NINO
.Age: 5 years
Weight: 60 lbs
State: Maine
Small Children Under 4?: Unsure
Children Over 4?: Yes
Separation Anxiety?: No
Neutered/UTD?: Yes/Yes
Microchipped?: No
Other Dogs?: Yes
Cats?: Yes
Crate Trained?: Yes
House Trained?: Yes
Obedience Trained?: No
Leash Trained?: No
Attending Obedience At Foster Home?: No
Adoption Donation?: $250
UPDATE 4/25/05 - It is hard to believe that it has been a year since we were adopted by Nino,
'The Big White Dog'. He is everything that we had hoped for, when we began our effort to
replace our previous boxer. He is nothing like our two previous female boxers. He has filled a
very large hole in our life which was left by the untimely departure of our girl Bee Gee at age 14.
Nino has moved in, thaken over and re-adjusted our lives. He sleeps when and where he likes.
He tells us when it is time to go for walks, nature calls and supper. he sees us off (relucantly)
when we leave the house for work and school and greets us (vigorously) when we return. He
loves watching TV with dad and walks with mom. He loves to ride and take long walks along the
beach with his family. He sleeps on a queen sized bed which he allows his human brother to
share. Nino still has some issues but we would never trade him for another. He is a real keeper!
He has been to the vet for his yearly examination and is in very good health. He has been licensed
according to local city ordinance, for 2005. He remains current for rabies, year two of a three
year vaccination period. He is taking heart worm medication on a monthly basis and was tested.
The Cooks, owned and operated by Nino 'The Big White Dog'.
UPDATE 11/11/04 - Nino, aka "The Big White Dog" has continued to rule the house here at
the Cooks. He still loves his evening walks when the sunlight and people time provides. He is still
displaying his unhappiness when left alone. He usually leaves a wet spot on a very site specific
location. The need to be left alone was the result of a canine-human accident, in October.
My mother, age 84, usually watches and caters to Nino when we are not home. The accident
occurred when she was putting Nino out. A neighborhood cat was spotted by Nino and a short
pursuit ensued. The problem was that Nino and my mother were attached via a leash. Nino
pulled my mother out of the door and slamming her to the ground. This all happened during the
afternoon when no one else was around. My mother laid on the ground until found by a neighbor.
Nino was found laying next to her, in an attempt to protect and comfort her. The neighbor was
able to talk his way into my mother but the emergency medical techs were not that lucky. Nino
was secured in the house so that the ems could medically treat my mother and transport her to
the hospital. The end result for my mother was a broken finger, broken ribs, a large cut on her leg
(stiches required)and a large bump on the side of her face. My mother is recovering at a local
nursing home after a three day stay in the hospital. She will hopefully be returning home in the
next week or so.
Nino has been visting my mother at the nursing home to make sure she gets better faster. It was
NOT Nino's fault for the injuries suffered, it was a human error which will not be repeated.
Nino several times a day ventures into my mother's rooms to see if she is there. Nino looks for
my mother and crys when he can not find her.
Nino has found his voice with a little help from my wife and son. He lets me know when it is time
for his walk, bones, and outside nature calls. He is eating, drinking, and sleeping without
problems. As you can tell from the above paragraph, he is very protective of his family. Nino still
loves to go for rides and any opportunity to meet and greet the female canines next door.
UPDATE 9/8/04 - Nino has accepted us as his family and is expressing that fact through his
actions. He has become very protective and is learning when to exhibit those actions and when
not to. He has continuied his "house patrol" to insure that his family are all present and accounted
for. He has accepted the fact that some of his family leaves every day and some stay with him
until the others return. He continues to eat his food with unabated enthusisam including a daily
supply of green grass.
Nino has continued to aquaint himself with the fresh and salt water bodies of both New
Hampshire and Maine. He still does not like water unless he is with someone. He likes to go
fishing and attempts to catch fish with his jaws or paws just like the other wild life he pursues like
squirrels, chipmunks, bears, and birds.
Nino loves to ride and will at any time hop into a vehicle, running or not, in hopes of going
anywhere. He will ride sitting on the seat or laying on the floor. Nino's favorite ride is to the local
ice cream shop.
Nino continues to make strides with our family relationship and never fails to bring a smile to our
faces. The "Big White Dog" is a smash hit with this family of humans. Until next time.
