7/22/08 - It is going on 3 years with Tasha and up until yesterday morning we thought everything was going great.  I came home yesterday after leaving her for about 2 hours and found her laying on the floor breathing very heavy and she would not get up.  We rushed her to the vet where they told us she had gone into shock and her body temp was 10 degree's lower than normal.  They thought the reasoning was fluid accumulation around her heart, but couldn't see it on the radiograph and did not have an echo machine.  they sent us to the emergency clinic that was supposed to have a cardiologist and an echo, but on our arrival an hour later, we found that thye had neither.  At this point we were informed that her condition was most likely cause by a tumor on her heart and at any moment she could pass since they were unable to stabilize her.  We were given the option or euthanasia or to take our chances at trying to make the hour drive to cornell where they would be able to see exactly what was happening to our baby.  We decided to take the chance and she made it to cornell.  They did the echo, drained the fluid and tasha's vitals came back to normal.  They said there was no tumor seen on the echo, but there was one spot that could be a lymphoma in the fluid.  There is high hopes however because the fluid extracted contained a lot of inflammatory exudate which means that it may have been due to an infection and not cancer.  We left her there overnight and they are calling us this morning with the results of what is in the fluid.  Please say a prayer for tasha as she has found a very special place in our family's hearts and none of us are ready to say good bye.  It amazes me how fast all this can occur. The night before this happened she was pulling us around the block and chasing around dogs like a puppy.  Tasha is definately a stubborn fighter though and even when she could stand up or breath, she hung in there for a total driving time of 3 hours.  We are very proud of her for that and we hope to have our tasha home soon.

2/9/06 - I can't believe it's been 6 months already since we adopted Tasha. We have really been enjoying her company and she seems very happy to have ours! Over Christmas break my husband and I went on a small vacation with my daughter and we had to bring Tasha to the kennel for the first time. I had tears in my eyes leaving her. When we came back a few days later, she was very happy to see us all and everything has been going great since then (I think it made her love us even more). Our only concern has been her weight. She looks like she has lost a few pounds since we got her, so we have increased her food. She probably lost some weight because of the numerous amounts of walks she
gets everyday from me and my husband and the running she does with my daughter. I think the glucosamine is really helping her knee also because she has no problem jumping up on my bed anymore to steal pillows (yes, she loves pillows and will do anything to get your attention even if she knows its wrong)! I think that's about it for now, we will keep you updated on her weight although it shouldn't be anything to worry about too much because it's only a slight loss.

11/24/05 - Sorry it's been so long since the last update. Everything has been going great with Tasha for the last 2 months. She just enjoyed her 1st thanksgiving with the family and was a complete angel. Since we aren't sure when her actually birthday is, we decided to celebrate the big #6 today with my daughter's 20th bday. She got spoiled quite a bit with everything from treats and toys to a lil' jacket to keep her warm! Tasha even helped up make pies by eating a lil of the leftover pumpkin from the can (since its healthy and she loves it). The only problem we had today is with food on the counters; she jumps up and grabs things when you aren't looking. We have been very repetitive with saying no without much luck and have often found that talking in a stern voice causes her to have accidents. It wasrecommended to use a squirt gun and we have found that a lil' squirt of water with the word no keeps her in her place. She actually is just starting to respond to seeing the squirt gun now. As far as any other behavior issues go, she have just been using food for positive reinforcement. She actually will just respond to us using a piece of her actual dog food as a treat! Well I think that is about it right now... time to go sit by the fireplace with her (she's all
curled up on her pillow in front of the fire right now).
 

9/4/05 - Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month already since we adopted Tasha! Everything has been smooth sailing with her lately. Every time we walk out the door she sits in front of my car waiting to go for a ride; she loves the car! We have gone out to Rochester 3 times now to see my daughter's field hockey games and Tasha loves it. She is very social in the stands and gets attention from everyone around. Her personality is definitely starting to show now; she is very stubborn! We will go for walks and she she doesn't feel like walking anymore, she will just sit down by the road and won't move for like 5 minutes! There are also times when she sits by the car door and wants to go for a ride instead of a walk. For the most part, she just wants to be where you are. If my husband tries to take her somewhere without me, she won't go and vice versa... everything has to be a family affair for her. We love her very much though, she is definitely the perfect match for our family. Thank you to everyone who helped us get her!

