jljohnston
Boxer Pal
Hello all:
Actually I am rejoining this group after a hiatus of several years. Obtained my first Boxer in November 1995 from a neighbour who had tied him to a tree in their backyard. He was a brindle, natural ear who had become inconvenient to the family and I couldn't bear his plight so I untied him, brought him home and told the neighbours of my decision. They were amenable to my keeping him and seemed relieved to not have to remember to feed and care for the dog.
This was my first dog as an adult (I was raised with English Bulldogs) and Brutus was a revelation to the joy of dog ownership. As he had been outside for a while and unattended, it took a bit to retrain him and for open sores to heal and a couple of minor tumours to be removed. After he was all ship shape and well behaved, the neighbours wanted him back; I could scarce refuse, as they were his legal owners. A close friend took pity on me and bought me a six week old fawn, natural ear puppy. An AKC registered Boxer, of course. He was named Buster.
In the meanwhile I'd obtained a PC and internet access and discovered Boxerworld.com. Via emails I gained a great deal of knowledge from helpful Boxerworld members regarding raising a young Boxer. The neighbours then brought Brutus back to me, with his AKC papers and a checque for the vet bills; "too much trouble" and he was always trying to get away (and back over here). So I had two Boxers in a 450 sq. ft. house with almost no yard! The puppy learned from the older Boxer, making training him ever so much easier, and their relationship was very harmonious.
Professionally, I was developing a landscape design business until I began having grand mal (tonic clonic) seizures-- at age 41. The condition was severe enough that I was forced to stop driving and working. Eventually, the older Boxer became attuned to the seizure disorder and could sense (long before I could) when I was about to have one and would "herd" me to the bed. Another facet of Boxer behaviour that amazed me and made a disability easier to live with.
Via Boxerworld, I came to know Olivier Duque who visited us from Belgium in January 1998. He introduced me to other Boxerworld members and I became familiar with Bay Area Boxer Rescue. I found a big brindle female they had online, showed it to my brother, and he adopted her-- Marcella, who he still has and loves. In December 1999, my "baby" Boxer Buster developed a tumour and cancer which led to his demise (at age three), and the following March, my brindle Brutus started having strokes which resulted in eventual congestive heart failure and required that he be put down (aged seven years).
Devastated, a dear friend I'd met through Boxerworld and Bay Area Boxer Rescue (Fabienne) recommended that I get a rescue Boxer as soon as possible. Cindy Seminatore, director of the Bay Area Rescue, had a transfer from Los Angeles who was an older dog and a bit uncooperative that she felt I would be well suited for. I gratefully adopted him, named him Maximilian, and he has been my companion since 23 March 2000. He's a natural ear fawn, not flashy, 65lb.
It's not possible for me to praise this breed of dog enough, or to relate to you the benefits my Boxers have given to my life. I cannot imagine living without the presence, the fun, the attention, the exercise, the sheer gift of this breed of dog. Sorry to be long winded,
Jason Johnston
Modesto, California, US
Actually I am rejoining this group after a hiatus of several years. Obtained my first Boxer in November 1995 from a neighbour who had tied him to a tree in their backyard. He was a brindle, natural ear who had become inconvenient to the family and I couldn't bear his plight so I untied him, brought him home and told the neighbours of my decision. They were amenable to my keeping him and seemed relieved to not have to remember to feed and care for the dog.
This was my first dog as an adult (I was raised with English Bulldogs) and Brutus was a revelation to the joy of dog ownership. As he had been outside for a while and unattended, it took a bit to retrain him and for open sores to heal and a couple of minor tumours to be removed. After he was all ship shape and well behaved, the neighbours wanted him back; I could scarce refuse, as they were his legal owners. A close friend took pity on me and bought me a six week old fawn, natural ear puppy. An AKC registered Boxer, of course. He was named Buster.
In the meanwhile I'd obtained a PC and internet access and discovered Boxerworld.com. Via emails I gained a great deal of knowledge from helpful Boxerworld members regarding raising a young Boxer. The neighbours then brought Brutus back to me, with his AKC papers and a checque for the vet bills; "too much trouble" and he was always trying to get away (and back over here). So I had two Boxers in a 450 sq. ft. house with almost no yard! The puppy learned from the older Boxer, making training him ever so much easier, and their relationship was very harmonious.
Professionally, I was developing a landscape design business until I began having grand mal (tonic clonic) seizures-- at age 41. The condition was severe enough that I was forced to stop driving and working. Eventually, the older Boxer became attuned to the seizure disorder and could sense (long before I could) when I was about to have one and would "herd" me to the bed. Another facet of Boxer behaviour that amazed me and made a disability easier to live with.
Via Boxerworld, I came to know Olivier Duque who visited us from Belgium in January 1998. He introduced me to other Boxerworld members and I became familiar with Bay Area Boxer Rescue. I found a big brindle female they had online, showed it to my brother, and he adopted her-- Marcella, who he still has and loves. In December 1999, my "baby" Boxer Buster developed a tumour and cancer which led to his demise (at age three), and the following March, my brindle Brutus started having strokes which resulted in eventual congestive heart failure and required that he be put down (aged seven years).
Devastated, a dear friend I'd met through Boxerworld and Bay Area Boxer Rescue (Fabienne) recommended that I get a rescue Boxer as soon as possible. Cindy Seminatore, director of the Bay Area Rescue, had a transfer from Los Angeles who was an older dog and a bit uncooperative that she felt I would be well suited for. I gratefully adopted him, named him Maximilian, and he has been my companion since 23 March 2000. He's a natural ear fawn, not flashy, 65lb.
It's not possible for me to praise this breed of dog enough, or to relate to you the benefits my Boxers have given to my life. I cannot imagine living without the presence, the fun, the attention, the exercise, the sheer gift of this breed of dog. Sorry to be long winded,
Jason Johnston
Modesto, California, US
