9/26/06 - It appears as though I have shirked my duties as the foster home. I have neglected to update on Sara in two weeks!! Well, I would have to say my only defense is that Sara has become so integrated into our home that I forget she doesn't belong to me.

A brief recap of Sara's needs would show that she cannot be alone for more than 4-5 hours a day which is a marked improvement over when she first arrived. She eats three small meals a day and takes a pill for her leaky bladder also three times a day. She loves children, any visitors, other dogs and all the affection you can muster. Sara is a love of a dog with no real issues to speak of. She thoroughly enjoys playing with a ball and she's very aware of it's location. Even if it's under your couch.

The other day while playing with her ball, it rolled under the couch. I had a blanket draped across the couch to finish drying and she kept staring at it and then began to pull it off. My husband and I were hysterical and allowed her to continue. She would bark a second at the blanket and then gingerly grasp the edge and begin pulling. We finally figured out her ball was under there and we lifted the couch, she made off with the ball and all was well. She's done this several times, she's tried to take the cushions off the furniture and one time she was so bold she tried to "chew" the edge of the couch in an effort to reclaim her ball. She didn't get very far, as her teeth are worn down from years of gnawing on rubber balls.

Sara had a bath the last week. She was a good girl. She didn't try to run the other direction when I tried to coax her into the bathroom nor did she try to escape from the tub, unlike some other fraidy cat boxer I know!! Sara is always terrific when I trim her nails or brush her, she never gives me a hard time during grooming.

All around Sara is a wonderfully playful boxer, full of love and wiggles for anybody. She is no trouble to have here. On the contrary, it is a complete joy to have her. She amuses us and loves us, all. She is such a sweetheart. I am surprised she is still in rescue. She will find her forever home, all in good time. For now, we're gearing up for our favorite season here in the beautiful mountains of northeast Pa. The colors are spectacular and I plan on getting Sara in a few new shots.
Hey, it would be a lovely time of year to come to Pennsylvania, see the wonderful colors of fall and adopt your even more wonderful boxer!!
 

7/26/06 - Sara has been with us a week now. She continues to learn her rank here. She needs some reminders
that she is not in charge. She and my girl are getting along well, although Sara doesn't have much interest in playing with her which disappoints my Darlah greatly. Sara is much happier playing by herself with a ball for hours on end.

Sara has been home alone for a couple of hours here and there without incident. She has no trouble holding her bladder for any length of time and we've had no accidents at any time. She is eating well and has made a fine adjustment to the foster home.

Sara is a sweet dog. She loves nothing more than being with her people and playing. She turns herself in half when we come home, she's so excited to see us. Sara is not a jumper. She greets our guests the same, lots of wiggles and lots of kisses, if permitted.

Sara accompanied us on a home visit last week. She was too eager to get to the house and pulled on the leash. She was fine with their dog, but she wanted to check out the house and tried to show me where we should go. So, I know that in certain situations, we'll have to work on her leash manners a bit, but on her regular walks she's fine.

Sara is an easy going dog. I think I see her in a fairly active home. One that is at home most of the time and does not wish her to join them on long jogs or hikes. She's just not up for that. She does like activity and is willing to chase a ball at a moments notice, so a family that likes to be outside at home and would be willing to play with her would do great. She does need to be fed several times a day, but it's really no trouble. I fit them into the days schedule and she is doing well. Sara seems to do pretty well off leash, but due to my location we have limited time in this area. I only know this since she was off lead previously.

Most days I hardly know Sara is here. She is a very agreeable dog. She goes with the flow and is responding to the new schedule and the changes here. Sara is a very obedient dog and accepts the changes in routine. Sara is no trouble at all and is quite the easy girl to get along with. She would make a terrific addition to any home, but particularly ones that like to stay at home and relax with their boxer.

7/22/06 - Ok, I know nobody is perfect. So, I'll tell you what problems we're having with our new foster
Sara. ......Uh....... Now, hold on I'm sure there's something. Just give me a second. Hmm.... Nope. I got nothin'!! This dog is great. She is hands down, the easiest foster we have had since we started fostering for this rescue. This dog only knows how to be sweet and pleasant and friendly and
playful. If she has an aggressive bone in her body, it's broken.
 
