Why should you follow this blog? What makes it unique? Well that is an excellent set of questions. We try to post some fun stuff on the blog and lots of pictures of Lucy (the title character of the blog) and an occasional video or two. We write about things that matter to dog lovers and especially boxer dog lovers. So, here are the details of who Lucy the White Boxer Dog is...

Lucy the white boxer dog has been in our family for a little over six years now. She is not truly white but rather what is referred to as a "check boxer" due to her spots. She is not an albino! She has brown eyes and splashes of black on her in addition to her spots. She is a full blooded boxer. She is also extremely healthy with the exception of having a sensitive stomach.

Want to learn more about Lucy and the things we write about her, follow her blog. Better yet, check out some of the older posts. There is a lot of information on the care of boxers and dogs in general... We look forward to see your comments on some of the posts... Happy blogging to all!


Thursday, August 25, 2011

Where do boxers come from?

Lucy, my 6 year old boxer came to my family as a rescue animal. She has been a blessing to us in many ways. First of all she has become my wife's and I, constant companion! There is no car ride to great or to short for her to enjoy. She loves the outdoors and is a great hiker and camper! Her adventures almost over-whelm her sometimes and she has to be throttled back because she's full of energy and she will go until she drops.

I plan on placing links and articles on training and caring for dogs. In Lucy's case she is truly man's best friend...I would like to share thoughts and opinions on the subject of the White Boxer and other dogs as well. I look forward to hearing from you...

Let's now examine where the "white boxer" comes from. Did you know that the original boxers were white. That they are presumed to be a cross between a Bulldog and a large dog such as a massif! Color did not come into the breed until around the 1920's. The breed comes from the western regions of Germany. They are known as a working breed of dog. The boxer's temper is gentle. Although they look mean and rough they're actually very playful, stubborn at times, and loyal to a fault. They make excellent pets to have with children!

The boxer can cause problems if it gets bored. When Lucy was a pup she got bored often. She ate two of our wingback chairs that we've had forever. Obedience training can be a challenge if ground rules are not established and enforced at an early stage of development. Boxers, however, love to learn new things. Lucy loves exploring new environments as long as one of us reassures her everything is going to be ok!

Our Lucy is almost like having another person around at times. She likes to keep a schedule and lets you know about it when it is not being kept. Since my wife and I both work outside the home Lucy gets to go to "doggy day camp" twice a week to keep her healthy and happy.

Friday, August 19, 2011

When the day is done...

I just had to post this picture of Lucy at the end of a long day. It's one of a series of pictures that I took. She really loves to lounge by that chair at the end of a long day. She was actually after me to hurry up with what I was doing in order for her to get bed. This dog loves her comforts and sleep, when it's time to do so. Hope you enjoy the picture as much as I did taking it!

I'll post more pictures in the near future, promise. It is supper late here in Colorado and I'm off to bed. Later!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Lucy has an allergy problem…

Wow, since we moved to Colorado this past spring, Lucy has been experiencing some allergy-related issues.  The symptoms include tearing of the eyes accompanied by occasional episodes of the sensitive stomach because of drainage.  We’ve tried to identify what is causing the episodes but we have not found the culprit yet.  So what do we do to treat the issues that she is experiencing?

What we have found that works to stave off the symptoms, is a common household allergy medication, e.g., Benadryl or a generic product containing diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl.  We find that this works very nicely.  After speaking with the Vet, she suggested that we give Lucy two tablets once in the morning and then two more tablets in the evening to ensure that drainage is reduced and her stomach is relieved of mucus which causes stomach issues.  So far this has been an effective treatment. 

In addition to the Benadryl, we monitor Lucy’s diet extremely closely.  We actually have her on a more humanlike schedule with meals, feeding her breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  She gets about one and a third cups of sensitive stomach dog food that she loves at each meal.  As long as we don’t expose her to a treatment involving human food she does well, i.e., no throwing up and no grazing on grass.  I’ve actually seen her eat grass like a cow to either settle her stomach or produce vomit to relieve stomach pressure.

