Chocko
STATE: ME
AGE: 2 years
WEIGHT: about 55 lbs
SEX: Male
NEUT/UTD: Yes/Yes
COAT COLOR: Brindle
DOCKED TAIL: Yes
CROPPED EARS: No
CHILDREN under 4: Unsure
CHILDREN OVER 4: Yes
SEPARATION ANXIETY: No
OTHER DOGS: Yes
CATS: Yes
CRATE TRAINED: Yes
HOUSE TRAINED: Yes
OBEDIENCE TRAINED: No
LEASH TRAINED: No
ATTENDING OBED.: No
MICROCHIPPED: No
ADOPTION DONATION: $250
UPDATE 8/19/05 - Chocko is the best dog a person could ever hope for. He's a bit reserved for a
boxer, but I think that's what endears him to us. He's well-known around the neighborhood, because he's
so friendly. The evening walk becomes a major social event, as he insists on stopping to say hello to
everyone who makes eye contact with him. (He introduced himself to the mayor of Boston a couple of
weeks ago.) He just had his annual check-up with Dr. Judie, and he's good to go, although she did
suggest that he lose a few pounds. Chocko is a sweet little dog. We love him and are so glad he's part of
our family.
UPDATE 1/21/05 - Six months have passed since Chocko came to
live with us, and he's doing just fine. Some daily routines have been
established to which he's now well-attuned: the shaking of food in his bowl
means "come down for breakfast"; the moving of his bed into the crate means
"time for work, so in you go"; and the rustling of a plastic grocery bag means
"we're going out for a walk". He loves everyone he meets, and most folks just
can't help but like him when he smiles up at them and they see that little tail
going at full tilt. Luckily, Chocko has been healthy, although he looks like
he's gained a bit of weight since winter set in. We just love our little guy and
couldn't be happier.
UPDATED 10-15-04 - Chocko has been with us for just over three
months now, and it appears that he's fully settled in. The whole family has
fallen in love with him, especially his 89-year-old "grandfather" who can't wait
for him to visit on the weekends. Our little boxer buddy makes friends easily,
and it's not uncommon to hear "Hi, Chocko" from a passing car or the doorway of
a local merchant while we're out on our evening walk around the neighborhood.
We've just completed a six-week course in agility and off-leash obedience.
Chocko and his two classmates, Bugsy and Grizzly, made such progress (and had
such fun) that we've all decided to continue on for another six-weeks. We're
thankful that our little guy enjoys good health, maintains a hearty appetite,
and, most important of all, seems really happy in his new home.
UPDATED 09-10-04 - Chocko has been part of our family for two months now; we're so happy he
came to live with us. The tinkling of his tags is delightful music to our ears. He has relaxed and settled in
even more this past month, as he now plays joyfully with the toys he received as "welcome home" gifts
from family and friends. He loves to go for rides. It doesn't matter how far we go (sometimes just to
reposition the vehicles in the driveway)or whether it's in the van or the pickup (ALWAYS in the front of
the truck), as long as he gets to ride along. Chocko and I successfully completed "Good Manners"
obedience class and have moved on to off-leash obedience/agility. He's great at the hurdles and the tire,
but we need to work a bit on the tunnel. It's amazing how focused all the dogs become when they have a
job to do. Other than a mild upper respiratory ailment (he's half-way through his course of antibiotics),
Chocko has been in good health and his appetite has been hearty. He's a sweet little guy, and we hope he
loves us as much as we love him.
