Back toSABRE 1/12/03
Adopted
2/14/03
Pictures
Sabre's Foster Journey
Sabre's
Pertinent Information
2 year old Flashy Brindle Male
48 lbs. (too skinny)
Cropped Ears and Docked Tail
Shelter Surrender
UTD and will be Neutered when he is Healthier
Being Fostered Near Willimantic, CT
Adoption Donation $200
9/8/03 - I have been at my forever home for just over six months. It is a great place to live and I am really loving it. There is a lot going on here; lots of family and friends coming and going. They tell me how handsome I am. I give them lots of hugs and very wet kisses. They don't seem to mind. I have a sister named Zoe. She is six years old and is sometimes jealous of the affection I get. She gets down in the dumps and mopes around. This upsets my mother and she tries to give Zoe some special attention and then it's my turn to get annoyed. I just push my way in and demand love and attention. Zoe thinks I am too pushy. There is a black cat named Ralph who lives here. He seems to think he is king of the house. I have tried to let everyone know that I am king...no one is buying it, especially Ralph. We tolerate each other much better all of the time. He used to swat me with his ten inch claws (okay, so I am exaggerating a little) and sometimes he even drew a little blood. Let me tell ya, this is not fun. I love to go for rides in the car. My mom takes us out for rides at least once a day. When she gets out of the car I play a game and try to scare as many people as possible when they walk by my car. I bark and get the car bouncing all over the place. Zoe looks at me with sheer humiliation. I am trying to work on this. Mom talks to me about it constantly and praises me when I ignore people near my car. Well I've had a great summer and I am really looking forward to the cool Autumn days and nights. I tend to overheat during the hot days. I know my forever family really loves me. When there is a problem they work to find a solution. They want to make this the happiest home for all of us. I sleep in bed with Mom, Ralph and Zoe. Mom loves how soft and cuddly I am. Speaking of which...it's time to get off the computer and run up to bed. I hope all of my old friends at the pound have found nice homes like mine.
6/29/03 - Sabre has been in his forever home for
4 months. He has presented me with many challenges but nothing that we
haven't been able to work through. Sabre is an extremely affectionate boy
who loves to give huge hugs and kisses to those he loves. He is a big fan
of children and loves to have them snuggle up and sleep on him. At night
he is all mine and always choses to sleep next to me with his head on the
pillow. He is a beautiful fellow and has filled out and muscled up; he is
very healthy, strong and a candidate for Boxer GQ!
Sabre has had some serious domination issues. He tried chasing our
neighbors off their property, decided the UPS man needed to be terrified
of him, can't be sociable to other dogs, dislikes most men, likes women,
cats are fair game and no one in their right mind would come within 10
feet of the car when Sabre is in it. How are these issues being resolved?
It has been very expensive and time consuming to get Sabre to come around
to our way of thinking/behaving. We now have an invisible fence that
limits him to 2 acres of lawn and keeps him away from the neighbors. He
was too hostile to go to obedience school so he is being "privately
tutored" by an excellent trainer and is going to doggie daycare 1 to
2 times a week to learn socialization. This has been most helpful and he
is no longer having "incidents" with other dogs. He is
definitely feeling more mellow yet at home he still likes to be "head
of household". He has learned to: come when he is called, sit, stay
and lie down. He is learning situational awareness and is a cherished
member of this family. The harder I have to work with this gem, the more I
love him and the greater the rewards. We still have some ground to cover
but things are so much more comfortable for all of us.
3/23/03 - Sabre came home on Valentine's Day; this turned out to be a sad day as my Dad died that evening. Poor Sabre was introduced to his 6 year old sister, Zoe, and 2 furry cats, Ralph and Lamie, that he thought were 'animated' play toys!! Add people 'coming and going' to this and it must have seemed like madness to Sabre. It was very hard on me, needless to say, to keep the cats safe and to try to spend the time and give the love Sabre needed while making final arrangements for Dad. He is a very affectionate boy and it didn't take him long to steal my heart! His adjustment to the cats is still a work in progress. He still terrorizes them on a daily basis but they have learned how to move from one safe haven to another without getting caught. I don't think he wants to kill them, just play and gain their respect. He and Zoe have had a few issues and I can't say she is very excited about having him in her space. He is very strong and just bulldozes his way around. She is a very small female who likes to be left alone once in awhile. She does enjoy outdoor play and tug-o-war. She had lost weight but is now regaining. Sabre is 73 lbs. and this is where his vet wants him to stay. He will be starting obedience training at John's Doghouse in a few weeks and I think this will be most helpful. He usually comes when he is called although he does have a stubborn streak and a mind of his own when it serves him. He has improved on every score in the last month. His vet feels that he is a very insecure dog who will make great progress over time. He had separation anxiety the first two times (pooped, chewed, destroyed!!) I left him home with Zoe. Now they are perfect angels when left alone, which is rare and for very short intervals. He loves riding in the car, long or short, near or far!! He's a traveler!! I don't restrain him - he is king!! He has the run of the house, along with the other pets, and sleeps with me at night. He is a cuddler at night and forgets to be a guard.
