Boxer Dog Rescue
Northern England
Helping Boxers In Need Across the
North of England and Beyond
Bentley's Blog
Arrived with Andy at 5pm after a 2.5hr journey from Liverpool. He picked him up from the kennels the day before a very frightened boy. He had been fed a nutrious raw meal of chicken carcases, about 18 had been consumed in 24hrs! After Andy left he settled in well, he was fed again but only one chicken carcase then we settled down for the evening. He was fine left alone with my other dog, Holly, while we went upstairs to shower and get ready in our jammies to watch a DVD, he was quiet, settled and happy – and very tired!
Foster Update - 15th March 2010
Up at 6.45 am as I was a bit worried he might have had a toilet type accident as we hadn’t heard a peep out of him all night.
He was closed in our lobby near the back door with a dog bed to sleep in. He had been fine all night, let out in the garden and I fed him two chicken carcases. We all got ready to go out for about 8am and we let him off the lead on the river bank and he had a ball. Recall was not an issue whatsoever, although clipping the lead on is taking some patience – he seems to be a little scared of the lead but with gentle persuasion that was soon remedied. I am practising handling his collar, neck area several times a day.
Getting him into a car is a struggle too, but with patience and time I am sure that won’t be an issue. He is happier sitting in the passenger footwell, doesn’t jump about trying to get on the seats or on the drivers knee. He is very submissive of my female boxer (she’s 6yo) he knows she’s the boss. I have had him practising walking to heel using a Bark Buster collar and 6’ training lead, he’s doing well but we’ve only done it once for about 10mins, trying not to overwhelm him just yet. I’ve also got him used to doorway/boundary manners, insisting he sit before we go through the gate to outside.
He loves to play with a football, he’s having fun now outside as hubby is gardening, and will play nicely by himself or with another dog. He spent the afternoon in the house on his own with hubby while me and Holly went out to a recall with a dog aggressive GSD, he was fine although did wait patiently by the garden gate for about half an hour waiting for our return! He ate his tea and then settled down for the evening. He took himself off again into the kitchen just coming into the living room checking in on us from time to time, a bit of supper just after 10pm then to bed, again in the lobby in the dog bed.
Not a peep out of him all night & no mess whatsoever!
Foster Update - 16th March 2010
I took him to the river bank on my own with Holly. Getting him into the footwell of the car wasn’t as difficult as yesterday, he sits quietly there not attempting to get up on the seats or anything. I met up with my friend who has a 9yo collie cross and a 3yo staffie (Jezz and Phoebe), initially Jezz wasn’t so keen on having another male to walk with but no spats just a little growl then they all played together on the river bank paddling in the water (high tide again). Stayed out with them for 1hr 15mins, then home to another carcase and he fell asleep on the kitchen floor.
I
n the afternoon I took him for a lead walk, training him to walk to heel, he did very well. I then let him off the lead and we were on our own. His recall is still excellent.
He doesn’t like small spaces, i.e. if you go into the cloakroom and he sees you he backs off as though you are going to grab him and push him in, the same response if you go into the cupboard that houses the coats, shoes etc. We are avoiding grabbing him and trying to get him into smaller spaces. Coaxing him to stay is much better. He sleeps in a small area just inside the back door, we call it the lobby, it’s not small, it has a dog bed in it and can be closed off from the rest of the house. He is wary of that but with gentle coaxing he’s fine and stays there all night, not a peep!
Foster Update - 17th March 2010
He had a great time on the river bank playing with Holly, he even accidently fell in the river – that was soooo funny, he just stepped off a little island and had to be rescued - again! Did loads of walking exercises with him today – he’s coming along really well and still no signs of aggressive or challenging behaviour. He met up with a chap and his three labs this afternoon on our walk, they all played lovely and the chap was able to stroke him. On our way back home through the village a couple of kids (9yo) came up and stroked him, his tail was wagging away happily.
He was a little territorial when the window cleaner arrived – he’s used to my two boxers not taking any notice of him and just comes into the back garden through the gate – Bentley was having none of it and it took us unawares, but we corrected him and got him to us then put him in the house till the window cleaner had finished. When we met up with the window cleaner in the street when we were coming back from a walk and Bentley was fine and very happy to be fussed.
