5/8/07 - Time for a Mugsy update...this big boy has been doing well.   
His owner had told me that he has an "issue" with his ears, apparently he does not like to have them touched.  Well, I instructed my 3 children NOT to touch his ears, and I began to try and desensitize him of this by touching his ears myself while letting him know it was "ok".  All was going well until a friend of my daughter got a warning snap from him when she touched one of his ears roughly while petting him.  So off to the vet we went, and the vet said that he had a bad yeast infection in his ears which is very uncomfortable for him.  Mugsy was so good at the vet's office with all of the people and other dogs...but he did cry out and give the vet a warning when he went to look in that same ear.   For this reason, I feel that families with young children would not be the best situation for Mugsy.  Children over eight or so, who are able to understand that his ears are not to be touched should be fine for Mugsy because in every other way he has been excellent with my children.  He was given ear drops to treat the problem and he has been letting me put the drops in each day without giving me any problems at all.  Other than that, Mugsy is still wonderful.  He certainly is not a jogging partner, or an agility dog...though he makes a nice companion for my girl who is both.  I think she has shown him how to play "boxer style", and he has shown her the value of a good nap!  They play nice together, never a single problem at all. But then they both settle down nicely and enjoy a marrow bone or a nice snooze.  Mugsy adapted so quickly, and learned house rules so fast since he came here that it feels like he has always been with us, and he is welcome to stay until the perfect forever family is found for this beautiful boy!

4/30/07 - Mugsy had a great weekend.  We had a big family party here with about 45 people and he was excellent.  I don't think there was a single person who did not tell me what a sweet boy he is.  However...Mugsy did not hesitate to try to use his cuteness to solicit "handouts".  He will actually whine at you to try and get you to give him food.  He did this so much more often when he first came to us, I think he realizes now that whining will not get him anything (I wish my kids would make that connection!) 
I did find something that Mugsy needs to work on...taking treats gently.  I still do not allow my kids to give him any because he can take a whole hand in with a treat!  He is a big dog with big jaws (and a big appetite).  I show him a treat and remind him to do "easy", and he is getting better at it.  Speaking of big jaws... Mugsy just loves to play with squeaky toys!  He will get a hold of one and just squeak & squeak it until it does not squeak anymore.  He does not destroy his toys, he shares them with my girl and plays very nicely.  But I guess he is just so strong that he breaks the squeaker without meaning to.  He also enjoys chewing on marrow bones, and is always willing to give them up to me when I ask. 
Now all he needs is to find his forever family...could that be you?

4/22/07 - Hurray!  Mugsy Bugsy got his sutures removed from his neuter and now he and Nikkie can play!  It has been hard to make sure he did not rip any sutures over the past 2 weeks in this house.  My girl is real young and loves to play...she has done her best to try to engage Mugsy into playing hard with her, but as always, he listened to me when I told him "enough".  BUT, let me tell you, I was in for a little surprise...I thought because he was a little on the heavy side, and because he is generally a real calm boy that he just wasn't the real playful type.  Boy was I wrong!  He can whip it up if he wants to!  He and my girl really played for the first time, and he had a blast!  Honestly, someone is going to be so lucky (and thrilled) to adopt him.  He is truly a wonderful boy in every way.  He is so affectionate with us.  He kidney beans himself into a U when wagging his tail (and his entire back end).  He is so full of love!  All of the kids in the neighborhood adore him, he gets so many kisses and hugs from everyone who comes over.  He has such a silly personality too.  Watching him jumping in the air to pop bubbles as the kids were blowing them was hysterical!  Mugsy is also a super watchdog, he really seems to know when he should alert me, and when it is safe to ignore.  He has great manners with visitors, and is just an all around excellent boy!

4/14/07 - Mugsy is just so wonderful!!!  I have really fallen in love with him (so has everyone who comes to our home), I know I am going to miss this guy so much when he goes to his forever family.  He is just such a good boy! There are so many wonderful things about him.  He is left alone each day with my girl with free run of the house and never touches anything.  He is excellent with children, and other dogs.  He has been introduced to several dogs while here, and loves them all.  I would love to see Mugsy go to a home where he will have a companion dog.  He truly enjoys the company of my girl and likes to be with her all the time.  He plays nice with the toys and is always willing to share.  More than anything though, Mugsy LOVES his walks!  You can almost read a book while walking him, as he enjoys just strolling along.  I do think he has lost a few lbs while here with us too!  He is just so easy going, and very affectionate.  He follows me around the house while I sing "I only have eyes for you", as I can tell he adores me as much as I do him.

