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TIGGER 2/9/03

Adopted 3/1/03

Pictures

Tigger's Foster Journey

Post Adoption

Pertinent Information
6 yr. old Male
72.8 lb Brindle
Neutered and UTD
Natural Ears and Docked Tail
Being Fostered in Rochester, MA
Adoption Donation $175

5-05-03 Tigger has gone to heaven where he will no longer be struggling for life. His kind, gentle, loving heart just gave out.

5/4/03 - Please say your prayers this evening, Tigger is so very sick I worry he may not make it much longer. Let us all pray for his mom Marcia who is devastated and for him that he make it or finds his way to the rainbow bridge pain free in his sleep. Tigger, I love you and am praying hard this evening that you make it. Your foster fairy.

5-01-03-Tigger has been with me for 2 months now. He was diagnosed in mid-April with DCM, congestive heart failure, and has fluid in his lungs. I experienced his first seizure in mid-March. He is on various medications, and is living a very quiet life. His prognosis is very poor and I am told he will die at anytime. He sleeps most of the day, and any exertion is an effort for him. It is a very sad and heartbreaking time.

4/20/03 - Happy Easter from Tigger and his mom, Marcia and myself (the foster fairy)! Tiggs is still not feeling well, and his mom is truly admirable in all her efforts to provide comfort to him! When he looks at her there is so much admiration and love..don't we all want that in our lives? We all wanted to let you know that even though he is not feeling well Tiggs wishes all his brother and sisters at BAR a Happy Easter and loving forever homes.

4/18/02 - Hi, Tigger here. Its been almost a month since I was adopted. And I think I like it here! My mom bakes me cookies, takes me on walks, we meet new people ( skin and fur) and I see the ocean too. She loves me, hugs me, plays with me, and tells me I am the best puppy! I am 6 , but who’s counting! I have such a sheen to my coat and I am growing hair on my bald spots! People compliment me on how handsome I am And that I am a good boy. Mom tells them my story, and people are glad to hear of rescue groups and are sad that I had some unpleasantness in my life. I mind very well. I never bark or growl, I sit,down and come and walk very nicely on my leash, I do not beg for food, I do not get on the furniture, I travel well. I do snore a bit – my only vice! I love other dogs and cats too! I have a good life. Tigger is doing very well. He has free run of the house, goes in and out of his crate on his own for naps and Sleeping overnight. He has not had any accidents. He greets me in the morning and when I come home like He is the happiest dog in the world. I am amazed he can walk in his kidney bean dance! He bumps into furniture sometimes, because he is so intent on looking at me while dancing. I am happy to have a dog again and am glad it is Tigger. He is such a good boy. I could not have found a more perfect boy. Thank you for being a great rescue group and the biggest thanks to Tigger’s foster mom Dawn and her family, whom cared for Tigger as if he were her own child.

4/16/03 - Hello, it is Tigger's past foster mom writing to you all with permission and thanks from Tigg's new mom, Marcia. We both equally would like to ask for thoughts and prayers to go to Tigger because he is quite ill. Marcia and I talk at least 2 times daily and email more than you could imagine! We both have heavy hearts to report that Tigger has become quite ill, with an illness called Cardiomyopathy, and has been given not much more time to be here. I am doing my best to understand why things like this happen to such wonderful, caring and trusting animals, and I have decided that we all are better people for having animals like Tigger in our lives, and maybe that is their living legacy to give us! Please keep him and his mom in your prayers, he is a wonderful dog whom has one of the most outstanding, compassionate, and diligent moms I have ever met. Since I made the commitment, I am doing all I can to be helpful to Marcia, and assist to all extremes possible. Sincerely, Tigger's guardian angel.