UPDATE 8/18/04 - Hello Everyone, We adopted Nino (Neen yo) the "Big White Dog" from the
SCBR in May of 2004. He has been as good as gold with the exception of trying to capture
every wild animal that enters his yard. He has chased a bear ( a Maine Black Bear, we saw the
hockey stick), numerous squirrels, chipmunks and has even caught a bird. The bird survived the
ride in Nino's mouth without injury and flew away.
Thanks for the chance to give a great dog a place to live!
UPDATE 8/3/04 - Nino,aka the "Big White Dog" has completed his mandatory obedience
course with flying colors. He has some reservations about responding to certain commands that
place him in a position another dog might take advantage of. This is understandable because of
his prior abusive treatment. Nino does not like people to leave his house and will try to prevent
their exiting. Nino meets and greets all visitors with a gentleman's restraint but does not like
people to stand just outside a door or window. Nino appears to have overcome his seperation
anxiety and no longer wets on the floor when his people leave, he just whines a little and moves
to his favorite chair, couch, or rug within sight of his adoptive grandmother. Nino no longer
appears to fear loud noises except when the noise is a human voice in a scolding manner.
Nino has taken up fishing, as a way to relax from the stress and strains of adopting a new family.
He takes his family to a local swimming spot and wades in the water but will not attempt to swim,
when it is hot. Nino has also attended a local legion baseball game and was fantastic with the
people watching the game. Nino loves to ride but his seat of choice is laying on the floor when
looking out the windows becomes to taxing. Nino continues to run, walk, and chase his new
family members, on our nightly strolls as a way to exercise. Nino has taken up the lawn mowing
duties as he loves to chew grass. Nino continues to eat in the appropriate boxer fashion, he gulps
his food, but is gentle as lamb when hand fed treats.
Nino would like to again take the opportunity to thank Julie, Miles, Jake, Brody and the SCBR
for all of their assistance in Nino's quest for his forever home with us. Without your assistance,
insight, and guidance Nino might have passed on selecting us.
UPDATE 7/4/04 - Nino has made great strides with his fear of loud sounds. He has attended a
large fire works display with little or no response. He was present where there were large groups
of people and responded very well. Nino has been traveling very well in our vehicles and likes
going to the lake, but still will do no more than get his paws wet.
Nino has been attending obedience school with approximately eight other dogs. Nino upon
arriving at school he is a little nervious but soon becomes very relaxed and accepts the other dogs
without any problems. He seems to run out of energy about half way through the class (class is
7:30 PM to 8:30 PM)and just marks time until the end of class. Due to Nino's past history of
being an abused dog, there are some commands he is very resistant to performing.
Nino has apparently overcome his wetting on the floor due to his fear of being left or abandoned.
We have adjusted the space he can have access to in the house along with more contact with my
mother who lives with us. The changes appear to be the answer, because we have had no
problems for the last month.
Nino the "Big White Dog" has taken command of the house and appears to have every thing
under his control. Nino loves to run at night and or chase our son. He lets us know when we have
not complied with the routine. That's it for now, see you next month.
UPDATED 6/30/04 - Nino has made great strides with his fear of loud sounds. He has attended
a large fire works display with little or no response. He was present where there were large
groups of people and responded very well. Nino has been traveling very well in our vehicles and
likes going to the lake, but still will do no more than get his paws wet. Nino has been attending
obedience school with approximately eight other dogs. Nino upon arriving at school he is a little
nervious but soon becomes very relaxed and accepts the other dogs without any problems. He
seems to run out of energy about half way through the class (class is 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM)and
just marks time until the end of class. Due to Nino's past history of being an abused dog, there
are some commands he is very resistant to performing. Nino has apparently overcome his wetting
on the floor due to his fear of being left or abandoned. We have adjusted the space he can have
access to in the house along with more contact with my mother who lives with us. The changes
appear to be the answer, because we have had no problems for the last month.
Nino the "Big White Dog" has taken command of the house and appears to have every thing
under his control. Nino loves to run at night and or chase our son. He lets us know when we have
not complied with the routine. That's it for now, see you next month.
UPDATED 6/3/04 - Nino arrived at our residence after an 88 mile voyage from Minot without
any problems. We found out that he is very sensitive to loud noises, as several emergency
vehicles passed us and he tried to crawl under the seat. Nino has progressed to a new food with
very little problems. It took two weeks to get him into a working cycle for his nature calls. He has
had some problems with urinating on a floor after we leave for school and work for the day. He
has never been required to be crated as my mother is home with him and puts him out upon
request. We have been informed that the single act of urinating is a form of seperation anxiety for
being left. He may require companionship. We hope to remedy the seperation anxiety that
through an other adoption.
