NICK 12/11/04
Pictures
Nick's Foster Journey - Adopted 1/15/05
Post Adoption Pictures
Pertinent Information
9
yr. old Fawn Male Boxer
Shelter Surrender
Natural Ears and Docked Tail
Neutered and UTD
Being Fostered near Poughkeepsie, NY
Adoption Donation $100
1/15/06 - I know this update isn't necessary, but today marks one year that Nick came to me. I just wanted everyone to know that he's doing swell and enjoying his sister -- I'll send a photo along for posting. He's a Delta-certified therapy dog and enjoys visits to nursing homes with me. Thank you, BAR, for enriching my life with Nick!
7/16/05 -Congrats to Nick! He's now an official therapy dog and we've enjoyed a few nursing home visits already. He's also the proud brother of a baby sister, Casey Olivia, born April 30 (a yellow Lab). Oh sure ... he loves her lots! Here they are at posing for you ! Keep up the good work, BAR!
4/14/05 - What a dog my Nick is! We continue to train for therapy certification, hoping to pass the test late-June. The toenail he lost while at his foster home seems to be growing back and causing some pain, so the Vet put him on a combo anti-inflammatory / antibiotic ... the pain subsided that very night and he's been acting like a puppy ever since. He's had another play date with a friend's yellow lab -- they got along wonderfully ... AFTER Nick told him that HE was alpha ! Thank you, Boxer Angels Rescue, for bringing this sunshine into my life! Here's a picture of him waiting to be released to play in the yard (we just sectioned off our large fenced-in yard with a smaller area ... where I can watch for skunks when I let him out at night !).
3/15/05 - Nick continues to amaze me! He has recently passed his pre-screening for therapy training, and is enrolled in training classes that will lead us to certification in the June/July timeframe. (The requirement is that you own the dog for six months before it can be certified.) A week or so ago, he had a Chocolate Lab playmate for a day. After being properly introduced (thank you foster Mom, Susan, for your advice!), they were best buds. I just know that God brought me this dog! Keep up the good work, Boxer Angels Rescue! Here's a picture of Nick in our backyard ... trying to wake up the woodchucks!
2/13/05 - I continue to be amazed as to why anyone would have wanted to give Nick away. He has shown signs of being hand shy, flinching when I raise my hand near his face as if he thought I was going to hit him ... poor thing. He also watches me intently when I sniffle or blow my nose, making me think there was sadness in his previous home. I guess I'm trying to micro-analyze his past. All I know is that he is just the love of my life and he loves his new home. His separation anxiety is a bit better, although I don't leave him often or for very long. Today, he had the pleasure of eating deer droppings ... yum! (I have a barf bucket close by ... just in case!) Here's a cute picture of him on our back porch with his NY Yankees collar ... waiting patiently until I release him to go out!
1/20/05 - God sent this dog to me! Thank you so much to foster Mom, Susan, and to Pat and Gary ! Nick goes everywhere with me. He's definitely low maintenance, and my daily routine fits his schedule perfectly. We walk every morning (weather permitting), then frolic in our large backyard. The first time I took him back there, his reaction seemed to say, "Are you kidding me ... this is all MINE?" My friend let me borrow a hand-made coat, which fits him great. I'm impressed (and delighted) with the level of training this dog has had. His Vet thinks that he may be prematurely gray, and be more like 5 or 6 years old ... sure hope so! He's had a play date with two of my friend's dogs and they got along splendidly. He bolted for a rabbit last night, which wasn't pleasant and it took a bit to bring him under control (in the freezing cold). Also, I probably made the wrong decision yesterday by leaving him uncrated (free roam) for 2 hours while I went to the doctors. I used my video camera so I could see how he did, and my heart broke when I heard him crying and pacing from room to room ... to where ever he could look outside for me. I'm sure the crate would have been a better choice, and I will leave him uncrated for only short periods of time so he can adjust. I felt so bad after all he's been through. He's his old happy self now and we're thrilled to have him in our home.
1/16/05 - Nick is a dream! We stopped at a few places on the way home and he was a delightful traveler. So far, he fits right in with our family routine. Our house has been busy since his arrival with family and friends stopping by for introductions ... and to bring gifts and treats -- Nick is loving every minute of it! We've met two neighborhood dogs on our daily walks -- one with no issues, but Nick felt he needed to put the other guy in his place. It wasn't much of a confrontation and the dogs went along their merry way. He had no problem today with me brushing him, clipping his nails, scraping tartar off (and brushing) his teeth. As he sleeps on his living room bed, I'm thanking Boxer Angels Rescue for saving his life for us!
