To rescue or to buy. That is the question

[K_Burrow]

Be careful with Petfinder, too

Thanks for the tip, S@ndi, but I should point out that we found both our dogs through Petfinder.

Jazzy was with her county's animal control. No assurances made or expectations there.

Blues was listed on Petfinder by a supposedly reputable rescue. Only after we adopted him did we find out that he had never even been in possession of the rescue, was never evaluated by the rescue, etc. They just gave my name and all my private info (in itself a problem) to a private individual who had rescued 5 puppies on her own who had been abandoned on a college campus. I had no idea that the lady who returned my call to the rescue's answering machine did not, in fact, work for the rescue and was not affiliated with them in any way.

This very well intentioned lady was not a rescue professional and was in no way able to provide the kind of guidance we thought we were getting from a professional rescue service. She even told me that no one else had been interested in Blues and if we didn't adopt him, she'd have to take him back to animal control the next week. We all know what that means...PTS. How could we say no?

Petfinder is a great service, but it's no substitute for checking out any rescue services on your own. I have zero confidence now in any rescue screening they may do.

Kim

 

[Bernice]

I have had two boxers the first was a white that the breeders were going to put down so I guess you can say he was a rescue. my second was from a good breeder but my heart will always go to the rescues if and when I ever get another.
rescue yes thats the way to go!
Bernice and Hennessy Boy

 

[OhioBoxerFan]

We applied for a rescue and never heard anything back from them. Then we saw our first white boxer at a flea market working as a guide dog for a site impaired lady. We stalked her for a while before going up and talking to her. :D We told her about our Boxer, Gunner, and how we wanted to get another one. She told us she worked for a boxer rescue. It happened to be the same one we applied at. We told her that we had applied and never heard an answer. She told us that sometimes happens and that we should apply again. Second time, same thing, we still didn’t get response to our application. We emailed them again asking if they received the application, still no response.

Plus we had never had a puppy before. Gunner was 4 years old when he was given to us by a nice family that no longer felt they had the time for him and wanted to find him a good home. That is when we decided to go to a breeder to find a puppy. I think everyone should have the puppy experience once in their lifetime.

The next boxer we get will be a rescue even if we have to go to the local Boxer Rescues Directors home to get a response! Smashicon

**********************
Quinsi's Age Progression Page
**UPDATED** May-17-2004

 

[nuit5]

Abby was a rescue, and I wouldn't trade her for anything. Granted we had a few issues to deal with since she was apparently abused in her previous home, but I've never had to worry about anything "major" such as biting, or aggression. She seemed thrilled just to have someone that is loving and to have a good home.

 

[sashamom]

"""""enjoyed reading all the input. By the way, I definitely heard of someone getting rid of their boxer because of wood floors""""

I am also the proud parent of a resuce who was given up(with his brother) because the previous owners were getting hardwood floors!! My mouth still drops open when i recall this today!
As the owner of a white princess....Sasha...who we paid good money for (yes we did not know any better, nor would we change it)....and our fawn rescue Telmar.....I have to say rescue is SOOO rewarding!! We took him and the foster parents of him and his brother kept his brother!! I will never pay again for anything other than a rescue!!
Sasha, Telmar and Lisa

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

I have rescued 1 boxer and she was the sweetest. I lost her to complications from cardio myopathy and never really knew much about where she came from and her history. My first was from a pet store and also had lots of health problems but lived to 12. The last 2 boxers I have had were from breeders and gave me a lot less problems health-wise. I always rescue cats and would accept another boxer rescue but cannot at this time with Mia my boston who is aggressive with older dogs. The love from each dog was awsome. Rescue if you can, maybe you could get one of each? Good luck on your decision.

Dora & the Zoo Crew

 

[barilily]

RESCUE, is the only way for me, i have two beautiful babies both rescued, there are toooooo many who need homes, I would rescue more if I could...all my future boxers will be rescued and i'll never have less than two at a time, they love the companionship, they thrive together...two is double the fun, double the pleasure...riley and lily are living proof there is heaven to be found on earth....they are my greatest joy...you have never been kissed until you are kissed by a boxer, big sloppy, wet, wonderful, nothin like em kisses

 

[lils sis]

both

Our first boxer was a happened to find us abused white and our new baby who we have yet to get is from a breeder, another white, from pure german stock, lilith does have her quarks from being abused, but she is a very loving dog, and fergus (gus-gus) who is only a month old at the moment, his parents are the same way. But the breeders treat their four adult boxers the samw way we treat ours what ever she wants she gets, makes her a little spoiled but after what she went thru we don't mind it. personally i think the personality of the dog has to do with who it has been around, and how they have been treated. I have met rescues that have been cranky beasue their new mommies and daddies haven't spoiled them like boxers need to be. or From breeders that have been just as mellow and loving and personalitys like you wouldn't belive. meet the puppy before you decide we fell in love with lil when we met her, she was almost 4 months old and just as pink as could be, but all she wanted to to was play, even with a bum leg. i would say rescue, only becuase i'm partial to whites, and finding one from the breeders can be hard.

 

[S@ndi]

I am so sorry to hear about the petfinder experience. I can believe it though. The shelter I volunteer for basically puts them in a cage with a number and a lame guess at what kind of dog it is. Right now, we're getting our rescue dog from a breeder. He's three and the preople just don't have time or patience for him. I don't get it . He seems great. But now we will have one of each. A pup and a rescue. I think I'll rescue from now on, but my husband will always buy, unless we find a pup in rescue. So I guess we'll always have one of each. Thanks for the input all ! S@ndi

 

[Sarah23]

I have rescued one of my boxers and bought the other. My advice on this subject is to rescue definitely. There is always someone going to buy these boxers...but not everyone will rescue them. My husband and I have found that rescuing Stoney was the most rewarding thing we could have done. Because ( call me crazy) he knows that we saved his life....he remembers how he was treated before he came to live with us. He had been abused in more ways than one. So Stoney appreciated us way more than Cooper does. Stoney was 11 mos old when we got him and he was afraid to even act like a puppy....evidentily that wasn't allowed at his old home. Rescuing Stoney was the best thing we ever did and I am so glad he loves us as much as he does. I look at Cooper and see that Stoney was nothing like him when we got him....Cooper is high energy like he should be. Stoney was kind of stand offish with us. But now he is the best dog I have ever had. As I type he sitting beside my with his head on my lap asleep. Everyday he thanks us with all the love he gives us from wet kisses to cuddling on the couch. So as u can see I am a firm believer in rescuing animals. My next pet will be a rescue too.