5/22/05 - Just a quick update on my baby...he is wonderful!! I can't imagine a day without him. My dad is very very ill and poor Dakota has been moping a bit because of it. Other than that, he is a wonderful family member and we all love him very much!

1/24/05 - Quick update on my Dakota baby...he continues to do wonderfully in our home. Finally he showed some excitement to go outside yesterday and play in the snow..normally he runs out, does his business and runs right back in but the snow really excited him. The only thing that sort of disappoints me is that he does not appear to be gaining any more weight. He is nice and solid and the last time I took him for a check up he weighed 67 pounds so he is healthy but I kind of thought he might put on a few more pounds. He still has his toy that he stole from his foster although it is getting seriously ragged. He chews through most of his toys in no time. He still prefers to sleep under my 7 yo's bed which is funny cause I can hear him snoring all the way downstairs. Anyway, all seems to be well..One of these days when life is not so hectic I will try to post some new pics of him.

12/24/04 - I have been absolutely horrible with updating and I apologize for that! I almost forget Dakota has not been part of my family always, he fits in so perfectly here! Back in November my dad had a quad bypass and Dakota was miserable while he was in the hospital. We were a little worried about his return since my dad loves to wrestle and was under strict orders for no exertion but Dakota was awesome!!!! I brought Dad home from the hospital and Dakota stayed right at his side. Not once did this wonderful companion jump on him or try to play fight. He seemed to understand what my dad had experienced and smothered him in kisses at every opportunity! Dakota has played a huge role in my dad's successful recovery! For a while there, Dad experienced some depression and withdrawal and Dakota stuck by his side and offered his unquestioning love and companionship. I truly truly love this guy!

9/22/04 - Well it's been awhile since I updated my Dakota baby's page. Let me start off by saying he is a cool dog! :) He is so happy and personable and his wiggles are just great to behold. He literally folds himself in half in excitement and always make me laugh to see it.
He is eating great. I am feeding him hard puppy kibbles mixed with soft can food and he devours it. He has gained weight since I got him and he looks absolutely marvelous! He is, however, a messy eater but I have gotten used to having to clean up after him. He finally eats treats and bones too which is nice!
He has gotten very secure and spontaneous here. He doesn't cower if we yell and act crazy and he definitely makes his opinion known! Just tonight I was wrestling with my son and Dakota let me know in no uncertain times to take it easy with his skin brother.
My father is very attached to this crazy mongrel also! My dad called me from his cell phone while on a cruise in Alaska - not to check on me or the kids but to find out how Dakota is.
Dakota is still very finicky about being put outside to do his business but he is getting better. Knock on wood we have not had any accidents in awhile.
He is just so silly and fun. He follows me everywhere and loves to try to get in the shower with me. Even when he is annoying he is adorable.

8/10/04 - Dakota is fitting in nicely with my clan! I have finally found the right mix to his food (Mr. Picky likes soft food mixed in with his hard kibbles) and he now devours his bowls. He has chosen under my bed as his sleeping area and acts like my 3rd son.Dakota loves to play, often waking me up god-awful to romp and jump around. His boxer wiggles are awesome to behold and he has a mugg only a mother can love (and I dearly do!)
I take him for walks daily and he is doing better on a leash although he still pulls somewhat. He does not seem to realize to go to the bathroom during these walks and when at home he is worse than my 3 year old (sometime waiting to go until he can barely hold it!) He seems to be afraid I will leave him outside but I think he knows he does not need to fear us.
Dakota is getting very strong and has added on some weight. He appears to favor his right leg sometimes and I plan on having my vet check into that but other than that he is doing really good.
Dakota is definitely my puppy. He accepts me as the alpha and is very protective of me. He is starting to become a barker (he really dislikes my neighbors..lol but that is ok because so do I) and he has this really deep baritone bark.
All in all Dakota is a wonderful friend and companion. He lets me hug and cuddle on him and then we play fight (I have been winning but if he gets much stronger I know that will quickly stop!) P.S. Dakota snores...LOUDLY. I got rid of my ex for less but Dakota is definitely a keeper!!!! :) 

7/28/04 - OK, it has only been a couple of days but Daokta deserves an update already :). I was lucky enough to meet and adopt this adorably ugly/cute gentleman after losing my beloved Chapin two weeks previously. Upon our first meeting, Dakota was curious about my dad and me but otherwise could care less we were at his foster mom's place talking about him. He readily hopped into my car and settled down for the 3 hour ride home. The first day was a little awkward with everyone mistakenly calling him Chapin (including me) but he took it like a trooper.
Dakota had me nervous the first 24 hours because he showed no interest in his water or food bowls and was a little frightened of my backyard. On our walks, he was more interested in trying to visit every house we passed instead of going to the bathroom and we had 1 accident that first night. Since then however he has acclimated nicely to our family.
Dakota now gobbles all of his food and enjoys romping in the yard although he still views his walks as social missions (lol). He has chosen my bedroom as his place to sleep and has the annoying but cute habit of waking me up god-awful early to play. Dakota loves to chew on toes and fingers but he is so gentle with the kids!
My dad loves to play with this great guy but I have noticed all of us holding back a little for fear of his getting hurt as Chapin seemed to have done and another tragic accident occurring but we are all slowly learning each other.

