CAPTAIN
STATE: ME
AGE: 5 years
WEIGHT: 80 lbs
SEX: Male
NEUTERED/UTD: Yes/Yes
COAT COLOR: Dark Brindle
DOCKED TAIL
NATURAL EARS
CHILDREN UNDER 4: No
CHILDREN OVER 4: Yes
SEPARATION ANXIETY: No
OTHER DOGS: Yes
CATS: Yes
CRATE TRAINED: Yes
HOUSE TRAINED: Yes
ATTENDING OBEDIENCE: No
LEASH TRAINED: No
MICRO CHIPPED: Unsure
ADOPTION DONATION $300
UPDATE 9/10/07 - Captain has been at home with us for a year now and continues to be a source of joy,
comfort, and fun for our family. Adopting him was definitely the smartest thing we've done in a long, long time!
Having him has given us a common focal point in our busy lives, especially since Cindy's mom lives with us and
the three of us don't often get a chance to do things together. He gives us something to care for collectively, and
to talk about and love.
He's so beautiful and so curious about everything going on around him that he draws a lot of attention when
we're out on walks. He usually wants to meet everyone he sees -- and everyone wants to meet him!
The heat this summer wasn't easy on him when we'd go for walks, but now that we're having cooler days, his
energy is starting to rebound. When he's home, he loves to lie on one of his four beds out on the screened porch.
Rest assured, he is loved and tended to. We couldn't have asked for a better dog.
Thanks again!
UPDATE 3/13/07 - Captain lost no time in stealing our hearts and becoming a permanent member of our family,
and after six months, we can't imagine what our home was like without him.
We've finally had some warmer weather in the last couple of days, so today we were able to go out for a longer
walk than we've had in several weeks.
The last few times he's seen or heard another dog he's been MUCH better behaved than he used to be, which is
a big relief, since we often walk him in town.
Captain loves the beach and the park/picnic areas out there, too, so we try to take him there as often as possible.
He still makes us laugh when he rubs his face on his bed -- like a little kid rubbing his eyes -- and rolls around,
scratching his back on the carpet. He loves his digestible chew bones and his toys, and we love watching him
and playing with him.
Once again, thank you for all your work. We love Captain very much, and rest assured, he's being well taken care
of!
UPDATE 1/8/07 - Captain is doing great. Right now he's asleep on his bed next to my desk, snoring loudly. It's
raining this morning, so we're delaying our usual walk, although he's been out to do his business.
We had five family members visit at Christmas, including our grandniece, who will turn 3 tomorrow. We
wondered how Captain would do with so many extra people in the house, especially with the little one. He was
wonderful. Fortunately, all our guests have dogs at home (one sister has five!), including our grandniece, who
has a golden retriever, so they all love dogs and know how to treat them well.
Captain was very patient with our grandniece draping him with clothes, etc. Whenever she was downstairs in the
guest room, he would cock his head and listen for her. She even mentioned Captain in her dictated note to
Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, reassuring Santa that "Captain is a nice dog. Don't be afraid of him" so that
Santa wouldn't be intimidated when he visited!
We have cleared out some underbrush in the woods bordering our yard, and Captain likes poking around out
there as long as he has company. He still isn't fond of the rain and wind, but he seemed to enjoy the 3-4 inches
of snow we had about 10 days ago. Fortunately for him, it's been a really mild winter so far, although he's done
fine wearing his coat the last couple of times it's been really cold.
We tell him all the time how glad we are to have him live with us. We still feel like we got the best dog in the
world!
UPDATE 12/8/06 - Captain continues to do well -- and we continue to love him more all the time.
Our latest project has been getting him adjusted to wearing his new coat now that we're getting some cold days.
He doesn't mind it, but would rather not have to wear it -- and he refuses to do his business while it's on.
Fortunately, we figured that out quickly, before we got too many mournful looks.
He definitely prefers the snow to the rain, and we're just getting our second snowfall today.
Our nearly-3-year-old grandniece is coming for Christmas, and I think Captain will enjoy her. We've noticed that
he's drawn to children, and she's used to being around dogs and knows how to be gentle with them.
Last week we were in town for a walk when another brindle boxer emerged from a house with its owner. It was
the very first time I've been with him when he's seen another dog and NOT barked or lunged to get at it. In fact, he
just stood and wiggled his tail. We had to wonder whether he recognized a distant cousin!
He is such a good boy, and we feel so lucky. More next month.
