Ernie8-08


	Age & Sex: 4 to 5 yr. old Male


UTD: Yes


	Weight: 60 lbs.


Other Dogs: Yes


	Color: Flashy Fawn


Cats: Yes


	Ears: Natural


Children: Under 5: ? Over 5: Yes


	Tail: Docked


Professional Training Required: No


	Neutered: Yes


Microchipped: No


	Shelter Surrender


Location: Stony Brook, NY

Adoption Donation $250

8/09 - Unfortunately, in April, we lost Ernie to lymphoma. We have been heartbroken ever since. Especially my husband. We only had him 7 months and we were with him holding his head and his paws when the vet put him down. Poor Ernie got so sick so quickly. We never would have believed it would have happened. We know he was very happy with us and enjoyed being king. He was our whole life for that short time.

9/8/08 - Ernie is wonderful. What a sweetheart. He took to us right away. He is smart and fun loving with just the right amount of energy. He slept most of the way home and when he got here we showed him where his things were and he remembered very quickly. He knew what things were his and which were not. I think he did miss you. However, he slept in his new bed all night on Saturday, right next to ours. He has not had any accidents and has been a very good boy.
You (foster mom) certainly trained him well and took very good care of him. We are very fortunate and grateful. We just love him. He is funny. He is happiest when Jack and I are in the same room with him. We don't have to be doing anything as long as we are all together. He particularly likes sitting on Jack's lap, on the recliner. I have taken a couple of pictures and will send them on to you.
We put him in is new crate for the first time today. Work. and he was standing waiting for me when I came home. He already knows what door he uses to go outside. Right now as I write this, he is asleep on my foot because we just finished playing ball. He takes turns returning the ball to each of us. He is amazing and we love him to death and I think he really likes being top dog in his forever home. I will send pictures tomorrow.

9/6/08 - Ernie has been adopted

9/2/08 - Ernie is pending adoption

8/31/08 - Hello! Ernie continues to settle in nicely here. Since my last update, he has made a bit of a liar out of me in that while he is definitely recovering well from his surgery, he did end up needing that e-collar. As the incision began to heal, it apparently started to irritate him BUT all is well now and he is well on his way to recovery.
Ernie is such a sweetie to have around the house and we have been testing him out on some behavioral tasks...he's passed with flying colors!!! He is not a big fan of the crate - it seems to depend on the day. Sometimes it is fine - others he flips out. We tried leaving him on his own for a little at a time with much success. Yesterday was his longest trial yet - a full 9 hours - and he was PERFECT! At this point I totally trust Ernie to stay out on his own while we are at work. He does whine a bit immediately after we leave and will pace around the house, but he does settle in shortly thereafter. I have learned to leave him with a small rawhide chew to get his mind off of us leaving. He goes back to it as soon as we close the door now. My only complaint is that he still does end up snoozing on our family room couch while we are gone - so I'll have to do something about that.
As you can see from the horrible top right picture of us (being hot and pregnant doesn't do much for a girl) Ernie and I went to little shelter's adoption 'expo'. Ernie did very well there and was eager to accept many people petting him and hanging around. He was hot and very excited, but I was so impressed by his behavior at the shelter. There were so many people, smells, animals, and distractions, but he really did well on the leash and was a gentleman to all who wanted to meet and pet him. I really think Ernie would fit in well in any home and would be a true friend and companion to those who care for him. Don't miss out on this amazing, cute, handsome, loving, mushy, bug-eyed pup!!!

