Jordyn and Montana

Today I'm sharing with you a photo sent to me by Pride Riccardi. You could say this is Pride's pride and joy.

Pride's granddaughter Jordyn at the age of nine is not only an accomplished show dog handler but doing it with a Boxer. Those of us with Boxers who know their sense of humour know just what a feat this is.

Jordyn, with Montana, finished her novice juniors in only four shows! Her next step in ten wins for open juniors. Here they are in their championship photo at the Brazoria Kennel Club Show in November.

Flying Ears

Today we have a special treat, Boxers with their ears flying.

This is Bogie Bear and Jack Be Nimble, sent in by Rachel Osborn. Bogie is one of Rachel's dogs and Jack Be is a foster that's hanging out with them for a while.

As Rachel describes it "Here's a flying ears picture of Bogie and Jack Be Nimble. I tried to get a second one but Jack Be got out of the way so got a great shot of Bogie flying through the air."

And of course anyone that knows me knows I'm a sucker for the white Boxers.

Another Intro, Sox

Ready for more puppy pictures? Here's Hattie Bub's new little man.

Sox was born on April 30, 2011. The puppy photos were all taken when we went to visit him at the breeders home in Climax, NC. Sox was 6 weeks or so at that time. When we met him for the first time, between 4-5 weeks, he was so quiet and cuddly. Just liked being held and snuggled. Sox seemed to "choose" us. But when we drove back to visit him at 6-7 weeks, he was running all over the yard, trying to eat my son's shoelace, was chasing leaves, and would barely come to us. 

Sox is 10 weeks in the photo of him sitting on my husband's head. The one of him on the tan chair was taken on New Years Day, 2012. He is now 8 months old. Neutering has helped his emerging dominance issues. He is happy, very playful, VERY energetic of course. He responds to 2 commands: "sit," and the ever important, "gimme 5." He ignores all others. Sox goes to the baseball field and plays fetch with a tennis ball every afternoon and also "keep away." He recently passed a temperament test and attends doggie daycare 1-2 times per week to burn off energy instead of being in a crate. Sox is a picky eater, but loves treats. He loves his crate and does not make a peep when it's time to go in. He is good with our kitty, but terrorizes our Pug to the point that they spend most of the day in separate areas of the house. He is horrible on a leash, but we will be working on that and hopefully returning to obedience classes soon (he flunked). 

So, do you think I'm cute?

I think I'm cute.

I don't think it's nap time.

Hello, I'm getting big aren't I?

Puppy Breath! Meet Raisin!

Today we have another introduction to the BML. This might just be our favourite sort of post.

From Robin Zuckerman:

"This is Raisin Zuckerman.  I got him from rescue about 2 weeks after Pappy Zuckerman died from lymphoma. Manny was very depressed and would barely get out of bed in the morning.  He is enjoying his new little friend! Thanks. Robin Z"

Apparently his full name is Raisin Ulysses Zuckerman, a big name this little guy will have to grow into.

Can you resist this face?

Every puppy needs a pillow. Poor Manny!

Tank's Going Bald

Today, even though I have some other photos, I have jumped Shelly Adams' Tank to the top of the list. Shelly, and Tank, are looking for some help. Here's what Shelley had to say when she sent me these photos:

"So I have a problem that I need help with, folks. Tank has this huge area of bald skin on his back. Its been this way for MONTHS. The skin doesn't seem to itch or bother him at all, there are some places in the batch where the skin is darker than other areas. The biggest issue that I have noticed is he gets cold: FAST! He does a lot of blanket burrowing and what prompted the email  is that he got under the blanket with me this morning and his back was like ice cold feet!

So any ideas of what this could be? I've not seen seasonal alopecia in person, so I can't say yes or no to that. He never fusses about the cold, hasn't got any pain or discomfort and never seems to notice when we touch him there, its like he is oblivious to the baldness.

I put a t-shirt on him and he could not pee with the shirt on. LOL! His coat no longer fits, as he and I have both suffered horribly in not being able to go for walks anymore. I have no idea how much he weighs but it's too much: the tuck is almost non-existent. Please don't yell at me, I know: green beans and exercise! I just can't do it."

The following are Shelly's photos of Tank.