Nino has met all of our neighbors and their K-9's with exceptional manners. He is very interested
in any and all activities that take place within his view. He has warned us on deliveries being made
at both our neighbors homes. He loves his milk bones as treats for his first and last nature calls of
the day. We find it very hard to understand how a dog like Nino was not scooped up before
now. We are thankfull that he was overlooked and that we now have him. He responds very well
to commands and walks like the gentleman that he is. He has been to our vet and had three shots,
his heartworm medication,a general health checkup, as well as a bath and nail clipping. He has
been licensed with our local community and applied for enrollment in obedience school.
UPDATED 5/8/04 - Nino has been adopted!
4/11/04- Nino continues to have a wonderful time here at his foster home. He is eager to please
and has a wonderful personality. He spent the day outside on the deck today with Brody and the
puppy. He loves Brody and follows him about,...The puppy however, baffles Nino...he is not
entirely sure how to take her! She will try and try to get him to play and he seems almost afraid of
her. Nino is very afraid of loud voices and if anyone hollers, he runs and cowers. He also does
not like to be sprayed with the hose...our dogs love this and Nino tries to stay as far away as
possible. He is a major face kisser and will give very gentle loving kisses as long as you let him!
Nino also just loves to lay on the couch and watch TV...he will settle right in and doesn't even
hog the remote like most men do!!! All in all Nino is a very good boy! He deserves a great
forever home,...don't you deserve a wonderful boxer boy like Nino???!!!
4/6/04- Nino is still doing wonderful here at his foster home...we find that he is a major
cuddle-bug and loves to play kissy face. Nino does not really know how to play with other dogs
when they try to rough house...he will just back away and bark at them. I believe that he should
be placed with an older, less playful dog or maybe as an only dog. Nino is great in the crate and
we have had no further house breaking incidents...only the one to date. Won't you give this
handsome boy a try?...he wants the kind of home that will understand if he gets a bit insecure at
times and acts like velcro to be with you every moment....He has been passed around a great
deal and wants a forever home!
3/17/04- Nino continues to do wonderfully here at Upperfield... He is an all around great guy!
He, Brody and the puppy play the day away. He isn't too terribly fond of our alpha male, Rocky,
however that's no big surprise...our Brody isn't even very fond of our rowdy Rocky....
We had one marking incident in the house, however as he was just covering a spot where the
puppy had just pee'd , I forgave him. He has been doing great in the crate and goes in on
command now. He loves to lick faces and will give a whole facial if you let him,however he stops
if he is not encouraged, he seems to know that some humans don't enjoy this as much as others,
fortunately my three year old son very much enjoys it!!!...No signs of countersurfing, no trashcan
dunking!
Nino will make someone a great companion and really needs to go to a home that will make the
commitment to keep him forever! Nino has had enough heartbreaks in his life. He bonds quite
easily, however seems a bit sad sometimes which is a result of too much bouncing about. If you
can make a lifetime comittment to this wonderful guy please submit your application now! He's
ready to go home!
PS...Did I mention that he is also a handsome boxer boy? Well, consider it mentioned! Nino has
spots...and they are very distinguishing!!!
3/12/04 Nino has returned to rescue thru no fault of his own...the other dog in the household was
not very tolerant of having to share his toys, space and humans with another guy. Nino has been
here at Upperfield for approximately 5 days and doing great...he is a very smart and sociable
boy...no potty accidents, no signs of anxiety in the crate...he is just loving all the play with the
other dogs. We had a bit of a hard time to get him to eat the first few days...however he is now
just chowing down the food!!! If you have a home for this great guy...get your application in
now!!!