1/15/05 - Nick left with his new forever Mom this afternoon. Nick was a complete JOY to have around and he will be truly missed! The one thing that made the parting so much easier was knowing that Nick would have his very own house with owners who will love him to death! I warned him last night before he had is final sleep in our home, "Are you ready to get spoiled rotten?". Nick's new home is the perfect fit for him- people who have searched him out and been watching his updates and have wanted, wanted, wanted him, from the beginning. It was bitter sweet as he was our first foster and his buddy Roscoe (our Boxer) had come to enjoy his company goofy behavior. Thanks go out to Sally and her husband to welcome in Nick and be so generous to Boxer Angels- he is one VERY LUCKY DOG!
1/14/05 - Nick is pending adoption
1/9/05 - It has been almost one
month since we have had Nick come into our home and share his life with
us.
He is our first foster and I am starting to wonder what it will be like
when the right home comes along for him
and he will no longer be with us. We have all grown close to Nick- it's
easy to do! He is so easy to love!
What a big heart he has. His tail is always wagging and if you know how
to recognize a dog's "smile" you'd
know that Nick always has one on his face! I know there doesn't seem to
be anything really new to report
about him, but that's a testament to what a great dog he is. He is SET
TO GO to any home; trained, well behaved,
etc, etc, etc.... He and our other Boxer male Roscoe have become close-
I saw them playing (or shall I say
wrestling) the other morning in my daughters' room. They were very
playful and they played very gentle and
"fair". How cute it was to see! If you are looking for a dog who has all
the great Boxer attributes and comes with no bad habits, please think of
this guy. I have been saying all along how great he would be with
anyone-
this is so true! My 10 year old walks him and he is fine, even when
other dogs come around; a quick tug on the
leash and a "heel" command and Nick is right back in line and enjoying
being by your side. He likes being out in the snow- no wimp to the cold.
So, if the only thing holding you back is his age, please remember,
there have only been guesses to how old he really is. We think that age
in a dog doesn't really matter. When my daughter's close friend from
school moved, she felt so bad. I told her "Wasn't it nice to even have
known her for the time you did?" "Would you have rather not ever
even have met her?" That is how we feel about this guy- who ever is
lucky enough to have Nick in there life will be able to know that ANY
amount of time with a GREAT dog is better than than an empty house with
no dog at all.
1/2/05 - We all enjoyed ringing in
the New Year with Nick! I have to say- nothing phases this guy! We had 10
people over with noise makers and confetti "poppers" and Nick was great
with all of it. Nick makes himself comfortable around everyone he meets.
The people who were at our house were all strangers and Nick welcomed them
in with wags and wiggles! Nick got a nail trim the other day (we have hard
wood floors and we can always tell when it is time). He stood there and
was fine during the whole thing- licking my face! He and our Boxer Roscoe
are good friends now and we have seen no bad behavior between them. They
share beds and Nick is much more comfortable now when we give Roscoe
attention. He comes over and gets "his share" and there are no squabbles.
We love having Nick- he is a great dog! Like I have always said- he would
do well in any home. He is obedient and crate trained. He goes in without
hesitation. We only put him in when we have to leave him and Roscoe alone.
Otherwise, he does fine in the house- no counter surfing or chewing. Our
youngest daughter who is 6 feeds him treats. He sits and gives paw and
takes them very gentle. He's very low-maintenance. He's a sweet boy and
all he really needs is a home full of love.
12/27/04 - What a special Christmas
we had having Nick with us. He is such a nice dog- I can't express that
enough! With the tree and all the toys around, he didn't mess with one
thing. And all the smells from the kitchen and food out all weekend- Nick
only sniffed and when we told him to get away from the table he
immediately went and laid down. He has getting along great with Roscoe. I
find that when I am in the midst of their playing, Nick wants to be the
closest to me and can get a bit jealous when Roscoe comes near for some
attention. Again, a simple "no, no" and he runs of and plays.
We took them both for a car ride to do some last minute shopping. My
husband pulled up to the front of the store and I would get out....they
were fine in the back seat together and Nick sat down and traveled fine.
He continues to walk calmly on a leash. Our three children (aged 10, 8 &
6)are constantly all over Nick and he is wonderful with them. Nick is very
healthy and active. He likes to be near people, but isn't like your
typical Boxer that has lean on you or sit on you. Nick could be happy in
any type of home, really- with or without a dog, young kids or seniors. We
would love to see him have a family that he can call his very own- he is a
super guy!
