Tanc

Pertinent Information
10 yr. old Fawn Male
55 to 60 lb. Owner Surrender
Natural Ears and Docked Tail
Neutered and UTD
Being Fostered in Forked River, NJ
Adoption Donation $100

1/14/06 - I would like to let everyone know that "TANC" went to the bridge today 1/14/06 he was the consummate gentleman to the very end but his hind quarters just quit working a few weeks ago and carrying him in out was not how he wanted to live, he was the source of great joy to us and his buddy Bear and will be sorely missed by all who met him.

11/29/04 - The second month is about over and Tanc continues to amaze us with his great attitude about nearly everything! He has become very vocal when he wants you to pay attention to him and usually starts with a whine progressing thru the roos and into full fledged I WANT ATTENTION NOW! barks if you don't respond to him. We had a really bad scare two weeks ago when I took him to the vets for drooling excessively one morning. It turns out the drooling was from his getting stung in the mouth somehow but the bad part was the large Gingeval tumor that engulfed his entire upper left canine tooth ,it was nearly the size of my thumb and our vet recommended either Cornell vet school or Colonial Vet clinic in Ithaca as it was too large for him without proper cauterizing equipment. On Monday morning we were in the vets office at 11 and heard all the things that were possible including the dreaded possibility of it being malignant! We left him and said our prayers as he is not only ten years old but this was quite a serious operation, at about 7:30 that evening we received a call that he was awake and doing fine and would be released the next day but the lab would be a week to ten days getting the results back. After about 10 days we received a call telling us it was clear! What a relief we felt. Tanc has certainly added to our family in a big way and of course has picked up several nicknames in the process - funny face and tancman are most popular and every time he looks at you with that gray face and button nose it just makes you smile and give him a big hug. Our resident chow mix "Bear" has taken to playing with him but it's a very gentle easy going style as if he knows tanc is not real steady on his feet and needs to be protected somewhat. He actually take the toys to Tanc and drops them at his feet then it's off to get himself a toy and they lay together chewing and tossing things around. If anyone ever considers a senior dog and has second thoughts about it have them call us and we can fill them in on the rewards of these amazing senior Boxers.

10/24/04 - It's hard to believe Tanc has only been here such a short time. From the very first day he has just quietly assumed the "senior" citizen role and seems as if he's been part our home forever. In the past few weeks he has learned to sit when a car comes along while we are out walking and to ignore other dogs along the way. Bear and he have gone beyond the truce stage and even sleep next to each other on the couch in the family room or any place else they happen to be. The cats have him under control for the most part as he no longer wants to play with them constantly instead he just watches them walk around and follows at a "safe" distance. He spent last weekend visiting Amber and other than being very tired out from the travel and different surroundings he took it all in stride. He is constantly amazing us as his personality comes out more and more, today he grabbed his leash and proceeded to shake it and tug and growl most of the way back from his walk. He has not had any accidents in the house and asks politely when he wants to go out, if you don't respond quite as fast as he desires you will have either a few roo roo's or if he's really in a hurry he will just walk up on your lap and stare in your face until you move. He loves car rides and gets very upset when I leave him behind. When any of us return home we are greeted at the door by lots of dancing and roo's.

10/2/04 - Tanc and I met at Tina's at 1:30 and spent the next 3 hours on the road heading to his new home. He is very mellow and either slept or laid with his paw on my leg all the way home. He met Bear and after a few growls and sniffs they seem to be ok with each other. The two cats are in hiding and will probably will be for a few days until either he wears them down or they decide he is not a threat. He seems a bit nervous tonight but I know its all the travel and new surroundings he has to get used to. We will keep everyone informed as to his progress over the next few days and hopefully he will be happy with us as we are with him.

9/28/04 - Tanc is pending adoption

9/9/04 - Tanc is a sweetheart of a dog. He has been no trouble at all for us, so easy in fact that even though we thought about putting him in another foster situation as my due date approached, we decided against it because he is so easy to have around. I'm due any day now and find him easier to have around than my own two dogs!

He is housebroken, knows how to come IN the dog door but not go OUT. He gives you very good signals when he needs to go potty, so all you have to do is pay attention to him. He is UTD on all of his vaccines, and his regular vet has all of his records and will send them to whomever adopts him. He loves children, visitors, other dogs, etc. When visitors come over I don't even bother crating him, he is very sweet with everyone. He does have seasonal alopecia and a tendency toward cysts between his toes, which has been well-documented with his vet. When he came here he had been taking meds for the hair loss, but once we swtiched him to a high-quality food we have not seen him have any bare patches. '

Tanc is a "talker" like many boxers are when he gets excited or playful, if you start a conversation with him he will gladly give you little "roo-roos."

He is not fond of thunderstorms but we found as long as he was in the room with us although he was nervous, he didn't have any accidents or cause any problems.

In short, Tanc is a dog with very few issues personality-wise. His major issues will be due to his age, but I think this is a guy with a good deal of time left in him, at least if his demeanor and energy are truly indicative of his health.

I will be truly sad to say goodbye to Tanc if and when his forever home finds him, he and I have gotten to be pretty good buddies.

