4/27/08 - It is true what they say about a rescue dog having so much love to give. Everything I ever needed in a dog, Holly has. She wiggles every time someone comes in the door, will play endlessly with us or her toys, and is ready to cuddle as soon as she realizes that we are worn out. It helps too that she doesn't care when we laugh at all the funny things she does. Half the joy of bringing Holly home has been the laughter she generates with her butt wiggling antics and her funny faces, but really it feels great watching her become completely comfortable and a part of our home.

2/16/08 - Holly has been adopted

2/6/08 - Holly is pending adoption

2/4/08 - I JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOME NEWS ON THE LATEST OF HOLLY ,SHE IS NOW AVAIL FOR ADOPTION .WE AS THE FOSTER FAMILY HAVE DECIDED NOT TO ADOPT HOLLY ,WE WISH THAT WERE NOT TRUE BUT SHE DESERVES A GOOD HOME AND PLENTY OF LOVE & ATTENTION.  HAVING HAD HOLLY FOR 7 MONTHS I CAN TRULY SAY ,SHE IS THE PERFECT ANGEL.  THIS ISN'T THE DOG I KNEW 7 MONTHS AGO ,SHE HAS DONE A COMPLETE TURN AROUND FOR THE GOOD .THE DECISION NOT TO ADOPT HER IS DUE TO OUR  OTHER FEMALE DOG ,BABY ,WHOM IS THE  AGGRESSOR, HOLLY ISN'T THE PROBLEM.  SHE WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN TO PLEASE YOU ,SHE WILL LISTEN TO EVERY COMMAND YOU GIVE .SHE WILL ALSO DO GOOD IN A HOME WITH A MALE DOG .IF I WAS LOOKING TO ADOPT ,THIS WOULD BE MY CHOICE OF DOG .

1/24/08 - WE HAVE MADE ALOT OF PROGRESS WITH HOLLY SINCE STARTING TRAINING CLASSES. HOLLY NOW PLAYS, EATS AND SLEEPS WITH ZEUS "UNSUPERVISED"
WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THIS IS REALLY A BIG STEP FOR HOLLY AS IT SHOWS SHE
CAN BE SOCIALIZED WITH ANOTHER DOG AND BE TRUSTED ALONE. HOLLY HAS ALSO
LEARNED TO DROP HER TOY OR LET US TAKE IT FROM HER AND SHE NOW EVEN SHARES
THEM WITH ZEUS.

HOLLY HAS 8 OTHER DOGS IN HER CLASS,A MIX OF BOTH MALE AND FEMALE AND A WIDE
RANGE IN AGE.DURING CLASS HOLLY HAS SHOWN NO SIGNS OF AGGRESSION AND WHEN SOME OF THEOTHER DOGS ACT UP SHE JUST SITS AND LISTENS TO MY COMMAND. I BELIEVE A LOT OFCHANGE IN HER BEHAVIOR IS BECAUSE SHE HAS FINALLY BECOME SECURE IN HER SURROUNDINGS AND HAS BUILT A TRUST FOR JOE AND I. I THINK ALOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU SPEAK TO HER SHE HAS THAT LOOK IN HER EYE THAT SHE FEELS AT HOME, THAT THIS IS HER HOME, SHE HAS FOUND PARENTS THAT WILL LOVE AND CARE FOR HER, ITS A LOOK I SEE IN ZEUS WHEN I SPEAK TO HIM.

I GOT THE CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH  GREG, WHOM IS HOLLY'S'TRAINER. WE HAD PLANNED ON STARTING TO WORK THE GIRLS LAST SATURDAY BUT I WAS JUST TO ILL TO DO IT. SO THIS SATURDAY BECAUSE OF THE PROGRESS HOLLY HAS MADE WITH ZEUS AFTER JUST A FEW LESSONS, WE ARE GOING TO START WORKING HER WITH THE GIRLS. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS, WORKING WITH A PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. WE READ ARTICLES ON THE WEB ABOUT DOG TRAINING AND I EVEN WATCHED A MOVIE ON THE TOPIC, BUT NOTHING COMES CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACTUAL TRAINER WORK WITH YOU AND THE DOGS HANDS ON. WORKING WITH GREG AND APPLYING THE THINGS HE SHOWS AND TELLS US HAS MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT HOLLY AND BABY BEING RESCUE DOGS, NOT KNOWING THEIR PAST, MIGHT MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE OF A CHALLENGE. GREG HOWEVER DOES NOT SEEM TO THINK IT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE, ITS JUST SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN WORKING WITH THEM.

1/11/08 - Holly on Saturday, 01/05/08, started training at Pinebush Kennels training facility in Colonie NY. At the end of the first training session it was suggested by the trainer, Greg Miller, that holly does not have female aggression but instead has a socialization problem. It is felt that in Holly’s past she never learn how to act around other dogs, that because of her past maybe she felt she had to defend herself at all times or protect what she has.

