DUKE 5/31/03
#147
Adopted
6/11/03
Pictures
Duke's Foster Journey
More Pictures
Pertinent Information
14 Month Old Rust Fawn Male
Natural Ears and Docked Tail
Owner Surrender
Neutered and Soon to be Updated on Vaccinations
Gets Along with Other Dogs and Cats
Being Fostered in Arlington, MA
Adoption Donation $250
7/13/03 - Belle and Duke start classes this
Wednesday pm. I had been taking them to work with me in the afternoon, as
they love to ride in the truck. I always took them one at a time to work;
the other day I decided to take them both together. What a mistake that
was. I left them alone for 15 minutes to talk to a customer and when I
went back to the truck, they had ripped the wires off the dash and
destroyed the driver’s seat. Foam and leather were all over the place. I
got in the truck and they would not get off my lap and stop kissing me. I
then realized that they must have thought I was sending them away. I think
they had an anxiety attack.
I just got done fixing the wiring, except for one piece I have to solder.
I will take the truck to an auto upholstery Monday or Tuesday. They have
been so good; this shocked me. But I understand what they must have been
thinking. That night they would not leave my side. I could not get mad at
them because I guess they thought I was going to dump them.
I have made arrangements for a fence company to put up a 6’ high, 12”
deep and 54’ long fence up at the new house for them. Belle runs right
through the invisible fence, so we are using cable runs here and the fence
will go up at the new house. We spent last week at the new house and they
loved the central air. I did not get to take them swimming as we had so
much company.
6/22/03 - 1 week update to Foster Home - Jim and Mary called me this week to let me know that Duke is doing beautifully. He's an exceptional dog, they say (I agree!) and is having a great time with their other boxer BAR puppy, Belle, and their daughter's smaller, older dog. He and Belle have a system going with the toys. They each take one side and carry it to one of the humans to play with them. I get the impression that these two pups are getting into a few high jinks together, but are pretty funny with it all. They start obedience training in early July. Duke is a smart one and should really enjoy this new experience. Duke had a nice vacation in the country with the family. I can't wait to hear if he takes to swimming in the brook or not. Jim says he’ll send pictures when they are ready.
6/11/03 - Duke has been adopted.
Well, Mary and Jim were as sweet as can be, and Duke seemed very happy to
go, not even a glance back. He licked Mary's face clean a couple of times,
so I guess he knew they were his. Jim has a great way with Duke, and I
think he is the perfect owner for this sweet boy. Mary is a love.
So when does the knot in my throat go away? Duke's Foster Mom, Amy
6/2/03 - Duke is pending adoption.
6/1/03 - Hi everyone! Duke here... I'm settling
into my new foster home pretty well, but I'm still afraid people are going
to go away and leave me behind again so I'm keeping a close eye on
everyone and making sure I'm never more than a few feet away, just in
case.
There are lots of new things to explore here but the best thing is Ella,
the boxer who lives here full-time. We played and played and played
yesterday, and even got to run around outside in the yard for a while, and
that made me feel a lot better about being here. Someone said it was fate
because Ella is named after Ella Fitzgerald and I could be named after
Duke Ellington.
I don't know who those people are, but if they're friends then maybe this
Ella and I will be friends too. I sure hope so! She seems to like me so
far, except when I tackle her and try to roll her over and sit on her. But
we also share toys and play tug and then she seems really happy that I'm
here.
Last night I had to sleep in a crate. It was in my foster parents'
bedroom, but it still reminded me of the shelter I was in and I cried a
little even though I tried not to. I had finally settled down to sleep
when the baby started crying and that woke me up and made me cry again.
Finally my foster parents took pity on me and opened the door for me, and
I slept on the floor next to Ella for the rest of the night. I overheard
them talking this morning and they were using that word "crate"
again, so I don't think I've seen the last of it.
I learned about cats yesterday, too. Cats are those furry black things
that hiss at me and run away when I want to play with them. I try to leave
them alone, but they look like they'd be so much fun!
Speaking of cats, Ella and I wanted to go outside and play in the yard
again this morning, but my foster dad said it was raining cats and dogs.
Cats and dogs coming down from the sky to play with me? That sounds GREAT!
So we went outside, but all that came down from the sky was water. We got
cold and wet and came back in.
5/31/03 - Wow! In the first two minutes he hugged and kissed me and sat when I asked him to. He has been extremely gentle with my toddler and sits on command. He runs like the wind and is a joy to behold. He ignored my large kitty and loves my girl boxer. They are actually lying down now, which I didn't think possible when there is more than one boxer, but this is clearly a very special boxer. I don't think Duke will be in my home for long.
