Tag Archives: Foster

Welcome Back Kotter….woops! Welcome Back POTTER!

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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!
Potters Welcome Home! Happy and Healthy 80+ lbs

Almond eye Allee….looking for her FURever home

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My name is Allee! I joined Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue in March 2012.

I was cared for by a wonderful man who felt really sorry for me. I was abandoned, or perhaps a stray…I am not really sure. This “man” took pity on me and cared for me as long as he could. My “man” felt sorry for me because I had a prolapsed uterus. My uterus was literally hanging out of my backend like a cherry pumpkin. Nobody really knows how long I was this way. Since my uterus was hanging out, I would bleed and could not go inside my “mans” house.

I was restricted to the backyard to endure the elements all day and night. My “man” was distressed and knew that he could not financially provide me the medical attention I needed. He loved me dearly and took care of me the best he could but he wanted a better life for me. That’s when my “man” contacted Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue. Blue Ridge picked me up, and got me to the Dr. whom fixed me like a normal dog. While he was at it, he spayed me. I felt so much better. I have to mention, how much better I looked without a pumpkin on my Behind! Extreme Doggie Makeover Boxer Style. I am a healthy 67lbs and growing. You would never know I had any issues at all. The Dr. estimated my age to be 3-4 yrs old. My Foster Parents think I am closer to 3 based on my energy
I am currently living with my foster family in NC. I have to fur siblings who are also rescued boxers. Lucy a female and Rex the male of the house. I also have two skin siblings and 11yr old tween girl and a 9yr old boy and of course my 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 love attention and love to be wherever my people are. My eyes are a beautiful almond color that coordinate so well with my fur. It makes me rather unique. Not to brag, but I I have overheard many people say how pretty I am. I think its safe to say I am a “looker”.

Here are some additional things you might want to know about me:

  • I am generally just a super sweet girl who loves to be by my humans side.
  • I am totally potty trained..110%
  • I like my Crate! I don’t love it! There are much better things to love. I sleep in my crate at night and chill in my crate when my humans have to leave the house. I am kind of special , and have two crates. I chill with my other fur siblings when the humans leave the house downstairs. At night, I get to sleep in the crate in my human’s room. I was anxious upon my arrival so my humans gave me these special accommodations. Once I have been here a little longer I will go downstairs with the other dogs but for now I love it! I deserve a little extra attention don’t you think
  • I get totally excited when you come home but I don’t jump on you or even attempt. I will dance around you in excitement. I have not showed off the famous “boxer bean” as of yet.
  • I don’t get on the furniture in the house. I want to be a lap dog but 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. I sit outside the shower when my Mom is getting clean. I like to get in the shower if she will let me. She only lets me when I need a bath myself.
  • I know my name.
  • I come when called.
  • I don’t dart out doors or gates. I did escape once but only cause I was following my boxer siblings. I cam e right back after we got “busted”
  • I like all dogs that I have met thus far. My fur sibling sister gives me a hard time every once in a while but we are getting along better now. She just wants me to know she is the female of the house and I am just visiting.
  • I love being outside watching the world go by but you have to keep an eye on me because I like to bark. However if you correct me or tell me know I stop immediately.
  • My parents laugh at my bark…it is small and raspy for such a big dog. If I could talk I would tell them all ladies should have petite barks despite their size.

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 or wait for my FURsister Lucy to open the door.  Yes she opens he door by herself
  • I am learning not to bark too much when I am outside.
  • I am learning how to play with balls, fuzzy animals, dog toys , etc. I like nylabones the really hard ones.
  • I am learning to play with my FURsiblings. I like being around them and they are starting to let me play.
  • I am a super sweet beautiful girl. I could be the only dog or join another pack. I am not particular.
  • Please consider giving me a FURever home. You will not regret it!

Love and Kisses……ALLEE

To learn more about me and the 100’s of other Boxers in need of homes please visit http://www.blueridgeboxerrescue.com/ to complete an application.  You can also find us on http://www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeBoxerRescue.  There are rescue organizations all over the US…google one for your area or check out http://www.petfinder.com/index.html