3/8/03 - Hi, Tigger has spent a week with me now, and I think he is doing very well. We have no accidents in the house, I am still figuring out his "I have to go out" signal, but we are doing very well. He enjoys his paws being dried when we come in from the rain and snow and waits for me to do it. He has had 2 baths and loves the tub and the toweling off part! He is very proud of himself afterward. He is loose in the house now when I am at work and all is fine. I have worked the afternoons at home this week while he was getting used to his new house. He likes his tennis ball on a rope , and goes crazy for squeaky toys! He is playing more and more. His appetite is good. He has quite a snore when he sleeps. He enjoys napping and sleeping in his crate, and often will go in for a snooze and for the overnite. Today we went to the vet to get established, and I was a little worried about lingering cough and boo-boo's on his legs and hock. They seemed puffy under the callouses. He had a tough life before BAR. So we are on antibiotics for 2 weeks to make sure we get rid of any low level stuff. We were due for heartworm at month end , so we took blood today and wait 1 week for results and then take our pills. I have talked or e-mailed his foster mom Dawn daily, and updating her on his transition. So I think we are settling into a good routine and Tigger has become a part of the family. (He has a 4 legged equine brother). He is a great companion already. Until next time, Tigg and me.

3/6/03 - Just want you to know that I talk either by phone or email every day with Tigger's new mom, Marcia! Customarily the new adoptive "parent" gives the foster home a one week update, but we just both love the chance to talk about how awesome Tigger is! Marcia updates me on his transition, etc., and we trade secrets on how much we love him and his likes and dislikes!! She is a great person and just what Tigger deserves - true love! He will have a vet appointment to meet the new vet that his mom has chosen, Dr. Gaumont, on Saturday of this week. Look for future updates to come from Tigger and his mom Marcia.

3/1/03 - Well, it is both an emotionally sad but happy day; you see my "old man" Tigger was adopted this morning !! I know his new mom will take great care of him, greeting him with homemade cookies she made last night, and he walked right in went to his new bowl and decided to make himself home!! Both will do great together, and I know as hard as it is, he is in great hands and will be taken well care of! Good luck Tigger and Marcia, have a long enjoyable and satisfying life as "forever" companions!!!

2/28/03 - Hello everyone!  Tigger has had his staples and stitches out and EVERYONE at the BBVA could not believe this was the same dog they first saw on an EMERGENCY
basis!!!  They thought he looked great and healthy.

Tigger will be going to his forever home tomorrow morning!  He will go to his new mom Marcia and I have the distinct feeling that he will be taken care of better than his
wildest dreams ever imagined, she has bought beds, collars, leashes, toys, toys, toys, emergency aid kit, and is right now cooking homemade cookies for his arrival tomorrow!!!
Thanks for everyone's part in getting Tigger in, transporting him, vet care, and of course being believers in the BAR family.  Rest assured he will be in good hands with his new mom.  They live not far away and I can even have visitation!!!!!  Talk tomorrow after I bring him to his new home on my way to a party! 

2/27/03 - Tigger is pending adoption.

2/26/03 - Good afternoon! Today we are having fun running around being crazy and enjoying every minute of it! Last night Tigger was SOOOOOO funny...he and my dog were playing...and when the other dog was at the water bowl Tigger slowly walked by and I swear took the back leg out from the other dog and kept walking...like who me? I don't know what you are talking about!! It was really funny! He has a charm about him, and any time he cocks his head to the side and puts his ears up I melt...typical pushover, i guess!! He is really feeling great and tomorrow we are going to call the vet to see when his staples can come out...HOORAY!! Then he can really enjoy himself free of the collar, etc., just in time for the weekend. I love all these opportunities to grow, and even though each dog has touched my heart and home is their own unique way, I know that i have done my part and enabled them to a better life.

2/24/03 - Hi everyone, well the rain has stopped, and not only are we happy, but the dogs are also!!! Tigger really was not fond of torrential rains when he had to go out, but like the rest of us he just grinned and bared it! His cough seems to be drier, if possible, and we will continue with medication until gone. He thinks he is pretty cool today, we made him a scarf out of "Clifford" material to match Heaven & Dozer! They look like the three amigos!! I think I must be the luckiest foster mom of them all, such a great guy he is! It looks like he has a new home waiting for him as soon as he gets well, and boy what a lucky dog and family!!! They will be close by, and his new mom and I seem to have lots of mutual interests, so I might have gained a new acquaintance out of all this, and that's what makes life to much nicer, don't you think? Hope all are well and enjoy your day! Hugs and wags from us all at the Boxer Sanctuary

