houboxmom
Boxer Pal
I don't know how many times I have read through these posts under the Rainbow Bridge topic and just cried at how sad the stories were of heartbreak over the loss of a boxer. I hate that I have to post my own story now.
As a child, I always wanted a dog but my mom was allergic so it was never really an option. When I finally got a place of my own, I decided that it was time. I had no idea what kind of dog, so of course I spoke to some co-workers and friends about the dogs that they had, and the one that stuck out the most was of course, the boxer! So that was it, the search commenced! I found all kinds of boxers available, interviewed with rescue groups, and individuals and just about had it narrowed down, then another co-worker found an ad for Winston on Craigslist. He was perfect! He was 5 years old, fully trained and adorable! At the time, I was divorced with 3 children so the stats fit just fine! I called the owner who explained to me that he was moving out of state and that he just couldn't take him with him and that Winston had already had 5 different owners in his 5 years! So that Saturday, I went to meet him. His owner opened the door and Winston greeted me by putting his paws on my shoulders and giving me a huge kiss from chin to forehead and I knew that he was mine! (and I was his!) I took him home that day, and from then on he was my "4th child" and the 1st loyal man in my life!
So fast forward to 2 weeks ago Sunday. Winston was 12 - almost 13 (this August). It was Sunday night and I was helping to motivate my younger son to put up his laundry when I heard my oldest son say "Something is wrong with Winston". He was having a seizure. My husband held him in his arms until the seizure subsided and after it was over, Winston got up a little dazed, but seemed to just shake it off. We decided to just watch him to see if he was ok. A couple of minutes later, he had 2 more smaller "aftershocks" so my husband loaded him up and took him to the Emergency Clinic. He stayed the night there where they were able to give him some anti-seizure medicine but told us that more than likely he had a brain tumor and that if he recovered, he would continue to go down-hill quickly. Monday morning, we picked him up from the clinic and they told us to go directly to our vet who kept him all day for observation. The seizures had escalated, every time the anti-seizure medicine wore off, he would have another seizure which was about 1 every 4 hours. We called the vet every hour to get updates on him and unfortunately every hour, it was the same bad news that nothing had changed. At 4pm, we decided to return to the office to speak with the vet about our options. We knew what we had to do, but it didn't make it any easier. At 4:30 I kissed his forehead, told him I loved him, and he passed away in my lap.
My husband said something when we got home that I think will stay with me forever. He said "Winston came around at just the right time in your life, and you came around at just the right time in his. You two were a perfect match." I treasure every moment that Winston & I had together. He really was a member of our family and will be remembered forever.
In loving memory of my Winnie-Bear (8/3/98 to 5/16/11) Running Free at the Bridge!
As a child, I always wanted a dog but my mom was allergic so it was never really an option. When I finally got a place of my own, I decided that it was time. I had no idea what kind of dog, so of course I spoke to some co-workers and friends about the dogs that they had, and the one that stuck out the most was of course, the boxer! So that was it, the search commenced! I found all kinds of boxers available, interviewed with rescue groups, and individuals and just about had it narrowed down, then another co-worker found an ad for Winston on Craigslist. He was perfect! He was 5 years old, fully trained and adorable! At the time, I was divorced with 3 children so the stats fit just fine! I called the owner who explained to me that he was moving out of state and that he just couldn't take him with him and that Winston had already had 5 different owners in his 5 years! So that Saturday, I went to meet him. His owner opened the door and Winston greeted me by putting his paws on my shoulders and giving me a huge kiss from chin to forehead and I knew that he was mine! (and I was his!) I took him home that day, and from then on he was my "4th child" and the 1st loyal man in my life!
So fast forward to 2 weeks ago Sunday. Winston was 12 - almost 13 (this August). It was Sunday night and I was helping to motivate my younger son to put up his laundry when I heard my oldest son say "Something is wrong with Winston". He was having a seizure. My husband held him in his arms until the seizure subsided and after it was over, Winston got up a little dazed, but seemed to just shake it off. We decided to just watch him to see if he was ok. A couple of minutes later, he had 2 more smaller "aftershocks" so my husband loaded him up and took him to the Emergency Clinic. He stayed the night there where they were able to give him some anti-seizure medicine but told us that more than likely he had a brain tumor and that if he recovered, he would continue to go down-hill quickly. Monday morning, we picked him up from the clinic and they told us to go directly to our vet who kept him all day for observation. The seizures had escalated, every time the anti-seizure medicine wore off, he would have another seizure which was about 1 every 4 hours. We called the vet every hour to get updates on him and unfortunately every hour, it was the same bad news that nothing had changed. At 4pm, we decided to return to the office to speak with the vet about our options. We knew what we had to do, but it didn't make it any easier. At 4:30 I kissed his forehead, told him I loved him, and he passed away in my lap.
My husband said something when we got home that I think will stay with me forever. He said "Winston came around at just the right time in your life, and you came around at just the right time in his. You two were a perfect match." I treasure every moment that Winston & I had together. He really was a member of our family and will be remembered forever.
In loving memory of my Winnie-Bear (8/3/98 to 5/16/11) Running Free at the Bridge!