UPDATE 11/8/06 - Captain is doing wonderfully, and we love him more every day. He's on his bed snoring as I
write. He stays in Cindy's mom's room at night, and last night, she had to get up and "rearrange" him because
he was snoring so loudly she couldn't sleep!
The only problem we've had with him is that he still wants to jump when he's excited to see someone. It doesn't
happen often, but of course we don't want it to happen at all. He doesn't seem to understand that it's a no-no,
especially because he's just being friendly, but we'll keep working on it.
He's great to walk, and everyone talks about how beautiful he is. Just yesterday, his custom-made, blaze-orange
coat came from the woman in New Hampshire recommended by Captain's foster mom. We're letting him get
used to it a little at a time so he'll be ready to wear it when the temperatures really drop, which won't be long now.
He will be quite the dog about town when he goes out.
We often say how lucky we were to get such a great dog. Again, we are grateful to his previous family, his foster
folks, and all those at SCBR! More next month....
UPDATE 10/3/06 - Captain has been with us for a month now and is doing great. We feel so fortunate to have
him and are so thankful that he was treated well by his last SCBR family and foster family. Your love and work
with him shows; he's very well behaved.
Our 17-year-old cat is still a bit anxious when Captain gets too close but is no longer cowering in the bedroom.
He shows interest in her occasionally, but pretty much leaves her alone.
We took Captain to our vet today for a get-acquainted checkup and to have him tested for heartworm again. All
his tests came back negative, and the vet says he's in great shape.
We've also had him at private obedience lessons. He knew a lot already; the trainer said he obviously had been
worked with before. He just needs some reminding -- and we're still working on the "stay" and "come"
commands.
Captain gets an hour-long walk each morning and another 30-minute walk in the late afternoon or early evening,
plus another 10 minutes or so in the middle of the day. The only problems we've ever had are when we see
other dogs. He has gotten pretty agitated at times, so we are working on training him out of that so that he
doesn't lunge or bark ferociously at them. We hope to be able to get him to some group obedience lessons so
that he'll get more socialization with other dogs. Meanwhile, though, we take him all over town, on the university
campus (the students love him), and on wooded trails. He does really well on a leash and doesn't drag us
around.
We have just ordered another bed for Captain, which means he'll have four beds in the house, two upstairs and
two downstairs. He also has his crate, where he stays if we're out running errands or something. We stuff his
Kong with peanut butter and he settles right in.
He makes us laugh with all his snorting, snuffling, sighing, and snoring, and when he picks up his favorite
squeak toy and thrashes it around (usually when people are over -- I guess he's showing off). Plus he's just kind
of a goofball at times; it's very endearing.
In short, we have all fallen in love with Captain (well, maybe not the cat), and are always bragging on how good
he is to anyone who will listen. We know we got really lucky!
9/2/06 - Captain has been adopted!
8/22/06 - Captain settled right back in & is doing great! He is as sweet as I remember him & is such a good boy.
He is just an all around great boy and gets along with the cats, goes in his crate when asked(can be left out
though too), housetrained & is a lovebug! He likes to talk to you when he wants to tell you something, whether it
is he is hungry, wants to play, ready to come in, or just not getting enough attention! LOL He is such a good boy
and is ready to go home to settle in with his new family. Hurry & ask for him, before you miss out on Captain
being your new best friend! :)
8/19/06 - Captain was surrendered to rescue today just after a year in his last home. One of the couple's Father
died recently and their Mother is moving in with them. They were worried that she is too frail to be around such a
big dog and she may get accidentally knocked over when no one is home and she is alone with Captain. They
said he is a great boy & they do love him & will miss him a lot. Captain lived with their son too (about 8-9 years
old?) and he was great with him & loved him. They also said their vet did not see any issues with his eyesight
and he just had all his shots updated in June & was heartworm/lyme negative.
Captain was well loved & cared for in his last home, including the spoiling of monthly trips to the groomer for his
"spa treatment"! LOL I know he remembered me when I met them as he got extra excited & was happy to see
me. He looks the same as he did when I had him here last year, just an extra 20 lbs onto his big body instead of
skinny boy I had! :) Updated pictures & more info as Captain settles in some.
1/27/06 - Good news for Captain! His Dad called me today & said how he just could not give him up & he "would
just suffer if has to!". Captain is VERY loved in his home & his Dad is going to try more things to see if he can
get over his allergies or live with them better. Good luck Captain & family! We all wish you the best outcome!
1/24/06 - Captain is coming back to rescue this weekend to find a new home. After much testing and
persistence, unfortunately his Dad has discovered he is very allergic to Captain. The family is devastated as
they all love him & do not want him to leave, but they have no choice. Updates soon on Captain after he comes
in this weekend.