2/23/03 -  Hello to all there in the BAR groups! Today we all were kind of lazy getting up with all the rain, etc....YUK! Tigger was feeling a bit better today with his cough, because we again slept with our vaporizer on to help loosen and clear out the bad bad germs :) He is a delight, and you could see he was feeling better today, he was spunky, and actually kept antagonizing heaven & dozer with toys. He his eating great, drinking, going potty well, and we will miss him bunches when he leaves. Around three a.m., my husband and I were in bed talking and we thought how funny it was that he walked into our home, lives, etc., and it is like he was always here. He has the looks of our old Miss Polly, the aging we saw in Touchdown, and the general manners of our Brutus (all RIP), so he will be sorely missed. I think that he will have to be spoiled rotten, because he deserves it. I hope who ever gets him knows that I am going to have a real hard time letting him go, and will make sure he is well taken care of. Me and him have gone through a lot and have a bond that only a "mother" and her "son" can have; forever he will truly be in my heart. Already today I have been a bit sad and teary-eyed when I heard that will be adopted soon, but the only comfort is that I have given him good manners, love, and the understanding that my door will always be open to him forever! Talk soon, it's time to snuggle in our big blanket...me, matt, Tigger, Heaven & Dozer and the skin kids!! Have a great night. Love, Dawn & Tigger

2/21/03 - Good morning! I apologize that I did not get an update yesterday, but VERY busy day. Tigger has come down with kennel cough, understandable with all that he has been through, and with the help again of Gary and Nancy, we got him to the vet and on medicines. We spent the night enclosed in a bedroom and vaporizer and it worked great, loosening up a lot of his cold and he was able to cough lots out!!! I love this dog, and really would be begging to keep him, if I did not know that there was someone out there who is waiting on the joys of sharing their life with a BOXER!! Tigger rode like a trooper to the vet, and he and my youngest, Nara, have this rapport that is quite cute, she talks "Dog" to him and he responds just like they are having a conversation! She feels that he really likes the song from Barney and keeps singing it to him. He just rolls his eyes at me with a smirk like, cute kid lady, but the song is getting boring:) He is wonderful in my home, and my door would always be open to him!! He loves to play and has maneuvered the doggies toy box with his protective collar on! We think any family or person who wishes for all their dreams to come true should consider adopting him, they will never regret it! He is so wonderful, I wish sometimes that I could just use some magic "pixie dust" and turn him in to a human man - and he would be the man of my dreams. (Thinking of that, maybe I could turn my husband into something....haha, evil laugh here!!) All of us will give him all the care and love he needs while he has this cough, and trust he will feel better soon. P.S., if one thing to smile about, when at the vet yesterday, she said because of the around the clock, every two hours, day and night, compresses I have been putting on his "manly"area, the swelling and drainage have closely disappeared and looks like he may not need surgery; great waht the love and devotion of a sleep deprived foster mom can do!! I do for him what I would do for my dogs or my kids, no more no less, and he truly will be  forever a "family member" to us even after adoption we will be there for his transition to a new family! Have a nice day and talk tomorrow. Tigger and Dawn.

2/19/03 - Today we had to again visit the vet with some issues over the neuter incision area on my foster son Tigger. There has been so much trauma to the area, that the swelling and bruising are causing some drainage and other issues. Through out it all he has been endearing and tolerant. Last night for the first time Tigger used his voice!! We all did that "ef hutton" look. He had gotten a stuffed squeaky toy and wanted someone to try taking it from him!! 

Today he also went and visited my sister and her children, ages 12, 4, and 10 months. The youngest has some disabilities, and he could not leave Tigger alone...He just kept staring at him, cooing, and putting his hand on Tigger's head. Tigger LOVED IT! He kept gently giving boxer love to Ethan. Boxers have that special quality that just can bring out the best in people! For one of the first times Ethan reached out with his left arm and unclinched his fist to try to touch Tigger...my sister started crying, for months the therapist has been trying this and a dog in her house less than 5 minutes accomplished it!!! 

