4/13/05 - Yippee! Our first year together! I'm so happy to have JD in my life. HE's taught me a lot! Patience being foremost. He taught me how to deal with his deafness. There were times that were very challenging, but he pulled me thru in the end. I am now very aware, that the world he lives in is totally silent. There were times that I thought he could hear certain sounds or pitches. I was certain that he could hear some things, sometimes. But just recently set him up for some testing on my own. I was convinced that he could hear me open the gate .Meanwhile, he was on the other side of the house and couldn't see me either, yet he would come running. Figured he was following the other dogs, but he would be the first to arrive. So I tried it without the others and 30 seconds after I closed the gate he would come running. I'm still thinking he could hear it. Next I just went outside by the gate with no noise and waited. In 30 seconds he came running around the corner, and I mean flying! He SMELLED me! It was a revelation!! I was astounded, so much so, that I tested it again for a week. He's definitely deaf, but has a nose like a bloodhound!! He's turned out to be a great ambassador for BAR, for welcoming and playing with the Foster kids. He's the sweetest boy and I am so grateful to have him. He's very loved and my two other boys enjoy him, until he goes into his FRAP (frenetic random activity period)!! Thought he would have outgrown that aspect of puppy hood by now. It comes out of the blue and better get out of his way! Cracks me up! Bleu, my new Foster just experienced it tonight. He looked at me, like, "what the heck is this guy doing?"!! I said, "It's okay, hon, only participate if you dare, otherwise, com'on over by Mom until he's done" JD always sleeps well afterwards!!! What can I say other than Joy! Joy! Joy! and Thank you BAR...he is adored!

1/23/05 - Guilty of not following up on JD"s progress. Just "sprayed" myself with Bitter Apple for unwanted behavior! The most important thing that I want to share about opening your heart, home and family to a new adopted member is patience and understanding, especially with a dog that has a physical challenge. As it turned out, I was misreading what I thought to be aggression. I had considered returning him
to BAR, but wasn't ready to give up on this boy, he had been moved around enough and I made a commitment to him. I read thru BAR's site that it can take up to 90 days for a transition, so I was in it for the long haul.
Our problem was finding a way to communicate and building a trust while giving him some direction and training. What I misread as aggression, was his frustration trying to communicate. He didn't know any different. Having never had a deaf dog, I kept forgetting that he was deaf! But once the light bulb went on, everything fell into place. He is thriving and the "brightest" bulb in the pack! He is so in tune to the other dogs now. It is true that the other senses are heightened. He doesn't miss a beat. And what a gorgeous boy he has turned out to be! His head has matured, and it's stunning! He's full of Boxer muscle and a joy to watch when he's just "full of himself"!! Our training continues to go well. He responds to the AKC hand signals, and some silly ones I made up on my own. I've saved the best for last...a wonderful man has come into my life...my own personal "Dog Whisperer"! Sam has an amazing natural way of communicating with my dogs. Needless to say, JD and
Sam are thick as thieves! BONUS! Sam knows ASL and is teaching JD and me together. Now we're really "talking"!!

4/21/04 - I'm sooo late with my update. I really wanted to send new pictures and have been trying to figure out how to do it...trust me, I had no business buying this camera...top of the line is not always better. I'm new at this stuff. But I will figure it out and send new pictures soon. He is looking so good and filling out nicely. He no longer has the sharp boney edges on the hips and ribs and he's beautifully defined. He has settled in(not without big time discussions!!!) with the other boys and Ina the cat. A few rambuncious chases after her when he's frisky. But he's learned that she rules. She's never scratched him. She hisses and he backs off. Since he's deaf and can't hear the hiss, it must be the body language she displays and watching the other boys reaction. I am observant of the interaction in the pack and find it very intriguing(sp?) After all, He doesn't know he's deaf, and my guys don't know he's deaf, although, I notice they are aware their is something different going on. As careful as I've been, he has "bolted" twice. The boy wants to run free big time. Wished someone had my big time camera on me trying to get his attention! Thankfully everything worked out OK, once I had eye contact, I acted like a complete idiot on my neighbors lawn to get his attention...he came running to me with hugs and kisses. Training is going well. He's perfect on his long downs, sits on hand command, beginning to understand the "NO" and is heeling so much better on our walks. My trainer and I are talking about perimeter training because of his desire to bolt. This is my first experience with a deaf dog, so I am open for any experienced suggestions. The recall is the tough one. At any rate, in a nutshell, I am so grateful to have this guy in my life. He is a gift and I love him so. His challenge in life has become mine, in a time in my life that I need to show up for him.

4/19/04 - Well it's been one week today...phew! I knew it would be a challenge! But things are progressing as I had hoped...actually better. Spanky is now getting used to his "rough" play and lets him know when he's had enough. Actually, I've intervened on occasion, cause I see that he's had enough, but is reluctant to stop it on his own.  So proud of him. Harley actually stepped in on Spanky's behalf today, and let the boy know that was enough. He ran up and gave one bark and leaned his body up against Harpo. Over!! Top dog, Harley, has taken over his crate, but will let Harpo in. So intrigued by animal and pack behavior. Harpo was evaluated by Toni, my trainer/ and she's very pleased with his temperament and will come to the house to observe the interaction. We've put him on enzymes and some oatmeal to help slow the digestive tract. He wasn't absorbing anything into his system. What when in, came out. That's why he's thin, plus his hyper-activity...which may be related to his Purina diet which is loaded with chemicals that effect the nervous system. But now we are starting to notice a change in him for the better. At any rate, he's doing great and is spoiled rotten, but not on my bed!!

4/13/04 - Just want to say how pleased I am to adopt this boy, as I have followed his journey for some time! Met up with Tina 4/12/04 and just fell in love. Kobe/Harpo was beautiful on the 45 minute ride to his new home. Just laid down and slept...quite content. Pranced around the yard sniffing out my boys scent, Harley, 5 year old Boxer, and 2 year old Boxer, Spanky. Much to my dismay, the crate I prepared for him was too small, but called my friends and they delivered a larger one within minutes. He went in on his own, but does bark when I close the gate and has had one accident. But not in the crate. All to be expected. My friends were here to help with the intros, in case there was an incident. Sniffing through gate and crate, then on loose leash. He tried to mount both dogs which was not well received, so we are now taking baby steps. Made progress today...Spanky and Harpo had some supervised play with leashes attached. Did quite well, considering...Harpo still wants to mount, which I think has to do with finding his order in the pack, but Spanky was gentle, although he wasn't happy. This boy doesn't have a confidence problem at all. Loves his food toooo much. Will do our first long down tonight (30 minutes) to help establish my position in this pack. Our obedience class doesn't start for several weeks. This will help with his dominance behavior in the mean time. He's a very smart boy and so loving. I have no doubt that he will fit into this pack and everyone will find their place! Thank you Boxer Angels Rescue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4/12/04 - Kobe has been adopted.

4/11/04 - Kobe is pending adoption.

3/21/04 - Well today the Guardian Angel Boxer Haven received a new foster dog in. His name is Kobe and what a sweetheart this boy is!! I introduced him slowly to two boxers, male and female, and a Shih Tzu and intro went well with all three dogs during the week that our volunteer had him.  Now this boy is running in the back yard with my guys. My guys look at him like he is a nut.

Kobe is a 14 month old white male that was adopted by a family locally and the intros just did not work out. Their girl was a little jealous of having to share their love with him.

Kobe is housetrained and crate trained...though he does bark in there a bit.  Kobe is also deaf but does know some hand signals and is very eager to please.

This boy should place quickly as cute as he is so get those apps in.