2/10/03 - I thought you would all like an update on
Sabre this morning. Today he went in for his neuter, and Sabre's lungs are
completely clear of pneumonia, and he weighed in at 70.7 lbs. which gives
him a gain of 22.7 pounds since entering rescue.
Your prayers and good thoughts worked wonders, and I would like to thank
everyone who donated on his behalf.
When the vet tech who processed his admission today saw him, she was
stunned. "This is that poor rack of bones we had downstairs?" He
was in isolation due to his pneumonia and his susceptibility to germs.
Well, needless to say others came in to see him, and he was all wiggly and
happy to greet everyone.
Sabre's recipe for success:
Boxer Angels Volunteers (FIRST AND FOREMOST) every last one of you, and
the love you sent his way.
25 pounds of hamburger
5 pounds of whole grain rice
10 pounds of carrots
8 cans of green beans
2 pounds of Pastina (recommended by Jan and Liz M.)
64 pounds of Purina Pro Plan Lamb and Rice
10 lbs. of Eukenuba Prescription Maximum Calorie and Nutrition Kibble.
2 weeks worth of antibiotics
And love, cuddles and prayers.
I personally would like to thank my fellow Directors, Tina, Jean, Gary,
and Karen for all of their support during Sabre's recovery. And Liz
Morgan, I wish you could see this "Rack of Bones" you picked up,
because he is beautiful, healthy and very puppyish.
THANK YOU ONE AND ALL
1/31/03 - I promised an update after Sabre went
to the vet's this week, so, here we go. Sabre weighed in at 60.6
pounds, yes, you all read it right, he has gained a whopping 12 pounds in
10 days. As you can see from his newest pictures this boy is changing
daily, not only physically but his attitude as well. He has become bouncy,
happy, more energetic and playful by the day. He also remains a lean mean
eating machine, so I am sure by the time he is neutered on 2/10 he will be
his normal weight, he is still eating separate from my dogs, as Pace only
allows Robi in his space, and Ebony, well, she has her own little issues
with food.
He is getting along great with all my dogs, but plays mostly with Pace (my
dominant male) and Robi, my submissive female who plays with all the
fosters.
The best part is, he will also play by himself with his squeaky toys,
which are
his favorites, of course you can also find him hogging the stuffed volley
ball
and teasing Robi to play tug of war with him.
Now even better yet, this handsome boy is potty trained, crate trained,
and
almost Cat trained. We have graduated to leaving the cats alone providing
they stay under the dining room table, if he hears them jump down he is
like a
brindle flash to the kitchen and usually gets there just in time to see
them jump over the gate to safety. He is doing much better with the kitty
cats, and
I'm pretty sure with patience and work, he will be fine. So now
everyone is all caught up to date with Sabre. He is proof, good
food, good care and lots of cookies later, he is a normal, happy young
boxer boy.
Thank you everyone, for all your prayers and positive thoughts for this
boy.
They worked wonders.
1/26/03 - Sabre had a very busy weekend, went visiting at a fellow volunteers home, he met 2 little pugs and a female boxer without problems, lots of activity all day and although barked often in his crate for attention, he does not bark or fuss in his crate at my home. Sabre is finally strong and healthy enough to meet my dogs and see how he interacts, and I must say, I am very impressed with this boy. Although he is not neutered yet, as we will be seeing Dr. Geer on Tuesday, he was playful with my submissive girl Robi, was submissive with my dominant male Pace (the king of dominance) and did well with my shy unpredictable female Ebony. And best of all, he seems to have accepted the presence of my cats, and we are now keeping the gate down to allow more movements for my cats (although they seem to prefer living under my dining room table at the moment.) As I type up this update on Sabre, all four dogs are napping, all within 4 feet of each other somewhat spread out in my den area. OOOps, almost forgot to tell everyone, that Sabre ,although he can eat like a horse, when you give this boy a doggy cookie he is as gentle as a lamb. He makes this cute little O with his mouth and I push the cookie into his mouth, and sometimes he takes it from my fingers, never even touching them. What a great boy he is, and Sabre has an abundance of love to share, are you going to be the lucky recipient?
