kept the legend alive with our “alter ego” The Space Goats. Like Superman, the Space Goats appear out of nowhere perform good deeds, BAAAA, and usually leave without a trace. Most never knew they encountered The Space Goats….while others only knew by the “Space Goat Tag” on their van.
Meet the Space Goats of Van 2
Here is my pictorial recap of an awesome running adventure
Sara (van 1) kicked off the relay for us at 10am Friday at Grayson Highlands State Park in VA. Sara also earned accolades for assisting fellow space goats with various aliments. Melinda’s GI stress and Dave’s two dog bite attack. Thanks Sara for keeping Melinda and Dave in the mix. (update…the wonderful BRR Directors were able to locate the dogs and confirm they were current on their rabies shots. No Rabies shots for Dave!)
Sara kick’in off the 1st leg for Designated Drinkers!
As Van 1 ran the first 6 legs of our relay we (Van 2) headed to exchange area 6 Bald Mountain Baptist Church, West Jefferson , NC. On the way TheSpace Goats were called to action when fellow runners of TEAM 621 Ninga were in need. The Ninga’s van was stuck in the culvert along a winding mountain dirt road. While our goat strength was not enough to free the van, luckily they were assisted by a very kind local resident ( ” people of the woods encounter 1″) who attempted to pull them out. Unfortunately, they had to go to plan C and call a tow truck. The Space Goats, transported Team 621 Ninga’s next two runners to the next exchange. Apparently, this was most helpful since Team 621 Ninga came in 9th out of 141 teams! Way to go Ninga’s.
SAVED! 2 runners from TEAM 621 Ninga- Columbia, SC being transported Space Goat style. I am sure they will never forget….
11:00am with one save under our belt and time to kill we took the opportunity to find some food. Our Male van mates ensured we never missed an eating opportunity, THANKS. We enjoyed some really yummy pizza in Jefferson, NC at Pizza Plus the home of .30 cent Pizza! Not only was the pizza good but we were thoroughly entertained by “People of the woods encounter 2” Tommy and Chelsea. They were the nicest, simplest people who were very excited to share the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains with a bunch of running city slickers! Tommy talked our ears off. We found a fast friend in Tommy and a “moonshine” hook-up. While we passed on the moonshine, we were sure glad to have Tommy on our side.
John Loaf”in with Tommy & Chelsea
Pizza Plus, in true Space Goat fashion, offered a much needed electrical outlet, for our very own lactating BAD ASS MOTHER RUNNER Melissa “MAAA MAAA Goat”. Deamed Bad Ass for just signing up to live in a van, run while lactating, a sheer 7 months after giving birth to her second child. Simply Amazing! Did I mention she forgot her battery pack for her breast-pump and remained completely calm (hence the need for the electrical outlet). Luckily, a fellow space goat from the Ultra Team- Where the Hell is Van 2, continuing the Space Goat saves theme, just happened to have an extra ac/dc adapter so now she could pump while we rolled down the road. No pumping and dumping here! She was able to store the ‘liquid gold” in our cooler. Had Lance Armstrong been with us I am sure he might have partook (cheap shot…but I hear he ate breast milk ice cream as part of his performance enhancing rituals) Melissa was my 1st recruit to the Another Mother Run club!
Maaa Maaaa Goat happily models her breast pump!
When we finally arrived at exchange area 6, with hours to kill, we tagged a few vans,
got tagged, “doubled it down”, and played a mind expanding time killer game we learned from Laura “Most Talkative Goat” called F*#k, Save, Kill. (did I mention we were in a parking lot of a Baptist Church)
In deep thought…Laura introduces us to our “mind expanding” game
Laura claims its a well know bar game, but none of us had heard of it. It was very entertaining and we certainly entertained the teams around us.
Finally it was time for Van 2 to Run! Mark Cox, our amazing Team Captain, ran it in
Mark Cox..passing the band to Van 2
and passed along the BRR arm band to Van 2 runner # 7 Melissa “Maaaa Maaaa Goat”.
