BusterFTA1-11


	Age & Sex: 4 yr. old


UTD: Yes


	Weight: 50 lbs.


Other Dogs: Yes


	Color: Flashy Fawn


Cats: Unknown


	Ears: Cropped


Children: Under 5: No Over 5: Yes


	Tail: Docked


Professional Training Required: No


	Neutered: Yes


Microchipped: No


	Shelter Surrender


Location: Unionville, PA

Adoption Donation $300
On Medical Hold

10/17/11 - Buster has been in rescue since January 2011. He came into rescue with a urostomy (large opening to urinate through). It was thought by the vet that examined him, that he probably had stones, and repeat surgeries could be avoided if he had a urostomy done. Since coming into rescue, he has been leaking, sometimes large amounts from the site. He was brought to a regular vet who recommended medication. That was not successful. He was also seen several times by specialists at U. Penn Vet. Hospital where several tests were performed, including an ultrasound. No abnormalities were noted. The specialists now recommend performing a systoscopy using contrast dye. They are looking for ectopic ureters (ureters on outside of bladder instead of running through). It was not seen on ultrasound, but it is not uncommon that this would not show up on that. If he does have ectopic ureters, then surgery can be done to correct this.
If the test is normal, then a water ring can be placed around the urethra which will hopefully stop the leakage. The cost of the test is $750. Surgery to correct the ectopic ureters (if that is what is found) is between $3,000 - $4,000. If Buster does not have ectopic ureters, then placement of the water ring is approximately $2000 - $3000. Buster should have this procedure done, but unfortunately rescue does not have the funds at this time to do this.
Any donation to help Buster get the medical attention that he needs and deserves will be greatly appreciated. Our goal is to raise these funds to help this boy along in finding a forever home, because he is truly not adoptable in his current state, and needs to have his medical condition addressed and corrected. Please help Buster!
You can make a tax deductible donation via paypal by clicking on the logo above, or by sending a check to Boxer Angels Rescue, PO Box 543, North Bellmore, NY 11710, and note on the check "to help Buster".
Thank you

5/1/11 - Buster is doing so well here in our home. He gets along so well with our dogs and every other dog that comes to visit. He welcomes new dogs in with open arms and a quick sniff then goes on his merry way. He is getting so much stronger with his hind end and is now playing and running like a wild man. He gets moving so fast sometimes that I am not sure how he is going to stop. Buster and our resident pit bull, Pepper, are really enjoying each other. They like to carry every toy from the toy bin into the other room. Most of the time they carry the same toy together. So cute! Pepper has also introduced Buster to the fun of our creek. Buster has been enjoying the water on the warm days we have had here. Buster is wonderful on leash and listens wonderfully off leash. He is very concerned with where his people are so he never gets too far from us. We are continuing to work on his leaking issue. And we seem to be making progress. All in all Buster would make a wonderful addition to most any family. He has been much less reactive when he makes a mistake, so children are not completely out of the question for him. Buster is a quick learner and could adjust to many different situations. Think about making Buster a part of your family. Keep reading up on his progress and we'll keep moving forward with his treatments.

3/1/11 - After a long deliberation, we had decided not to keep Buster for ourselves. He is a truly wonderful dog, however, we have had a very difficult time with the idea that we would not be able to foster if we were to keep him. We feel that fostering is the right thing for us to be doing at this time and we could not do it with four dogs of our own. Buster has been a joy to have in the house and has really come into his own over the past few weeks. He has gained some much needed weight and looks even more wonderful than he did when he arrived here. (pictures to come!) He has gotten along famously with our dogs since day one. He stays out with them while we are home, eats meals with them, and even tolerates our notorious cuddlers. Buster is crated while we are away from the house and even puts himself away in the morning before I leave for work. Occasionally I forget that he will do this and panic because I can not find him :) But Buster is simply sitting in his crate waiting for me to lock the door. A perfect home for Buster would be one with children older than 5. I am suggesting this because he will occasionally get himself into "trouble." Trouble being something terrible like getting tangled in the cord for the laptop! Please sense the sarcasm. He will panic when he realizes that he is tangled and growl or make a small barking sound when you reach out to help him. His previous life must have taught him that small mistakes get you into big trouble. He does the same thing if he knocks over a glass, which he seems to do frequently. Therefore, I feel that small children would not be a help in situations like this. I don't think that he would appreciate being surprised. Other than that small restriction I think that Buster would fit into a huge variety of families. Buster is currently having a problem that we are in the process of correcting. Before he was left at the shelter he had been provided with a surgery that allows him to urinate through a hole. This is commonly done when male dogs get frequent stones that need to be passed. Removing the stones can get very expensive so this particular surgery allows for the stones to be passed without surgery through a larger opening. Solving the problem. However, he is leaking from his new site. This is something that should be able to be fixed with medication to tighten up the muscles at the new site. We are working toward finding the right solution for Buster. Finally, Buster also has a grade 2 heart murmur, which is common in the Boxer breed and should not worsen over time. Buster is truly a wonderful little boy and would love to find a home of his own. Please consider adding him to your family!

1/17/11 - Buster is having so much fun here!! He and our pit mix are about the same age and have discovered how much a like they are. They have spent the last two days following each other around the house and playing tug of war with any toy that is long enough. Buster's favorite new activity is following closely behind Pepper and holding onto his tail. They look like a group of elephants at the circus :) He is still a bit intimidated when all of the dogs are outside with him. Although, I am sure that after he bulks up he will feel more comfortable playing with everyone. We are getting really excited about the way that he is fitting in with our kids. Looks like we are on our way to being a four dog pack!

1/9/11 - Buster arrived here in PA yesterday after a long journey from NY. Our intention was to give him some time to relax away from the other dogs, but he would have none of it. So, we took everyone for a short walk around the property after dinner and Buster was perfectly happy to do a polite meet and greet with our three fur kids. He spent the night on a dog bed in our room and ate with them all this morning. (my husband fed them before I was awake...) He is doing wonderfully and seems to fit right in here. He seems interested in playing with the others, but isn't sure about them since they play very roughly. I am sure that he will figure them out in the coming days. All in all Buster is such a polite and petite little guy!! We can not wait for him to completely come out of his shell and become the best he can be...