Age & Sex: 5 yr old Male	UTD: Yes
Weight:  50 lbs.	Other Dogs: Yes
Color:  Brindle	Cats: No
Ears: Natural	Children: Under 6: No    Over 6: Yes
Tail: Docked	Professional Training Required: No
Neutered: Yes	Microchipped: Yes
Owner Surrender	Location: Rochester, NY
Adoption Donation $250

9/19/08 - Neeko has been doing outstanding. He now goes with us on our weekly playdate with a boxer friend. All four dogs get along great and run and run. It makes for a nice and quiet Sunday afternoon.
Neeko is truly part of the pack here and everyone knows when to leave one another alone and when it is time to play. Our schedule just changed so walking hasn't been as consistent as it was but they don't seem to mind. We hope to get back into a routine soon though. As I write this Neeko and my female are bouncing around on the rug behind me. Doing a little boxer face fighting and grabbing a toy every now and then. They will take a break for a minute or two but then someone gets up and they are back to playing.
I really don't know what else I can say about this great boxer. He loves playing with other dogs but enjoys his rest, he listens well to commands, he's not a picky eater, and he loves to be near you.

9/4/08 - Neeko went on a playdate with our two boxers this weekend to play with another male boxer. All four of them did wonderful together. Neeko did tire out the fastest and decided to mount the other boxer when he kept trying to get him to play. That boxer didn't appreciate that so we just put Neeko on a leash while the others played and he just laid down next to us. He was exhausted the rest of the day.

Neeko has really come far since the day we picked him up. He was so stressed out and would whine, bark and drool everytime he had to go in the crate. But now he goes in the crate with no problem and never whines, barks or drools as we are leaving. He does occasionally bark when we get home but then settles down to wait for us to let him out. He also comes over and lays down with us more and more. He's not a lap dog like ours that will stay there till you move but he will come get his attention and then go to his dog bed. At night, he could sleep in the bed with everyone but chooses the dog bed. Sometimes he will come lay down beside us for a little bit but never all night.

While we have been walking him, he is still not the best walker. We have to use a pinch collar because he pulls really hard at the beginning. He does end up settling into the walk but he is just too excited at first. I have been letting him play outside before we start the walk and that has helped.   

Neeko has really shown us that with patience, love, exercise, discipline, and a positive environment a dog can come out of their shell.

8/26/08 - Neeko is still his spunky fun self. He recently had a small bump removed from under his ear and it did end up being a Grade 2 Mass Cell Tumor. While it sounds bad he is doing fine. The ear is a tricky spot to remove a bump from and while they hope that it is all gone that can not be guarenteed. So for now all we can do is watch to make sure that it doesn't grow back. Like with all boxers any lump should be checked. Neeko is still a wonderful boxer that deserves a forever family to call his own. He loves to play with other dogs, go for walks, and be near his humans.

8/16/08 - Neeko has been doing great. He definitely loves being part of the pack and everyone gets along wonderful. Of course, Neeko and my female have had cranky moments but they give each other kisses minutes later. The only thing they don't do together is eat but that is because we keep them separated afterward so there bellies can rest. They would want to start playing especially in the morning.
Neeko is now being crated in the same room as ours when we leave. He had been being left downstairs by himself because he stressed himself in the crate so much. But now he is stressed about being separated from them and was having accidents while we were gone. Everything is much better now. He gets crated with them and no more accidents and he is not stressing in the crate as much either.
Neeko is a sweetheart and everyone that has met him just adores him. He likes to play with other dogs, he listens to commands, and he loves to be with his family.

8/4/08 - Neeko is still a wonderful house guest. We had friends over this weekend and they brought there 6 year old nephew with them. Neeko was wonderful with everyone. The little boy piled a bunch of the dog toys all over and around  Neeko and he just laid there. He never jumped on anyone and was calm the entire time. He ended up curling up next to my friend on the couch and falling asleep after awhile. They wanted to take him home he was so good.
Neeko has done outstanding with everyone we have introduced him to whether it be people or dogs.

