SatchelNeive082

Pertinent Information
3 to 4 year old White Deaf Male
55 lb. Shelter Surrender
Neutered and UTD
Being Fostered Near Scranton, PA/Binghamton, NY
Adoption Donation $200

4/22/04 - I can't believe we forgot to do Satchels 1 year update! And I get upset when our adopting families forget so we can't see how the dogs are doing. :-/ Anyhow - Satchel is fantastic - one of the best dogs I've ever owned - loves all the dogs we've had in the house, good with people and very tolerant of the kids. We purchased a Vari-Kennel for him so that we could work on the problem we were having with him peeing in the house since our wire kennel was destroyed by another dog we had here. He's actually done very well with this type of kennel - maybe he feels more secure in there with the solid sides, I'm not sure but as long as he has his peanut butter kong in his kennel when we leave he does fine. Satch and I still practice his stuff from basic obedience and I'm going to look into more advanced classes for him - I'd really like to see him be a therapy dog, I think he'd be fantastic at it. His mom just needs to be able to find the time to get him to classes so he can learn what he needs to know. I could really go on and on about this boy - everyone at the vet LOVES him, they were all talking about the boxer who was handing out kisses last time we were there. He's responded so well to positive training methods he'll do anything for a cat treat! The funny thing is, no one knows he's deaf unless I tell them, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't but I ALWAYS tell them about rescue. Since he's so handsome they all want to hear more - I try not to talk their ears off. :-)

7/13/03 - Satchel has turned into the official greeter for our foster dogs - he really has no problems with other dogs unless they're very aggressive then he has to 'assert' himself. He loves the kids, loves our other dogs, loves company - honestly he is just the best dog. We're battling some localized spots of demodectic mange right now but with the ivermectin and some vitamin supplements to help his immune system out I'm sure he'll do just fine. I think between being adopted, doing obedience and agility and having foster dogs in and out of the house he's just stressed. He and Bruno are wrestling all over the place and keep each other very busy - just like we planned! :0) We're still working on his separation anxiety/housebreaking issues and, hopefully, we'll have them worked out soon because Satch really would like to be out of the crate when we're not home, he's so much more comfortable when he is. We appreciate what everyone in BAR does so much because we can't imagine where this boy would be if it weren't for all of you! Probably still out on the streets in Scranton - or worse yet, euthanized because he's deaf!

4/12/03 - Satchel is still doing great! We start agility Tuesday and hopefully the weather will hold. Now if we could get him to stop peeing in the house. .

3/12/03 - 2 months in and Satchel is just the best thing since sliced bread! We're still crating him when we leave the house for his separation anxiety but he doesn't seem to mind too much - barks and carries on some and then settles down for a nap. He's got 3 weeks left in his obedience class and he's like an old pro - except for down, can't seem to get that one through his head yet, we'll keep working on it. Satchel has also noticed the fish in our big tank in the living room - he sits and watches them then, when he can't stand it anymore, jumps up to lick the glass and try to catch them. You should see the video! (Maybe we'll send it to Americas Funniest Home videos, then we'll have to donate some of his winnings to BAR!) We're still waiting for the weather to warm up to adopt a friend for him - I'm not sure the snow will ever melt - in the meantime he races Fred, the greyhound next door, and wrestles with his friends at obedience, Chloe the pitbull and Sam the golden retriever.

2/12/03 - Here we are - our 1 month update, it doesn't seem like it's been that long and it seems like it's been much longer. Satchel is getting along so well here - he is such a character. He went to his first obedience class last night (the first night, last week, was no dogs - so I took Mike - ha ha!) and he was the star of the class if I do say so myself. I admit I might be a little biased but he did very well with his sit/stay and even took a little nap while the trainer was talking to us. Being deaf must have it's advantages when 8 other dogs are barking! We've been taking him lots of places with us and he doesn't get anxious in the car anymore, I think he knows he's always coming home! He did break into the bathroom this morning where I had been thawing out his chicken for dinner and helped himself to a piece but considering there was 40 pounds in there I guess a snack was ok. We've started crating him again when we leave the house, he's not too happy about it - barking and whining but he settles down after a bit. He had started peeing all over the house again when we left him, he does fine in the crate - he's always sleeping when we get home. Hopefully we'll be able to work through this because we really would like to be able to leave him with free run of the place when we're out but the messes we getting out of control (peeing 2 or 3 places and sometimes pooping in the house!) At least he had common sense to make all his messes on the linoleum or the hardwood so I didn't have to clean the carpets - smart boy! We're working on his hand signals - and I think he knows them but he'd really prefer to perform only if you have a treat in your hand. The one he responds to consistently is come, which is very nice especially since he got out the front door the night before last when we were bringing in groceries. He only got as far as the end of the walk and came right back when called (whew.) We're going to have to work on sitting when the door opens since bolting seems to be his new pastime. He's definitely giving Snorty a work out - but they're playing together all the time and I think Snorty's acting less like an old man. It's been so long since he's had someone to play with since our other boy hadn't felt much like playing the year before he died. And keep your fingers crossed, I think I have my husband talked into one more boxer! So when the weather warms up I think we'll be hoping to adopt a girly to keep these boys in line - we hope to find a senior dog that's looking for a new home. Yipee! Pray for an early spring!

