One year ago today...

One year ago today, SCBR took a heartworm positive bag of bones that no one else would give a second glance.  Gibson came to us emaciated, weighing around 35 pounds, and had a very long road ahead of him.  He landed in a shelter after animal services seized him and his broken body told the story of a rough life.  Even though he's young, Gibson has a bad hip and almost all of his teeth are broken, probably from chewing on rocks because he was so hungry.  Well, as the story goes, I saw a picture of him online and I knew he belonged in my house.  I already had a foster (Oscar) at the time, so I spent two weeks trying to convince our fearless leader that three dogs wouldn't be a problem for me and I'd make it work.

I took my girl, Casey, out to the boarding facility to meet Gibson one very cold February afternoon and no one could believe what happened when the two met.  They looked at each other and acted like they had always been together - 'oh, hey, it's you again.'

A week or so later, everything was settled and Gibson was on his way to my house.  Three dogs is a lot of work, but when you get pictures like this...

                                                                        ...it's totally worth it.

Well, before long Oscar found the perfect family and then it was just the three of us here.  We wrapped up Gibson's heartworm treatment, made sure his hip was okay, and got to work on some serious training.   We're still working at it, but today he knows all of his basic commands, a few tricks, and is a gentleman on a leash.

Unless he sees a bunny.

And Casey and Gibson are all but inseparable now.

It wasn't all rainbows and sunshine though.  A few urgent trips to the vet, rough patches with training, his fear and anxieties (about men in particular)... It was all worth the effort.  He still has a ways to go, but he's doing great and we wouldn't trade him for the world.  With all of the progress, he's decided he likes to be helpful too!  Now Gibson likes to...

 help with the laundry and...                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                    help mom with yoga and...

help mom crochet even though...

sometimes he makes a giant mess of the yarn.

 

A year makes a huge difference in all of our lives, but Gibson has changed so much in such a short amount of time it really is remarkable.  He's a lover, a mama's boy, a protector, 'The Bub' and definitely the piece that was missing in my house.  Gibson is home now and the three of us couldn't be happier.

Foster Friday: Ranger

It's Foster Friday again!  This week, we have Ranger with us who's really hoping we can help him find his forever family.  Take a look!

Ranger here! I didn't want anyone to forget about me and since I am growing up really fast, I thought the world would like to see my lovely face.  I love to run and play in the yard and I really love it when my foster mom throws the tennis ball for me to run and fetch for her! I can do that for quite some time!  Some other things I love to do is to play with all the toys and chew on all the bones that my foster home keeps around for us to play with - it's like a doggie daycare!

I am getting along well with the other dogs in the house, I just need to learn that the little dogs really don't like it when I use my paws to play with them.  The cat tolerates me and I just like to sniff at him every once in a while - he doesn't like to play with me so I have learned to leave him alone.

I really LOVE people if all sizes! I like to be very close to them, especially my foster mom.  I will lay at her feet no matter where she is in the house and love it when she pets me and rubs my belly!

I am only about 6 1/2 months, but have been housetrained and crate trained and I sleep all night in my crate without whining and crying.  I'm working really hard to learn good manners.  I am a good boy and I really am ready for my forever family!  Do you have a place for me?

If you think Ranger is the perfect addition for your family, fill out an application and please share Ranger with your friends and family!

Weekend Wrap-up

Happy Monday everyone!  We very rarely have a quiet weekend here at SCBR, but after all of the excitement on Friday we didn't have a whole lot going on.  Friday, however, was a great day for one of our foster favorites.  Miss Lucy met some new friends who wanted to help!

Lucy and her temporary foster dad, Bill, took a little trip out to Central Florida where some Summer Camp kids put together a walk-a-thon.  Laps for Lucy was a huge success and the kids were able to raise more than $200 to help pay for Lucy's eye surgery.  Lucy has what's called eyelid entropion, which makes her eyelid roll in and irritate her eyes.  Entropion can be very painful if not treated, so we're doing everything we can to get Lucy's surgery scheduled quickly.  You can read more about the condition here.

We are extremely fortunate to have met such wonderful kids who care so much and got so excited to help out!  Someone once said that it will be our kids who end the cycle of pet neglect and abuse, and it's very encouraging to see such young volunteers!