Obviously, Sara continues to be a fantastic addition here. For a dog that really spent little time on a leash, she walks excellent. So well, in fact, that I had my 8 year old take her out, supervised and she was no trouble. Sara knows just about any command. She is super obedient.

Sara spent most of her time off leash, previously. So, while leaving the leash on her, I allowed her to walk freely in the yard. She sniffed around, ate some grass and laid down. She made no effort to run and when she started to get to far from me, I called her back without any problems. I do not have a fenced yard and kept a very close eye on her and had my husband with me if she decided to stray. That just wasn't the case. She had no interest in getting away.

Sara and my girl have made an agreement. You stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours. My
girl is working on allowing another female into her house. They tend to avoid each other, but there
is no exchange between them. Sara would love to play, but Dar is just not ready for that yet. They
are free in the house together and under close supervision. Sara wants to be everybody's pal.

Today I plan on taking her on a home visit with us. She is a wonderful girl and really shows how
great a rescued boxer can be. She is no exception. Sara is a beautiful dog both inside and out. I
can only sing her praises. Keep checking back on this sweet baby. I am sure hearing about her will
make you smile too.

7/21/06 - Yesterday was the first full day with Sara in our care. I'm learning about her needs. She is
learning to tell me when she is ready for something. Sara needs four small meals a day and yesterday I
didn't think it was time for meal number three. However, Sara was kind enough to let me know. She was pacing a bit and wiggling trying to get my attention. Well, it worked. I took her out. Yeah, me, right? I picked up on her signals! She tinkled only a little and then she kept trying to what appeared to me as, playing. Finally, she became vocal. One little bark and I thought I was going to pee my pants. It took my eight year old to say, Uh mom, maybe she's hungry. Oh, duh! Sure enough that was it. Ok, so not so perceptive on my part, but I'll get it! Sara is going to be very patient with me, I just know it.

Although, Sara has a leaky bladder, the medication obviously helps that. She has been here two nights and one day. She has no trouble holding her bladder, providing she gets out when she needs to.  She will get last walk at 9pm and then not again until 6am and there's no problem. Yesterday, I actually left her alone for 1/2 hour and then an hour and she was great. I do not foresee that ever being an issue, as long as she gets her medicine and you don't leave her alone, all day, everyday.

Sara has such a funny personality. She is a very easy going dog and I can't stress that enough. She is fitting right in here, as though she's known us all along. She greets everyone with wiggles and pure excitement. She really loves toys. She's taken a particular fondness to a stuffed squeaky hot dog. Oh my gosh, she's too funny with those toys. Sometimes when she needs a break, I will take the toys and put them up or she'll play to pure exhaustion.

Sara had two visitors yesterday, my realtor and the Avon lady. She barked to let me know they were
here and when introduced she was a typical boxer. Sara does have to get used to the noises here. We live in the country, but on a main road that sees lots of traffic. If someone is pulling into the neighbors, she barks once, but I say her name once and she doesn't bark again. She's just making sure I know that someone may be coming here and I should probably stop singing along to the radio, as if I can carry a tune. Thank goodness she spares me that embarrassment!!

Sara had more intros to our Darlah. Sara has no trouble whatsoever. My girl tends to need a little more time, so outside she's an old chum. Inside her house will need some more time. So, for now, my girl is gated on the sun porch while Sara has the house. Darlah will concede, but after only one day, she's not quite ready. Good thing Sara is such a sweetie pie.

This dog has done nothing, but bring a smile to my face since she arrived. She is a pleasant girl to have here. She's a wonderful companion and adores my kids. We are always cautious with any new dog, no matter what their history. But, with Sara, it's simply because it's routine not because she needs the time to adjust to my kids 8 and 5. She's all too happy to engage in play and allow them to love her. It's a good thing, 'cause I don't think she has a choice!! You can't help, but fall in love with this girl.