8/31/04 - Tanc's still here, waiting for someone special to get in touch with BAR and offer up a perfect retirement package. We think he is just one of the nicest boxers we've ever had the privilege of fostering. He's got such a cute personality, and his energy is really great for his age. Keep in mind that he is not a bouncy dog by *any* stretch of the imagination -- but he will play with you, and just loves it if you get down on the floor and offer to "wrestle" a little bit. He is extremely gentle, he does not use his mouth at all, he just head butts you here and there and wiggles like crazy.
Tanc will be perfect in a family with exposure to small children or other dogs thanks to his gentle nature and good manners. Unlike a younger or bouncier boxer, he is never going to knock over your toddler or get too rough with a playmate. You can take this boy anywhere, and he will adjust and accommodate.
Please, won't you consider giving Tanc a home to call his very own? He is such a doll baby, you will never regret bringing him into your life.

8/15/04 - Tanc is still hanging out happily at his foster home. I can't say enough times what a nice boy he is. We just have no issues with this guy! As I type this update he is sitting quietly by my side, enjoying a pet in between paragraphs. I'm going to give him a toenail trim today and see how he handles things. I don't anticipate any problems - to date, Tanc has been the easiest and nicest foster we've ever had.
I'd love to see Tanc get a forever family that will give him the love and care that he so deserves, but I am really in no hurry to see him go anywhere. We have grown truly fond of this boy, thanks to his easy temperament and his calm, mature ways. Whoever makes the decision to bring this boy into their lives is going to be a lucky family. There is nothing like a patient, settled dog to help you relax when you sit down and pet him in the evenings. Tanc is one in a million, and deserves a one in a million home. If you think you might be the right placement for this sweet guy, get your applications in soon!

8/8/04 - Hi everyone, this is Tanc. Foster mom left the door to the computer room open so I thought I would come in and send in my own update today! I am having such a great time hanging out here with my two foster-brothers. I haven't lived with another dog before, so I have had a fun time getting to play with these guys. Sometimes they get a little too rambunctious for me, but I do my best to keep up! There is a little pesky dog here too. Foster mom says it is a cat, but it acts like a dog, and I like to play with it a lot! Even when I'm being good and minding my own business, it comes up and demands that I play with it. I am mostly happy to oblige.
I'm no young pup any longer, but I have lots of energy and spunk left in me! I may take my time getting down onto the floor and getting back up, but that doesn't stop me from really enjoying my life! Of course, I am very adaptable as we mature dogs are. If you want me to be quiet and relax, I will gladly oblige you. If you want me to get up an play with you a little, I'm delighted to do that as well.
I like it here at my foster home very much, but I would sure love to have a home I can call my very own soon. Maybe I could come to live with YOU?

7/31/04 - We are due to have a new baby in a couple of weeks. When we originally opened our doors to foster Tanc, we figured with the baby coming that we would take him in until a new foster home opened up, but that with all that a new baby entails we would be overwhelmed with extra dogs in the house. Let me tell you something, Tanc is hands-down the easiest dog I have ever had the pleasure to have in my house, so easy in fact that we decided not to bother putting him in another foster home. New baby or not, this guy is just rock-solid and so laid back and peaceful that there's just no reason to move him anywhere.
He's easier to deal with when visitors come than my two boys are! He loves everyone, regardless of age, gender or size. He will bark when he sees a car pull up or someone walk by. Its not excessive barking, just a woof or two to tell you there's a stranger out there, but if someone comes in the door, he is as sweet as can be. He's now the official greeter at the house.
He LOVES our cat. Let me repeat that, LOVES LOVES LOVES our cat. He and the kitten play together constantly, sometimes a little bit roughly, but he has been a very good boy with the kitty.
I would love nothing better than to see Tanc get a "retirement package" that includes a family to love him, a soft bed to sleep on, and lots of hugs and kisses. He is a wonderful dog, and will do well in nearly any situation.

7/26/04 - I had a nice visit with Tanc's former veterinarian today. Tanc has been kept completely up to date on all of his vaccination and "well dog" visits. Tanc just finished up medication for a skin infection and fungal infection he gets semi-regularly, and he has a tendency to get cysts between his toes, which he has drops for when they occur. I asked his vet if a holistic diet might contribute toward keeping him a little less itchy, and he agreed that it might. We have seen that he has a little flakiness, but not excessive, and he's had no issues with serious itching while with us. Overall, his general condition is excellent for his age. His vet agreed with me that Tanc is a very nice boy. And you know what? He really is! Tanc is one of the nicest dogs I have ever had the privilege to meet. If I could rationalize the expense of another dog in our house, he would never leave us. If you have the resources to bring a dog into your life and give him top-line care and love, please think about this guy. You will never regret it, he is a wonderful boy.

7/25/04 - Tanc is having a wonderful time here at the Lakeside Boxer Retreat!  Having two other dogs 
and a kitten to play with has brought out the playfulness in him.  He really seems to be enjoying himself
 here.  We switched him over to Wellness brand senior dog food, and his is cleaning his bowl at every 
meal now.  I have a call in to his regular vet to discuss his medications and the allergies we were advised 
he has.  Will update everyone on that after I've had that conversation.