The early afternoon brought temperatures in the 80’s along with the famous humidity of NC. While temps in the 80’s were not ideal we were fortunate it was not as hot as it had been the week prior with temps in the 90’s. The Space Goats were prepared with lots of cold water, gatoraide, Nuun tablets, Rusty’s stash, and ice cold disposable towels. In true Space Goat fashion we shared our water and towels with fellow runners struggling along the course. All were appreciative and we are confident we got one struggling girl, in tears, safely to the next exchange.
“MAAA MAA Goat” rocked her run!
I am pretty sure I looked like MAAA MAAAA goat 7 months after I gave birth (My Space Goat Dream)
Melissa despite the heat had a great run and passed off the BRR band to runner #8 Laura “Most Talkative Goat”. Laura in an Olympic frame of mind smoked her run and blamed her faster than planned pace on “getting caught up in the Gold or Silver moment”
Laura our Talking and Caring Space Goat!
Humble “Quiet Killer Goat” kicked major ass on the road!
Next up was runner #9! Melinda “Quiet Killer Goat” survived 37 hours with her VERY obnoxious and loud van mates, fought off stomach issues, and quietly slayed all of her runs. One of which was Mountain Goat Hard! She was our secret weapon…quiet yet deadly. She even claimed a kill (no animals were harmed) on her last leg and adorned a feather as her prize! Melinda, Bad Ass Mother Runner, and my second recruit to the Another Mother Runner Club!
“Quiet Killer Goats” prize from her run
Testosterone time, as runner #10 John “Life Saving Goat” finally hit the street. We are so proud of our fellow Space Goat John who assisted a fellow runner who collapsed from heat related issues a mile from the next exchange. John quickly came to his aid, flagged down passerby for help ( who happened to have ice in their car), iced his wrist, neck and elevated his feet. John stayed with the unresponsive runner until medical assistance arrived. John you are amazing! We are so proud of you! “Space Goats Save Lives”
Eagle Scout and “Life Saving Space Goat”
Patiently waiting at exchange 11, we got word from a fellow runner that John was delayed due to assisting a runner. Next up was Runner #11 (me) Jenn “2nd Most Talkative Goat”.
6.2 miles, Hard, but Beautiful!
I was setting off for the first official leg on the beautiful, historic Blue Ridge Parkway. Fortunately for me, temperatures dropped rapidly and cooled off nicely….I was set up for an awesome run!
Holy Hills& Mountains, I did it! with Laura and Melinda upon my finish
Runner #11, Rusty “Beer Goat” , whose favorite carbs come from a can, was fired up and donned in his run kilt ready for action! Not only do Space Goats save lives but we ” never sacrifice fashion”
“Beer Goat” always planning his liquid carb loading “I don’t run for another 7-8 hours”
Rusty finished strong and transitioned us into and extended break where we gassed up the van and grabbed some FOOD. Next on the agenda was SLEEP! I am unsure if anyone slept but we did get 2 hours of REST at Newland, NC Post Office exchange. 1:00 am arrived faster than we desired but the Space Goats were ready for our night runs!
Jenn and Melissa!
John and Laura with her famous $6 headlamp. We are unsure if we could really call it a headlamp.
2:00am ish illuminated Space Goats Rusty and Melinda
Our night runs were peaceful and quiet. Continuing the supportive nature of being a Space Goat we voluntarily accompanied our night runners so nobody had to run alone. “MAA MAA goat” ran 3 accompanying night legs displaying true Space Goat Spirt and badassness (ok it is not a word but you get it). Our goat calls “BAAAAAAAAA” were most helpful at night to identify our runners approaching exchange zones. Near dawn John “Life Saving Goat” had a not so pleasant “people of the woods encounter 3”. This poor resident was not very happy with the noise the relay participants that had kept her up during the night. John, a gracious southern gentleman, apologized on behalf of the participants of the Blue Ridge Relay. Courteous Space Goats!