Paris-Ivy

Today's photo is of a Boxer BML members know quite well. Paris-Ivy, from my co-admin Maryann, along with a little story about how this happened.

"Paris-Ivy covered herself up one day while rooting around on the couch! Who knows how she did it ... but this is what she ended up looking like. And she must have liked being snuggled in an afghan because soon after the photo was taken, she lay her head down and went to sleep. '

Silly girl!"

For those of you that are seeing Ms Paris-Ivy for the first time, no that is not dirt on her eyebrow nor did Maryann draw her eyebrow on with a Sharpie. This cutie came that way.

Bev's pack

Today's photos are from Bev Hayes, here is her story.

"I am a 71 yr old widow who moved from Dallas, TX to Flippin, AR in July of 2006. I had never owned a Boxer.  I had, for 30 yrs owned Pekes and GSD.  I missed having a dog in my home.  Enter my world into Boxers.

My Fawn girl, Princess was given to me by a friend of my oldest son.  She was 3 ½ -4 when I got her in May of 2005.  She was not spayed, strong heartworm positive and not UTD on shots.  I got her shots current, had her spayed only to find out about the heartworm status. Just loved the way the guy took care of her. 

I wanted to get her a brother so I began looking at rescues.  I checked with a few in Dallas, TX but found a male in AR named Cole.  I fell in love!  The girl who handled the adoption was a huge help.  I was approved and drove 8 hrs with Princess to meet him.  That did not go well at all.  She, unknown to me, had never been around another dog and wanted to fight with him.  Of course, I could not take him til she was taught to be a dog and it was ok to be around him. She spent 3 weeks at Doggie Boot Camp and when I went to pick them up, they were like they had been together forever.  They came home in the back seat of my Grand Am and I was thrilled. They have been wonderful ever since. That happened in May of 2006.  Cole is submissive, Prin was Alpha and all was well.

A year ago last October I found my little Mandy, this time a Peke.  She was about 2-2 ½ yrs of age, beautiful and I was in love again. She was also a rescue. When I got her, she had been shaved as her beautiful coat was matted so bad they could not comb it out.  She met the Boxers from her crate and seemed to do just fine with them.  I decided to put her in the utility room with a baby gate. I went down the hall and heard this barking and Mandy's little woof-woof.  Down the hall I go and sitting at the hallway gate was Mandy and behind her were two Boxers looking very confused on how she got in the living room with them. My immediate thought was the gate had been knocked down – NOT!!!  Mandy had climbed it and let the big girl and boy that she was now in charge.  I could not imagine her being an alpha, but she is.  She let them know very quickly that she is in charge and they don’t seem to mind.

 

I love them all very much, they are a lot of laughs, company and give me a reason to get up every day.  I am sure you know that feeling."

You want us to go where? (L to R, Cole, Princess, Mandy)

We don't want to go.

I'm still thinking about it.

Cole and Mandy, enjoying the sun.

Mandy making her bed, Cole gets the floor.

She must have got it just right.

Rubin, the Working Dog

A few days ago BML member Janet Giarratano posted about her Boxer Rubin and his "job". This is what she said that day:

"Rubin has a job, it is to wear a backpack and collect bottles on our walks.  We donate all the money to the Humane Society here in Wayne County. We have cleaned up the neighborhood and haven't gotten as many bottles lately. Today on our way home he was sad. As we entered then driveway he saw a pile of bottles. He got so excited and ran to them and wanted me to put them in the backpack. I do not know who put them there but he is happy again. I think we have good neighbors.

Be careful what you do people are watching.

Rubin got a letter from the Humane Society  saying that they were happy he was helping save the animals. I did read it to him, he was wagging his tail the whole time. I hung it on the wall and it  will  go in his scrap book."

I immediately emailed Janet and said she had to send me photos of Rubin working and kind soul that she is she followed through. I'm so pleased and I think Rubin is pretty awesome. But when are Tango's photos coming Janet? ;-)

 




Rubin, in his pack, ready to go.

A working dog has to keep his eyes peeled.

Rubin, happily showing off his treasure.

Congratulations to Janet on making Rubin feel important and helping other animals at the same time.

Getting To Know Murphy

Today we get to share in a happy story from the BML. The following is what Debbie McDilda sent me regarding her new addition, Murphy.