We have found Tanc to be a wonderful guest.  His house manners are excellent.  He does tend to eye 
you soulfully if you are eating, but will go away and lay down when reminded of how rude this is.

He is completely trustworthy with children of all ages, and if you have a cat that thinks it is a dog, he is 
also great with cats.  He might not do so well with a more sedentary or shy kitty, as he really wants to 
play with the cat.  Our cat not only accommodates him, he initiates most of the play, so this is not a 
problem at our house (it helps to have a cat that thinks he is a boxer).

Despite his years Tanc is a wonderful representative for his breed.  He is joyful, loving, energetic and 
playful.  He is a super family dog, and he would make an excellent addition to just about any home.

If you haven't already read about the joys of adopting a senior boxer, go visit

http://www.boxerangelsrescue.com/BeforeYouAdopt/how_about_adopting_a_senior_boxe.htm 
and read some of articles and narratives about how rewarding it can be to give a home to one of these 
wonderful dogs.  Our seniors are a superb crew, each of them has given their best to a family for many 
years.  Tanc deserves so much more out of his last years, won't you consider bringing this boy home 
to spoil him for the rest of his life?

7/19/04 - What a great dog Tanc is!  We are delighted with everything we learn about this guy. Tanc

has a sparkle in his eyes that is unmistakably boxer.  He has wonderful energy for an older guy, even

though he can be a little wobbly on his pins when he's getting up and down.  He is feeling relaxed

enough here to begin playing with us.  He's not rough and tumble like the young punks in the house,

but will give you a little bow, box or jaw on occasion.  Mostly he just wants to be petted and

loved.

Tanc's perfect home would be one that would not expect him to engage in frequent strenuous

activity, but one with children and dogs and people he can hang out with and get attention from.  He

doesn't need a huge yard to roam in, although he is having a great time exploring ours.  While Tanc

can go the whole day without going out, as he is an older guy, he might benefit from having someone

who is home more frequently.  Tanc isn't a jumper, and he doesn't do laps around the track, but so

far he can climb up and down our stairs without a problem.  I really can't find anything but great

things to say about this boy.  If you meet him I know you will agree!

7/17/04 - "Quiet, easygoing single male seeks human, gender unspecified, for quiet evenings in front of the fire, long slow walks, cozy intimate meals and lots of snuggling. Is a great listener and will let you talk for hours, and never tell a soul your most intimate secrets. Serious responses only."
This is what Tanc's personal ad would read if he could write it! What a great dog this boy is! He is affectionate and gentle with everyone, gets along wonderfully with other dogs, and even though he has never been exposed to cats, is doing fine with our 3 month old kitten. It seems more that he wants to play with Pippin than anything else. Our cat plays and wrestles with our own boxers, so to him Tanc's antics in trying to locate him are simply more of same. When they have gone nose to nose, Tanc has simply sniffed him in an apparent attempt to figure out what the little guy is and what he's for. We continue to keep a careful eye on the two of them, but have a pretty good feeling that Tanc poses no danger to our cat. As far as everyone else in the house, Tanc gets along with all ages and sizes of humans and dogs. As I type this my daughter is trying to give him a hug, and he is tolerating her without any grumbling. He actually seems to like the attention.
Tanc's not in a big hurry to engage in boxer wrestling matches, but is happy to mingle with my two boxers in a friendly manner. They accepted him immediately without any fuss, and so far all are existing harmoniously.
Tanc is an affectionate dog and gives you very nice kisses when you ask him to, but he is not an overeager licker. He loves to have his head and his rear scratched, and will gladly sit next to you endlessly to have you do this for him.
Tanc came to us eating store-brand dog food. We will gradually switch his current brand over to a higher grade of senior dog food. His appetite was iffy last night and this morning, even with yogurt added to his food, but around lunchtime we tried again with our toddler's leftover macaroni and cheese mixed in and he cleaned his bowl. He is fully housebroken and lets you know he needs to go out with a whine at the back door. He has not yet figured out the dog door, but shows signs of being able to figure that out soon.
Tanc deserves to have a loving home where he can live out his last years receiving lots of love and attention, a soft bed to sleep on and plenty of companionship. He has given his best years to his family and I would like to see him get the care and attention he has earned. If you are looking for an easygoing, mellow fellow who will gladly hang out with you for some quiet evenings, we have your man!

7/16/04 - The Lakeside Boxer Retreat today opened its doors from hiatus to welcome Tanc, a 10-year old senior gentleman who finds himself in need of a new home. Tanc's family found themselves in the position of not being able to care for Tanc any longer, so this sweet guy needs to find a new place to live, and pronto!
Tanc is a very loving and calm fellow. He is energetic for his age in the way that Boxers tend to be, and he adapts well to new situations.
We are enjoying our newest guest, and will update you all on how things go as he settles in with us. From our preliminary evaluation of Tanc, we expect few problems. He is a mature, well-mannered gentleman and has behaved beautifully since coming in our door.