CHARLIE
STATE: NY
AGE: 3-4 years
WEIGHT: 55 lbs
SEX: Male
NEUT/UTD: No/Yes
COAT COLOR: Flashy Brindle
DOCKED TAIL: Yes
CROPPED EARS: No
CHILDREN under 4: Unsure
CHILDREN OVER 4: Unsure
SEPARATION ANXIETY: Unsure
OTHER DOGS: Yes
CATS: Yes
CRATE TRAINED: Unsure
HOUSE TRAINED: Seems to be
OBEDIENCE TRAINED: Unsure
LEASH TRAINED: Unsure
ATTENDING OBED.: No
MICROCHIPPED: Yes
ADOPTION DONATION: $270
UPDATE 9/8/05 - I don't know how to express strongly enough what a wonderful dog
Charlie is. His sweetness, affection, and, yes, sense of humor, makes our life so much more
joyful every day!
In short, he is the dog of my dreams. He is exactly the dog I longed for years, yet I couldn't
imagine I would get such a wonderful, perfect guy. People always say that we have done a
good deed by adopting him, but I feel like it is we who lucked out.
I was really expecting there to be more behavioral problems or issues due to the fact that he
had been abandoned and traumatized. But really he has never caused any significant problems.
He has exhibited some separation anxiety, but I have heard from
talking to other Boxer owners who have had their dogs since puppyhood that this is a very
common trait among Boxers, regardless of their history.
Charlie also loves other dogs, and also humans, and, living in such a densely populated place
(Manhattan) it is great not to ever worry that he'll bite or even threaten someone as we're
walking around.
He is a very happy guy--he has a wonderful grin, which he often displays--and just seeing him
makes so many people smile. It's rare to walk him farther than a block without somebody
commenting on what a
great/handsome/adorable/sweet pooch he is. I don't mind this, because I remember when I
would see other people's Boxers before I had one and I would always want to go over and
cuddle with them (actually,
I still have that reaction to any Boxer!) Now that I have my own sweet guy, I feel like it's only
right to spread the joy by letting others pet and admire him.
Health:
In the first few months we had him, Charlie had very frequent diarrhea. He also was a picky
eater and tended to lose weight. We tried several different premium/natural/organic packaged
foods, but nothing really cleared up the problem.
After a long bout around Christmas time, which scared me a bit, I found out about the Volhard
Natural Diet, which is primarily raw meat, with a bunch of vitamins and supplements and some
oatmeal and yogurt for breakfast.
You can get all of the ingredients at your local supermarket or pet store. While it is quite
expensive and more time-consuming than most other doggie diets, it completely cleared up the
digestive problems.
Now Charlie has at least two well-formed bowl movements every day, and he also loves his
food. His weight has stabilized at a healthy 65 pounds, and other dog owners comment on his
wonderful physique and glossy coat
(which I can't really take much credit for because it's mostly genetic I think).
The only bad stuff I have to report is that he was attacked by a pit bull a short time ago in a
dog run. The other dog locked onto his neck, and it was frightening because I had to keep
Charlie from ripping himself away and hurting himself
more while the totally clueless owner of the other dog sort of dithered around not knowing
what to do. Finally some other dog owners came over to help, and I sprayed the pit with water
and they hit it and somehow we got it off.
I do not take him into that dog run anymore, because there are alot of pit bulls in there and
some of the owners don't seem to realize or care that their dogs should never be off a leash.
Charlie needed
to have two surgeries, and he has a hell of a scar, but he has completely recovered and seems
to have forgotten all about it, because he still wants to play with every dog he sees. He was a
complete angel through all of the vet visits,
and cone-wearing and the annoying hot compresses I put on his neck four times a day.
Another of Charlie's wonderful qualities is that he actually loves going to the vet! It's much
better for us humans when we're taking him for routine shots, though.
We love our vet, Dr. Kross, and his new associate, Dr. Burya, at Rivergate Veterinary Clinic.
He was recommended to me as 'The vet who loves Boxers' by the SCBR volunteer who did
our home check. He has three gorgeous white Boxers who roam around
the clinic.
I have many cute pictures of Charlie. I don't see a place on this form to attach them, but I
would like to send some in.
Thanks to all at SCBR.
7/31/04 - Charlie has been adopted!
7/7/04 - Charlie was picked up at one of the shelters we work with, along with A.J. this past
Saturday. He was picked up as a stray so we have no info on his history. He is a flashy
brindle, with natural ears and a docked tail, about 3-4 years old. This young guy has a great
disposition, he just wants to crawl up on everybody's lap and get all the attention he can get.
He is a bit skinny at 55 lbs but he is a tad small frame maybe 7-10 lbs more will do him. With
bringing in two new dogs at the same time, one of them has had a couple accidents, but I can't
tell which one it is. This guy is a beauty so get your apps in fast! He is scheduled to be fixed
july 16, & is already up to date on his shots & microchipped. Pictures will follow in couple of
days.