9/15/05  - As stated below, Dexter does impress everyone he meets. He is a sizeable boy (closer to 85 pounds than 75 pounds) and very athletic. He does not jump on people when he gets excited, instead he jumps straight up and down. It is quite a sight. He has lots of boxer wiggles for everyone.

We were fostering to adopt but have decided not to adopt Dexter. This decision was not made lightly as Dexter gets along great with our dog and our neighbor's 6 month old lab. He loves to tease the cat and lets us know of anyone else comes on our property. He is gentle and calm with a streak of playfulness and unlimited energy. He walks well on a leash with some reminding not to pull and having him in the house makes us all feel safer.

We were going to adopt him because we don't want him to go from home to home but that would not have been fair to him. He just did not make a match with our family.

When we picked him up about 2.5 hours away from our house, we were not sure how he would be in the car. He was absolutely incredible. The kids were in the back seat and he was behind them in our SUV. He checked them out, looked out the window a bit, then laid down for the rest of the ride.

We stopped at a friend’s on the way home. They had an older dog that did not want to play. Dexter picked up on that and left their dog alone.

A couple days after getting him home, we took Dexter to the vet. He does have a chronic ear problem that was mentioned by his previous owner. There is noting wrong with the ear canal, it is the ear flaps. By the time his visit was done, the majority of the techs were in the room with us, playing with and hugging Dexter.

I think because his last two owners were men, he favors men. He is great with everyone, but seems to prefer the guys. Also, his crooked jaw causes him to slobber quite a bit at times. When Dexter is calm it is not a problem as we have had boxer slobber in the past but when he gets excited or hot, it can be impressive. He also does not like crates. We even bought an exercise pen for him, without top or bottom, and he will not stay calmly in that either. He eats in it because that is where his dish is but he will keep an eye out for anyone who might try to close the door. He does respect baby gates.

If we were to order a boxer, Dexter is very close to what we would want. He is excellent with children of all ages plays well with other dogs and I am sure he would play well with the cat if she took him up on the offer.

8/7/05 - Dexter was returned to rescue as his father was getting remarried and there were too many animals with the households being combined, so poor Dexter came back to BAR.  But the good news is that he is being fostered by one of our families who recently lost their Boxer and is willing to help another Boxer while he is searching for his forever home.  Dexter impresses everyone he meets as evidenced by one of his transporters comments below.  He has lived with other dogs, cats, kittens, and children of various ages.  Get your application in as I can assure you that he won't be around long.

8/7/05 - From one of Dexter's Transporters - Sharon.
I picked up Dexter from his owner. I asked him if he had the dog go to the bathroom and he said awhile ago. I said "well why don't you go and I will walk Dexter around." So off he went. I walked Dexter and Dexter went to the bathroom. Then I opened up the back door of my truck and Dexter put his 2 front paws up on my seat and that was it. I said "Hop up" he didn't. Uh-Oh I thought I am in big trouble if i put my arms around Dexter's hind quarter is this huge boxer going to bite me? He didn't bite me. What a good boy. He made himself very much at home in the back of my truck and looked out the window and drank water. He was a perfect gentleman. I had to turn around from time to time to see if he was still there, LOL. Then we got to a diner where I was to meet Sue. I walked Dexter around and he went to the bathroom often as only a male Boxer can. Sue arrived and you would have thought it was his long lost mom. He was so happy to see her. He hopped into her truck and saw that Sue had brought her daughter. He was so excited to see Sue's little girl. Then off everyone went.

9/24/04 - What's new with Dexter. Well, we are battling fleas. A couple of professional flea baths and us giving him baths are helping. Yard has been treated and we use the drops that go between his shoulders. Fortunately it has not spread to our existing cat or our new one.
Yes, we have a new cat. A 6 week old kitten. Where as Dexter would kind of harass our 5 1/2 year old cat, he has taken to parenting and playing with this kitten. They play together, they sleep together. The kitten has even tried to eat from his food bowl a couple of times but he didn't get aggressive.  Otherwise, he is wonderful, yet goofy dog. Thanks BAR.

6/9/04 - It is now a little over 4 months since we got Dexter. He seems to be a happy dog. He barks when someone comes to the door or is near the yard (which we kind of like). Little do others know that he
is all bark and no bite.
He loves to play soccer and is good about being bathed. He still harasses the cat but does not try to touch her.
I think he got jealous that I allowed the cat on my bed and not him. so he reciprocated by peeing on my son's bed. My son let him on, but the cat never really went in his room. We took care of this by just not letting him on my sons bed anymore. We put the gate up in front of his room. He still is allowed in my room, he just knows my bed is off limits.
Every so often we take him for a walk, just for the sake of it. fyi - we are a doggie door house with fenced in yard. He walks fairly well on a leash. Net net, so far, so good.

4/16/04 - It is now 2 months since we adopted him. All is well. He is fully acclimated. He protects our house by peeking over the fence and barking at people who come near the property, though he makes no attempt to escape or actually go after them. He is generally well behaved although keeping him
off the (new) couch is an ongoing mission.
I have attached two pictures which are at the right. One shows the classic boxer physique. The other is just Dexter basking in the sun. He typically sleeps on my sons bed though my daughter also gives him lots of attention. He still harasses the cat.

3/13/03 - Dexter has learned our routine. He will sit, stay, come, shake and most recently, lie down on command. Sometimes he loves to go full throttle and tear through the backyard like he's at the dog races. His ear infection cleared up with the medicine, but I'm keeping an eye open just to make sure it doesn't come back. He still harasses the cat, though he doesn't try to harm or touch her. Although I don't allow him up on the couch, he seems to find his way up there. Enclosed are some recent pictures.

3/10/04 - Friends of mine brought their 2 week old son over. Hearing miscellaneous sounds, Dexter was mighty curious. I took out my camera to first photograph the baby, then Dexter sniffing him. After I took the picture, I noticed the true action shot. Thought you might like it.
 

2/25/04 - All is fine by Dexter and us. We took him to vet for checkup on his ears. They gave him an antibiotic for his irritation. When I called his previous vet (prior to him being in BAR) they said it is a chronic problem, no biggie, we'll keep you updated. Dexter has had no accidents since first day or two when he was getting acclimated. He uses the doggie door, chats with the dog next door and stares at another neighbor. He usually sleeps on my son's bed, still likes to harass the cat, but basically, so far, so good.
He's up to 72 lbs. (7 more than he was when BAR first posted his story). But the vet still feels he has a little more to gain as his ribs and spine still show a little more than normal.