Her performance the first day of class was far beyond any of our expectations. She walked real well and it was almost as if she already knew some of the commands.  8 other dogs are in the class, both male
and female, and range in age from a puppy to an older dog.  We are looking forward to class with her and our other 3 boxers in the upcoming weeks.  Not once during the session did Holly show any aggression towards the other dogs. Holly has become secure with herself and her surroundings and no longer sees different things as a threat to her.

At home we are working Holly with our male boxer, Zeus, and the 2 of them are getting along very well. They started playing together and even eat next to each other without any problems. It has been very
rewarding to see how she has turned into a real sweetheart. Holly has learned to enjoy her surroundings and has become accustomed to her scrambled eggs mixed in with her Iams in the morning.
We are looking so forward as the foster home to making Holly a permanent addition to our family.

11/3/07 - This is a brief update on Holly .Holly had her surgery on Thur. to remove the lumps on her mammary glands & is doing well.  Because of the location of cuts and size ,there was some swelling so ice packing was needed.  As far as the results are concerned I don't have that information, BAR will update her page on the information.  She will need to return after 14 days to have the sutures removed. Everyone at Brunt hills vet fell in Love with Holly, especially Rebecca who has boxers of her own . We picked her up on Fri evening and treated her to a nice steak dinner  .She is doing well, just a little sore but one would never know she just had major surgery.  It's been hard keeping her calm as she has the boxer energy.

10/22/07 - HOLLY WAS REEXAMINED ON FRI FOR THE LUMPS ON HER MAMMARY GLANDS.  THE VET STATED THEY MUST BE REMOVED, ASAP.  THESE LUMPS ARE IN A VERY DANGEROUS AREA.  HE STATED THAT THERE IS NO WAY THE LUMPS SHALL REMAIN ,BECAUSE IF THEY ARE NOT CANCEROUS NOW THEY WILL BECOME CANCEROUS DOWN THE ROAD. HAVING HAD BOXERS MYSELF FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS AND THE FACT JOE HAS ALWAYS HAD AT LEAST ONE BOXER HIS ENTIRE LIFE, WE BOTH KNOW & ANY OTHER BOXER OWNER KNOWS, THAT ANY LUMP ON ANY BOXER IS DANGEROUS AND IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
Note:  BAR has been in contact with Holly's vet and she will be having surgery to remove the mammary lumps.  Keep her in your prayers that these are just growths from being bred at too young an age and are not anything more serious.  Updates to come.

10/10/07 - In case your wondering .........I'm really not a Witch like the pictures to the lower right show.  I'm just a one person dog with lots of Love & Kisses to give. Holly really needs a good loving home with no other dogs and someone that's going to cook me scrambled eggs & cheese in the am like my foster parents do.  Holly enjoys playing with toys & can really entertain herself. She is getting better with the DOWN, knows all other commands & is fully house trained. Holly has developed some lumps on her underside, this may have come from not being spayed.  She is now spayed and goes back to vets next week for a recheck on the lumps.  Once I know more, I will keep you informed,other than this Holly is medically fine.

9/17/07 - Holly continues to do well.  All she wants is a family to love her & a forever home to call her own
 & being the only dog, no this isn't selfish on my part, I would love to have other fur babies to eat ,play and snuggle with but foster mommy said this comes from a past of mine and I can't help this , maybe a professional trainer, this could be worked out, other than this I promise you I
 would make you a very loyal companion.  .I am very affectionate, house trained.  I am not destructive & only use the potty outdoors.  I do well on the lead, no pulling nor any tug of war games . I especially love the reward ,after the long walk, yes some doggie ice cream w/ two doggie bones.  Holly also rides very well in car .  What more could you ask for ?  Please consider adopting me .

8/14/07 - Holly is finally spayed and ready to be adopted.  She prefers to go to a home with no other dogs, yes she wants to be the only pet. She would make the perfect companion for someone whom only prefers having 1 animal in the home.  She enjoys snuggling up and going for long walks, and does well on the lead.  She is the perfect pet for someone single or a couple .

8/2/07 - HOLLY CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS IN HER SOCIALIZATION SKILLS BUT SHE CAN NOT BE TRUSTED TO BE OFF LEAD OR IN THE SAME ROOM WITH ANOTHER DOG.  HOLLY IS A VERY WELL BEHAVED (JUST HIGH STRUNG) DOG AND EXCELLENT ON THE LEAD.  SHE KNOWS ALL THE COMMANDS BUT DOWN ,WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THIS.  YOU CAN LEAVE HER HOME FOR 8 HOURS OR MORE AND COME HOME TO FIND THE HOUSE JUST THE WAY YOU LEFT IT , SHE IS NOT DESTRUCTIVE & FULLY HOUSE TRAINED & CRATE TRAINED.  I HONESTLY FEEL HOLLY WILL BE MUCH BETTER OFF IN A HOME WHERE THERE ARE NO OTHER DOGS. ALL SHE WANTS TO DO IS PLEASE YOU AND BE LOVED.  THATS ALL FOLKS .