2/4/04 Nino wants me to explain that I haven't updated him because my computer has been
down for a week, and just got back online last night. He is doing much better since his antibiotic
has taken effect. Last night he didn't have to wake me up even once to go 'out'--so today I let
him have free run of the house and he
didn't have a single accident! YEAH! Abd when I got home from school all three greeted me at
the door with nubs wagging and I let everyone out so they could do their business and romp and
play in the above freezing
temperature. They had fun! And he has gotten used to the cat, and shows no interest in her even
when she's meowing. (Although she still hasn't come down to the floor level) Nino went on a
home visit with me
this weekend. He was a perfect gentleman the entire time. He rode calmly and quietly in the
back seat both ways. He did appear to enjoy looking out the window. And he met the couple
with lovely manners--no jumping
uo for this guy! He did think that he could climb up onto the couch like he does here, but when
told "No" once, he listened and was fine on the carpet. On the way home I stopped briefly at a
store, and he waited
quietly and calmly in the car and was happy to greet me when I came back. I also have to
compliment him on his leash walking--he hardly pulls at all! Which is great because I hurt my bad
knee again last weekend
so I have to be extra cautious. He didn't even ind me waling around with crutches! Some dogs
would have been thrown off by that change, but he was not bothered at all. He still amazes me
with his liking of being
outdoors, even when it is really cold. Unlike my two, who think that going out in the cold is
borderline torture. Everyone who has met Nino has liked him--he is a sweetie. I'm glad his
surinary issues appear resolved! Now if he would just gain a few pounds.....
1/23/04 Poor Nino! He had been trouble
holding his urine for long enough (I work full-time) and I was often
coming home to a wet crate. SO I took in a aurine sample knowing that
something must be wrong. He DOES have a urininary tract infection! So now
he is on an antibiotic and I am sure he will be feeling better
soon--and I'll be doing a little less laundry! Actually, I'm glad that that is
what the problem seems to be because I know that when the infection
clears up he wil be back to his housebroken self. When that happens, you
had better be ready for his adoption, because he is fantastic! This
guy loves everybody and gets along fantasticlly with both my old male and
my young active dominant female. He is my kind of dog--a couch poitato
that loves to cuddle when we're inside, and a runner and player in the
yard so he gets his exercize. MAybe when he's feeling a little better
his appetite will increase, too. I still would like to see him put on
a few pounds. So that is the good news from the Riverview--yeah Nino!
1/13/04 Mr. Nino charmed a friend who came to visit and have a cup of tea. He climbed up on
the loveseat next to her and was in her lap in a flash! He acted like he'd known her forever, so I
guess he is getting over a little of his shyness. His appetite is back so hopefully he won't bre skiny
too much longer--especially with this cold spell we're having. He doesn't like spending time
outside any more that Tika and Rocky, but just like them, he goes "Out" when he needs to.
When it warmed up a bit yesterday he was even romping and playing with Tika (Who could use
the exercise!!)Thy are good friends now and can be found curled up with one another for the
warmth much of the time. He'll curl up with Rocky, too, if there is room--but Rocky is a big boy,
so there often isn't any extra room. I think Nino would get along with any other dog, male of
female, and would be a great companion for them. I am not as confident about how he gets
along with cats as his last foster-mom ws. Here, he is VERY interested in my cat, and will chase
her if given the opportunity, and then stnd watching her wherever she has gone to get awy from
him. He hasn't hurt her--but she doesn't give him an opportunity to! Nino is well enough
behaved that he not only has full house priviledges when I am at home an awake, he can be loose
in the house at night, too. While I am at work he needs to be crated, or he might have a
housebreaking accident. Of course, I am gone for 8 1/2 to 9 hours which is a long time for
anyone not yet used to the routine. On weekends and in the e4venings, we don't have any
problems. He is a friendly guy!
1/6/04 Nino is part of the family! He's really settled in and is doing so well that he already earned
full house priveledges--so he discovered the sofa! He's a little gentleman in the house and loves to
romp and play with Tika in the yard. He's already learned that Rocky doesn't want to play, and
everybody is OK with that. HE finally got a little bit of an appetite back and is eating fine. My
Spanish is real rusty, so I got an emergency command 'dictionary' from another teacher. Didn't
really need it--Nino responds just as well to English. Still, "Bueno Chico Nino" is fun to say, and
he is a good boy so he hears it alot!
1/4/04 Nino has arrived at the Riverview. Sadly, his adoption did not work out and he was
returned to Rescue today. He rode beautifully up to Maine, and is settled into a crate here so he
can meet my two Boxers in safety. I am confident that everyone will get along and can meet each
other soon!