The vet did say that if things don't settle down in his groin area, she is afraid that he may need a major surgery to correct things, but she was going to call Nancy Lawson and speak to her. For now we will be going every other day and having that area checked and make sure that we do all we can to PREVENT any more surgeries, poor guy has had enough poking and proding. We are applying warm compresses every couple of hours in hopes of reducing swelling and improving blood circulation in that area, thus making him and us feel better!!! 

Well, both my girls are away for the night, so I think that Tigger, Heaven & Dozer are going to get a large dose of my undivided attention. Have a great day and seize the moments that we get with these great creatures!!

2/18/03 - Hello everyone, hopefully you have been able to function in spite of the snow!  It has been a lot for us to shovel, that's for sure.

Tigger had to make another visit to the vet this am., thanks to the quick workings of Nancy and Gary, because the liquid glue did not work on his neuter stitches area.  We had a nice vet who decided the best way to go was with staples.  Through out the whole thing, my stepson Tigger was patient, kind and grateful, giving the vet and assistants boxer kisses the whole time!!!

In two weeks we will go and have the staples out.  He is a great dog with the best possible disposition any animal could have, including my fur kids! 

We have come home and while he rests from his ordeal, we are going to try to shovel out my car which got stuck in the driveway!!!  Please send Tigger's thoughts of comfort and love to his friend Tyson, we all wish the best to him and his foster home, we have been there before and it is trying and exhausting, but luckily for Tyson he has a great family to comfort him!  So long for now, Tigger and family at the Silver Linings Boxer Sanctuary.

2/17/03 - Good morning...we had a crazy night last night, but it true BAR fashion, at the answer of a call, BAR directors jumped into action and things went flawlessly when I had to get Tigger to the vet because he was so swollen and bruised from his previous neutering and had strained when taking his first Bowel movement, that he opened his dissolving stitches!!

Ever the gentlemen, Tigger got into the car with me, the first dog to ride in my new PT CRUISER, in fact, and we went to the Tufts emergency satellite vet.  There, Dr. Daly took charge and worked his magic.  He said sometimes with the amount of swelling that Tigger had with the bruising, that dissolving stitches might not have been best; noting larger dogs sometimes, depending on the dog, are better with "real" stitches!  He LOVED Tigger!  Could not believe how friendly and jovial he was!  I responded it was because he was with BAR and knew he was safe and in great care!! 

Dr. Daly cleaned the area, trimmed a bit, and then chose to use a glue adhesive, which he says would be easier at this point on Tigger.  That was pretty neat, I remember my daughter having that on her forehead in November when the Dr. was concerned about scarring, neat.

We came home, and of course the two skin kids, the two fur kids, and my big kid of a husband were right at the door waiting!  Matt said they would not go to sleep, and were upset that he would not be back, so he allowed them to wait for us to come home!

We all gave Tigger love, and went to bed.  Let's see what exciting things we can do today, (evil grin) to highlight school vacation!

I guess the Silver Linings Boxer Sanctuary is being watched by the "Guardian" angels at BAR...thanks guys!

2/16/03  - If there is anyone out there who has ever passed judgement on adopting a "senior" boxer, you will never know the sheer joy of love, companionship, and happiness that you will receive by them!  My example is my current foster, Tigger.  He is the best, housetrained, obedience trained, playful and yet snuggly always at the right times!

Imagine all this at your fingertips, and for what...just a never ending amount of love, companionship, clean fresh water, full bowls of food, and the knowledge of being safe and appreciated.

If I were able to, he would probably be adopted by our family, because he feels like the missing link to our lives!  He is truly a "Boxer Angel"... the first night I was nervous, but all of a sudden my heart told me to get over the "new baby" jitters and do what I do best...LOVE! and we have.  There is something truly special about this dog.  I have fostered two young sisters (Cari & Samantha) and they were great dogs, I have fostered a two year old names Bruno, and a 3 year old named Zeuss, as well as babysat for a long weekend a boxer named Rocco, however, none have been as good as this dog! 

Should you be the one looking for a great companion, please consider opening your hearts as well as your home to my foster son, Tigger, you will never regret it!