7:00am ish- Night legs done we headed to the final team exhange zone at a Baptist
FOOD
Church in Barnardsville, NC. These church members rolled out the red carpet and welcomed runners with a hot pancake breakfast, real bathrooms, tent for sleeping, or better yet a padded church pew for sleeping. These people were simply amazing and hospitable! THANK YOU! We fueled up, and got some rest. Some got sleep, I got 2 hrs of REST. Most Space Goats chose the padded church pew, one lone goat, skipped the food and went straight to the tent for sleep. She had the tent all to herself. Clearly, the quietest she had been in 24 hrs.
Laura “Most Talkative Goat” in her private sleeping quarters
Space Goats, Rested, fueled, ready to run it home to Asheville!
Saturday morning brought drizzle, sporadic down pours, and cooler temps. Awesome running weather. Van 1, had endured much excitement during the night assisting the Ultra Team- Where the Hell is Van 2? with locked keys in their van, and Dave’s dog attack. Two dogs attacked and bite Dave. Fueled with Space Goat awesomeness…..he outran them. Way to go Dave! Feeling giddy, our van mates pranked incoming runner and Team Captain, Mark Cox, by lifting the hood of the van faking a breakdown. If only I had captured, Marks expression as he ran by. 🙂
Van 2 was off, as Melissa ran the hardest leg of all a Mountain Goat hard 6.5 mile climb! Delirious The Space Goats cheered and entertained all runners on the mountain goat leg. We were thrilled to have fellow Ultra Team runner Hazel to cheer! Things got a little crazy as we entertained! We are sure that we made a difference for all the runners out there. We certainly had fun doing it. Scenes from Mountain Goat leg….
Beautiful running man!
hmmmm…strip tease?
Sleep deprivation causes odd behavior or was this a modeling post for Athleta Sportswear
The finish of Mountain Goat
Melissa “MAA MAA Goat” slayed her run and passed 4 runners! Amazing! Way to go to MAA MAAA! Next we sent Laura “Most Talkative Goat” off on her dream run…9 miles down hill where she maintained a 7:30 pace! Melinda “Quite Killer Goat” ran strong on the 2nd Mountain Goat leg and finished strong with a super huge smile of accomplishment and a prize!
Thrilled to be DONE!
John was off and endured torrential rain and cold temps. Luckily it was his shortest run of the relay and he was able to burn it out!
Holy Hill……
I was off for my last leg once again on the Blue Ridge Parkway, only 4.2 miles but the first 2 were all uphill! I endured, with the finsh line on my mind and burned it out and passed the BRR band to Rusty for the 6.6 mile Glory leg!
We quickly made out way to the finish line to greet Rusty! Rusty brought us in strong in the pouring rain and cold! Designated Drinkers a.k.a Space Goats finished Saturday 5:56pm with the official time of 31hours and 56 minutes! Average pace per mile 9:05, 95th of 141 teams!
Running in the Glory Leg with Rusty! Where are our fellow Designated Drinkers Team mates…..Mellow Mushroom bar?
While we did not capture an official title, we are ALL WINNERS for SURVIVING!
Space Goats (minus Melinda) at the finish. Poor Melinda was seeking sanity was searching for her family!
Our Men and family welcomed us at the Finish!
My 1st Relay experience was over the top! As my 9 year old would say “Epic”. I had a blast! My team was awesome and most importantly my van mates made the experience memorable and highly entertaining! I gained 4 new nutty running friends! ( I knew Laura and Rusty prior to our adventure)
While the hours were long, the miles hard, the comradery shared among fellow runners was priceless! Thanks to all for an amazing relay!
The Asheville night life was not spared from the Legend of the Space Goat. Great job MAA MAA!
