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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You left us way too soon! Run free sweet boy!
Sebastian came into our lives has he was recovering from a rough beginning to life. He was also a little rough around the edges in the behavior category. With a little help from LSBR and Dean Miller we got him back on track. He became the dog every kid on our street wanted to see and every parent complemented. At the beginning we thought we were rescuing him but little did we know he was actually giving more than we could give back. Sebastian was truly a great dog, friend, and companion to all that has the pleasure of meeting him. We lost him last week after only 4 short years and we miss him dearly. Although we know he is resting peacefully we still think of him often and the corky little things he did. We miss them all. Thank you LSBR and Sebastian for all that you have done for us. Rest in peace Mr. B we love you very much.
-Jennifer and Adam Walker
Sadly, Sherlock, a senior boxer rescued from the SPCA a few weeks ago, passed tonight at the vet clinic where he was being boarded. His heart stopped likely due to a heartworm breaking off. The vet did all she could to save him. Thankfully, he knew love and kindness during the final weeks of his life. Goodbye Big Boy!
Please say a prayer for Sherlock as he crosses the Bridge to his "forever" home.
Shiner - Our Gentle Giant While it was hard to let you go, you blessed us with so many memories. You were our first LSBR adoption and with us for over half of the kids’ lives - there will never be another like you. On Halloween day, 2004, the wonderful and giving Debbie Lon suggested we take a look at you, even though you weren’t on our list of Boxers we initially wanted to see. Allie was our only Boxer at the time and she joined us for the search process. Well, Allie turned her nose up at all of the boxers we were interested in and even got after one of the choices. You, however, were a different story - a few sniffs and she was ready to play - we knew you were the one!!! To this day, we want to meet the person who trained you because they did an awesome job!!! We never had to crate you because you never tore anything up, from day one! You NEVER had an accident in the house unless you did not feel well. You NEVER left the yard unless you were leashed; how did you know this was your home on day one? Even if the kids were down the street, yelling your name at the top of their lungs, you would simply stammer and whimper at the end of the driveway but never leave. Even if we left you outside by mistake, you simply made yourself at home on the covered swing and watched the nature around you or caught a few zzzzzz’s. When you were ready to come in, you nudged the door knob to tell us it was time. You were a brother to 1 rabbit, 2 birds, 2 guinea pigs, 3 cats, and 3 boxers, as well as a foster brother to 15 LSBR fosters - gentle, nurturing, and kind to each an every one. We never fully understood your affinity for the air compressor but you always came running when you heard it kick on, looking for another chance to “bite the air” as it came out of the nozzle. The Frisbee was your friend, chasing it as you kicked up your back legs like a bucking bronco, and catching it with the grace of a border collie. You loved sleeping with the kids and whined when you were not in the same room with someone in the family. With wisdom and spiritually beyond his years, our son said, “Allie and Gator flew down with their Angels to greet you with a humongous rawhide bone and to show you the way back to heaven. You all three carried the rawhide back with Helga, Condrey, Elvis, Scout, Jaws, and Blue Bell following behind in their own way.” Even though you crossed the Rainbow Bridge on December 29th, 2011, you left us with a seven plus years of wonderful Boxer memories - you will not be forgotten!! With love - the Basford family
In February of 2005 my husband and I adopted a beautiful baby boxer, Sidney, from your organization. She needed months of treatment for her mange, but she was just perfect. We could not have asked for a better dog. Sure she loved digging up our yard and chewing on my clothes, but we didn't mind.
As our family grew over the years she welcomed each of our children with sloppy kisses and so much love. She was always so gentle and loved to run and play with them.
Unfortunately, we lost our perfect Sidney to cancer this week. I wanted to thank you for allowing us to have her for the last 7.5 years. She meant the world to us.
Kim
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