'All this gardening with my foster Dad makes me sleepy!'
He is calm in the house, he doesn’t jump all over the furniture, doesn’t beg for food while you’re eating and is getting a little better with the small spaces. He even ventured into our shed on his own! He’s also jumping into the car footwell on his own now, you don’t have to get in with him.
Foster Update - 18th March 2010
Stewart has been managing Bentley and Holly on his own today, I’ve been working all day. He had a long walk on the river bank again this morning, jumped into the car double quick (just in case he was left behind)! Met up with Quincy (English Setter) who gave Bentley a good run for his money. All the dogs he’s met up with he’s been very friendly, if they grumble at him he just backs down. He also went shopping in Howden with Stewart, Stewart was a big wary of leaving him in the car thinking he might jump about on the seats etc, Holly is in the car crate in the back. When he returned a while later he was just sitting calmly in the foot well.
Stewart took Holly and Bentley for a walk this afternoon and they both played with an old cycle tyre they found on the river bank. I came home from work and got a wonderful greeting from him (and Holly), now he’s settled down in the lounge. I might add he doesn’t stay in the lounge for long, much preferring to sit on the tile floor in the kitchen just coming in the lounge from time to time to check we are still there.
I find he’s best left to his own devices.
Foster Update - 19th March 2010
He did come into the living room for about half an hour last night where he layed on his back with legs in the air propped up by the sofa and finally fell into a deep sleep.
He’s had a good day again, long walk this morning but he did get stuck in the mud on the river bank as the tide was out and he was climbing down for a drink! Stewart had to grab him out boy was he muddy! Nice day so the back door was left open for him to mooch around inside and out. I came home from work and drove down to the barrage to walk him with Stewart who was already there – what a sight – one big white boxer with a huge grin on his face with Holly in hot pursuit as he had a huge stick to play with. Nice walk all together and home for tea. We have reduced his intake now to around 4 carcases a day plus table scraps (not fed from the table I might add – saved up and put in a bowl and taken outside for him to eat).
Foster Update - 20th March 2010
A bad day weather wise, pouring with rain and Bentley got himself stuck in the smelly mud again! He had a great time though! Stewart had trouble cleaning him and Stewart made the mistake of trying to grab him by the collar, Bentley looked stunned and frightened and backed away. Stewart realised his mistake, let go of the collar and fed him his carcase instead, leaving out in the rain. Later he was able to gently clean him with a cloth and soapy water without any mishap. BEWARE – BENTLEY FEELS THREATENED WHEN GRABBED! He might defend himself in that situation, hence the biting.
I’d been out all day but got home around 3.30pm so I bundled them into the car and took them off for a lovely long walk – no jumping in the river this time! Did some work in the car park at the barrage, had Bentley sitting, staying, walking to heel, changing direction and the pace in which I was walking – he loves working. When we got him home and after we’d all eaten I did some obedience training with him. He does sits, down, stays, walking to your side and is very attentive. He can even shake hands with you! Very clever dog. He’s a poppet.
Foster Update - 21st March 2010
He’s really settling in, no trouble at all, plays nicely and is even sleeping better. He’s staying in the living room with us more of an evening and he loves bedtime. Not at all bothered about being closed into a smaller room – although the promise of his supper and a small drink of milk which he has now become used to helps there. But even if he leaves the living room now he will go quite happily to his own bed in that room.
He's still fine. Booked him in the vets for Thursday for his castration. When I got home from work I took both of them out for a walk, they had a great time playing with an old bike tyre! Then took them both into the village for some shopping where he was left in the footwell of the car for about 30 minutes, he was fine just laying there sleeping - quite relaxed. Then I took them both to the vet to weigh them (we always keep a watch on Holly's weight), he went in quite OK and sat nicely on the scales (27kg) in readiness for going in on Thursday. He stayed in the lounge all evening last night, nicley relaxed, sprawled on his back. A much more happy contented boy.
Foster Update - 23rd March 2010
He’s just had a lovely day, playing on the riverbank with Holly and being contented back at home. Eaten well and enjoying his food. We do think he’s been hit at some stage as Stewart raised his arm for something (can’t remember what) and he cowered away.