8/13/05 - Just giving everyone another update on Tasha. Her behavior has been just wonderful, she is no longer having any accidents. We have brought her out on the boat and to our family's restaurant and she did great! The first few times we went out on the boat she would just hide under the seat, but she now likes to sit up on the bow and look at the water and the ducks. She has gotten so much more comfortable, its wonderful! However, we have had some concerns regarding her health. She has been tired, sneezing, coughing and chewing her paw constantly so i brought her for her 1st visit to the vet. We think its just allergies. For now we are giving her benedryl twice a day and putting a antibiotic cream on her foot (she chewed it right open), but she may need to go on other meds if she gets any worse or if it doesn't clear up w/ the bendryl. The vet was also concerned since she had that sinus infection that she ended up at Cornell for. We just want to make sure it doesn't get any worse than it is now. The doctor also checked out her legs and we are giving her glucosamine for her bad knee. If it starts to get worse we may have to consider surgery since her other 3 legs are in great shape. Tasha was very good through all of this and was just so excited to get in the car to come back home. I think that's about all for now, but we'll keep you updated!

8/7/05 - Hello, I just wanted to let everyone know how great Tasha is doing in our home. She follows one of us around all day and just loves to be next to you. At night we leave her crate open and after we are all in bed she goes in there on her own. Tasha got to meet my chinchilla, Stitch, and was a very good girl. She just sniffed him out and walked away after. The only issue we are having with her is that she is very timid about having her leash put on and she sometimes has an accident. It's already happening less frequently, so hopefully she's starting to trust us. We go for lots of walks and she usually stays right by your side and doesn't pull. Tonight was the first time I've seen her get excited; we ran into another dog on our walk and Tasha was very interested, she laid right down and wouldn't move until the dog came over. After sniffing each other out she was ready to keep going. Another issue we noticed is that she limps after she has been laying down for a long period of time, but it goes away after she walks around for a minute or two. Well, I think that's all for now..Tasha says hi to all those who love and miss her!

8/3/05 - Tasha has been adopted.  She left last night around 9 o'clock.  She was very excited to see her new family and left with them happily.

8/2/05 - Tasha is pending adoption.  A gal who is working for the summer at the vet that Tasha went to fell in love with her and thought she would be the perfect Boxer for her parents.  Since they live close to the foster home, the foster Mom took Tasha and did their home visit this weekend and now Tasha is going to be adopted by them.

7/25/05 - Tasha is doing wonderful. She acts as if she has been a part of our family forever. She and Tony get along very well. He darts and dodges at her. She loves to be touched. As long as you are touching her even if you aren't petting her she will stay in that spot and lean in to it. Sometimes she wiggles that butt so hard and fast it knocks her legs out from under her and she starts to slide. She is eating dry dog food again and has healed up nicely. She is still stealing things to run with and she still doesn't chew on them. She has a lot of love to give. I think she would do well in a family with kids old enough to keep their food from her mouth. She thinks all food belongs to her and thinks she can help herself. Firm no helps keep her in line, but she has a stubborn streak when it comes to food. It usually takes two or three nos. Otherwise she is so good. She hardly ever goes in her crate anymore. She is left loose during the day and does very well. She seems to get along well with male dogs so she could have a brother in the house with her. You can take anything away from her without any problems, including food and she loves food. Thats all for now. Maybe next time I will let her do her own update.

7/15/05 - Tasha is doing great. She and Tony have not had any further altercations. Sometimes in the morning I find them both on the giant pillow bed next to mine. Tasha continues to walk away with things, mostly shoes but an occasional envelope. She just picks things up and keeps one eye on you to make sure you notice and starts to walk slowly away so you can catch her. I have come home from work and found several pair of shoes just laying around the pillow bed. Not a tooth mark in them. I think she does that so she isn't lonely when we aren't here. I have not had anyone meet her that didn't fall in love with her so far. They all can't figure out why she is in rescue. She is tempting several to apply. She does love the outdoors also. She likes to sit in front of the sliding glass door and just watch outside and goes out as often as I want to let her out. She walks around the yard, runs the fence line with the dogs on the other side and sounds very ferocious, little does she know they would just pick her up and toss her if they could. I think they all enjoy just running the fence for exercise. She does get gimpy after running too much. You have to make her stop. The bayer aspirin works great. She steels some of Tony's food when she can and its not soft and not having any problems eating it.

7/10/05 - Right now Tasha and Tony are laying next to each other. They play tag outside. Tony speeds by her and then she chases him and he runs and hides under the grape vines. She stands ready for him and he darts out and they begin again. Its pretty funny to watch. There haven't been any more problems with the two of them together. She can sit forever near you as long as you are touching her. She
just wants to be loved. She tried to nudge ROn off his chair at breakfast today but he wouldn't share and told her no so she walked away a little gave him a look like you sure and he said go and she came into the room I was cleaning and layed down. I think she would do fine in a family with a male dog. Don't know about the female dogs except from her last home. I find her snatching a few bits of Tony's food , she must miss the crunchy stuff. They both surf each others dishes. I guess they think the other has something better. Anyway she is doing great. A real sweatheart.

