ZAK
1/19/08 - Thank you so much to all of you who sent your kind words, thoughts and prayers to us.  It is
truly amazing how much it helps.  Finding out that Weezy went to the bridge also was such a shock, but
somehow a comfort as well.  You are all such wonderful, kind, caring people - it's a privilege to be part
of this group.  I know Zak and Weezy had a speedy trip and happy arrival on the other side due to all
of your help.  Thank you so, so much.

Oh my God, I can't believe this.  Zak and Weezy were brought in together, fostered together, and
adopted within a week of each other.  Does anyone know if they were brother and sister?  I just can't
believe they got sick with the same symptoms, vomiting and pain in their back legs, and had to go to the
bridge during the same week.  I am trembling as I write this - what are the chances????  Ryan, I am so
sorry for you and your family and your other boxer, I just can't believe it - we are in the exact same
situation at the exact same time.  It makes me think there is something else at work here..........at least
we can take comfort that they arrived at the bridge together and will keep each other company on the
other side. Now I'm crying again, but in some way this seems meant to be.

Run free Zak and Weezy, together and happy.  We loved you so and always will.

1/18/08 - I can't believe I'm doing this again so soon.  We took Zak home on March 8th, after
somewhat recovering from Jackson's sudden passing on New Year's Eve.  Other than slight urinary
incontinence and frequent vomiting, he has been in good health.  He was on meds for the leaking and
we just attributed the vomiting to "boxer belly".  A couple of weeks ago he got diarrhea, began
coughing, and started vomiting almost every meal up.  We took him to the vet and his stool sample
showed he had Giardia  (intestinal parasite - probably from eating snow), so he was put on meds for
that.  After a few days his diarrhea cleared up, but he was still vomiting.  I called the vet and he said to
wait 2 more days, by then he should not still be vomiting and we would have to bring him in again for
more tests.  The day after that Zak was suddenly unable to put any weight on his right hind leg, and he
was extremely lethargic.  He would not even get up to go out at bedtime.  When we went to the vet the
next day, he decided to do an x-ray of his throat and chest, which Zak had to be awake for, thinking he
might have a condition called mega-esophagus.  If he didn't find anything there, he was going to put him
under anesthesia to x-ray his hip and leg.  I got such a sick feeling in my gut when we left Zak for the
x-rays - I don't know why, I just knew it would not be good.  A few minutes after I got home, Dr.
Hertel called and told me he didn't have to go any further than the chest x-ray, Zak had a tumor in his
lung the size of a baseball.  It was stopping him from being able to get all of his food down to his
stomach, causing the vomiting.  The Dr. believed it was actually a secondary tumor - the others being
bone cancer, causing his hip to fracture.  The cancer was advanced and there was nothing we could do
for my boy except spare him from getting sicker and having more pain.  It wasn't a hard decision to
send him to the bridge, but it just hurts so much.  We were with him until the end, and I know he was
very happy these past 10 months - I'm so glad he was with me instead of having to live his last months
in that puppy mill.  I feel he was sent here - both for him and for me. I just wish I could feel less sad, I
miss him so much.  Jade is again wondering where her brother is.  This is the 3rd dog to pass away in
my son's 9 years.  We became part of the SCBR community in January 2002 after our beloved pitbull,
Pebbles, passed away from Lymphoma.  It just never gets easier.  Thank you all for reading my long
story, I know you understand my pain.  Zak, I love you forever, rest in peace my big boy.

UPDATE 10/5/07 - Zak is doing very well! He is really getting comfortable now - enough start being
mischievous - knocking stuff off the "good" couch so he can sleep on it,getting into the trash - which he
never did before - but I guess three pounds of raw chicken on the verge of going bad was too much of
a temptation!  Funny thing is, I was going to use the chicken to make his homemade dog food, but I
thought it smelled a little funny, so I trashed it, not wanting to take a chance on making my babies sick!  
Well, I guess he's not as picky as I am.  You wouldn't believe the fragrance he was emitting all over the
house the next morning - and then when he finally vomited it up, OMG the smell!  I must have had
twenty candles lit!  Luckily he's just fine.  We have stopped using the Proin from the vet for his leaking,
and are now trying a holistic remedy instead.  It's not too bad, just dribbling here and there, mostly
when he sleeps.  He is just now learning how to play with Jade, he is licking her when she licks his face,
and he'll kind of prance around her a little.  I saw the slightest bit of a kidney bean dance the other day!  
:-)  And he's finally rolling all the way over and exposing his whole belly to be rubbed - he's SO cute
upside down!  He is a sweetie and we all love him tons!!  Thanks SCBR for another great dog to share
our life with!

