Honarary Eskies need a home (ok, they are boxers)

I have some pictures that I will post tonight. I have several out of state adventures in the next 2 months, so if you are interested, there is a good possibility I can bring them to you....or get them a long way down a railroad!

Here is their story (as written by their foster mom):
Park and Ride were dumped on a gravel road south of Brookshire on February 28 of this year. A friend of mine went in to check his cattle, and when he returned to the gate, the dogs were there with a big box of dog food and some water poured in the lid of the box and a few random treats. When I spoke to my vet about it a couple of days later (when she came to give them all their shots) she said it sounded like a classic “guilt dump.” Due to the timing, we think it was probably someone who was either foreclosed on or had to otherwise move, and the animals were disposed of as cheaply as possible. Lucky for me!

I have had two Boxers prior to these guys – Max, when I was in high school, and my beloved Pfeiffer, who died at the age of 5 in November of 2008 from cancer. I too will only own Boxers. My situation now is that I am moving to Oregon on September 7 and for a job that will have me out of town 3-4 weeks at a time. That isn’t fair to any animal. These guys are such loves that it would break all three of our hearts to miss each other that much. I’m sure you understand.

Both are males. My vet thinks they are probably litter mates. Park was quite a bit bigger than Ride when I found them, but now they’re just about the same size. Ride has filled out very nicely and I’ve been told more than once that he is an excellent example of what a Boxer should look like. His confirmation is gorgeous! He is definitely the Alpha of the pair. He has come a long way since I found them in learning to control his bossiness with Park. I do believe that would continue to improve once he is neutered as well. Neither of them chews anything that isn’t given to them, they’re both housebroken, kennel trained, great on the leash, and sweet, sweet, sweet boys. They both LOVE water and the lake and are very good about taking their baths – whether inside or out. They sleep on the bed with me. It’s only a queen size, so I do have to maneuver them a couple times each night – or boot them to the floor to spend a few hours on their own pillows. But, they never complain. They love their 3 – times a day walks. Park and I have a tradition of walking down to the exit gate of the subdivision, and as soon as we turn for home he knows it is play time. He LOVES to grab his “rope” and play tug of war with me. His jumping skills are impressive as well. Then, when I tell him we are done, he proudly helps me carry his leash home. He is hilarious!

Ride is more serious, but also begs me to play tug of war with him but with his “rabbit” – which is now completely thrashed, and yet he continues to bring that ratty thing to me. The two of them love to play with each other. My friends call it the “bro-mance.”

Both dogs are current on all shots, boosters, and heartworm preventative. Both have been heartworm tested and are negative.

Park’s heart murmur is rather significant. However, I believe it has improved. I’m no vet, but I listen to his chest quite frequently and just last night was listening to him and it doesn’t sound as severe. I’ve been told they sometimes will improve over time. He shows no outward symptoms of his health condition and requires no medication or special care. He runs and plays in the backyard just like Ride and spends entire days with me at the lake on the ranch. The only thing is when they play really hard, it takes him longer to stop panting. The vet did say that dogs with heart murmurs should not be exposed to the severe heat – so he is in a/c at all times unless out with me on the ranch and with access to the lake, etc. I keep an eye on him. No fainting, no dizziness, no other symptoms at all. He is a true love. Oh my goodness. When I have to move him on the bed, its because he has decided that sleeping with his big old head on me is better than sleeping on the mattress or his own pillow. Sometimes I rearrange me and just let him stay where he is.

Livestock is a no-no for both of them. Park is good around the horses when it is JUST him. Ride is the instigator of the cattle and horse round-ups. He got banged in the right eye a couple of weeks ago by one of the longhorns. I tried to warn him, but he just wouldn’t quit. They didn’t stab him, they just swung their head down low to tell him to back up and he got whacked by the steer’s head. He is almost 100% recovered. He looked pretty pitiful for a couple of days though. (He is fine now.)

I have never had them loose around other dogs other than some folks took Ride for the weekend to see if he would get along well with their female. He was too bossy and she was too shy, so it wasn’t a good mix. No fighting or biting during the visit. Just bossy. During the time that Ride was away (Friday – Monday) it was just me and Park and he was FANTASTIC!!! I would think that one-on-one time with just him would help him to become a truly great dog! Park is neutered. Ride is not.

Other than that… all I can say is that it breaks my heart to part with them, but my new lifestyle just would not be conducive to their well-being and over all health. They need to be in permanent homes that will love them unconditionally forever. I thought that would be me, but with this life change, I realize now that I was meant to only be the one who showed them what love is and help them to find the families that will love them for the rest of their lives.

Thank you again for your interest in them. They both LOVE to go for car rides and neither gets sick. They do try to warn you about those dangerous lawn mowing people and those really scary people on bicycles and motorcycles though! Oh goodness! But, we have been working on that, too. They’ve improved greatly.