12/19/04 - Well, Nick has been with
us for a little over a week now and has settled in nicely. It's like he's
used to us and another dog. He does like to be the one getting all the
attention though-sometimes comes in between us petting our other dog
Roscoe. Now that he knows that there are enough hands in our house to
spread the petting around, he is much better. I think it took all of us
this whole past week to get used to the idea of "cohabitating". The dogs
now seem to understand that they are special in their own way and we care
for them both dearly. Nick continues to enjoy playing, but does not beg
for activity. Once we go outside he gets up and follows us out and
actually has stayed out for a bit- even in this cold weather! He's gotten
more freedom at night with not sleeping in
the crate and has found a spot near Roscoe at the foot of our bed. I moved
his bed up there because I found he and Roscoe squished on Roscoe's bed
this morning. Nick is truly a sweet, sweet dog. He would fit nicely into
ANY home and lifestyle. He doesn't pester for affection, like some Boxers
do. He definitely loves it though- the kids love to hug and hold him- he
is very trustable and gentle with them. We have taken him on several walks
and he doesn't pull at all. He sits for treats and stays when you tell him
to. We can't wait for Nick to find his forever home, but for now, we enjoy
every minute with him- he's perfect.
12/15/04 - Hello everyone! I just wanted to give a quick update on Nick. He saw the vet today for an exam and everything was perfect. The vet was very impressed with his behavior. Nick met another dog in the office and 2 resident cats that were walking around. He just sniffed them and wagged his tail. He crunched his shoulders down and started to wiggle his but back and forth as to say to them "hey, you guys wanna play?" After the vet appointment, I took Nick back to my office for a visit. Again he was a perfect gentleman and greeted everyone with a wag and a smile. I will say that I feel better about his mingling with Roscoe. I have been watching them together very closely so they don't "erupt" into any disagreements out in the yard like they have been. Today was better. I think they need more time to get used to each other an establish the "pack leader". Once they start growling or playing rough, all I say is "BE NICE BOYS" and they back off. In the house Nick is still very well behaved and actually lays next to Roscoe. So far he has shown no negative behavior at all and is great with my kids. They hug and smooch him and he is fine. Nick would make a great pet! Please consider giving Nick the family he deserves- he's a wonderful dog!
12/13/04 - Well, we all had a good weekend together. Nick and our other young Boxer Roscoe are getting along much better. Seems we all needed some time to get adjusted. It is amazing how much energy Please don't even give Nick's (supposed) age a second thought! I would not ever guess that he is 9! He could keep up with any dog! He has lots of energy and gets very happy, even when you get up from a chair, Nick gats all excited and wants to play. He is a real treat to have around. He has continued to be very well behaved with our kids- no aggression towards them of any kind and behaves wonderfully when people come to the door or into the house. He loves to be pet and hugged and loves to give kisses. He seems so comfortable around everyone he meets. He would make anyone or family a perfect companion. He knows all basic commands (sit, stay, down, come. What more can I say!
12/11/04 - We gladly welcomed our
first foster dog Nick into our home today. The transport went fine- he
slept quietly in the back seat the whole way. Upon arrival he met my
husband and 3 young children. Those introductions went better than his
initial meeting with our own Boxer boy Roscoe, who we adopted form BAR in
June. He is quite a bit younger than Nick and is usually very well behaved
with other dogs, but I suspect that he needs to adjust to another dog
being in his house. Nick was happy to meet Roscoe and seemed to be eager
to have a friend. We will let everyone calm down a bit more and try again
later.
Nick is ALL ABOUT LOVIN'! He has a little wagger that never stops!!!
So far he seems very affectionate and friendly towards our family. He also
met my neighbor and was a perfect gentleman. I took him for a short walk
around the block and he didn't pull one bit! He knows "sit" and goes in
the crate without hesitation. He went outside and did his business and
came right back in and is very sociable with all of us. Hopefully he and
Roscoe will become better acquainted (soon). I can tell they want to play.
So far, Nick has been a great boy-he is sleeping in his crate right now in
the kitchen while we decorate the house. The Christmas music must be
soothing to him:). Our Christmas wish is for him to find a family that
wants a sweet, gentle boy to share the rest of their life with-
considering that he was found as a stray, I can tell he is very
comfortable around people and would make any family "complete".
1/15/06
7/15/05
4/15/05
3/15/05