We are still raising money to cover the balance of Lucy's surgery so please donate and share her fundraiser with your family and friends.  Also, Lucy will need a more permanent foster home so we can start her heartworm treatment and get her ready to find a forever family.  If you're interested in fostering or adopting please fill out an application.  

SCBR is grateful for all of our supporters, but especially for the young ones!

Wellness Wednesday: Compassionate Care

Recently, we've been posting a lot to the Facebook page about our Compassionate Care dogs and we've gotten a lot of questions about them.  Right now, there are compassionate care dogs out at the SCBR ranch for some very different reasons.  Some are too aggressive to be trusted in a new adoptive home, some have ongoing health issues, some are extremely anxiety-prone and can be destructive (to themselves and their surroundings).  All are being given the best life possible on a ranch designed especially for dogs in need and are very much loved by those of us here at SCBR.  Today, we're going to introduce two of our favorites: Buster Boy and Layla.

Like any true gentleman, Buster insists we introduce Layla first.  Miss Layla stays at the boxer ranch now due to her extreme separation anxiety.  Layla's anxiety is not something she's been able to work through, even with training and vet help, and does very well on the ranch.  Recently, she had surgery to remove a tumor directly behind her eye and she's comfortably recovering at the ranch.

Buster Boy will spend the rest of his days on the ranch because he has Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (the doggy equivalent of dementia or Alzheimer's).  Dogs suffering from CDS exhibit many symptoms similar to those in humans suffering from dementia including disorientation, forgetting learned behaviors, and not recognizing familiar people or objects.  It is extremely important to provide dogs like Buster with a secure environment since symptoms usually get worse as time goes on, since they may not recognize their name or other verbal commands.  For now, Buster enjoys life on the boxer ranch and we are glad to give him a quality life there.

As anyone can see, the SCBR boxer ranch is a special place dedicated to dogs with no other options.  When we rescue a dog, we promise to care for it and provide a loving home throughout the rest of it's life.  On the ranch, compassionate care dogs get plenty of playtime, love and attention but best of all, someone's always there with them.  Some would call these dogs spoiled but we wouldn't have it any other way.

Weekend Wrap Up: New Additions

Happy Monday everyone!  We hope you all had an awesome Fourth of July weekend.  Here at SCBR, we were super busy.  All of our fosters and recently adopted dogs did really well with the fireworks and excitement, but there's no such thing as a quiet weekend in rescue.  We have three new additions to the SCBR family.

Meet Gabby!  Gabby came to us from a shelter in the panhandle this weekend.  When animal control received a call about an injured dog, I don't think anyone could have imagined what this poor girl had been through.  Gabby had a dinner plate sized hole in her side where she had been shot.  The animal control officer didn't even notice it at first because she was so happy to see him.  Gabby went to see a vet who was able to clean up her wound and mostly close it to allow it to heal.  Everyone who's met her says Gabby is the sweetest girl!  She won't be available for adoption until her wound is fully healed, but we have started a fundraiser to help cover her vet costs.  If you're able, please donate and share Gabby's fundraiser.

Ranger was one of two owner surrenders we took in over the long weekend when his owners decided they couldn't keep him.  His foster mom has let us know that Ranger is a good boy who even does well in the bath and is now 5 months old (as of July 6 we're told).  We are working on raising money to cover the cost of vaccinations, heartworm testing and preventative, neutering, etc. but once Ranger is fully vetted, he will be available for adoption.  If you're interested in adopting Ranger, you can fill out an application here and please donate toward his vet expenses.

Last, but certainly not least, is Tessa.  Tessa came to us on the Fourth of July when her original owner moved out of state and left this little girl with a family member.  The family member was not able to keep her because the landlord would not allow pets, so this little girl met her new foster family before the barbecue and fireworks started!  Tessa's foster dad says she's an absolute joy and does well with both of his dogs and both of the cats.  She knows basic commands, is housebroken and crate trained.  Even though this little girl needs some work walking nicely on the leash, she's smart and has an infectious personality.  It's very hard not to love Tessa!  If you think Tessa is the new addition you've been looking for, fill out an application to adopt.

In addition to our new additions, we are still looking for new foster homes.  Right now, we need a place for Ino, Roo and Lucy.  Fosters are vital to any rescue's success and it's one of the most rewarding things anyone could ever do.  If you would like to foster, fill out an application and if you would like more information about fostering you can email us at secondchanceboxers.florida@gmail.com.  SCBR has the best supporters and we'd like to thank each and every one of you!