7/26/07 - This answers my question about Holly.  Joe offered his help last night with working with Holly & Bella .  He even brought baby (gangster girl) & Zeus down.  He has a lot of experience as he used to work with the K-9 while in the police department.  He worked all 3 dogs, a one on one session so Holly was socialized with more than just Bella, M&F.  He and I agreed, Holly doesn't have aggression, there weren't any hairs standing up on back or any growling.  Holly's problem is that she was never socialized with other dogs and therefore she doesn't know how to interact , she wants to play with the dogs but just doesn't know how to go about it .While first coming in contact with the dog, Holly has anxiety bad and starts to hyper ventilate, after working her with the dog for the first 10 mins, the hyper ventilation decreases but the anxiety is way up, still there.  I realize that Holly needs to be crated during my working hours & this doesn't help the anxiety and there is no way I can possibly allow the dogs to be together while I'm home as I am only one person.  By socializing the two dogs every night, Holly will learn to play and interact with other dogs .Also suggested that during this transition period, that it might be wise to have Holly placed on a very mild natural product know to reduce anxiety in dogs.  .I myself feel very comfortable with this, this would give me more piece of mind having the two dogs together and better for Holly's socialization skills .

7/25/07 - HOLLY IS A VERY WELL BEHAVED DOG ,SHE IS JUST ON THE HYPER SIDE &WITH A LOT OF PUPPY IN HER .SHE KNOWS SIT, STAY ,COME & THE DOWN WE ARE WORKING ON.  SHE REALLY WANTS TO PLEASE & BE LOVED .SHE WILL SNUGGLE WITH YOU IF YOU ALLOW HER TOO. SHE IS CRATE& HOUSE TRAINED BUT I DON'T ALLOW HER THE RUN OF THE HOUSE AS SHE AND MY OTHER DOG ARE NOT SO FRIENDLY YET, MAYBE ME NOT TRUSTING . I HAVE WORKED THE TWO DOGS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND I REALLY DON'T FEEL THERE IS AN AGGRESSION ISSUE HERE ,HOLLY WANTS TO PLAY W/ BELLA ,SHE JUST DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO ACT & MIGHT BE A LITTLE TOO HYPER AND WANTING TO BE THE DOMINATE FEMALE.  I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT MAYBE HOLLY WASN'T SOCIALIZED AS A PUPPY ENOUGH AND THIS MIGHT BE REASONING.  I STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE WORKED OUT WITH A GOOD STRONG LEADER .TRUTHFULLY SPEAKING ,I THINK SHE WOULD DO GOOD IN A HOME WITH OR WITHOUT PETS, OVERALL ,HOLLY IS A GREAT DOG & DOES WELL ON THE LEAD.  SHE HAS PUT ON WEIGHT & HER URI IS ALL CLEARED AND SOON TO BE SPAYED .PLEASE TAKE ME HOME, I WILL NOT DISAPPOINT YOU BUT PLEASE YOU .

7/18/07 - I had my wellness exam on Monday & the vet believes that I am only 2 yrs of age  She checked me out with a clean bill of health ,except ,right now I have an URI , so I am on meds but I'll be fine.  I also might need some Professional Training.  I will have to keep you posted on this, as I work more with her.  First & second day, when she arrived I tried to get the two dogs together ,both on leads & Holly was trying to mount Bella, so Bella spun around and away from her  and that is when Holly showed her aggression , teeth and all .  Holly is great with people.  I did work with both dogs last nite, 07/17, through baby gate & Holly on lead and it was nothing like I'm going to kick your butt nor trying to jump the baby gate to get at her.  I believe when Holly came into the house, it was like she wanted to take over, but  I think she is workable.  I say this as she is good about commands when I give them & I'm very stern with her , I give nothing for nothing with her .She spends most of the time in lock down until this can be worked out as I can't put my own dog at risk .

7/16/07 - I want to welcome my new foster girl   She arrived a little late due to foster mommy trying to get some
extra sleep ...Sorry ! She is a very pretty girl ,friendly w/ adults ,she knows some of the basic commands, is house trained & not so bad on the lead providing you have her in a harness.  She is a little distracted on the outside with small animals, birds and even frogs, yes we have frogs here, and but hasn't noticed the wild rabbits yet.  She isn't very good about going in her crate but a little trick always works well.  She has taken notice of the furniture...beware, she just wants a comfty spot to lay her BUTT.  She is on the dominate side for a female & is showing aggression with my female and I will be working on this issue and once I know more I will update this issue.  I am not sure why she was found astray as she appears to be healthy ,very clean ,just a little on the hyper side & jumpy but she will relax.  That's all for now, folks.