To sum things up, Lucy is enjoying her new home here in Colorado.  She is having a great time hiking and roaming around her new environment.  She’s even made friends with a couple Mule Deer that hang around the property.  They have great starring competitions.  Allergies are a fact of life for her here but she responds to the medication that we provide her and she seems to take the issues in stride.  Not much slows her down.  

While looking up natural remedies for Lucy's issues we did come across one author that seems to be based on natural treatments for ailments such as Lucy's. I'd like to get someone else's opinion on this. We purchased the book and seems to be straight forward. Click here to examine it yourself.

Thanks

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Just got back...

Well these are sad times... My mother passed away this week.  I had to go back to North Carolina for the funeral.  As prepared as we think we may be for things like this, you really are never prepared to say goodbye to a parent.

My mother and I we not close over the last couple of years and this saddens me.  Our differences were due to things that happened a long time ago and the haunting memories that lingered up until right before her death.  But you know, even with the differences and the separation of time and distance, I still miss her!  If I could make any one wish come true, it would be to talk with her just one more time.  I did get a chance to go back and visit with her a week or so before her death.  It was the best thing that I could have done and it did ease the pain a bit, but there were so many wasted years.

I don't know what your relationship is with your parents but if I may offer you one piece of advice, call your folks and say hi just a bit more often.  It will pay big dividends in the long run!

When I returned home from the funeral I found what a great support group I have.  My wife and  my dog Lucy have been a big part of my recovery from the sadness that I feel.  I know that I've written about this before but I have to say it again.  Dogs have a special sense of when something isn't right.  Lucy has been at my side ever since I got back.  When I'm really sad she comes over to me as if to say "everything is going to be all right! Pet me and you'll feel better..."  And you know, after petting her I do feel better.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Don’t let your boxer get too much sun!

I just read an interesting article discussing the fact that boxers are particularly prone to the development of mast cell tumors, lymphoma and brain tumors. The white boxer and colored boxers with white markings should be protected from the sun as they are liable to develop skin cancer if allowed to burn. This hit me like a ton of bricks!


Lucy is an incredibly active boxer. We’ve known about the sun burn issue for some time but never knew that she was predisposed to skin cancer until recently. We try to monitor the amount of outdoors activity that she receives but it is difficult at times. We actively try to protect and guard against sunburn. One safeguard we’ve used in the past and still use when available is spray on sunblock, especially when we’re going to have her outdoors on trips or hikes. This seems to be working thus far.

Our daughter’s boxer Matty, has had some issues with mast cell tumors. She possesses a splash of white but not to the extent of being what is known as a bright boxer (boxers possessing a white splash covering more than 20% of their body mass). Matty is screened regularly and is currently undergoing treatment for the decease and is responding quite well as of this posting.

The bottom line of this post, I guess, is to make folks aware of the predisposition of boxer to the decease of cancer. Boxers should be screened for all types of cancer on a regular basis. There are tests that can be performed on boxers for all types of congenital predispositions. Breeders should perform these tests on all dogs that they are considering breeding. Regardless, get your boxer screened for cancer on regular intervals.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Lucy - a stranger in a newland...

High everyone, just wanted to give you an update on Lucy.  Lucy is now six years old and is doing well.  We recently relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado due my changing jobs.  Lucy is adapting well to her new environment here in Colorado.  She no longer has the big yard in Memphis to run around in but she's getting plenty of exercise due to hikes and long walks that we take to keep her fit.

Lucy is fully mature now and doesn't seem to be slowing down much.  We keep a keen eye out for any signs of illness or decease that boxer's are prone to have.  She still has the occational ear infection but we try to keep her ears clean.  We do a thorough cleaning about two to three times a month, which seems to keep the ear problems at bay.  I'll keep you updated on any future issues with Lucy's ears. 

Well that's about it for now.  We should be closing on a new dog house for Lucy sometime in the near future.  I'll post some pictures once we get settled in.  If you have any questions about Lucy or boxer dog issues, feel free to make a post.  I'd really like to hear from you and perhaps have a discussion or two on the blog.   