UPDATED – 8/10/04 It's been just over a month since Chocko came to live with us in Boston, and,
I'm pleased to report, he's doing just fine. It took a couple of weeks before he'd let us out of his sight, but
it's at the point now where I know I won't have to step over him as I'm getting out of the shower - not
every day, anyway. The sights and sounds of the city don't seem to bother him a bit. Buses, trucks,
ambulances, fire engines, car alarms, scooters, even fire works close by during the Democratic National
Convention - he takes it all in stride. Although we go for a 1-mile power walk twice a day, he still tears
around the yard in that inimitable, madman, boxer style. So much for the new grass that was planted this
spring. So far, he doesn't seen to have any desire to walk in my gardens (good dog!), but I suppose all it
will take will be one neighborhood cat or a pesky squirrel and the hostas will be flattened. He also likes to
take a drink out of the birdbath now and again. We attend "Good Manners" obedience training on
Thursdays. Chocko's the master of sit-stay (it's really more like lie-stay), but we have to work on not
talking to the other dogs in class. He also thinks it's cool to lie on his back and get an upside-down view
of the instructor as he explains/demonstrates the next exercise. Chocko is not a kisser, as most boxers
are, but he loves to hug. With his front paws on your lap, he'll nuzzle your cheek then rest his head on
your shoulder, staying there for as long as you're willing to embrace him. How can you not love it when
he does that! We're so happy that Chocko is now a part of our family. And thanks, Julie, for taking such
good care of our little boy until we arrived to take him home with us forever.
7/11/04 - Chocko has been adopted!
6/28/04 - Chocko is an awesome dog!! That sums him up in a nutshell! :) Chocko has been doing great
the last week & now gets along wonderfully with my dogs & cats & doesn't even bother the bird cage of
cockatiels in the livingroom. He went with me to the Boxer Rescue Awareness Day (BRAD) we had at
Pet Quarters in Maine yesterday & he did GREAT! Chocko loved everyone he met & just wanted to be
petted. He doesn't jump on you, but he likes to stand on his hind legs & gently put his feet up on your
chest when you are standing near him, so he can get a full petting & give hugs! He even makes a moaning
noise like he is sooooo happy when you hug him & smush his face against your's! Everyone who met
him on Sunday at the BRAD said how cute he was & how sweet too. They all wanted to take him home
right then! He even met a few dogs there & did great, all wiggles & play for him. Chocko has the routine
down at the house too & goes right in his crate when he I have to leave for work. He will fuss
sometimes, but I also think he's such a good boy he would probably be fine out of his crate at his new
home with just a little work. I have not had him around kids under 4 years old, but 4 & up he has been
great with! This is one super boy, don't let him slip by!
6/21/04 - Chocko is doing great so far & is starting to get settled in already. He has been doing perfectly
in his crate & no accidents there or in the house. He met my dogs & so far is doing ok with them. He
seems a little nervous about them still as his hair on his back stands up most of the time he is around them,
but no growling or fighting or challenging from him at all. I think just being in a shelter where all the dogs
are barking at you has him being little cautious with my dogs. Chocko met my cats & is curious, but only
slightly playful & not bad with them at all. I will work with him more in the next couple days to see how
he does with the cats & dogs as he gets more comfortable here.
I have found that Chocko LOVES to be cuddled & petted & hugged. He will gently put his front feet on
your lap so you can give him good petting & hugs & his little nubbie tail just wags away as he looks like
he smiles too! He is very sweet & everyone on the transport said how much they loved him in just the
short time they had him in their cars. This boy seems like a wonderful catch-don't let him slip by!
6/19/04 - Chocko has arrived thanks to Liz & the many transport volunteers that helped move him to
Maine! He was a stray to a shelter we work with & no one claimed him. Chocko is about 2 years old,
has a docked tail, natural ears & is a very unique color: dark fawn with light brindling. His fur is as soft as
can be but is longer than a normal coated boxer, more like he may have lived his life outside a lot.
Chocko is a smaller/medium sized boy, filled out nicely but not tall. He is super sweet & when he met me
he put his front feet right on my lap & gave me a kiss! Took me by surprise as he was just so quick, but
gentle about it--didn't even know what got me! LOL Guess that was his way of saying "Hi" & thanks for
helping him out of the shelter. Chocko spent a little time at another volunteer's house before he came
here on Saturday & he did great with her 5 year old kids. He went into his crate nicely with just a quick
shove & treat & only fussed a little about being in there. Watch for more updates as I get to know him
better.