Murphy was born on Cinco de Mayo 2009, so he's about 2 1/2 years old and he's a very typical 2-3 year old! Lots and lots of energy and endless curiosity. I've known Murphy since he was born but since he's been in Portland with my step-son and family I hadn't seen him in a while. When my husband and I went north this past Thanksgiving I noticed that they were not enjoying Murphy's young antics (or energy) AT ALL. After many conversations with my daughter-in-law, and discussing what would be best for Murphy, we offered to adopt him. He and Annie (my new rescue) really loved playing and were obviously compatible. No firm decision was made then. My step-son came down at Christmas with Murphy and his 11 yr. old boxer Major and on Christmas night he asked if we'd be willing to keep Murphy. We did in an instant. He stayed with us from that day on and he and Annie are getting closer every day. 

He's on his way to becoming the great big boy that we can see in between the high energy moments. He's very sweet, is great with kids of all ages and loves to play with his toys. He's enjoying his freedom to be a young boxer tremendously.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present you, Murphy.

 

This last one is Murphy in his cone of shame after his exuberance landed him with a nasty wound in his leg.

Remembering Shubert

I had mentioned in my last entry that I had a new plan to get my blog going again. I came up with the idea because for years on the BML our great friend Dale would post photos on his Friends page so we could admire each other's Boxers. With Dale's failing health I thought, why not? I could do this. So here we go.

The first entry is bittersweet because it is to commemorate one of the members of our Boxer family that has passed. That's the bitter, the sweet is Shubert was just a month shy of her 16th birthday and that's something almost unheard of for a Boxer. Shubert had been with Dianne Nelson in Alaska for about the last six years, since the passing of our friend Susan Barnes and was the last of Susan's "galz". Dianne sent me the following photos to share.

Shubert in the swimming hole two summers ago. (She doesn't look like an old dog to me)






 

In December Dianne and Shubert participated in a skit at a talent show. Dianne is the one in the Dalmation suit.

Shubert right before they went on stage. She is wearing her Fido Fleece and a big red bow on her collar. She got to be so loving to everyone where as before Susan got her she was afraid of everyone and everything.

Shubert and her sweetie Casey, cuddling on the couch.

Shubert using her kitty friend Twink as a pillow.

And this last shot is to let all the rest of us know what we're missing, not being in Alaska.

That lump of snow in the middle? That's Dianne's truck.

Back to the Blog

I've been away from this for quite a while, ok almost a year. I am maybe not the imaginative creative soul that I like to think I am. However, a week or so ago I came up with a plan to resurrect the blog. I was all set to do so starting tonight, but something changed.

That change was that today I lost a friend. I say I but it's not I, it's we, and that we is the wonderful community of Boxer lovers I belong to known as the Boxer Mailing List. Nearly 13 years ago, back when the first Brindle was a wee girl, I discovered this community through an internet search. I was welcomed with open arms by a man named Dale Ulmer, little knowing that he and his wife Diane would one day become friends and that I would visit them in their home.

Dale was, in the words of his co-adminstrator, the voice of the BML. He shared his ideas, especially about home-cooking for Boxers, offered his wisdom and was respected and even loved by so many of us. He deserves much of the credit for molding our community into something more like a huge extended family with members all over the world.

Today our friend moved on, not leaving us behind but going to be greeted by those who loved him, human and canine, who had gone before. In the words of one of our members "I hope in dog heaven where Dale is going, there is a gigantic cooktop with tons of ingredients and huge pressure cookers where the ol' man can whip up his mac n mac."

I'd like to also share the prose that Dale's good friend and wife used to let us know of his passing.

Gone From My Sight

I am standing upon the seashore.  A ship at my side, spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean.  She is an object of beauty and strength.  I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight.  That is all.  She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.  And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"

 And that is dying.

~Henry Van Dyke
 American poet

Farewell and Godspeed my friend, and could you pass little scritch on to Kate and Spencer for me? You'll remember the tiny Brindle girl who will probably have a tennis ball with her and the white guy with one blue eye who will be pushing to the front because he always wanted to be the first to greet anyone new coming in.

Dale Ulmer

Dec. 12, 1938 - Jan. 5, 2012