Now as Tommy would say……time for some much deserved “loaf’in” BAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
My runs were dedicated to a dear friend Graham Edward Beacham, whom was called home after a tragic car accident Wednesday prior to the relay. An avid outdoors man, I know Graham would appreciate the beautiful scenery and quiet of the mountains just as I did. I cannot think of a better way to reflect and pay respects. I know I made him proud! Love and miss you dear friend!
I was a stray wandering around a neighborhood. I was very skittish and hard to catch. A special family was worried about me and worked really hard to catch me. They knew I was scared, hungry, and homeless. The nice family was finally able to catch me. They welcomed me to their family. After 6 months, I was still very skinny despite eating daily.
34lbs upon arrival to the rescue
They cared for me as long as they could but they knew I needed medical attention that was beyond their financial means. The kind family was so nice to contact BRBR.
Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue was able to take me in to their care in late June. They got me to the nice vet who checked me out and got me on meds for hook & whip worms, and spayed me. I am light Heart Worm positive and will start my treatment in September. I was skin and bones when I arrived at the vet. My worms likely prevented me from gaining weight. Upon arrival at the vet I was only 34lbs. I am slowly gaining weight and looking much better.
Look close you can see my fawn markings
Despite being malnourished my coat is shiny and beautiful. I am unique in that I look like I am black but I am not! Boxers do not carry the gene for black coat color. I am a “sealed brindle” which means my brindle has so many dark lines it sealsout the fawn lines making my coat appear completely black. It is not really black, it just has excessive dark stripes. The AKC classifies me as brindle. If you take me out in the sun light you will see all my fawn stripes/markings. I am gorgeous and unique. My other unique feature is that I am a tiny girl who is full grown. Everyone mistakes me for a puppy, but I am a refined mature boxer with the estimated age of 5-7years old. I am the size of a typical 10-11month old Boxer puppy. Some people call us “pocket boxers.” I am as precious as a puppy without the puppy behavior.
Rex 71lbs and Lizzie 34lbs
I am currently living with my foster family in Raleigh, NC. I have three fur siblings who are also rescued boxers. Lucy, Rex, and Potter. I also have two skin siblings a 12yr old tween girl and a 9yr old boy. How could I forget my wonderful skin Foster Mom & Dad. They are taking such good care of me. I have adapted very nicely into the established Boxer Pack!
I am a sweet lovable girl. I follow my foster mom everywhere. We cook, clean, do laundry, etc. My mom loves to run but I am not up for that just yet. I am with her all the time except when she is at work. She is super special to me because she picked me up from the vet. I was so scared that day it took her 10 minutes to get me to the car. Back in those days, I was scared of every noise I heard and did not walk through doorways. Also I did not like men. I have come a long way in a matter of weeks. While still cautious, I am not nearly as scared as I used to be. I am making progress every day. My foster family is very active and fast paced so I have learned to be comfortable with noise and chaos. I don’t run and hide as much anymore. I am still working on my fears….one day at a time. I love attention and love to be wherever my people are. Here are some additional things you might want to know about me:
I am a super sweet girl who loves to be by my humans side.
I am totally potty trained.100%
I like my Crate I can sleep in my crate at night (or be left out…I am so cute my humans let me sleep on the bed) I chill in my crate when my humans have to leave the house. My humans know they are spoiling me by letting me sleep on the bed with them but I am just so tiny and cute they often treat me like a baby. I deserve a little extra attention don’t you think
I am started to get excited when you come home. I have not showed off the famous “boxer bean” as of yet but I am learning how to be a boxer.
I don’t get on the furniture in the house my parents don’t want me on the furniture in case my “new family” has the same rule. The basement is another story….when I am with my skin siblings I can sit with them on the sofa…but only in the basement.
I love being with my humans and will follow them where ever they go especially my mom. She is my favorite. I love my Dad, he has taught me not to be scared of men. I even great guest in our home.
I know my name. My foster family gave it to me.
I come when called.
I don’t dart out doors or gates.
I like all dogs that I have met. I don’t really know how to play but I am learning. I have a little more spunk every day.
