Duke121

Pertinent Information
Approx. 2-3 yr. old Dark Brindle Male
71 lb. with Natural Ears and Docked Tail
Shelter Surrender
Good with children and other dogs
Neutered and soon to be updated
Being Fostered in the Elmira, Watkins Glen, Ithaca Area of NY
Adoption Donation $250

12/18/04 - We've worked Duke to the point that he's totally nonreturnable to rescue (yes that means he's 
couch trained & spoiled prince!)
He is such a cuddle bug now & always insists on cuddling right up to one of us no matter where we 
are. Other bad habits? Yup, his legs have gotten much stronger, and he'll jump up on his hind legs 
to give Kevin & I both hugs. Also, he's taken to sleeping with Zach - I'm not sure how there's 
enough room for both of them in a twin bed!
 Duke continues to do volunteer work and has a couple of residents that are his favorites - the 
woman that used to own a boxer & the man with the cookies!

7/30/04 - Just sending in a quick update to share that Duke is has done something totally unexpected & 
exceptional. This week he began to sprint full speed while playing tag with Chloe. In the past he has 
jogged but never really sprinted & had not made any attempt to play a serious game of tag. It is so 
good to see him to continue to improve in ways that we never expected since having his ACL 
surgery.  Everyone has pretty much settled into their pack position - which is a relief & our alpha 
female, Tiger, is much happier now, even though she's not the boss anymore. Duke will begin 
volunteering at the local library in the fall working with children in a reading program. He's also been 
requested to volunteer at one of the elementary schools.

1/24/04 - Duke is recovering well from his ACL surgery & is back to his cheerful self & is full of kidney bean dances & always greets us with a great deal of excitement when we each arrive home. (In fact, Daisy & Duke have a barking contest when someone comes home to try to prove who missed us the most! ) Duke is on supervised activity now and the vet has put him on MSM, Condroitin & Glucosamine. Additionally he has gone from 95lbs - to 83lbs at his last vet visit. He's lost a couple of pounds since then & now looks like he's at his ideal weight. I'm looking forward for when the vet says we can go ahead and begin working with Sunshine friends to do pet visits.

11/14/03 - Duke went for his follow up visit with the vet today and he is doing very well. Doc said his leg is good but should still take it easy for a bit and not over do it. Duke will be adopted by his family shortly.

9/15/03 - Hi from the Guardian Angel Boxer Haven....Duke hear to tell you how it is going with my recovery from ACL surgery. I arrived here by way of my foster brother Mark who was nice enough to pick me up on his way home from college. Foster mom was waiting at the door when I arrived, I was happy to see her again but she said NO WIGGLING Buddy!! you'll hurt yourself. I got into the house and my fur foster brothers and sisters had all been put up...foster mommy wanted to be sure none of them jumped on me to play.
I have a very large incision down the outside of my leg and have to be very careful not to hurt it.
Foster mom had to ice it for 15 minutes, do Range Of Motion movements for 10- 15 minutes, walk me for 10-15 minutes then ice it again for another 10-15 minutes 3 times a day for the weekend. Today is the beginning of week 2 so we have to do 20-30 minutes walks very slow 3 times a day...se we were up kinda early and didn't get to do lunch...but went as soon as mom got home from work and will go for a short walk tonight.
Foster mom says she knows it hurts but it will all be worth it once both legs are taken care of and healed...i will be able to run and play like all the other boxer babies...I can't wait. She sasy I am doing SOOOO good now...on our walk tonight, I used my leg almost the whole time! Mom says extra treats in dinner tonight for that...yipppeeee...will write again very soon....love ya all Duke.

9/6/03 - Today was a sad day and a good day all rolled into one. Early this morning I drove Duke to Binghamton, NY where he was meeting a wonderful volunteer from a St. Bernard rescue who came forward to transport him to a surgeon in Connecticut. During our hour and half trip to Binghamton, my 6 month old baby started to cry. I look back to see Duke place his head in the baby's lap as he tugged on his ears. What an incredible boy. I was very sad to see him go, unable to see closure by handing him off to his Forever Home. That will have to wait until he has recouperated from his ACL surgeries. On a good note, Duke has made his way to the surgeon who will end his pain. He also has wonderful parents waiting for him. What more could I ask for? I loved being Duke's foster Mom and I couldn't have asked for a better boy. Best wishes Dukey. We'll miss you.