4/9/07 - Mugsy continues to do very well in our home.  Today he was neutered, and is now resting comfortably.  When I went to pick him up after his surgery, he was soooo happy to see me!  I got so many kisses!  When we arrived back home he was all wags & wiggles, greeting everyone like he had just been to the park!  The last few days have been a lot of fun with Mugsy here.  My daughter was practicing playing the trumpet the other day, and while most of us made our way to another room, Mugsy not only stayed, but also began to sing (howl) along with her!  It was hysterical!!!  He really has such a great personality and he is very smart too.  He knows that daily walks are part of our routine here, and will remind me several times a day, (just in case I forget) :o)  He and my girl Nikkie play very well together. Mugsy will make a great companion for another dog no matter what their activity level is.  My girl is real active...but with Mugsy here they are not out of control blasting through the house, they just play nice together and then relax.
Ok, so no dog is perfect, including Mugsy.  He does like to eat and since he was used to getting a lot of "hand-outs" and table scraps in his last home, he is learning (and not liking) that we do not do that here.  I do have to tell him to leave the kitchen when we are eating, or he will stare and wait for someone to hopefully give him something.  Other than that, I really do not have any complaints about him...he is great with the kids, great with my boxer girl, walks nicely on the leash, does not jump on people, does not counter surf, loves to go in the car, is very affectionate, and always responds to a correction if he happens to forget himself once in a while.  What more can you ask for? 

4/4/07 - Mugsy is settling in very nicely  to our busy active home.  He is wonderful with my kids and listens very well.  He has gotten much better about trying to mount my female, and responds immediately to a stern "NO" if he forgets himself.  We went to the vet for his wellness exam and he was excellent!  He was a very good boy with the vet and is now all caught up on his vaccinations, all of the staff just loved him there. He rode very nice in the car too, he just laid down in the back of my SUV, happy to be going for a ride.  Did I tell you how much Mugsy LOVES to go for a walk?  We live right by the water with many geese and ducks around.  Mugsy barely noticed any of them as as he just strolled along taking in the beautiful views around him...he even trotted along a few times which was really cute!  In our house we go for walks every day...so this along with some diet changes should help to get some of those extra pounds off.  Mugsy will be getting neutered soon and then will be ready for his forever home.  He is a real easy going boy...he loves the company of another dog, male or female, but would also do well if he was alone because he loves the company of people just as much.  He is a very affectionate boy too, loves to get belly rubs, and gives the sweetest kisses.  So far I have left him home alone with free run of several rooms on the main floor and he has been just fine.  I usually find him napping in the sunshine when I return. Then it is all wiggles and wags when he sees that we are home, (and he never tries to jump on people...good thing!) 

4/1/07 - Please meet Mugsy.  He came to us today from a very broken-hearted owner who just did not have the means to keep him any longer.  He had lived with another male dog and 3 young children previously, and so far has been very sweet  and affectionate with my children.
 Mugsy is very overweight right now...but with the way he has been following my boxer girl all around NON STOP, I am sure he will begin to lose weight real fast!  He seems to be "in love" with my girl, and she really has taken a liking to him!  She does not appreciated him trying to mount her all of the time, especially since he weighs more than twice the amount that she does.  But they are kissing & playing together real nice otherwise.
 It is hard to tell if Mugsy knows many commands other than "sit", because he is so focused on my girl right now.  He does listen when we tell him to stop or knock it off.
 Mugsy does need some lead training as he is a very strong boy, but he responded nicely to correction when we went out for a walk today.
 I will be taking him to the vet to get him up to date on his vaccinations this week, and soon he will be neutered also.  Maybe after that "lover boy" will pay some attention to the rest of us so that we can get some of those kisses that he keeps giving to my Nikkie.  You have to admit...they do look cute together!