Sandi
State--Maine
Age--19 months
Weight--50 pounds
UTD and Spayed
Gets along with:
cats--no
other dogs--yes
young children--unknown
older children--Yes
Seperation Anxiety--No
Obedience Trained--Some
Leash Trained--Learning
Housetrained--Yes
Cratetrained--Yes
Adoption fee $250
UPDATE 2/21/04 - Sadie is doing wonderful. Every once in awhile we are having urinating
problems when she is greeted by people. We were told of this the day we adopted her, but
we didn't have issues until a few months ago. It seems to come and go. So, when people
come to the house, they either don't acknowledge her right away or they greet her outside.
Where there is a will, there is a way. Everyday she proves to be outstanding with the kids (1
and 6). Our toddler crawls all over her and she licks his face. She follows them around
everywhere. When my husband tickles either of them and they scream, she get's wound up
by barking and growling at him. My oldest thinks it is great! Sadie is rarely alone. She goes
everywhere with the family. She loves (absolutely loves) to travel. We have another home up
north and she loves to go up there. Both homes have lots of land and sometimes she gets this
burst of energy and she will run in big circles as fast as she can. It's quite comical. Sadie is
definately one of the family. There is not a seat in the house that she hasn't used. (My
monther-in-law has finally accepted this, as Sadie is now allowed on her furniture as well).
We have a large playroom upstair in our home that has 2 childrens recliners, Sadie will fold
her self up in the tightest ball possible to get into these chairs. We have figured out that she is
too good to lay on the floor. She refused to lay on the floor. So, a few weeks ago, we
bought a futon for upstairs. She now is able to lay on that and spread out. We love her
dearly and everyday gets better. She is spoiled, but not spoiled rotten. How is it you could
look in those big boxer eyes and not spoil her.
UPDATE 11/14/03 - Sadie is doing great. We finished Obedience training October 30th.
The trainers there really couldn't get over how well she listened to me and caught on to
everything the first time. In my eyes, she was the star of the class. The whole crating thing is
still an issue. Right now, Sadie goes wherever we go. I took everyone's advice and went out
and bought a large plastic crate. Well, my husband can't even get her into it. When you try to
get her in, she pees on the floor. I am sorry, but at this point I can't traumatize her this way.
So, we have Sadie babysitters if we go anywhere for a period of time. With 2 small children
it only happens maybe once every 2 to 3 weeks. We take her shopping, we take her to any
family members house, etc. We got a sitter when we wen't to Epsom for a snowmobile
show. She loves to be with people. So we figure either after a while (once she settles a bit
more) we will try the crate again or we are really getting ourselves into trouble doing it this
way. Like I said, she pees on the floor and gets very timid when you try to get her in the
crate. I have a feeling it was used for the wrong purpose at some point. Maybe it was used
for her when she misbehaved? Since last month, nothing has changed. She fits right in with
the family and everyone adores her. We have met a lot of new people due to her. When
people see her (the boxer), people stop you to talk about the breed and the one or two that
they have and how much they love them and how good they are with kids.
UPDATE 10/12/03 - This is her 2 month update. Sadie is wonderful with some cute quirks.
She will be 2 in December, so we know she is still a puppy. She has gotten protective of the
children. My husband and my 6 yr old son love to "horse around". Well, Miss. Sadie plants
her body on top of Trevor and barks and growls at my husband. Her tail (she has a natural
tail) is wagging the whole time, so we are not quite sure what is going on in her mind, but I
love the fact that she loves my son so much that she has the need to cover him up. My one
year old, Colby, has his way with her. She is the calmest, most relaxed dog I have ever met.
Colby sits on her and pulls on her cheeks and she laps him and rolls over on her back and
wags her tail the whole time. We are always watching him with her so nothing would
happen. We would like any advice on how to handle things when we leave. Sadie is rarely
left alone. My mother watches the boys in our home, so is very used to having the family at
home. However, some things have happened when we do. Twice we have put her in a
crate. The first time she ate the bottom plastic piece that is in it. The second time she got out.