UPDATE 4/9/07 -  Hi Everyone,
Time for Zak's one month update already!  Time goes by so fast - but it seems like he's been here
forever.  He is doing SO well!  The only issue we had with him was peeing/leaking, but after a couple of
weeks and some antibiotics, but he has just about stopped completely - just an occasional drip now.  
He is such an affectionate love bug and gives the best hugs.  Jade loves him to pieces already too.  They
cuddle and sleep on the couch together, and give each other kisses all the time.  Zak has no inclination
to run away, just follows Jade around, and even when loose in the woods he always looks to make sure
we are in sight.  He also walks like a dream on a leash - something new for us!  We will be starting his
obedience class on April 18, not that he even really needs it!  He has been fine with every person or
other dog he has met since being with us.  He is just a wonderful, good natured, mellow guy.  I think he
is just what we all needed to help us get over the sudden loss of Jackson. Thanks SCBR for another
wonderful member of our family - talk to you again in a month!

3/8/07 - Zak has been adopted!

2/11/07 - What a loving guy this is. He is so excited to get out of his crate in the morning. He promptly
makes the rounds to kiss all of his foster family hello.

Our 26 year old son came home from the Navy for good on Thursday (Thank you God), and
confirmed the fact that Zak is not a watch dog. He was all over my son from the time he walked in the
door. He not met a person he doesn't love instantly. Zak loves all ages equally, and he has shown that
he is as good with dogs as he is with people.

As for basic commands and housebreaking, he gets an A plus. He is very eager to please. He knows
sit, sometimes stay, definitely NO and is beautiful on lead. As a matter of fact, sometimes the only way
to get him up and out when it is bitter cold, is to snap his leash on to him and he goes right out.

Zak is excellent riding in the car, and will wait patiently for you....in the passenger seat!

If you want a forever, faithful friend, that just wants to please, get your application in. You will be glad
you did.

2/1/07 - Zak has adjusted very well here at his new foster home. He hasn't met a dog or a person that
he doesn't love. He loves to give kisses and wag his little nub.You don't need to speak, but just look at
him and he gets happy all over.

He does tend to be selfish with lovin's and hugs. He is not at all aggressive, he just bumps the other
dogs out of the way. It is so funny to watch. He is great on a leash. No pulling so far.

He is extremely thin, but if the way he eats is any indication, he will put on some fluff in no time. The vet
was concerned that he had kidney or diabetic issues as he loves to drink, and then dispose of it in clean
corners, but his bloodwork showed that he was just dehydrated and malnourished.

He had severe periodontal disease and had 12 teeth removed. I will spare you the gory details, but lets
just say, he is feeling much better and a lot less swollen now.

We are currently working on housebreaking, and, as he is very eager to please, he stops immediately
when I say, "NO" and we go right outside. I keep him in a crate when I am busy, but keep him right by
my side whenever I am working around the house. That way, I can see if he starts the "I can see this
thing doesn't smell quite as it should" thing intact males do before marking.

Zak will make any family a very devoted companion.

1/28/07 - Hi,   Richard and I did part of this transport too, and I couldn't agree more.

Zac is an absolute love bug...and he's so handsome!  I rode in the back seat with these guys from
Worcester to Portsmouth, and got more kisses from Zac than I could count!  He settled down behind
my seat for a good portion of the ride, but even then always positioned his head so that it was pressing
gently against the arm I was using to pat the female.

She's adorable too...she has a very LONG tongue that she has a hard time keeping in her mouth, so
most of the time it looks as if she's sticking her tongue out at you!  She also has the softest coat...and
was as gentle as possible, in spite of how frightened she obviously was.

I was able to get a couple pictures of her, but the battery on the camera died just as I started to try to
take a picture of Zac.  Once it's recharged, I'll at least send her pics on. Take care, Anne

1/28/07 - Hi all, I met Liz today to pick up the male and female puppy mill kids. We put the little girl in
the back seat, and zac up front with me. The little girl was so out of her element that she wouldn't even
walk. When I got to Darien, I had some time while I waited for Patty so I took Zac for a little walk
around the rest area. Someone will be lucky to have this guy. He walks well on the leash and his hole
but wiggles at the sight of anyone. He wanted to meet everyone he saw. He slept most of the ride with
his head on my arm or lap. When he wasn't sleeping, he was giving lots of kisses. After his walk, I sat in
the back seat with the frightened little girl and gave her some love. She was scared but didn't protest
any, and even wagged her little nub for a minute. I think with a little time she'll be more than happy to be
someones little couch potato. Stevan

1/28/07 - What calm dogs these are- we didn't hear a peep out of either one the whole ride!

She is afraid, but calms easily if left alone.  He's a big smush face-he rested his head on our dgtr's arm
on the ride.  They smelled pretty good- thanks to their baths last night! I'll post pics soon.  Thanks for
the chance to help 2 cute dogs.
State: NH
Age: 7
Weight: 70
Sex: Male
Neutered/UTD: Yes/Yes
Coat: Fawn
Docked Tail: Yes
Cropped Ears: Yes
Children Under 4: Yes
Children Over 4: Yes
Separation Anxiety: No
Other Dogs: Yes
Cats: Yes
Crate Trained: Yes
Housebroken: Yes
Leash Trained: Yes
Obedience: Has learned sit
Microchipped: No
Adoption Fee: $150.00
Fee waived if you have adopted
from SCBR in the past.
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