Friday, December 31, 2010

It is now one hour and 30 till 2011!!!!

I can't believe how time flies.  It's only an hour and a half from 2011!  My, how time flies when you are busy getting on with life.  Lucy is resting on the couch sleeping right now.  I can't believe she is five already!  It seems like yesterday that I walked into my old house down in Texas and was presented with one of the homeliest dogs that I had ever seen by my life.  My daughter Lauren is the responsible party... but you've probably read that already in another post.

Lucy has been my constant companion of late.  Terri is down in Texas helping my daughter with the newest edition to our family, our first grandson Robert Casen Hasenak.  Lucy made the trip to Texas with us to welcome Casen to our family but she and I had to return home due to work.  Terri, being the ever caring parent, just had to stay and help out.  

I don't really know what life would be without Lucy sometimes.  She is the most gentle dog that I've ever met. The way she cares for Terri and myself is beyond comprehension. It's like she has a sixth sense as to what's going on in the family and adjust to the needs of the one that needs her most.  I guess we really are members of her pack.  

I just wish everyone had a pet or special friend such as Lucy for a companion... 

Friday, October 8, 2010

Just a note on Lucy...

Well it is now October 2010 and Lucy is doing fine. It’s time for her annual checkup again and I haven’t had a chance to schedule the visit. I must get to that fairly soon! Boxers, especially White Boxers, have a tendency to develop some nasty problems when they get to be middle-aged. I just can’t believe that Lucy is now six! It feels like just yesterday that our daughter Lauren gave Lucy to us. Or, is it that Lauren gave us to Lucy to take care of?


Some of the experiences I’ve share with this dog will last me a life time. Going to the dog park, backpacking, going for rides in the car (just because she loves it), or just sitting at home enjoying each other’s company are all things I will take with me. What a great friend she has been! I now understand the statement of “Dog, Man’s best friend”. I think I’ll go ahead schedule that checkup while I’m thinking about. I want to keep her around, healthy and happy as long as possible.

I’ll post some new pictures of Lucy sometime in the near future. She has really filled out and is one beautiful creature… Until next time – ciao!

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Trip to the Vet

Well, where to start?  Terri and I headed out to do some shopping today. Pick up some bottles for the beer that we have brewing, buy a couple of chairs for the front porch and various other activities.  We were only out for about an hour. When came home, Lucy met us at the door.  Her greeting was a bit odd this time!  She was extremely sheepish and acted as if she wanted me to do something for her.  It was as if she were saying, hey- "I don't feel so great."  She was acting in the manner that she acts when she has been into something that she's not suppose to get into.

My "what have you been up too?" alarm went off in my head!"  Sure enough, when I rounded  the corner I found that she had indeed been into something.  There was bits of plastic all over the living room carpet and she was cowering in the corner as if to say "I didn't mean to do it!", please forgive me!  Well, when Terri saw what it was, she made one statement, and that was, "we have to get to Vet now!"  I immediately asked why?  Terri's answer scared me, "Lucy just ate ant bait!"  We couldn't understand how she got a-hold of it, but it was true... Our family member ingested a poison!

We were off like a flash!  I think I broke every speed limit in the conservative community of Germantown, Tennessee getting my dog to the Vet.  Luckily for us, it had just happened fairly shortly before we came home!  We were at the Vet's in about ten minutes of discovery.

At the Vets, they examined her and said she wasn't showing any symptoms of poisoning but we did the right thing by bringing her in straight away!  They set about their work, inducing vomiting and cleaning out her stomach.  They even examined the contents of the upchucked material.  They found the label on the ant bait and discovered that it was a slow acting ingredient.  They also hooked her up to an I.V. to get fluids into her.  Then they said that they needed to observe her for a couple hours.  These were a couple of long hours!

It turns out that Lucy is okay!  We were able to head off any sort of poisoning problems with our quick reaction to the discovery of the poisoning.  I guess the moral to the story is two-fold. One, be sure to keep any type of poison under lock and key.  And two, if something does happen, get to the Vet as quickly as possible.  Quick reaction time is critical in poisoning cases.