7/7/05 - Tasha is doing well. She loves to surf the food areas. You have to stay on her to keep her from snatching things off the table. She knows no means no and you have to be persistent. Every so often she will pick up the shoe of the person she wants attention from and make you chase her. She doesn't chew on it or anything she just snatches and starts to walk toward you like hey look what I have and then when she gets your attention she goes the other way. She and Tony are doing well together. Yesterday they were both wanting me to pet them and so I obliged and then Tony starting washing Tasha's face and she let him. I wonder if her peripheral vision or evening her hearing is not as good as we think. That may be why she startles at times. Will keep everyone posted. She took her last antibiotic today for her jaw. She is eating without a problem.

7/3/05 - Tasha is continuing to do well. We are trying to keep her down low key but she is starting to want to play. We have to hide toys so she doesn't try to chew on them. She is on soupy dog food and loving the nice canned food even mixed with water. Had a little confrontation with she and Tony today. Don't even know why yet. It's possible that they were going to start playing. Will keep an eye on this and see. Will keep them separate when not at home. Earlier today they were both outside just laying in the grass face to butt together. She is definitely a velcro girl. She wants to be with you more than any other thing to do. Will update again soon.

6/30/05 - Well its been a very eventful few days. Tasha has been doing wonderful so far. She and Tony are getting along fabulously. They both sleep as close to me as possible at night. They go out together without a problem. And you wonder how that became eventful, let me tell you. Ya know those big giant bones they sell at WalMart. Tasha liked it very much. Around midnight Tuesday evening she
was gnawing away on one and all of a sudden she started yelping, there was blood spewing around the living room. We finally got her to stay still so we could see what happened. Thought maybe she broke a piece of bone off and got it caught in her throat. No she actually broke her jaw. When she broke the large front tooth it fracture and kinda twisted her jaw. It was awful. So she got to go to the local ER and she just came home tonight. Once they sedated her and could look good at her they ended up having to pull the tooth and then the jaw went right back into place. She has quite a few stitches and in about a month will be good as new. She will be on very soft foods for 3 - 4
weeks. I have to say after all she went through she was a champ. She let us look at her mouth, she let the vet look at her mouth. They thought she was a great girl for being in trauma and not snipping or growling at all. Today they walked her around the waiting room to see how she was with other dogs and she behaved very well. The vet is tempted to apply to adopt her and one of the assistants fell in love with her. She is going to ask her mom tonight and if she agrees will apply. She is resting comfortably and I am making her a special dinner tonight with rice and dog gravy.Will update in a few days. And please everyone reading this watch out for those large bones.
 

6/26/05 - Unfortunately Tasha was not getting along with the other dog in her new home and has been returned to rescue.
From her new foster home: Tasha  arrived yesterday afternoon. She was quiet and not wagging her tail. She probably doesn't know what's going on. She entered my home and I put her in the crate so I could get the gate up between her and Tony. Tony sniffed her through the gate and she sniffed back. No problem there. They are separated by a baby gate and other than a sniff once in a while they ignore each other. Today she is full of wiggles and happy to see anyone that comes in the door. She goes in the crate no problem and at will. I will keep Tony in the back half of the house and her in the front for now. She goes outside and back in with no assistance. Takes her treats nicely. We will let her get comfy and relaxed into our home and see what happens when her and Tony finally get introduced on lease to lease. That's it for now I won't be able to do another update until after Wed. when my surgery on the thumb is better.

3/20/05 - Tasha went home today to a wonderful family who has previously adopted one of our BAR dogs....in fact, the 3rd dog we ever adopted out. You can read up about Annabelle (now called Mia) in our Oct-Dec '02 update pages.
They have been waiting all this time to find just the right addition to their family, and when Tasha came on to the site, they just knew she was the right one. Tasha was so happy to see them, and the feeling was clearly mutual. so off Tasha went, for her new adventures into a very perfect situation for her. A stay at home mom (works out of the house), loving dad, some kids and a slightly younger, but calmer fur sister.  Good luck baby girl!!

.3/5/05 - Tasha is pending adoption

3/1/05 - After one of the most agonizing decisions ever, Tasha's dad had returned her to rescue. It seems as though Tasha had become so distant in her interaction with her dad, that she almost seemed depressed. Dad tried everything, including intensive training and visits by a behaviorist, and while there was some improvement early on, she would regress shortly thereafter. It was decided that it would be best for both if Tasha came back into rescue.