7/22/08 - Neeko is now truly part of the pack. All three hang out when we are home and everyone sleeps in our bedroom together at night. They started off playing non stop but have calmed down and now leave each other alone when one goes off to lay down. At first it started off with just my female and Neeko playing while my male commentated (aka barked at them). Now though, they each play together at different times. My favorite is when one of them is on their back. Feet straight up in the air and the other two are chewing on the one on the ground. Proves they trust one another which is wonderful to watch. We haven't been walking as much due to the 90 degree weather and random downpours but they exhaust each other from all the playing together.
Neeko does seem to bark and occasionally growl at whatever is outside. With the warm weather curtains and windows have been closed so we haven't noticed it as much but when we have opened them he really notices everything. He even barks when we come home. He is wonderful with everyone that we have brought into our home though. Just a protective habit I think.
Neeko started off so stressed and to watch that tension leave him has been so rewarding to watch. We love having him around and will definitely miss him when he leaves for his forever home.   
Oh one more thing- Neeko knows Shake. My husband was about to work on it with him but he seemed to already know it and would give you his paw everytime. What a smart boy he is!!!!
 

7/12/08 - Neeko went to the vet the other day for a wellness check. He's a little guy weighing only 48 lbs but he loves meal time and always eats everything up right away. (He's just a small boxer.) He gave the vet hugs while he was there and even met one of our former fosters. Her mom works there and she had brought Jazz with her that day so Neeko got to meet Jazz. Her mom said that Neeko is much cuter in person than in the pictures and we totally agree.
Neeko seems to have a calming affect on our female. When they were together the other day Neeko just ignored her efforts to get him to play with her. She finally just went and played by herself which was great to see. We had to do our dogs nails the other day and we use a dremel to grind them down instead of clippers. So, we decided to see how Neeko would do as we find it to be easier. Well, he was nervous at first so we started off slow and did it lightly the first time. But the other day we tried again and he was great. We were able to file them down nicely.
Neeko takes everything in stride!!!

7/9/08 - Well, Neeko has been busy meeting new people. On the Fourth of July we had friends over and he just hung outside with us as we barbequed and played games. My parents stopped by this weekend as well and Neeko just loved my dad. He sat right next to him to be petted the whole time he was here. Neeko seems to have no problems with anyone.
Today a friend brought over her kids (3 year old boy and 5 year old girl) to meet Neeko. He was wonderful with them. We made him sit and calm down before they came close because he was so excited to see them coming down the driveway. He had the boxer wiggles but it only took a minute for him to calm down. Neeko allowed them to pet and hug him and never once tried to jump on them. The little boy would come up and then run away fast and Neeko just watched him. The little girl was throwing toys for him in the yard and Neeko would run after them for a second but then go back to see them. When we came inside Neeko went and sat down next to their mom and got some attention and gave her lots of kisses.
Neeko does really well with commands. He is quick to sit when asked and always comes when you call for him. He walks great on the leash and hardly ever pulls. He will play with toys in the yard when you play with him but not in the house. He continues to have playdates with his Akita friend they tire each other out quickly. 
I can not say enough good things about Neeko he is a sweetheart!!!!
 

7/4/08 - Neeko continues to be a wonderful house guest and seems to be more comfortable here. He comes over to us more often for some attention and is not whining as much when we go upstairs and leave him downstairs. This past weekend Neeko went on a long walk with our male boxer and they had no issues. They walked side by side with no problems. He also met my female and he did get a little cranky with her but they both were just too excited to see one another. Throughout the week we have been bringing them together separately as well. Everyone is doing great. Neeko sometimes is a little overwhelmed with ours as they have a lot of energy and just want to play, play, play. He still has daily playdates with his Akita friend and they are great together. Neeko and the Akita know how to take breaks when playing and will leave the other alone so there energy is a good match.
Neeko is truly a great boxer that just wants some attention, a nice walk and some playtime with a friend.