7/20/06 - After a very tearful farewell, Sara was "officially" taken into foster care by BAR. Due to
circumstances beyond their control, this family was unable to take Sara on their move out of the country.
Clearly, Sara was a very well cared for girl, as she has shown us how wonderful she is.
Sara rode home very well in the car, after an already long ride. She greeted my husband with lots of wiggles. She checked out the house and quickly found the basket of toys!!! She thought they would look better tossed about the house, so she proceeded to empty each and every one. She was great all night, so we made brief intros with our girl. They did the typical butt sniffing, but that was about it.
Sara is a very playful girl. She has a knock kneed appearance from patella luxation, but it doesn't slow her down. She plays like a dog much younger. Sara is very obedient. She has not had much experience with a leash, but walks very well. If she starts to get ahead, a quick correction and she's back at your side.
When I woke up this morning, Sara greeted me in typical boxer fashion, one big wiggle!! She was a happy girl this morning, great all night and happy to get breakfast! She whimpered a bit when my son left for day camp, but quickly settled in at the feet of my daughter and is now resting.
We will do more introductions with our girl later today. It's important for Sara to get adjusted to her surroundings without overwhelming her. But, I expect nothing but wonderful companionship between my girl and Sara.
Surely, Sara is not to be here long. She has an amazing personality. She's a beautiful girl and I don't even know she's here. She's making a fine transition here and it speaks volumes as to the kind of girl she is. I am going to enjoy this foster very much. She's just too cute and is making a perfect fit.
Sara does have a leaky bladder , but takes PPA to control it.  She had bloat in 2005 and must eat small mushy meals in an elevated position.  Sara needs a family who is willing to deal with her slight problems and will give lots of love in return.

6/24/06 - Sara came to our family from CT Boxers in 2003.  We were looking for a Doberman, but when we saw her face on Petfinder, we fell in love! 
Sara has had one other home.  She was given up because the owners did not know what they were getting into by getting a dog that requires exercise and attention.  She had terrible separation anxiety.  We feel that she was probably gotten as a puppy and left in a crate all day during her childhood.  To this day she cannot be crated, but she does ok with boarding.  She no longer has this anxiety.  I have left her at home for 5-8 hours on rare unplanned occasions and she does fine.
Sara has a wonderful disposition.  She is very maternal.  She lets me know if one of the kids is calling me and I don’t hear it.  She loves to play ball more than anything.  When she is indoors she will let you know if she is hungry or needs to go out, but we usually get her out enough that she doesn’t need to come to us for it.  When I am working at my desk she curls up at my feet with a ball and just stares at it – sometimes chews on it a little.  The only hazard would be if the kids are playing ball – they either have to allow her to play or play away from her because she WANTS that ball!  She will jump up for it. 
Sara is protective of us with strangers until she sees that we are comfortable with them.  She is not threatening around friends and family but look out if you’re not supposed to be here!
Sara is used to a fenced in pen – ours is 30x50.  She has never used radio fencing.  She isn’t on a leash very often, but she does know basic commands – we just don’t have that much opportunity to use them.
Sara has been on many road trips and loves them.  As long as she gets a pee break every 2 hours she’s good.  She does very well in a hotel and other people’s homes.  She is well socialized to other dogs.  She does great at the dog park.
Sara bloated in 2005.  She went into cardiac arrest and was brought back to life.  We chose to have her stomach operated on.  It was tacked to a rib as is commonly done.  Unfortunately, her esophagus was damaged during the bloat.  She is perfectly healthy but needs to eat mashed up soupy food – 4 small meals a day – in an elevated position.  We feed her on the top step of a step ladder and she does great.  She can eat a dog biscuit.  We do not feed her people food.
Sara was born with Patellar Luxation.  This does not cause her any pain nor does it slow her down at all.  Her back legs just look bowed in at the knee.  It is strictly and aesthetic problem for her. 
Unfortunately, we are unexpectedly moving to Paris and will not be able to take her.  We would NEVER be doing this if we could avoid it - we love this dog very much!