We had "dog sat" for Tasha months ago, when her dad was going away and did not want to kennel her, and we were more then happy to have her back, for what I am sure will be a very short stay. Tasha, without a doubt, is a dog that NEEDS another dog in the house. She did so well when she was here months ago (as we have LOTS of 4 legged friends for her), and for the few days she has been back, she is totally in her "element". She wants to play with all dogs she meets. My guys are a bit older, and do not have quite the playful manner that Tash has. She play bows, paws and boxes with them, and when they do not reciprocate, she whines and cries and looks at me like...."hey, what’s up with these guys?? :o))

As you can see, Tasha is an absolutely gorgeous girl. She has a very dark mask and, a beautiful face, and is built very solid. Her temperament is A++++, just a super dog, and VERY well trained.

She is crate trained, but is totally trustworthy in the house. She does not get into any trouble at all. She is also housetrained. She is eating well, and adjusted to her new surroundings.

If you have a energetic boxer that is looking for a friend, she is right her waiting. Why not come and get her :o))

10/12/04 - I apologize for not keeping up with Tasha's updates. she has been with me now 5 months and I have to say that she is a great dog. she has become a bit distant with me if she was left alone for a while. she will not come over to greet me. if she is still in her crate I can go and put her leash on and take her out and once we come back in she is herself again. However, 90% of the time she will not come out of the crate to greet me when I first come home, and if she does come out and I approach her too soon (ie - go to put her leash on to take her out) she will pee. so I come home and give her her space and she eventually comes around.
there maybe some issues from her past that she associates with being left alone that causes her to act this way. i can only give her time at this point to continue to feel secure and safe. all that aside, she is a great dog- she loves people of all ages. when she greets anyone she backs herself right up against them and waits to be pet. she is good with other dogs - male, female, big or small, it doesn't matter to her she just loves to play. she is way too interested in cats for me to get her close to one - I don't know what she would do, but my guess is it wouldn't be something the cat would like.
she is a very good guest no matter where we go, and I have taken her many places with me. I do have to watch out if there is any food within her reach because she will help herself. she has worked her way from the bedroom floor up onto the bed every night. she goes to the end of the bed, curls up into a little ball and stays there all night. she loves to go out and is very good on the leash with minimal pulling unless she sees a cat or squirrel. she is very good in the car and loves to go for rides. i am curious to see how she will react to snow this winter. im sure she will make me laugh as she does every day.
 

6/7/04 - Just wanted to update Tasha's page. She has been with me a month now and all is well. She is getting more and more comfortable here.  She loves everyone she meets whether its on the street or guests in my home. She gets very excited when I have friends over. She will pick up a toy and run around with it. She will stop right in front of you making you think that she wants you to take the toy, but as soon as you reach for it she pulls away, she's a little tease that way. She loves to play tug of war with anything she has in her mouth. She just wants to near everyone when I have people over.  I noticed that she has been doing a bit of counter surfing so I have to keep any food that is out way back on the counter. if I am in the room she will not attempt it but if she is left alone she will take a shot. She is like a kid that way, seeing what she can get away with. However I have to say that she does listen very well, I just have to say no once and she knows what I mean. She is great to walk with because she does not pull at all, she stays in pace with me, unless she sees a cat or squirrel, then she wants at them. Other then that she is great.

5/10/04 - Hello all just wanted to write an update on Tasha. She has been with me for a week now, but I have to say it feels a lot longer. She acts as if she has been with me all her life.  She is so easy going and great to have around. she goes in her crate without any problem when I leave for work and just settles right down.  when I come home i may not be able to always let her out right away, but she doesn't make a fuss, she just waits until I get to her. when I open the crate, she will pick up her bone or toy and bring it out to me then jump up and give me kisses hello. she loves to go out and gets very excited when she sees me pick up her leash. she walks very nice on her leash. she doesn't bother anyone on the street - and there are a lot of people out when we walk. she gets many compliments on how beautiful she is and how well behaved she is.  whenever we come across other dogs Tasha will look at them with some interest but never makes a fuss about them. However other dogs are pulling and barking and the owner is doing everything to get the dog under control. Tasha just looks at them briefly and then turns away and continues on her walk, as if she couldn't be bothered with that type of behavior. She's a bit more classy then that :-) She is great in the house. if she is not playing with her toys, she is looking out the window or sleeping. she really is very comfortable here and has made herself right at home.  I'm sure I can go on forever about her, but to sum it up she is great.
I do have say that all the great boxers that have been adopted and all the ones waiting for homes, would not be around today if it weren't for BAR and all the people involved.  you all deserve a round of applause for all your love and effort which makes this rescue program a success.

5/2/04 - Well, my first baby has just left with her new dad, Michael. I could tell that he was thrilled with her.  She gave him kisses and was happy to go with him.  I'm glad he had tinted windows in his car, so I could not see if she looked back at me.  She will have a wonderful home.  Michael promised to keep us all updated on her progress.  This last month has been quite a ride for me, but I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of Tasha's new life.