In my last post I wrote about pet insurance.  In this post I have to tell you that we had good cause to use it.  Our Vet bill was minimum due to the fact that we have good pet insurance for our dog.  And Lucy received outstanding care as a result of it!  As I write this post, Lucy is laying at my feet and seemingly in good health and humor.  I trust your pet and best friend is doing the same...

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Health Insurance for Your Dog


The word insurance is one of those words that just makes you cringe. Next to putting gas in your car it seems like insurance is the biggest expense you have.  There is so much that you need! You need to keep insurance on your car (it would have been really nice if somebody would have told how big a financial drain that was going to be), if you own a home you pay homeowners insurance, if you rent an apartment you have renters insurance, you struggle with the ever soaring cost of health care insurance, and if you are a really responsible family member you have life insurance. And now you find you are hearing that you should consider purchasing a health insurance plan for your pet.
  
You love your dog, he/she's more then a pet, she's a valued member of your family and probably your best friend. But health insurance? You can barely afford to put food on your table how are you supposed to be able to afford to insure your pet. Besides he's just a mutt, dog health care insurance is for fancy purebred show dogs, not your rescue pet.
  
The shoestring you’re probably living on is the very reason you might want to consider putting pet health insurance on your pet. The average dog owner takes their pet dog to the veterinarian approximately 2.3 times a year and it will cost you approximately three hundred dollars per year.  My guess is that each time you pay the vet bill your budget is screaming for mercy.
  
What happens if your dog contracts a disease, or gets hurt? It doesn't take much to rack up some pretty serious vet bills. What if you have to leave town and can't take your dog with you? Can you really afford to leave your dog at a boarding kennel? You already know how much you have to pay for your prescriptions, do you really think that a dog prescription is going to be any cheaper. Lucy's last visit was several hundred dollars for a urinary track infection. I'm glad we had pet health-care coverage.

Your dog is your best friend and a treasured member of your family could you really live with yourself if you had to put him to sleep just because you couldn't afford his vet bill.
  
It is possible to get health care insurance for your dog for approximately twenty dollars a month. While it might not cover all of your dogs vet care needs, it could help!  If you shop around and read each plan carefully you should even be able to find a pet health-care plan that will help pay for your routine vet visits. Some pet insurance plans will even cover some boarding expenses.

Some questions you should ask the pet health insurance company you are considering buying a pet health care policy from is whether or not your vet accepts that particular type of insurance, if there is a cap on treatments, how much is your deductible, and how will they handle any pre-existing conditions your dog might have.







If you have taken on the joy of having a pet, why not pony up and be responsible enough to provide the care your pet truly deserves?  Get pet insurance...

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

“All animals except man know that the ultimate of life is to enjoy it.” –Samuel Butler

Mr. Butler must have been a great observer of nature. Or, he must have understood the nature of dogs. One thing I can honestly say is our dog Lucy does understand the concept of enjoying life.
Currently Terri and I are spending more time outdoors enjoying the pool. Lucy, who is not a great swimmer, makes a game of chasing us while we swim. She’ll run or pace back and forth on the deck as we swim or float from one end to the other. She seems to really enjoy the activity. At other times she’ll just sit and watch from the comfort of some shady spot near the pool in the backyard.

I now must relay a story to you… In my attempt to get Lucy more involved in our activities I have been trying to teach her to swim. Lucy will not enter the pool unless I carry her in and then to remain there, I must assist her by supplying support while she is in the water. She will not attempt to swim on her own! This holds true even when we are out on hiking trips and there is a lake nearby, she simply will not attempt to swim.

Well, the other day Lucy was really interested in getting in the water so I retrieved her and brought her in the pool. I’m trying to make her understand that the steps are safe for her as the water is not above her chest level. The first introduction to the water went fine. I carried her in and then sat her on the steps of the pool. Great, she sat there for a moment and then got out of the pool on her own. A few moments later she was back at the side of the pool as if asking to get back in. So, I got out of pool lifted her up to carry her into the pool. We entered into the pool just fine but once I reach the floor of the pool I lost my footing and slipped. I didn’t drop Lucy put she thought I was going too! Lucy demonstrated to me that she is perfectly capable of taking care of herself in the water. It’s as if she could walk on water with the way she got out of the pool.