8/22/08 - Hi Everyone! Sorry it's been so long, but we have been busy! Ernie was neutered on Tuesday, so we picked him up early Wednesday, and he is doing so well! He didn't need the collar, he was a good boy, not licking too much and taking it easy. I am so surprised at how well he is doing - its like nothing ever happened!
He and Molly continue to get along, and even play together a lot now - its really cute! His manners improve more and more every day. He does not beg at the table anymore, and is learning that no means no the first time quickly.
He is so much fun to have around - he looks at you with those big googly eyes - I'm constantly waiting for him to just start talking! Those big eyes are so expressive and he just stares right at you until you understand what he wants to tell you! It is so funny - we've had so many good laughs because of him. We have also been working with Ernie on not charging out the door the second it opens and he is doing so well with it. We used to have to shimmy out of the door, in fear of him running - but NO MORE! He sits like a good boy and once the door is closed he does get up - but that's OK.
We are so impressed by this dog. I was told that when he was waiting in the shelter he wouldn't even look up at people, was depressed, and had no personality. Well, this boy proves why it is so important to rescue a boxer. He has more boxer wiggles than I've seen in a dog in a long time, LOVES to cuddle up at your feet or by your side and relax with you, will follow you around the house just to be near you, and is always up for a game of football. He plays well with everyone he has met, is gentle, goofy, and wonderful. I am so happy this guy will be in a forever home soon - after seeing him come out of the shelter, and show so quickly how great and sweet he is, I can only imagine what a loyal and loving friend for life he would be for someone.

8/10/08 - Well Ernie and I have spent A LOT of time together in the last few days and I have plenty to report! One constant is that Ernie is a real sweetheart just looking for a comfy place to rest, a few treats, and a companion to rest with. We took him on a bit of a road trip the other day to help move some furniture! He got to play with a boxer/pit mix older male, and a cat!!! All went extremely well and Ernie was thrilled to enjoy the space with each of them. He was so great on the ride upstate (about 2 hours) and a nice companion to have along.
As we get to know Ernie a little more, we realize that his manners can use some work and he requires strong leadership. I think his former owners were VERY relaxed with training and boundaries of who was really in charge. He is getting better about not resting on the furniture, but when food is around he needs firm correction. He will listen, and I don't worry about him grabbing food out of our hands or off the table if we are eating, nor is there an aggression issue...his begging, sniffing, and hanging around is inappropriate. He also must have received treats from the fridge before! As soon as that door opened he expected a treat! It was actually pretty cute - but we do correct this behavior and he has improved a great deal already - now he just looks at us longingly off to the side of the fridge!
We have left him alone for several hours at a time in his crate and he is totally fine with it. We always leave a treat and toys in there with him and he is fine to play then settle in and snooze. He does not, however, like to be in the crate when we are home. He will whine and carry on - something I'm sure can be worked on - but we don't feel the need to have him in there as long as we are around the house.
Ernie continues to be a pleasure to be around and to hang out with. I really think he would do well in any home, as he is extremely laid back. He has been around kids around 10 years old and was fantastic, we are just waiting for some younger company to prove he would be OK with the little ones. We'll keep you posted - but in the meanwhile - get those applications in for this great looking companion!

8/7/08 - Hi Everyone! Ernie and I spent the entire day together - and what a great guy! He is a very laid back, friendly, easy dog. He is definitely house broken and besides going on the furniture has good manners. He doesn't beg for food at the dinner table, although he seems to think he's getting a snack every time we open the refrigerator! He and Molly continue to get along very well, we put some toys out yesterday to test the waters and all was well. Ernie was happy to chase a football around and let Molly join in the fun once in a while. We hope to introduce him to different people and kids in the next couple of days, but we did see some people and small animals (rabbits, squirrels, etc) on our walk yesterday and he didn't seem to care all that much. He could use some work on listening to commands on the first try - he seems to get selective hearing once in a while - but all in all it was beyond a successful day here with Ernie and I'm sure it will continue to get better!

8/6/08 - Well our long, lean, and handsome friend Ernie arrived late last night and is settling in nicely. We don't know much about his history, but so far he seems like a good, mushy boxer. Last night he didn't show much of his personality - not even a wiggle! But we were so happy to see that this morning he woke us up with lots of wiggles and even a few kisses! He is a perfect gentleman around our 3 year old female boxer, although I don't want to put out toys or food (except treats) until we get to know him a little better. He is a gentle boy that responds well to correction. He was apparently allowed on furniture in his home, but not here although he does respond well to a firm OFF. We will see how he progresses here and plan on having him neutered within a week or so. I'm excited to see this good looking boy come further out of his shell!