7/25/04 - Dakota has been adopted.

7/19/04 - Dakota is pending adoption

7/15/04 - I noticed my boy took it upon himself to do an update but I would like to add to it. I don't understand why he is even here. Dakota is great he is a bundle of love. Fully house broken and a good listener. I think the best home for Dakota will have a large place for him to run, another dog to play with perhaps as he said a submissive female maybe a little younger then his current big sister. Dakota is vocal about people being outside he lets you know when someone is around. We are trying to get used to this because we live on a dead end street and are a very friendly neighborhood so everyone is always out. Maybe a home without such a hustle bustle neighborhood would be better for him unless you are the type of family that doesn't mind barking. We are trying to stop this behavior but hey he's a dog they bark. Dakota has been great with my children 6 & 2. He sleeps on the floor next to the bed from 10 to 6:30. When he wakes up he is ready to play. Dakota would be fine in a kitty friendly home he is more interested in them but knows to leave ours alone (she is not doggy friendly). Dakota is not crate trained but is perfectly trustworthy out of one there would be no reason to crate him. He has no accidents in the house and has not touched anything that doesn't belong to the dogs. He is funny with toys he takes out all the squeaky toys and puts them in a pile and then chooses which one to play with. This usually lasts 5 minutes then he drops it and picks another. Dakota has a face only a mother could love and boy do I love it. He is so darn ugly he's cute. P.S. Dakota's nickname could be houdini as he has escaped a couple of times he is a good boy though and comes back when he is called after a short run. Although he is perfectly fine with my baby a home with slightly older kids 5 & up might be good for him since they are old enough to understand not to let the dog out (even though it was my husband who let him escape the last time) Gotta be quick! Please consider this boy for your home he deserves and wont disappoint

7/12/04 - Hi everyone Dakota here I decide to write in search of my forever home I plan to do the choosing for myself this time since it hasn't worked for me the other way around. Here are my criteria for my new family if you feel you can fill this criteria send in your apps and take me home :
1. Looking for a family who will treat me right not leave me tied up all day or in a crate.
2. I want a family who believes patience and training are the ways to a good happy dog not harsh discipline (I think you know what I mean)
3. Large fenced yard where I can run and play free (I have escaped a few times when the youngest skin kid here opened the door she's only 2 but I was told we were bold me for running and her for letting me out we were forgiven quickly though)
4. I wouldn't mind having a big sister like I have here. She is 5 and very passive so she lets me have my way
5. Lets face it, I'm 1 and a half whatever that means and I have lots of love in me. I'm a baby so yeah I have energy but I can also be very calm and I'm a good boy. I'm fully house broken not one single accident (my foster Mom is happy about that she said her steam cleaner needed a break) This is my list, it is not much, but these things are important to me. I promise to be a good boy and I will not make you sorry you took me in. I deserve a second chance and I deserve the best!

7/11/04 - Well, my boy Dakota left CT to go to his foster home in Troy, NY. I was very sad to see him go as he is such a nice boy. But I told him, as we said good-bye, that BAR was going to find him the best "forever" family that we could find for him where he will never have to be kenneled or tied outside all the time. We'll find him a loving family maybe with kids and another dog who will give him time and patience and train him in what is expected of him. I have already heard from his new foster home and they are very pleased with him. Look for more updates and new pictures.

7/10/04 - Boy, what a difference a couple days in a real home has made on this boy. He has settled down considerably and actually does know some commands. He was just so happy to be out of a crate or kennel that he was very exuberant at first. But now he is eating well, sleeping on a nice doggie bed, chewing on a bone and loves everyone. The first day, he was afraid of my husband when he came home in his police uniform (his first owner was a police offices and he must have some bad memories) and he barked at him and would not go near him. Yesterday, when Bill was in his regular clothes, Dakota was all over him with love and kisses. My 5 yr old grandson met him yesterday and he was very gentle with him and they got along beautifully. This is one all around great little boy!

7/8/04 - I picked up Dakota from a CT shelter this morning and what a happy peppy boy he is. He is a beautiful dark brindle male with the longest tongue that I have ever seen! He is on the small side for a male Boxer and probably weights between 55 and 60 lbs. He isn't skinny, as a matter of fact, he is just about right. He has the cutest kidney bean dance that I have ever seen. He is obviously starved for attention and is just all over everyone he meets. From the info we have, he was either crated all the time or tied outside with very little human interaction. He rode like a perfect gentleman on the way home and has rested nicely on a comfy doggie bed in our foster suite this afternoon.
He wants to please and will sit (on your foot) if you tell him to, but he has had little or no training and has no idea what is expected of him or how he should act. Anyone adopting him will definitely have to take him to obedience training and be willing to work with him. With lots of love and patience this little guy has the potential to be a wonderful family dog.

From the shelter: Dakota is a great dog. Purebred Boxer He is about 1.5 old. He is good with other dogs, cats, and OLDER children. He knocks young kids down with his high energy and joy of life. He would do best in an active household. He has has his rabies, distemper and bordatella vaccines. He had a HW check and is heartworm negative.