Foster Update - 24th March 2010
Normally I’ve been getting up at 6.30 but having a young dog is taking its toll on me and finally I slept like a log last night, got woken up by Bentley crying loudly, I shot out of bed and ran downstairs and he just wanted letting out and boy did he have a big wee, so that’s excellent letting you know he wants out. By the way the time was 6.55am so I’d slept in a bit.
Foster Update - 25th March 2010
Well I slept in again, my fault, poor boy couldn’t hold it and there was a small amount of poo waiting for me, no problem it was soon cleared up but Bentley was obviously very upset and was quivering but I didn’t pay attention to him, just cleaned up the area quietly and then went outside with him, he saw that I was calm and decided that he wasn’t going to be punished so he played ball instead! He was taken to the vet this morning for his castration operation, they were very good and I stayed with him while they gave him his pre-med and even helped put him on the operating table. As soon as he’d come round they rang me and I was able to bring him home – they left him laying nicely on a big quilt in the consulting room so he didn’t have to endure being left in a crate. He’s very quiet!
Foster Update - 26th March 2010
An uneventful night, poor Bentley felt sore and dejected! I am mean making him feel like this. But he’s woke up this morning full of beans and is playing in the garden so he can’t feel too bad. He was a good boy yesterday at the vets and recuperating at home. Bless him. He’s only been out on the lead today, just two short walks as I’ve got to be careful until he’s all healed – try telling him that! When I came home from work today he was waiting at the other side of the garden gate with Holly, barking excitedly ‘cos I’d driven into the driveway, and when I came through the gate what a lovely welcome from them both. Because he’d been so good at the vets I’ve bought him a lovely new collar, red with bones and paw prints on it – boy he sure looks smart!
Sadie
14th January 2009
On 14th January two of our team drove 250 miles to collect this dog and transport her into the safety of her foster carers. We cannot divulge the circumstances of how or why the dog came to be in our care but she is now in safe hands and will receive the medical treatment she so badly needs.
Sadie is a five year old female. She is lively and friendly despite her painful condition. She was taken to foster care with one of our volunteers but this was on the basis that the resident dog allowed Sadie to stay. He initially voiced some objection but eventually he came around to having a new sister to challenge him for the attention.
Sadie appeared to have dermatitis but it had become severely infected. We could not start medication until tests were completed however as we could not afford to make her condition worse with the wrong treatment. Her face was so swollen the skin has cracked open and it was bleeding very badly.
The skin condition was also causing entropian which in turn had caused severe ulcers in Sadie's eyes. She was virtually blind as a result of the ulcers but we hoped that over time this would improve. We also feared that her face was so swollen it was causing blockages in her ears as her hearing also seemed impaired. We hoped that with the correct treatment over the following weeks that each of these areas would show improvement.
Sadie started intensive medical treatment the day after she was rescued. She had skin scrapes and biopsies done as well as having those horrible claws trimmed. They were so overgrown that some of them were puncturing the pads on her feet.
15th January 2009
The vet kept Sadie in over night after her initial round of skin tests and scrapes. The skin scrape result was clear and there was no sign of parasites. The biopsy results will take a little longer. Her claws were cut short to allow her more comfort when she walked and her eyes were flushed in an attempt to re-hydrate them a little.
The vet asked the foster carer to bathe her with some special shampoo to try to make her more comfortable until we could establish what medication was appropriate for her condition. We hoped this was the start of her journey to a full recovery
16th January 2009
Sadie went back into foster care after her overnight stay at the vets. She happily played with her new foster brother - so all had settled down on that front.
She was given antibiotics for an infection in her feet and then we needed to wait 10 days for the lab results to come back on her biopsies. The vet was hopeful that she would make a complete recovery although he worried that her eyesight may never be the same as before.
She will never be miss world as there will be scars and baldy bits, but she will one day be someone's world!
18th January 2009
Message from Foster Mummy: Quick update on Sadie,now mostly known as "you little Madam".
Her swollen face has diminished in size quite a bit with being on the antibiotics and it doesn't seem as red and raw. Her eyes are more open though her vision is no better, she is still walking into things. She can open every door in the house, she has become her foster brother's heroine because now he can get into my son's bedroom and he has never been allowed in there before.