2/15/03 - Good morning to all!  Just could not wait to tell you the amazing dog in Tigger.  The swelling in his face has started to go down, allowing us to see how much more "Character" he has to his features.  He is brindle and has such a cute splash of white aging on his black muzzle.

Today we went out and played briefly as a "family, with Heaven & Dozer, dad & mom, the skin kids were inside going through their toy boxes for toys for the dogs, Tigger definitely likes stuffed squeaky toys!

Tigger was quite amazed by the girls train that they were playing with today...try to imagine his head going around and around following the train around the tracks...funny for sure!

He has the most amazing temperament, and loves anything and anyone.  He is a great eater and drinker.  He does whatever we ask and even listens to the girls.  Today we allowed him more time to discover the house, and he really likes his new "bed" and lying hear the fireplace with the other fur kids.  This is an amazing dog, both my husband and I are amazed at how he just walked in and fit in as if he was always here...truly amazing.

2/14/03  - Well, my newest foster, Tiger, has arrived at 9:00 P.M. through the ever dedicated Paul T. (thanks as always Paul) to the Silver Linings Boxer Sanctuary here in Rochester, MA.  What a distinguished guy he is.  He walked into my house like he had always lived here and walked up to our resident fur kids and not even a flick of an eye from either!  It was as if they were always together.  Once Paul explained the medications, etc., and briefly  visited, he graciously stated he would sleep well knowing Tiger was in our care, he felt much better knowing he was here ( isn't that sooo kind).

We let Dozer and Heaven out of their crates and within seconds the three of them were tearing around the house at warp speed!!!  When thirsty all three of them drank out of the water bowl at one time!!  They even felt the need to stick three heads into one food bowl rather than use their own separate ones, thus as you can see NO food/water aggression, etc.

We have decided to call him TIGGER rather than Tiger and he comes to it instantly.  He is a bit rough to look at, however, as usual the BAR has made sure that all his needs were taken care of.  Prior to arriving he was neutered, and put on antibiotics for a few crate sores on his feet. 

This dog is amazing, especially since it is hard to believe how kind and gentle he is...you know the old adage that looks can be deceiving?  Believe you and me it was true.. I started with tears in my eyes when I saw him booboos and the large "lampshade collar" around his neck when Paul brought him here.  But we took that off because he could not fit into any crates with it!!!  Instead I placed my foam neck brace from an earlier accicent around his neck and it works just as good and he has more chances of being "normal" while healing.

He is a cuddle bug and Loves a good toy!  Yesterday morning he and I were up before the fur and skin kids, and my husband, and we talked, took a quick potty break, and I hugged him and he just snuggled with me.  I feel so protective of him right now!  Then he went in and licked my daughter's face and laid down at the end of her bed on the floor with the other two boxers that run the house!!

The first night he was quite vocal and in a bit of discomfort, but who would not be in his circumstances, being surrendered, the many things at the vets, and then to come here all in a matter of days!  We realized that he is a bit afraid of the dark, and solved that by buying a nite lite and it works!!!  We made him an extra comfy bed for his crate and with the coaxing of cookies that were hand made by "Auntie Jean" we get him in there.   During the day he is a delight.  Yesterday I was letting him rest and while working with Heaven & Dozer on their obedience (we always reinforce, even after we took lessons) and Tigger came up and started doing everything they did.  He follows hand signs for sit, come, stay, and does the most amazing down I have ever seen!  He even gives paw!  The walks on the leash are delightful and have not had any pulling yet.

He would be the most amazing gift someone could give themselves, a distinguished dog, obedient, friendly, cuddly, and appreciative of human love!  I am committed to getting him a home he truly deserves...a forever home!  That's all for now we will write again soon! 

2/10/03 - Tiger is a very big brindle boxer boy, he 6 yrs old and is presently being treated for an infection between his toes and a few crate sore areas.  Tiger will be brought up to date on his shots this week, and is scheduled for his neuter on Thursday. Tiger is an owner surrender who's family felt they did not have enough time to spend with him as their family expanded, so he is joining us here at Boxer Angels Rescue to find that very special home just for him. 
So stay tuned as we get to know this big boxer boy and we will have pictures of him soon.