11/10/03 Hi Everybody, Nino here. My foster mom said that I should write my update since she
didn't have time to tell you exactly what I was looking for in my new forever home. Well here
goes. First off I'm a little shy in meeting new people. I'm just not sure that people are going to
like me, so I tend to lay down to wait and make sure that you won't hit me. I'm getting better
with this everyday since all I get here are pets and hugs. Oh yeah most important, I'm all through
my treatment for the nasty heartworm. My foster parents still have to make me stay quiet and
walk me on a leash for 4 more weeks and then I should me okay to run and play. They said
something about me taking these things called heartworm pill so that I don't get it again. I think
that would be a good idea too. I don't want heartworm again, no thank you! Anyway back to
what I want in a home. I really like kids but they must not be too rowdy as I still scare easily. I
love to run and play but I'm just not sure yet how to play with other dogs. I like them and I think
I would like to play I'm just really not sure what they want me to do. Oh and they have this thing
that they call a kitty here. I like that guy but every time I get near him he springs a leak and
makes this funny hhhissss noise. I run a way because I don't want mom to blame me for making
that thing leak. My foster mom says I should tell you that I really attach to my people quickly and
can't wait for some real family of my own. My foster parents are nice but I know that they
belong to the other dogs here. I can't imagine what my new family will be like. If you think you
could be my new family call my foster mom and we'll talk. Love Nino
10/3/03 Nino has tested positive for heartworm and will be underging treatment for it.
9/28/03 - Do you "Habla Espanol"? Well, I don't but I am pretty sure Nino understands spanish
only! I was thinking a few days ago about his name, NINO (I pronounced it very English like:
"Nine-O" or "Neen-O"), & he really was not responding much. I then remembered that this
word looked like "El Nino" a spanish word for a big storm that you hear about on the weather
channel sometimes. Well, spanish pronounciation of this word would be more like "Neeen-Yo".
I tried calling him that & boy did he respond! I then looked up a few spanish words (since
unfortunately I took years of FRENCH in school!) & came across the word for "Shake" which is
"Batido", wouldn't you know that as soon as I said that his paw flew right up to shake!! He kept
doing it too & his tail was wagging as if he was thinking "Oooohhh, she's speaking my language
now!". I had tried the word "shake" & "Paw" in English & even motioned him with my hand to
shake & he didn't respond & looked at me like I had 2 heads, but BATIDO said it all to him! :)
I have now been using a few spanish words like "Bueno" for good, "Si" for yes, "Hola" for hello
& "Andele" for hurry up/let's go. He's been responding a lot better now & just need to teach him
to understand English too! :)
Nino is doing wonderful here & has become such a happy boy now. At first he was nervous &
didn't know what to think, but now he gets all wiggly when he sees me & loves to cuddle & give
little kisses. He rides perfectly in the car & enjoys going for rides. Nino went to the vet get his
heartworm & fecal tests yesterday & he only weighed 60 lbs--could stand to gain another 5 lbs
& would be perfect weight for his size. He did great at the vets & loved the extra attention he
got by all the vet techs because he looked so pitiful--a few special home baked doggie treats they
gave him made Nino feel fine though! He was such a good boy too even when too big dogs
were in waiting room howling & barking & crying about being there & lunging at him--Nino
didn't get bothered at all.
Nino is perfect with my cats, very fascinated about the cages of Cockatiel birds (thinks they are
fun to watch) & doesn't mind being around my dogs, but doesn't want to play with them either.
He has lots of scars from what appears to be dog bites or claws, but without knowing his past
we don't know how he got them. I think he's just not ready to trust my dogs yet & is not ready
to play. Nino doesn't give my dogs a hard time about it--just a "look" that says he doesn't want to
be bothered yet.
Nino is definitely looking for the finer things in life after what looks like a rough beginning. He
really likes to sleep on the couch & has been begging me to sleep on the bed too. I feel so bad
for him as he is just a big, gentle boy who was turned into a shelter by his family, moved along to
here where no one he meets speaks his language & wonders what he did. If you can give Nino a
cushy couch & bed to sleep on, hurry & ask for him as he is one great dog!
9/22/03 - Nino arrived late Saturday night thanks to our transport volunteers. He is a 5 year old
big white boy with cropped ears & a docked tail. He was an owner surrender to a shelter we
work with. Nino rode very well for everyone but with the very long ride & day he was a little
worn out & stressed by the time he made it to Maine. He layed his head on my lap for the rest of
the ride to my home & was happy to just sleep like that. Nino is fine with the cats & met my
dogs last night without incident. He didn't completely warm up to the dogs yet, so I am not
positive how he will be with them & will continue to watch that. He has been adjusting to being
crated & isn't thrilled about it yet, but does sleep the night in it okay after a few complaints. Nino
is very nervous still about all the changes he has had in the short time so I am giving him some
time to relax & get use to the fact that everything is okay now. More updates & pictures soon.