So what’s the moral of the story? I guess it’s this, if a dog wants to swim it can… Even though Boxers aren’t necessarily naturally attracted to the water, they can swim when they have to! Don’t force the issue, they’ll swim if they have to and swim with a passion. The best thing you can do for them is be encouraging and perhaps supply them with a floatation device such as a dog specific life preserver… A dog, especially a Boxer knows how to make their own fun, don’t press the issue!

Monday, March 8, 2010

What To Know Before You Give a Dog a Treat!


What dog does not love getting a treat or two now and then? Lucy love treats and looks forward to them! Dog owners also love giving their dog’s treats! I know I do! If you have a dog, then you probably have a good idea of what your dog likes to nibble on, right?

There are so many treats available these days and they all come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and consistencies. For every great treat, there are those on the market that are not good at all. Some treats can harm your pet by being lodged in your dog’s throat or intestines which can cause choking or intestinal ruptures. If you love treating your best friend, then you want to be aware of those treats that can be potentially harmful. Even with treats that are not usually dangerous, you need to supervise your dog when they eat. Here's a short list of things to treat or not to treat your dog with...

Dental Chews: Most dogs really enjoy these treats. They are advertised as a treats that help clean your dog’s teeth. However, you need to be aware that dental chews can cause choking. Some dogs eat these very quickly which causes large chunks that my lodge in the throat. Young puppies should not eat dental chews and as well as dogs that are prone to “scarfing” their food. If your dog eats these treats, be aware of potential vomiting, bloody stools, and difficulty breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms after your dog has eaten a dental chewy treat, seek medical attention immediately.

Chocolate: I've written about Chocolate in the past, it is a terrible thing to allow your dog to eat. Of course, sometimes dogs get into candy and cake without your knowing. Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats, so you need to be aware of your dog sneaking chocolate nibbles. Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine. This acts in the canine about the same way caffeine acts in the human. A little will make the doge hyperactive, but a huge dose may be fatal. If your dog has gotten into chocolate, you need to look for vomiting, shallow breathing, and irregular heartbeat. A visit to the emergency vet is a really good idea if your dog gets into a large quantity of chocolate.

Bones: It seems that it is the right of every dog to be able to crunch on a real bone from time to time. Dogs love bones of all types. If you own a boxer or some other short face dog, it probably a good idea to keep all bones away from them. Bones can be dangerous for dogs like boxer for a couple different reasons, they are not set up dentally to chew the bones properly. In addition, both chicken and turkey bones are especially dangerous because they are brittle. When your dog chews on them, they can easily splinter and cause choking. Some pork and beef bones can also cause the same problem. Veterinarians agree that the one of the safest bones you can give your dog is a shinbone. If you must give your dog a bone, make sure you supervise your pooch and if he or she shows signs of bleeding, then you should call your vet immediately for some advice.

Rawhide: What dog does not love snacking on these chewy treats? Lucy will chew on one for hours, wearing herself out. Rawhide chews are good because they help clean your dog’s teeth and keeps your dog occupied. Rawhide can be dangerous as well! Some rawhide that originate outside of the United States may actually be preserved with arsenic-based chemicals that will be ingested by your dog when he or she chews. For this reason, make certain that any rawhide treat you purchase is processed in the United States where this type of preservative is forbidden. If you cannot tell where a treat originated do not buy it! It is best to purchase this type of chewy from a reputable franchise dealer such as Pet co or Pet smart. In addition make sure you buy rawhide that are the right size for your dog.

I'm not saying that you cannot give your dog an occasional treat. That is one of the fun parts of owning a dog. You do however, need to watch your dog and make sure that your dog is safe when snacking. Always pay attention to what kind of treat you give your dog in case of there is a problem! If you are looking for a proper treat for your dog, you may want to discuss the issue with your vet or knowledgeable people at a pet store such as PetSmart or PetCo. Lucy's treats come these, she really likes an all natural ingredient apple treat that we buy for her. Yes, I said apple treat, she loves them and they're low calorie as well... she must keep her girlish figure!