We are keeping the doors to the street locked but she never goes to open them. She will share anything, but he has hidden all his toys, presumably, incase she looks at them! Touching them would be most deffo out of the question. He tried growling but she is 6kg heavier and has him pinned down in about 2 seconds so he hid it all - it's easier!!!!
22nd January 2009
Her face is not swollen now and her nose is back in the middle were it should be (it was over to one side due to the swelling)Her fur is growing back a bit and her face has stopped bleeding now.
Sadie's picture one week on - such a dramatic improvement
23rd January 2009
Biopsy results came back and showed folliculitis, no mites or anything else. More antibiotics prescribed and perhaps steroids after that. Monitoring the infection as we go BUT she is likely not to get full hair growth back. It depends on how badly the infection has damaged the follicles.
5th February 2009
A couple of new pics of Sadie taken today. She is doing really well and has started playing and being a typical boxer. She was quiet when she came, didn't run about or play with balls and toys but she loves a game of footie and chase. She just wants to be wherever her foster brother is but he tries to ignore her exept when she has food round her mouth and then he will wash her face.
24th February 2009
Sadie's medication continues. Her face is much improved. Her poor eyesight continues and is due to the infection going untreated for so long. She still has the cream in everyday to keep them lubricated. She is safe in the house but runs into fences and the like outside. When she is out and off lead you have to keep shouting so she knows were you are. She cannot see very far at all. If she can't see or hear her foster mummy she panics. Her ears and hearing seem ok now so that is one positive for her.
We think she will be ready for her forever home very soon. She needs to be speyed and her medication may need to continue post adoption too. Her foster mum says that who ever takes Sadie will be getting a great dog. She is a bouncy Boxer now - she jumps, runs and plays though she doesn't like the sea. Even her foster brother can't entice her in for a dip.
27th February 2009
Sadie's skin is improved but antibiotic treatments will need to continue for several more months. She cannot be spayed for at least another 2 weeks as there is still risk of cross infection with the continued infection remaining in her face. She has a lump between her eyes now and this has been growing. The vet does not want to remove it at the moment because of the risk of cross infection, its position and her eye problem.
It is highly likely that Sadies eyesight will not improve. Her eyes are still infected but on top of that she is not producing any tears so has "dry eye syndrome". She also has filament growing across both eyes. Steroid drops are currently being administered four times each day for this.
The vet is unable to say if the lump between her eyes is malignant or not without a biopsy. The last couple of weeks it has grown rapidly.
On a positive note her body shape has changed dramatically. She isn't a little roly poly now, instead she has a proper boxer shape with muscley hind legs.
28th February 2009
Her foster brother cuddles up to Sadie now and licks her face. His toys and food are still out of bounds. She might not see them but her nose sure works well and he gets away with nothing. He is very protective over her now and even squared up to a big Lab that dared to come near her when we were out in the fields last Saturday.
Sadie is very happy but just not too healthy. The vet bill is continuing to grow!
23rd March 2009
Sadie has had surgery today. She has been speyed in preparation for her adoption and the vet tried to do a biopsy of her lump. When he touched it with the scalpel it burst. The lump was just a puss filled sack - which was vile and stinky with infection but nothing more sinister. This is great news for Sadie!!
2nd April 2009
Sadie has had her stitches removed today and is now ready to go to her forever home.
7th April 2009
What a pretty girl she is now thanks to the great support from her vet and the fantastic love and commitment from her foster mum and dad Anita & Paul.
27th April 2009
We have heard today from the RSPCA that the people responsible for allowing Sadie to become so poorly will not be prosecuted. They will recive a caution instead. This is very disappointing for all the people who have loved and cared for her over the past three months and for the public who have shown her so much love and support during her recovery.
Thankfully we can still look back to the before and after photographs of this girl and remind ourselves of the great work the volunteers have done to bring Sadie so far in such a short period of time. We are sure she will go to her new forever home very soon where she will receive the love, care and attention she deserves so much.
5th December 2009
We are delighted to announce that our favourite girl Sadie went to her new home today. Sadie will need special care for the rest of her days and we know that the family who have her will provide her perfect forever place.
We cannot let this day go by without offering a huge 'Thank You' to Anita and Paul who have selflessly cared and comforted Sadie through her treatment. We know they will miss Sadie very much and we are sure Harvey pup will too! All three of you truly are life savers!
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