Wellness Wednesday: BOOM!

It's everyone's favorite summer holiday here in the States.  The Fourth of July at my house usually involves a great day of barbecue and beach or pool time and of course I love to involve my four-legged friends in all of that fun!  But later, we always make sure we're packed up and home long before the sun goes down.  Unless your best friend is deaf, chances are he doesn't like what comes next...

Virtually every source I found mentioned that an estimated 50% of all dogs and cats are terrified by loud noises, whether it's thunder, fireworks or from another source.  The Fourth of July weekend lands lots of pets in shelters or pets get lost after escaping yards and running from noises.  There are lots of precautions you can take to make sure your pets stay safe during all of the celebrating.

• ALWAYS make sure your pet is wearing identification information (license, tags, etc) and get your pet microchipped.  In the event your pet does run away or gets separated from you, microchipping is the best bet for a safe return.
• Do not feed pets table food.  It takes very little to upset pets' tummies and this can heighten anxiety and add to stress.
• Only use bug repellant and sunscreens specifically made for animals on your pets.  Sprays and sunscreens made for humans can cause severe stomach upset, irreversible neurological issues and even death.  Same goes for citronella candles and other insect deterrents.
• Likewise, alcohol can be fatal for pets even in very small doses.
• Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise before the fireworks start.  Tired pets (dogs especially) are less likely to have excess energy and get wound up as easily.
• Give your pet a safe place to go if they want, like in their crate.
• Turning on the television or radio can help drown out the noise from fireworks.
• Don't coddle a frightened dog or give an anxious dog attention unless there is a risk that the dog could harm itself.  This sort of attention reinforces the anxiety and fear response.
• Try playing with toys to keep pets distracted once fireworks start and keep pets inside.
• Lastly, but certainly not least, pay attention to the heat index.  Daytime temperatures can soar and some breeds simply aren't able to handle the heat.  If you do take your pets out during the day, make sure they have access to shade, clean drinking water and pools or hoses to cool down.

Here at SCBR, we hope everyone has a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Foster Friday: Oscar

Oscar the Almost Boxer

When I applied to foster for SCBR, there was a beautiful white boxer in a Central Florida shelter they were trying to find a place for.  Well, to make a long story short, another rescue pulled that guy, Bill came and did my home visit and a few days later Oscar showed up.  I knew Oscar was a hound-boxer mix and heartworm positive and good with other dogs but that was about it.  I had never fostered dogs before but I thought it would be a good way to test the waters before jumping in and adopting.

When Oscar came to me, he sort of knew some of his basic commands, but he's really good at picking up new things.  It was only a few weeks before he knew he needed to sit before I would put his leash on to go out, that he wasn't allowed out of the garage without me, sit, stay, lie down, and box (the command I use when I want the dogs to go in their crates).  He's a super sweet boy and also now knows his leash manners when we walk.

 Oscar LOVES kids!  He couldn't understand why my friend's daughter thought 'in and out of the box' was the best game ever, but he played along anyway and had a great time.  He is the happiest, sweetest boy when the kids come over to play.

Who remembers the 'More Dogs More Happy' picture?  Oscar is definitely a happy guy and all of that happy can be a little infectious!

While Oscar was with me, I learned a lot.  I learned why SCBR rescues boxers, almost boxers and honorary boxers (Oscar is an awesome almost boxer).  I learned heartworm treatment really isn't as scary as it seems.  I learned some dogs really just don't like to be up on the furniture.  I learned Oscar likes food.  ALL sorts of food.  I learned all sorts of new training methods and discovered some hands-off approaches for correcting behavior.  I learned how completely awesome foster dogs are.  I learned that I fall in love with any dog that comes into my home within a matter of minutes and I will be simultaneously heartbroken and over the moon when that dog finds a new home.

Oscar is spending the weekend with a great family in the Tampa Bay area this weekend and they have decided they really like him.  For a heartworm positive guy who had very little hope in a central Florida shelter, Oscar sure has come a long way.  It's hard to let a foster go, but knowing this loving (and incredibly loveable) guy wouldn't be here without the foster homes he stayed in before he came to me makes it a little easier.  I am incredibly happy for Oscar and he has come such a long way it's impossible not to be proud of him.

He will always have a place in my heart and in my home if he should need one ever again.

But I doubt he will.