9/4/03 - Duke has a forever home waiting for him upon completion of his medical care. Congratulations Duke!
Greetings from Duke. Mom has been really busy so I decided to do my update. Where to begin...Mom has told me that BAR will be transporting me this weekend to a vet in Connecticut. I will have surgery on my right leg on Monday, September 8th to repair my ruptured ACL. I'm not sure what all that means but I know I will be much better after the surgery. A few weeks later I will have the other leg operated on. Then I will be good as new after a few weeks recovery time. Mom said that I am one of the best fosters she has ever had. I am such a good boy. I haven't had any accidents in the house since I have been here, not even marking. I love to lie on my dog bed and chill with the family. I am better with the resident fur balls although I have to keep my leash on in the house so I don't chase them. I don't mean harm to them and I wag my tail when I see them. I just want to see how fast they can run.
Mom says that I'm not much of a guard dog (she snickers after that so I'm not sure what she means...) Dad has come home late the last few evenings. I was asleep in my crate by the front door while Mom, Mischief, and the baby were asleep in the bedroom. She said that I didn't even bark when Dad came in the door. What does she expect? I need my beauty sleep too! I usually go to bed around 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. and I don't utter a peep in my crate. I know that I get a bone when I go in the crate so I run right in and wait for my treat.
I haven't quite figured out what toys are yet but I am trying. I am very, very gentle with them as I think that they are all puppies. Who said that a man couldn’t be sensitive? While Mischief and I were sharing a dog bed the other evening I decided to show her how much I care for her. She was curled up in a ball sleeping when I decided to give her a gentle bath. I gently licked her with my tongue on her back for about 10 minutes. The not-so-nice hostess didn't even say thank you and managed to sleep through it all. That really hurts a guy's ego, you know?
We had another visitor on Tuesday because it was Mom's birthday. There was lots of activity and I was a big hit with everyone. They all commented on what a wonderful boy I am. Even when I am outside I enjoy catnaps in the grass. Last night I encountered a thing called a vacuum cleaner. Oh boy, oh boy! I just wanted to gobble that thing right up! It looked like so much fun, but Mom didn’t think so though…Mischief and I were sent outside for a potty break. The baby has this little thing that he toodles around in. It’s called a walker and I think it’s pretty cool. I never get grumpy when he runs me over as I LOVE the baby so nothing he does agitates me.
I am a VERY low maintenance boy for my age. I would be so happy to have a home that would allow me to curl up on your lap and enjoy some loving. I have big, sappy eyes and a mushy face. I truly am the PERFECT dog. My forever family is waiting for me and I can't wait to meet you. We will be lifelong pals. Hope to meet you soon!

8/30/03 - We apologize for the delayed update but things have been rather hectic lately. First, when Duke arrived at the Come & Go Boxer Bungalow we noticed that he might have a problem with his back legs. We weren't sure if he was lame from being in a crate, pulled a muscle during the transport, etc. So, Duke went to the vet on Friday. The initial diagnosis is that Duke has a ruptured ACL in his back right leg and a possible ruptured ACL in the left leg. He is showing slight signs of arthritis so it appears he has had this condition for quite awhile. BAR has responded immediately to Duke's need for surgery and he will be transported next weekend to Connecticut to one of BAR's favorite vets. Duke will have some recovery time where he will need to be kept quiet so he can heal properly. After the surgery, he should be good as new. The vet estimated that he is approximately 2-3 years old. He is heavier than I thought, 71 pounds. Everyone at the vet's office adored him. He was so good about allowing us to poke and prod at him. His fecal test also came back negative for parasites.
Now, onto some fun news...yesterday afternoon we were playing in the living room with Mischief and the baby while Duke was in the kitchen. Mischief has a stuffed dog from the Big Dog store that barks. I threw it into the kitchen and when it hit the floor near Duke it started barking. I couldn't believe what I saw next...Duke gently takes his big paw, pulls the stuffed dog to him, and so very gently, opens his mouth and cradles the dog. He then started to whimper saying, "Mom! You threw the baby!" I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He honestly thinks it is a puppy. I ended up taking it away from him, as I didn't want him to become protective of it.
My sister-in-law paid a visit yesterday and said that if her apartment allowed dogs she would adopt Duke in a heartbeat. She said he is adorable and such a love. Despite his pain, he tries to play with Mischief outside when he is on the run. Every now and then it gets a little rough and I am afraid he is going to hurt himself so I calm them.
I don't think Duke means harm to the cats as he whimpers and wags his tail when he sees them. We still keep him on the leash inside, as I don't want to take any chances.
Duke will be sure to send an update soon.