1/23/03 - Hi everyone, Sabre is having a great week. He is eating extremely well and packing on the pounds daily. He has been showing interest in the cats, but, he will come away from them when called or if you are fixing food, which he gets 4 times a day right now. Although we are cautious with the kitty's here at The Boxer Wings Cottage, I honestly feel with a little work and patience Sabre will be fine in a home with cats. Now that Sabre is getting stronger and healthier, we will be introducing him to my dogs over the weekend. They do have contact now between the baby gates and the crate, I did not feel he was strong enough to handle socializing with them until now. With Sabre feeling better now, he loves to play with plush, squeaky toys, the nosier the better. He also has this cute habit of singing to the toy while squeaking it. It's not something I have heard a boxer do before. He actually sounds like he's humming to it. He has 3 favorite toys so far, a baby's soft block that his rescuer Liz gave him, a wiggly-giggly ball inside a soft stuffed pigs head, and a squeaky bunny my Ebony got for Christmas. This bunny is the one he sings to, sleeps with, and carries everywhere with him. (Looks like I may just have to send this bunny home with him when his forever family comes for this boy.) Today while I was outside in the fenced yard with him, he decided to bark at the neighbor who pulled into my driveway. Yes everyone, he does have a voice. He's been so quiet that I was wondering myself if he can bark, but he showed be that he has a great voice and will alert you when he thinks things are not quiet what and where they should be. Sabre would like to thank everyone who has sent their prayers and donations for his healthy recovery. Today, he is now cough free and no longer has nasal discharge of any kind. He will continue on antibiotics and cough surpressant for 3 more days, then I am hoping that his diarrhea ends then as well, and he will be returning to see Dr. Geer on Tuesday for a recheck and we hope an appointment to be neutered. So keep watching as this boy grows into the strong, bouncy and happy healthy boxer boy he was meant to be. Also good news, this boy is crate trained and house trained. Yippeeeeee.
1/20/03 - I would like to update everyone on
Sabre this morning, since you were all here for us with a great deal of
support and prayers for this boy.
Sabre is doing very well, his nasal discharge is clearing, and his cough
today is considerably better. Hardly noticeable. He is now more curious of
his surroundings, investigating the back yard a little, and he seems to
really appreciate this freedom. He has investigated the whole back yard,
seems to respect the boundaries of the fence, and enjoy the paths my dogs
have made to move around the parameter.
Sabre has met the resident kitty's and although very curious and watchful
for short periods of time, he will turn away when you call his name and he
will leave them with a little encouragement (besides a baby gate separates
them). I have not gotten the impression that he wants to hunt them
down, but we will proceed in this area slowly for the sake of my kitty's.
As for the dogs, Pace, Robi and Ebony, well we have made more progress
here as well, being in the weakened condition he is and having also been
contagious, the access to them have been limited between baby gates, and
Sabre in his crate. He no longer growls at them nearly as much as he did
in the beginning. Again, his weakened condition would make him feel very
vulnerable, so I'm really happy to see him wag his little nubbin at them
when he sees them. Sometimes he actually shows signs of wanting to maybe
play with them, but he just isn't ready for that yet. He seems fine with
one at a time as well, while the 3 together seem to overpower his sense of
well being and he gets very cautious. This is also improving daily. So far
we are just
taking everything on a much slower schedule with Sabre than I have with
any other dog because of his weakened condition.
Food on the other hand, well, this boy can sure eat, and the weight is
going on his rack of bones at a nice pace. You can run your hand down his
body and actually feel some meat between the skin and his bones. He has a
beautiful silky coat and his collar is going to need to be loosened very
soon.
He walks calmly on a leash with next to no pulling at all, but does not
respond to the word heal or wait. He has adjusted his own water intake
beautifully and drinks normal amounts now, along with 4 healthy meals a
day as well as his yogurt once a day.
Sabre is also crate trained and quiet as can be in it, sleeps thru the
night and takes many naps in it, and seems to be very comfortable with the
crate. He makes no attempts to sleep on the furniture, but loves to
snuggle in the comfy dog beds through out the house as well as his crate.
So, thankfully, this boy is DEFIANTLY on the road to recovery. He is
going to be a beautiful and healthy boy in not time at all. Again, your
support hand encouragement have helped make this a great new beginning for
Sabre, and on his behalf, I thank you all.
1/15/03 - All your good thoughts and prayers for
Sabre seem to be working everyone.
I did go and visit with Sabre yesterday, when I brought my vet the pee
pads, blankets and towels that are so popular with our foster homes, that
my hospital donates weekly to BAR.
I was greeted by a stronger, happier, brighter boy than yesterday. He
greeted me with the tiniest kisses, and a very active nubbin waggin, and
he even did a little kidney bean dance. I can't begin to tell you what
this did for my heart.