Monday, March 1, 2010

A hero has fallen...

This post has nothing to do with Lucy but this is a story that I must share with you! A friend of mine sent this to me, please read it...

You're a 19 year old kid. You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle
in the Ia Drang Valley. November 11, 1965. LZ X-ray , Vietnam . Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac helicopters to stop coming in.

You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you're not getting out. Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day. Then - over the machine gun noise - you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter. You look up to see an unarmed Huey. But ... it doesn't seem real because no Medi-Vac markings are on it.

Ed Freeman is coming for you.

He's not Medi-Vac so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway. Even after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come. He's coming anyway.

And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 2 or 3 of you on board. Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses.

And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!! He took about 30 of you and your buddies out who would never have gotten out. Medal of Honor Recipient, Ed Freeman, died last Wednesday at the age of 80, in Boise , Idaho . May God Rest His Soul. I bet you didn't hear about this hero's passing, but we've sure seen a whole bunch about Michael Jackson. . . Medal of Honor Winner Ed Freeman. Shame on the American media!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Lucy's new friends ...



Our friends from San Diego came out to visit a week or so back. These are really great friends that we have been separated from by time and distance due to military service and the hassles of life. It was one of the highlights of our stay here in Memphis to have them reunite with us. Its kind of funny how life changes your situations.

When we were together before at an Air Force base in the frozen tundra of North Dakota, Terri and I were in mist of raising our three kids. As a matter of fact, our kids were younger then, than the our friend's kids are now... Back then our friends were freshly married with no kids yet. What a role reversal with Terri and I being "empty nesters" and our friend now in the middle of raising a family. My how time changes things! Now with that said, I've got to tell you about how Lucy reacted to the visit.

I think dogs have a sixth sense about people. It seems from the time that our friends entered the door Lucy was attached to them. I honestly think Lucy could sense the excitement that Terri and I had about our friends coming to visit! She instantly took to both of the our friends kids, and why not, they're great kids! Anytime the girls were in the house Lucy wanted to be right there with them. She accepted them right into the pack.

Now that our friends have left I think Lucy misses them... I know we do! The house feels just a bit bigger and bit emptier. When they first left, Lucy spent a good deal of time in the room where the kids were sleeping, as if waiting for them to return in order to spend time with them. It warms me to think that our old friends are now Lucy's new friends! I trust they return for another visit soon, I know Lucy's thinking the same... Pals!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A Great Cause...

I received this letter recently and I just feel obligated to share it with everyone that my come across this blog. The embedded links in the message lead to a site for books that profit the care of orphaned and abandoned dogs and discourages puppy mills. Please read the letter and follow the links. I think you'll be glad you did... The last link in the letter is a really touching story about a white boxer that is a must read...

Dear Bob,

I enjoy your Lucy the White Boxer Dog blog and thought you might be interested in a project I'm working on that features some white Boxers.

I’m raising awareness about puppy mills and supporting dog rescue groups by publishing breed-specific books full of stories about adopted dogs. The books give proud owners of adopted dogs a chance to showcase them, raise awareness about dog adoption and breed characteristics, and generate funding for dog rescue through the donation of a portion of each sale. We’ve now completed “Lost Souls: Found!” books on Boston Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, Labradors, Pit Bulls, and Boxers. We have also published a very special memoir of a Hollywood Studio Wrangler who has worked on set with adopted dogs entitled “Hollywood Barks!”


There's a story from our upcoming Boxer book about a white Boxer posted at http://happytailsbooks.com/story1.htm . Thought you might enjoy it. We would greatly appreciate it if you could post about the book and let friends and family know about it. Profits go back to dog rescue efforts.
Thank you,

Kyla


The story about Rocky the White Boxer really touched me. I trust you find something on this site that touched you as well... Please do visit the site! It for a great cause! Thanks!!!