1/20/03 - Nieve (Satchel) is starting to settle in. He and Snorty (our Boston) are getting along pretty well, Snorty gets a little irritated sometimes because Satchel plays kind of rough when he gets going but we haven't had any showdowns. When I know Snorty has had enough I'll get Satchels attention and make him sit and settle down. That usually does the trick. The same goes for playing with our son - he's been a little rough a couple of times but the same trick works, and I've had to explain to Padraic more than once that running and bouncing, etc. make Satch think he wants to play so the trick is to stop when the dog starts to get mouthy and tell him "no" and to sit.

1/12/03 - Hi Robin! Nieve is doing SO well - he and Snorty are getting along swimmingly, much to my surprise, I thought there would be much more of an adjustment time! He loves the backyard! I think he just likes running - he's asked to go out several times and not had to "go", if you know what I mean, he just runs and runs. And he's been fantastic with the kids!
Thanks so much for everything! Katie

1/11/03 - I just got home from handing off Nieve to his new mom. In typical boxer fashion, he hopped into the van, perched himself on a seat and looked out the window as if to say "where we goin' now?" His mom, Katie, drove down from Albany by herself and I met her on the other side of Binghamton. I'm not sure if Nieve is going to be a surprise for the 2 kids or not. I took the camera to take pictures, but had to beat feet before wailing horribly in the parking lot. I will miss him. He's been with me the shortest time of any foster, and I think I loved him the most. He had learned five signs, and I know he could have learned more had it not been for the holidays and my surgery. Katie thought he had just the cutest face, but we all knew that. I sent him off with a new sweater, some toys and a big ham bone. I can't wait to hear how he's doing . . . he'll have 2 kids and a Boston terrier brother, a fenced yard, and a mom that works part time only. Thanks Tina for finding such a good home for this sweetie.

1/8/03 - As each day goes by, Nieve becomes more and more a happy boxer boy. He plays with Tyson and Mikey like they've been buds forever. And he's a really quick study on the nature of boxer play! He's so funny with all this snow, he doesn't quite know what to do with snow that comes up to his chest. He bounds like a rabbit. Nieve has fully acquainted himself with the duties of a house boxer: he knows where the door is to go out, he's not fussy at all about what chair or sofa he sleeps on, he's in on the bed at night before the other boys to get the spot closest to the person going to sleep, and even though he can't hear food being prepared, he's learned to watch whoever goes to the kitchen to see if just maybe he could have a cookie while they're there. He's still quite mesmerized by the kitties, I don't think he's ever met one before he got to camp. He's not aggressive, but is just a bit rough and doesn't understand that. Everyone who has met Nieve just raves about what a sweet boy he is and we couldn't agree more.

12/31/02 - Guess what? Santa found Nieve here in the Endless Mountains and left his Christmas presents here! Nieve, who was a street kid in his previous life, had no idea what to do with toys. Not anymore. In the past week, Nieve has found out that it's fun just being a Boxer! Just tonight I caught him trying to chase his stubby little tail. He's learned to play with other boxer kids as well as toys, that snow is a fun thing to play in when you have a nice warm house to come into afterwards. This boy is such a love I can't imagine what his life was like before. He's been wonderful with all the guests we've had over the holiday and everyone that's met him comments on what a swell guy he is. And it appears that Nieve got his Christmas wish: A very special someone phoned today to make plans for Nieve to become part of their happy household. I whispered this in his ear as I don't know all the signs for that message. Nieve will learn much more sign language with his forever family.

2/21/02 - Here at Boxer Camp we can't get over what a swell guy Nieve is. It seems that each camper that comes is better than the last. This boy is such a love. He's made himself right at home here. He plays so well with Mikey and Tyson that you'd never know he's only known them a week. He's getting much less curious of the kitties. He goes to the door when he needs to go out, has absolutely no food issues, is doing well with his sign language class, just an all around sweet boy. We hardly know he's here. Discovered one extra perk with having a deaf dog . . . you can sneak chips at 3 a.m. without them begging for any! It's great . . . no soulful eyes staring at you making you feel guilty for 1)not sharing or 2) eating junk food in the middle of the night. Nieve is such a great dog and deserves the very best family. Think you qualify?

12/18/02 - Nieve is settling in here quite nicely. He seems to be very appreciative of having a warm place to rest his head. He's eating well, getting along with Mikey, Tyson and Chester, although we have to work on the kitties. He's learned the signs for come and down pretty well and we'll be working on adding more to his vocabulary. It's amazing what a little love has done for this guy. He is definitely calmer, and seems receptive to learning. Having three young boxers playing in the middle of the living room is quite an experience for me . . . it's like boxerlympics! Keep your eyes on this guy, he's really a nice dog. Won't he look especially handsome with a big, red bow around his neck?

12/16/02 - Nieve was a stray in central PA that was picked up by a caring woman. When she realized he was deaf, she contacted Boxer Angels Rescue so that he could get the proper start to his new life. He has been neutered and just needs a fecal and HW test to be completely UTD. Nieve rode well in the car and didn't complain once about my singing. He met each resident boxer one-on-one and did well. We are going to be working on hand signals and good canine socialization skills with Nieve. Apparently no one took the time to work with him before turning him out to fend for himself. He's very soft and cuddly. Look for more updates in the next few days as we get to know Nieve better. I'm certain that with a small investment in time and patience, this boy will blossom and become the boxer boy he was meant to be.