I spent about 45 minutes with him and I wanted to scoop him up right then
and there and take him home, but I also could see the discharge is still
prominent and he is still coughing, but his attitude is good, and the
antibiotic IV is working for him. He still has fluctuating low grade
fever, BUT, he is drinking water and eating like the starving boy he is.
He is getting plenty of human company, while he is in isolation as the
business
staff is right around the corner from him, and the techs go down and visit
often. I spoke with at least 4 of them yesterday who came down to see him
while I visited, and he has made a great impression on everyone, including
Dr. Geer. He still had diarrhea as of yesterday, but it is showing signs
of firming up at least a little.
So, please keep him in your thoughts, because he needs all your help, and
it is working. It looks as though he will be released from the hospital
tomorrow (Thursday) and come home to The Boxer Wings Cottage. (Yesssssssss)
I am really looking forward to that moment.
Again, thank you ALL for your support.
1/14/03 - First I would like to thank you all for
your concern, prayers and good wishes for Sabre.
I spoke with Dr. Geer this morning and Sabre is doing better, still has a
racking cough, and a low grade fever, but he is doing better. He is also
very contagious, and all those who did come in contact with him prior to
the pneumonia diagnosis have been notified of that. He will probably
have to stay at the Veterinary Hospital until Thursday.
His physical condition however is subject to a great deal of concern
still, but his prognosis is very positive and he should recover 100%.
Sabre weighed in at 48 lbs. while he should be 65-70 lbs. at the very
least, his neuter will have to wait until his pneumonia clears and he
gains weight. He is being wormed, although what consisted of a stool
sample did not show worms on first examination. The blood in his stool is
from his poor nutrition and severe dehydration. There is no indication of
Colitis at this time, and he is heartworm negative.
I am planning on going in to see him in the next few hours and I will let
you all know how he is doing then. Thank you again for all of your support
and prayers, and I am thankful to Gary and his persistence in getting him
to rescue and Liz who helped by getting him to us physically.
Thanks to Boxer Angels this boy will survive and flourish.
1/12/03 - We
have a new arrival here at The Boxer Wings Cottage. Sabre, arrived,
in rather emaciated condition. Caked in fecal matter, urine, and
green discharge from his nose and eyes.
Thanks to the rapport that our volunteers have developed with local
shelters, one of them called to alert us to the condition of this boy, and
wanted our help to get him out ASAP.
Thanks to Liz and Gary, Sabre is here with me now. Thanks to Andy,
Kylie and Karen whose home we stopped at to have pictures taken for this
web page.
Jan rode with me to pick him up and stayed and helped me bath him and dry
him. We have cooked up hamburg, rice, pastina, and fresh carrots for him
to start back on his road to recovery and he will be seeing the vet
tomorrow.
He seems to be adjusting well, he has had water and food, and has gone
potty outside, and is once again sleeping in his crate, with my dogs all
snoozing around it.
He is presently wearing a fleece doggy coat (which he is swimming in) but
it will give him the warmth that his body needs right now, without
depleting his energy to do so.
Sabre was great for his bath, and is far more comfortable now, and I will
feed him again around 9pm. I gave him lots of fleece pads to sleep
on, so he is nice and comfy.
He also got a peak at the cats on the deck. He actually pounced at
the door and bumped his nose. (No damage done) Next time he
was them on the deck he sat down and just watched them eat. The 3rd
time he watched for a minute then came in the kitchen to watch me making
his dinner. We'll see how things go with kitty's later.
Wish him luck everyone, he is a very sick boy with a racking cough, green
discharge from nose and eyes, and a skeleton with skin.
1/12/03 - We have seen other Boxers come into
rescue in horrible condition, but this poor little boy is one of the worst
cases we have seen lately. We received an emergency call to come
pick this boy up as he needs immediate veterinary care. BAR
responded to the plea from the shelter and sent our emergency rescue team
immediately. The Boxer Angel who picked him up says, "Well,
if we thought Billy Boy was in bad shape...this sweet gentle soul is
actually thinner. He is a skeleton who looks like a dog you would see on
an ASPCA donation can. He is a beautiful brindle boy.... ate
puppy treats.. loved the squeaky baby toy I gave him!!
I know the first order of business is a meal and a bath!!!! He is so dirty
and has dried feces stuck to him. The white on his paws is also
brown and yellow! He is now in good hands!!"
Boxer
Angels
Jean Covey
Nancy Lawson
Erika Carlson
LeeAnn Cronin
Dawn Passaro
Helen Sweeney
Robin Dudik
Donna DeSantis
James & Diana Tipping
Mary Mangiacasale Jacqueline Noble
***************
After 2 Weeks
With BAR