We have no idea how. The crate was turned around and still locked up. So, my hasband
and I do not want her to get hurt, so we have decided to let her stay out. Well, when we got
home, the curtains were on the floor. The fruit basket was spread through the kitchen, my
day planner had beautiful dog nail artwork on it, and my sons caramel apple was in the living
room, and she spun the lazy susan around and spread a bag of flour in the living room. Yes,
a whole bag of white flour was all over the living room carpet, with little white dog prints on
the slate hallway as well. You know when you are so speechless you can't do anything but
laugh? Well, that is what we did. We didn't know what to do. We didn't scold or yell or
anything because we weren't quite sure how the repremand that behavior. We showed her
the flour and told her "no", but that was it. I don't want her to get severely hurt trying to get
out of a crate either. I would rather pick up a mess. If you have any advice please let me
know. The obedience classes started off really bad. Sadie does not get along with other
dogs. We were told this by the foster home, but we had no idea. She really goes for them
when she's on the leash with teeth showing and growling. However, every week has gotten
tons easier. I don't dare let her near any of the other dogs. There is a black lab puppy that
wants to play with her so bad. I honestly think she wants to, but she really doesn't know.
For the past 4 weeks she has gotten better. Now she will lay right in front of me and as long
as the dogs beside us don't acknowledge her, she is fine. With all this said, the training is
going awesome. She does everything the first time and retains it. She isn't dragging us as
much on the leash, her sit and stay is perfect. If you ask me, she is the star of the class (at
least in my eyes). With the little things we have encountered, we can't deny the fact that she
is a part of this family and always will be. She is a wonderful little girl. Everyone loves her
and can't believe we got her through adoption and can't figure out why anyone would have
let her go. I think she just need the right family. Trust me, she found it!!! Many thanks (it
could never be enough).
8/21/03 Sandi has been adopted.
8/13/03 Sandi is pending adoption.
8/11/03 Sandi got to meet our newest foster, Wilson, today. They have been fine with one
another. Sandi just needed a little time to get used to the idea that someone else was moving
in. So a day and night of seeing, hearing, and smeling one another was all it took.
Tomorrow I will take her bandage off and see her removed dew-claw. I'm pleasantly
amazed that she hasn't bothered the bandaging at all! And she has been taking Velveeta
wrapped antibiotics like the little gentle lady she is--even when all four Boxers are in a line
waiting for their turn!
8/9/03 While it says that Sandi is not good with cats, we at the Riverview would be more
likely to say that she Might be OK with cats! She met my Tiger, who is usually so skittish
around fosters that she takes off for days at end. While Sandi is certainly very interested in
her, up close (heads touching!)she has done nothing more than sniff and look. I am sure that
she would chase Tiger if given the opportunity, but I don't think she would hurt her. I also
don't think that Tiger would give her the chance! On another note, she is no longer limping
ad favoring her foot and I am glad that she is feeling better. The bandage can come off in
another day or so, but as she isn't bothering it at all, I am no hurry to remove it. I've learned
that she takes her medicine (wrapped in a bit of Velveeta) very nicely--she takes all treats
gently. She's funny, lots of things that my dogs love to eat she will take in her mouth to taste
and then gently discard--like penne pasta. I guess she's not Italian!
8/7/03 Poor little Sandi! Last weekend Tika tried to take her bone away and they had a bit
of a tiff. Then last night I was doing housework and poulled up the bathroom rug to throw it
in the wash. Poor Sandi was standing right there by me (but not in my line of vision) and as I
pulled the rag rug her dewclaw got caught. Today I tok her to the vet and it was bad
enough that they had to remove it. Luckily she only needed a local anesthetic. I cna tell that
she is already feeling better--and she has a bright yellow bandage on that foot so she is quite
distinctive. Everyone at the vet's office couldn't wait to meet my newest foster--they are real
Boxer people there--and they commented on how sweet and cute she was. One
receptionist said that I should keep her. To which I replied that I already have two, and if I
adopt a third I'll have to stop fostering! Which I don't want to do. But they are right--she is
very sweet and just loves meeting new people. What a cuddler she is, and she was so calm
while we were waiting for our turn. She actually laid down at my feet and out her head on
her paws as if she was ready to fall asleep. She is still nervous around new dogs, though, so
I kept a Gentle LEader on her. With that, there is no question as to who is in
charge--me--and she was quite good!