8/26/03 - Greetings from the Duke of Earl. Things continue to go well at my foster home. Mom takes the baby, Mischief, and I for a walk every evening and I love it. Last night we went out back to a place called a construction company where I met 5 men. I loved all of them. They commented on what a beautiful boy I am and they couldn't understand how a guy like me could be without a permanent home. I walked up to each one of them and enjoyed all the attention. We walked by the big lawn mower last evening and I knew that it was way out of my league so I completely ignored it. I don't mind when cars pass us during our walks. Mischief sits and waits as cars pass and I have been trying to learn that as well. I've been showing Mom some of the training I have had in the past and she is very impressed. I even give paw, without being asked. Mischief is still learning that I can be a little grumpy when it comes to my food bowl. It doesn't matter if it is empty or not - it's mine! I get a little verbal just to let her know she's being a rude hostess. What do you expect from a guy who had to live meal to meal? I'm trying to be better about it and once I know I don't have to fend for myself, I will be fine. She's more than welcome to share my water bowl and dog bed. Mom says it's hard to believe that I am so young because I don't act it at all. I am very mellow. I don't pull on the leash, I enjoy the dog bed while outside, and sleep in the crate without one single peep. What more could you ask for?! Okay, I'll admit....I really would like to sample one of those fur balls but Mom doesn't give me the opportunity. I would be better off with a home that doesn't make me share it with fur balls. Who would want to anyway!? Gotta go! Mischief is waiting for me....

8/24/03 - Hi everyone! It's me, Duke. Today was my first full day at the Come & Go Boxer Bungalow and I am having a wonderful time. I have to admit, I am in LOVE.... there's an "older" lady here named Mischief and she never leaves my side. Not even for a minute. Last evening I had to sleep in a thing called a crate. I whimpered for one second. My foster Mom said, "Sshhh boy. The baby's sleeping." Mischief stayed by my door until I fell asleep and then she went in to keep watch over the baby. I slept through the night (even though that noisy baby didn't!) and urinated a river when I went out at 8 a.m. Boy did I have to go! I ate 3 bowls of food today as I need to gain some weight. Mom says that I am going to be a big boy once I fill out. She said that I have a large head and am deep chested. Yesteday Mom said my stool was loose but it was just fine today. When in the house I have to keep my leash on. They have 3 fur balls that run around the house and I sure would like to chase them. Mom says after a week I can have my leash off. I don't think I want to hurt the fur balls since I wag my tail when I see them. I met 2 new people today and they both commented on what a beautiful dog I am. I did show my bad side today.... I decided to show my "dislike" for small tires such as strollers and push lawn mowers. I would bite the tire and pick it right off the ground! I only wanted to play! I also barked at the lawn mower so Mom said that they would keep me in the house for future mowings! I enjoy spending my time with Mischief and licking the baby's toes. He seems to like it as well. Even though this is my first full day, I am so happy to have a loving family and a warm home. I don't have to fend for myself anymore. There's just one catch... I would really like a family all my own. Could that be you?

8/23/03 - The Come & Go Boxer Bungalow has welcomed its newest guest, Duke. Duke comes to us without any information so we are starting out from scratch. This boy is an absolute mush. He rode all the way home in a crate without a peep. When he arrived home, he instantly did his business in the yard. We then introduced him to our 6 year old resident boxer and they are in love. They drooled on each other so much that I had to take a towel and wipe them off. Duke is crate trained, house trained, and loves to lick baby's toes! He knows a few commands such as sit, come, and paw. He is just starving for affection. The one area we need to work on in the "cat" concept. Duke thinks they look like a BBQ meal waiting to happen. We have been using the water bottle to correct him and it has worked well. Duke has met several strangers already and loves everyone. He is a dark brindle with a black mask. He has a white smudge on his nose with a white chest and toes. He has sad, droopy eyes that say, "Please, won't someone love me?" How can you not? When Duke arrived he was given a scooby snack which he inhaled (seriously) so I gave him a bowl of food. He ate it right down as he was very hungry. He is doing well on the cable run. As I type, he has his face resting on my feet with Mischief by his side. This boy is a real gem and won't be here long. Duke will be sure to send an update soon.