7/15/05 - Captain was adopted!
7/3/05 - Captain is still waiting for his forever home to come along. He is such a sweet boy & has fit right in here.
He is always out with my dogs & loves to be with me. Finally I have noticed he has put some good weight on
too. He eats VERY well (about 7 cups a day right now to get the weight on!) & does not require canned food
mixed in all the time to eat either (though that is his favorite!). I do crate him at night as my bed is full, but I think
he would be happiest laying on a dog bed next to your bed. He is not the couch type dog, he loves dog beds!
Usually it is the one closest to my feet, but he will use all of them at different times. I caught him cuddling with
my big cat, Dude, tonight on one of the dog beds by my feet--so cute!
Captain has not had any eye allergy issues in the last few weeks. I think it was the heavy pollen days we had
here in Maine earlier last month--I had problems too! His eyesight does not seem to hinder him at all. Honestly
you would not know he had an issue without being told. Once in awhile he will look at something in an odd way
(like the big tires rolling on the semi driving next to us today on the highway-he was fascinated by them!), but he
just acts very curious.
I think Captain would do great in a home with lots of land as he is the type to like to be right near you. I live in a
busy neighborhood so I cannot test this completely, but he has never tried to run off on me when he runs out to
do his business. He also gets upset if I try to leave him more than a few feet away! LOL So if you are looking for
a constant companion, best friend & big lovebug, Captain is your boy!
6/10/05 - Captain is doing very well now that we know he has vision problems! Yesterday he was neutered, had
his shots updated & tested negative for heartworm & lyme disease. Poor guy was sooooo tired and not feeling
good last night after his day at the vets that he was falling asleep sitting up on the ride home last night! He
wanted to lay down but he was too sore so he would rest his head on my shoulder as I drove & would start
snoring away. The vet also sent Captain home with some eye drops as it appears he has allergies to
something in the air right now. He should be feeling better soon & be on the mend now.
Captain has just started to eat better, so now it is time to try to get the weight on him as he is super skinny! He
needs to gain about 10 lbs, then he should be perfect. He is doing great with my cats & likes the other dogs
(foster Lilly thinks he's her best friend!). He has not tried to play with the other dogs yet but he does not mind
their company. Captain would be great as an only dog or with another dog who is NOT looking for a wild & crazy
playmate type. Due to his eyesite not being great, kids are really not a good idea for him to live with. He has got
a lot better, but sudden movements too close to him or touching him quickly without letting him have time to
realize you are there does startle him. An adult home with not a huge amount of activity would be Captains
favorite type of home. He's just not going to do well in the big city or at dog parks or kid's sporting events, where
there are lots of noisy & fast activity going on. He's such a sweetie though & he LOVES to ride in the car. He
likes to give gentle kisses too & knows several commands very well, including "sit", "paw", "other paw", "down" &
often "stay" too! He obviously had someone take time with him at one time & he is very friendly & cute too! If you
think your home is the one for Captain you had better hurry, he is one special boy!
6/1/05 - Captain has been visiting for a few days. He is a sweet boy that is housebroken and cratetrained. He
has some good manners and will sit when told. He loves to shake paw and get a treat. Captain was showing us
some weird behaviors and we couldn't figure out why. Turns out that his vision is not real good. Some things
startle him or he is slow to pass by things that he does not see. Captain has an appointment to see Dr. Matt next
week, he will be neutered, brought up to date on his shots and have a better understanding of what is going on
with his vision. Captain contines to put on weight, has a good appetite and is improving everyday. We will update
again next week.
5/26/05 - Captain is not doing so well-he is showing some personality and behavioral issues that we need to
evaluate further. He is not available for adoption at this time.
5/22/05 - Captain arrived tonight after a long journey from one of our favorite NJ shelters, thanks to his transport
team of SCBR volunteers. He is a beautiful, big dark brindle male with natural ears, a docked tail and about 4
years old. He was found as a stray and no one came to claim him.
Captain rode well crated or out of a crate and was a very tired by the last couple legs of his transport. He was
such a good boy for me and did great riding to my house as the co-pilot. He even showed me he knew how to
shake when I gave him a few treats. He went easily into his crate for the night to get some rest. I will work on
introducing him to my cats and dogs in the next few days, once he has had a chance to settle in some. Captain
will be going to the vet soon to be neutered and have his shots updated.
THESE PICTURES ARE FROM 5/2005
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