7/26/03 SCBR was hosting a BRAD in Newington NH, and I had to decide whether to
bring Sandi or Roxy. As it would have been a new experience for each of them I knew that
I could only bring one. Sandi won, so that I coul see how she'd react to new dogs and new
people while on leash. I fitted her to a Gentle Leader, and off we went. She rode like a
little angel in the car on the trip down, and accepted the Gentle Leader with hardly a
headshake. Once inside the Pet Quarters, Sandi proved that she is a real little lovebug! She
made quite a hit with a certain little girl, but loved meeting men, women, and children. Boy
did she love the kids! She did demonstrate that she continues to be a tad timid in new
situations, and needs a confident pack leader (at the moment--me) to acclimate her to new
dogs and unusual events. Poor Sandi scared a woman shopper who had the misfortune of
walking past Sandi with a cast and crutches--which scared Sandi enough that she growled
and tried to look mean and aggressive. (The best defense is a good offense, I suppose).
But she calmed down imme4diately when I took back control, stepped between her and this
perceived threat, and told her things were fine. We did not attempt introductions to any of
the other dogs, also leashed, as the situation was stressful enough. Once back in the car,
she crashed on the back seat for the ride home, taking a well-deserved rest.
7/18/03 Sandi met the final resident here, Tika, with no issues, so we are one big Boxer
family here at the Riverview. She loves everybody she meets. SHe met three of my son'e
teenage friends, and they were all mutually enamored of each other. SHe can be a little
vocal to the other canines, but quiets down when told. We at the Riverview are not used to
the higher energy level of young Boxers. And at not yet two, Sandi does like to run and
play! Luckily we have a big fenced in yard and lots of toys. She has quite the athletic build
and is a solid, well-muscled little lady. Like all Boxers, her preference is to be right with you
at all times, but she will settle down in her crate when that is expected. She continues to
piddle when excited, but we are already seeing the quantity and frequency decrease
dramatically. I expect that within another week she will have settled in enough that this
submissisve urinating will be gone. In the meantime, if you are looking for a young, friendly,
small female Boxer, she could be the girl for you!
7/15/03 Sandi was introduced to the Riveriew's other foster, Roxie, who is not a dominant
female. After initial low growling, which she was reprimanded for, Sandi settled down, and
soon they were romping in the back yard together. So that's two introductions down, one to
go, until we are all one big happy family here. In the meantime, we couldn't ask for two
better visitors. Sandi has adopted my 18 year old son as 'hers', but she likes everybody.
And it is so much fun to see a tail wagging. (Although we are still getting used to getting
whacked with it!) And ssince she has free roam of the house part time, she is acting like a
Boxer and loudly announcing 'events' at the front door that she thinks I need to know about.
It has been nice to note that she quiets right down with the others as soon as I announce that
things are OK. (Of course I always let them know that I appreciate the infomation, too.
Never having had a Boxer before my Rocky, I was unaware of the advantages of having a
dog whose job it is to let you know when they notice something--and let you decide if it's
OK.)
7/13/03 Well, Sandi has been here for nearly one full day, and she is already acting like she's
always lived here! We had a busier than usual household yesterday, and she met one
person after the other with wigglebutts and tail wagging. My son commented that "that tail
really hurts--is that why they dock them usually?" She met my large male, Rocky, and they
are fine together. Female noses have been sniffing each other through the kitchen gates and
no adverse reactions are noted so far. So female introductions will proceed within the next
few days. In the meantime, the Riverview reports that this is one happy girl who loves
everybody!
Sandi just arrived at the Riverview! She is a petite fawn with lovely white markings--her
chest, muzzle, a blaze, four white stockings, and a patch on the back of her neck. She is our
first guest with natural ears AND natural tail. Which has been wagging non-stop since her
arrival! So far she hasn't met anyone else but me, but that introduction went just fine. (I have
the Boxer slobber to prove it!) She is very curious, smelling all the smells here. She did take
a moment to sample our fine cuisine (perhaps our reputation has spread as far as New
Hampshire? Sandi is a return to Rescue. Her adoptive family did not feel that could meet
her needs and deal with her leash issues. So we will take introductions very slowly here at
the Riverview with our other guest and our residents. More news to follow!