Am I the Only Paranoid One?

[Amy Lyn]

I have a strange post, but was curious to see if I was the only nut out there who thinks like this. And please, I won't take offense if you all tell me I need professional help!

I always get really worried about people stealing my dog. My husband thinks I'm nuts.

Just to give an example, I had to drop off some film to be developed at the mall today before I went to an appointment I had (to get my baby and Wagner's picture taken). So I drove to the mall and had to leave Wag's in the car for a little bit when I went to drop it off. I was so afraid someone was going to see him and think "gosh, he's a good looking dog, I'm going to take him" or "oh, a Boxer, must be a good fighting dog, let's snatch him." I kept telling Wagner that while I was gone he was to sit really low in the car, he needed to stay down and hide (like he understood a word I said!). I felt a huge relief when I came out and saw him laying in the backseat! This isn't the only time I've felt this way.

My husband and I got in a big fight while we were travelling with our first Boxer, Clark, one time. We stopped at a rest area just outside NYC and I refused to leave the dog in the car by himself while we went to use the restrooms.

I'm always afraid that people that come in our house (repairs, deliveries, et cetera) will see Wagner and want to come back and break in later to steal him. I saw a worker in our neighborhood look very intently at Wagner one time when I was outside with him, he slowed down and stuck his head half way out the window and watched him the whole time. I was convinced that he wanted to steal him. I don't even live in a bad part of town! That's what makes this so nuts.

You never know though, some people think Boxers are good fighting dogs and are mean and will want them for that purpose, some may think a good dog is too expensive to buy so they'll steal someone else's or they may just think he's too cute and will take him for their own.

Oh, boy, I think I need help!

 

[JULIEGINA]

I know exactly how you feel. I won't leave Gina in the car or tie her up outside the shop etc. I love her as a skin baby and I wouldn't leave a baby in the car. She means far to much to me to risk her getting stolen. I think you are being very responsible
I heard of a boxer last year that was stolen because he was left outside a shop for a minuit and I felt so sorry for that family, they put posters everywhere, I just hope they found him and am glad my baby is safe with me.
Dont let anyone tell you that your are mad.

 

[Cayenne's Mom]

I don't believe you are nuts at all. I am always paranoid with my dogs. I have to pick up my Husband and step-son at the airport on Saturday. Their flight time is right after Puppy Class so I told them I would pick them up outside. No romantic indoor meetings. I do not want to leave Cayenne in the car for any reason.

We got our carpets cleaned about 3 weeks ago and the carpet guy kept playing with Cayenne and commenting on what a great dog she will become. I am still paranoid about leaving her outside or the doors unlocked.

I always tell my husband that I would rather be safe than sorry. I just couldn't deal with losing her and the what ifs....

 

[tingoddess]

Not Paranoid

I do not think you are paranoid at all.
The fact that you understand that your breed is highly prized and that you are aware that there are bad people out there puts you one step of the rest.

You will notice over time a lot of posts at this sight from people who leave their boxers unattended in their fenced yards while they are not home. Living in a good neighborhood is no guarantee that someone will not snatch your dog from your yard. Recently in Michigan, someone stole a families boxer dog along with the regular stuff like tv's etc. The police in that case feel that the thief is someone who knew the familiy and the dog.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Dogs are snatched for a variety of reason, to be used to train illegal fighting dogs, to be sold to research facilities, to be used as breeding stock just to name a couple.

I don't think you need to justify your need to protect your dog to anyone, spouse included. We are not living in 1950's America, there are bad people out there and we need to realize this and take appropriate measures, with in reason of course, to ensure our safety as well as our pets.

out the oppertunity for crime by taking the oppertunity away.

 

[Austin's Mom]

If anyone even comes NEAR my car when Austin is in there is in for a big surprise. He snarls and barks and makes a racket! No one would ever think of stealing him-they wouldn't get close enough!

 

[lmyhand]

Nope, you are not the only one. My boyfriend also gets mad at me for how "obsessed" with Baxter I am. I don't like leaving him in the car for any amount of time even though he too barks and growls at anyone who comes near the car! I also worry everyday when I am at work that someone will take him when he goes in my back yard to go potty. I installed a doggy door for him so he could go whenever he wants. Now-I am nervous about THAT!

Call me crazy!

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

If you're paranoid then so am I. There are bad people out there, as Tingoddess said. There is another thread here about people stealing dogs and children. Geez, if they take kids from playgrounds right under their parents' noses, they sure won't hesitate to steal a well bred, beautiful Boxer, that's for sure.

In my neighborhood in Brooklyn, many people USED to tie their dogs up outside the grocery store as they went in to shop, then walk home. But so many dogs were being stolen from in front of the store, they stopped and you didn't see anyone doing it anymore. It was an easy place for someone to steal a dog for fighting or bating Fighting Pit Bulls.

If my dogs are with me they are always in my sight. I do not leave them outside (can't since I live in an apartment) unattended, and if I take them in the car with me, it is only to places where I don't have to get out (the drive thru bank or Wendy's etc.) or if I do have to get out, then only at places where I can see the car and dogs at all times from inside the store. And BELIEVE YOU ME, I don't take my eyes off of the car for more than a second when I'm inside any store.

Otherwise, my dogs are safe and sound in my home. I have security at home and that is the best I can do. If someone breaks in my apartment and steals the dogs, there isn't much one can do about that. But, other than that, I agree with Tingoddess, an ounce of prevention is worth so much greif and heartache should someone lose a boxer to a thief.

I'd say go ahead, be paranoid. Don't beat yourself up for it. I know I'd protect my dogs with my life if I had to. I'm sure you'd do the same.

 

[VTbxrFan]

I'm not that paranoid about Dallas being stolen because I live in an apartment, so he's never outside without me. But I'll share my fear to make you feel better. Dallas sleeps in bed with me and has a tendency to stick his knows under pillows, blankets, etc. I always worry that he's going to suffocate and I have to check to make sure he's still breathing every time I wake up in the night. (He doesn't snore, so I usually can't hear him to know that he's breathing.)

I will say that I when I get a house (someday!) I'd like to have a doggie door for him, but i think then I will be paranoid about him being stolen. I'll have a super high fence with lots of locks!

 

[kay85]

I know exactly how you feel! I am always worried someone will steal our Roxie. It is know that we have a "group" of people in our area that steal boxers to practice fighting with pit bulls. It makes me sick to think of that happening to my baby. I only take her with me in the car if I know I don't have to leave the car, cause I don't want her alone in my vehicle. I also do not leave her outside by herself for long periods of time, and if by chance, I have to do that, I have people who come to check on her. I would never forgive myself if someone stole her!

 

[lthompson35]

I have been scared of people stealing Samus so many times! My car doesnt have tinted windows, but my husband's truck does, so if we go out where we know she is going to be in the car, we usually try to take the truck. The windows are actually so dark, you can barely see what is inside when you put your face right up to the window. People cant covet what they cant see. But no, you are not crazy in the least bit, and if you are, you've got lots of company!