6/27/08 - Neeko is doing wonderful. He has been going on daily walks and is doing good on the leash. He has also had daily playdates with his Akita friend and they play great together. He does sometimes try to mount the Akita but he is quickly corrected and he doesn't try again. It is rather comical when we try to get one of their attention as they have the same name. Our Neeko definitely knows his name though.
He is starting to calm down a little more when he is left by himself but he really doesn't like the crate but goes in willingly for a cookie. He also sits for his food and every time we come in the house. He is not a snuggle bug yet but he does enjoy being petted. But when he is done he goes and lays down on his dog bed to rest.
This weekend we plan on doing intros with our two boxers and I will update on how he does with them.

6/20/08 - Neeko got to play with another Neeko today. My sister has a six month old Akita named Neeko too and they got to meet and play together. They did wonderful- they both were rolling onto their backs doing the boxer face fighting, running after one another, and laying down side by side. They tired each other out!! We already have another playdate set up for tomorrow.
I can't believe that Neeko has only been here six days. He has adjusted great to our schedule and everyday he is relaxing more and more when he is left by himself. Neeko has not met our two boxers as my husband is out of town. But next week when they do meet I will update on how he does with them as well.
Neeko is one great boxer!!!!
 

6/18/06 - Neeko is doing wonderful. He seems to be catching up on some sleep after having been at the shelter for five weeks. We are very excited to report that after applying bag balm to his nose a few times a day the growth has flaked off and is gone. We will see if by keeping his nose moist it will also prevent it from growing back. Now he is super handsome!!!
Neeko has been going on daily walks and while he pulls at first he settles into the walk nicely as you keep going. He will pee on every tree if allowed but he is not allowed to mark everything when we walk. He has played with the toys a few times but we think that he is just worn out. He does not like the crate and will whine and bark while he is in there. So, we have allowed him to sleep downstairs at night in the living room and he is much more content there. When we leave the house he is still being crated until we know him a little better. It is usually only for a few hours though and he is crated when we have our two downstairs as well. When he has been left downstairs by himself he has been very good.
On the paperwork that we have for him it was reported that he was scared of loud noises. But the past few days we have had thunder and lightening on and off and he didn't get scared by that. Last night I had to vacuum and I left him in the crate while I did and he was not bothered by that either. I went right around the crate with the vacuum too.
Neeko enjoys being petted. We allow the dogs on the furniture and Neeko must not have been allowed because he will put his feet in your lap to be petted and make no attempt to climb up to be next to you. Right now he does like to be where you are and will follow me from room to room.
Neeko is a sweet boxer that has been stressed out lately but we can see that he is coming out of his shell. He is going to make his forever family very happy.

6/15/08 -  We picked up Neeko today from Lollypop Farms. He was an owner surrender to the shelter and he was stressed in the kennel which caused people to overlook him. It has been reported that he lived with cats and children and was great with both. He was already neutered and is up to date on all his shots. Neeko is a small boxer weighing in at 50 lbs and he is 5 years old. If you look at the pictures you will notice that there is something on his nose. The way it was described to us was new skin growing that will flake off at times and regrow. (I have to get the exact name.) But it is nothing to be concerned about. He is still a beautiful boy.
We took Neeko for a long walk before coming home and while he pulled at first he calmed down as we kept going. Once home we gave him a bath outside and he was great while we sprayed him down and worked in the soap. He is now super soft!! When we brought him inside he was ready to explore everything but we directed where he could go first. He heard our two boxers upstairs and was ready to go see them but that is a little too soon. He is currently crated downstairs and our two are in the next room. He is whining to see them but no barking or growling and he is beginning to calm down as I type this.
So far, Neeko has enjoyed being petted, going for a walk, getting a bath, playing with toys and definitely being out of the kennel.