I don’t really like being outside (probably since I was forced to be in the elements as a stray) However, I will chill outside with the other dogs. I love being inside the comfort of the house. It is not as scary.
My parents have only heard me bark twice…don’t be fooled by my size it is a BIG bark.
*Here are some things I am learning*:
I have not really had the need to use the Potty Bell to go outside. I just
sit at the door.
I will whine to remind my people it is time to eat. I don’t miss a meal. They are fattening me up with dry puppy food mixed with can food. I am really fond of can food. They hope to wean me when I get up to my ideal weight.
I am slowly learning how to play with balls, fuzzy animals, dog toys , etc. I am attached to a very long stuffed snake with squeakers in it. I carry it around like it is prey, or one of my puppies. I even try to hide it to keep it safe. My humans love watching me with the snake.
Rex, Potter, Lizzie, Lucy…Loving their second chance at life.
I am learning to play with my FURsiblings. They try to engage me in play but I typically ignore them. Every once in a while, I will play. My humans think after I get my heartworm treatment I will be more playful. I love my fur siblings I am just not up for their “Boxer” play yet. The first time my humans saw me wag my tail was when they introduced me to my fur siblings. I love them and want to play with them.
I have not spent a lot of time on a leash as I am still cautious and scared. My humans will try more walks we me as I gain confidence. I have done very well on the leash when I have had to be on one.
I am a super sweet beautiful girl. I am as precious as a puppy without all the puppy craziness. I would be the perfect addition to a home with kids, dogs, maybe cats etc. I would also be good as an only dog. Please consider giving me a FURever home. You will not regret it!
Could not resist the title given I am a product of the 70’s! We are not Welcoming Back Kotter, we are welcoming back POTTER! Our second and most beloved foster dog.
Potter's shelter intake photo 11/12
Potter initially arrived at the Martin Boxer compond in December 2011. He was picked up as a stray in Gastonia, NC (11/29). He was extremely underweight 57lbs, Heart Worm positive,respiratory infection, and fully intact. My guess is someone was using him as a stud for breading. Blue Ride Boxer sent me his photo and there was no discussion amongst the family we had to save this precious pup. Even if it meant having 4 dogs. We were thrilled we had the opportunity to name him so we polled all our Facebook and Twitter friends and named him Potter. Harvey was a close second along with Fozzie. We think Potter was perfect!
After a brief stay at the Vet, Potter was transported to to us 12/3- He was so sweet upon arrival. Within an hour of his arrival all dogs were running around/co cohabitating nicely. I was amazed how the introduction that can be up to 24 hours beyond happened within an hour. He was that laid back. It was Maple (our first fosters) last night with us as she got adopted the next day.
Our job was to love this dog unconditionally and fatten him up. He was too skinny for surgery to be neutered or start his life saving heart worm treatment. We fattened him up to 70.8 lbs enough to go for neutering. He did great! After a series of meds and a little more fattening up he was ready to start his heart worm treatment in January. Heart Worm treatment is horrible for all involved! Remember that monthly pill for prevention! Potter had to be on bed rest for three months. That is a very difficult thing to do for a 2 year old dog, whom gained strength everyday and had to watch his two fur siblings running around and play. We/He made it through with flying colors!
Potter was spoken for early on by a wonderful family. He could not be released until he finished all his treatments. We enjoyed everyday we had with this sweet boy (96 to be exact) While he was with us he learned what it was like to be inside a house, what toys were, how to play. When he first arrived he was a loner. He preferred sitting outside on the deck. He was not sure what to do inside of the house. Once we forgot he was outside and when we went to look for him he had burrowed himself down in a bed of leaves to stay warm. Heartbreaking ( he was not outside long). We are sure he was displaying some of his survival techniques he used while he was a stray. Someone trained and loved this dog at some point in his life. He was so well behaved and was 100% potty trained. Never did he have an accident in the house. He would not enter the house unless you told him it was ok and he did not jump on you. We could not find anything wrong with this dog. Why did someone abandon this sweet guy. We knew he would be the perfect companion for a loving family.
Potter's Flashy Smile!
As we watched his progression from a “loner” to a social playful pup we ALL fell in love with this guy. We knew his adoption was looming and we were going to have to say good bye. We ALL agreed it was going to be very hard. To this day we are not sure why but this guy really stole our hearts. However, in the true spirit of rescue, as we have come to know it, we love them and pass them along so we can make room for the next dog in need. Our next dog in need was Allee, whom would join us once Potter & Bridget went to their FURever families.
Potter and Bridget hold paws on the way to their adoption 3/9/2012!
When I received the call on Tuesday that Potter was being surrendered back to the rescue (due to unfortunate family circumstances) There was no discussion or decisions to be made. Potter was coming home! We were all elated and were counting down the days until his arrival. Potter officially joined the Martin Boxer Crew on Saturday! Our first official “foster failure” a.k.a…a foster dog you cannot give up. We are at maximum canine capacity but still have room to host a foster dog.
Fostering/Rescuing has been a wonderful “family bonding” experience for us. Like most families we are very busy with numerous daily obligations and many varied opinions on life. However, fostering/rescuing is the “ONE” thing we all seem to agree on unanimously.
We love it! It works for our family! As long as it works for the family, we will keep it up!
Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a mother willing to let him have one ~Anonymous
We have clearly accomplished the quote above! My Son has not only one dog… but several and his mother is the instigator of the multiple canine household. We are “dog” lovers. We all equally enjoy the unconditional love and entertainment our dogs bring. They truly do complete our family.
You always hear cliche’s regarding the relationship between a boy and his dog. I have witness this first hand watching my son bond with our dogs. In his early years, he so desperately wanted our “Senior” Springer Spaniel (Hampton) to play with him. He tried everything he could to entice her to chase him, bite at his heels, anything. She would just look at him with her soulful brown eyes wondering why he was disturbing her rest. Hampton’s ruckus days had passed way before he entered the world. He still loved her dearly despite the fact she could not be enticed to play with him. When Hampton crossed the Rainbow bridge, after 14 years, we were all deeply saddened. We missed her terribly and waited over a year until we ventured into being pet owners again.
It was meant to happen as we were introduced to “Rex” a 1.5yr old brindle Boxer whom needed a “furever” home. He was a rescue who had been through several families, for reasons unknown to us he was once again looking for a family to take him in. Boxer? I had never had a Boxer, never wanted a Boxer, and did not know anything about these crazy looking Dogs. My Husband was the first to meet Rex and declared him as a “cool dog” That’s all it took. We welcomed him into our family and he was the start of what I like to call our “Boxer Collection”
The bond between boy and dog was immediate. My Son now had a active play mate whom would chase him, play hide-n-sneak, wrestle, and generally participate in all his antics. Prior to rescuing, I thought you needed to raise a dog from a puppy for that special bond. Wrong I was! While puppies are cute, and everyone should have one or care for one in their life time they are a lot of work. I will never forgot, as a newlywed, the words of my Dad when we expressed interest in a puppy, “You should not get a dog, until you can be home with it full time.” Holly $%&! He is talking about a DOG not a human….seriously? For my Dad’s generation that was just the way it was. Hell….years later I did not even stay home with my kids. I wonder if he even remembers saying that?
Rex was fully potty trained and full of love an affection. No rearing from the puppy years was needed for bonding with the family. Rex was/is the perfect match for my highly creative and mischievous son. They….boy and dog keep us entertained. They run, chase, play hide-n-seek, taunt each other, wrestle, you name it they do it!
As a parent, it is so fun to watch this bond between boy and dog. They play differently than anyone else in the family. Basically it is a uncomplicated relationship, just unconditional love.
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. ~A France
The average dog has one request to all humankind. Love me. ~Helen Exley
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. -Roger Caras
Consider a rescue for your next pet! Rescuing is speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.
BoxerRunner 