Hello, fellow boxer lovers. Alabama, aka “Miss ‘Bama Lama Ding Dong,” mother to the 2010 Legacy All-Stars here. Has it really been almost a year since I rescued my human? My, how time does fly! Thankfully, my daddy knew about rescue boxers before I came along.

Herr Boomer, a 1½ year old fawn male boxer (and Lone Star Boxer Rescue alumnus) previously rescued him in August 2001, four years before I was even born. Dad still talks about him, and to him (His urn sits on a bookshelf in the den.). Zeke and I notice that he still gets tears in his eyes every so often. I am told that Boomer was a much better passenger than I. It is my understanding that he would sprawl out in the backseat and go to sleep if they were in the car for more than 15 minutes. Anyway, the 3^rd of July will mark the 1 year anniversary of Herr Boomer’s crossing over the rainbow bridge.

Grandpa says he told Dad to take it easy, and that he would know when the time was right to rescue another boxer. Apparently, life wasn’t that great for dad in the weeks that followed; so he decided to apply with Legacy Boxer Rescue, and attended something called a Pet Fair, where he met several boxers (including me!). I looked at him with my big brown eyes, hoping to tug at his heart. As luck would have it, my attempt was successful. A week after Pet Fair, I officially rescued him, and now call Chez Grandjean my home. We settled in together for a month before dad got really active in the rescue group. Over the last year, we have reserved rooms at Chez Grandjean for foster-sitting, short-term fostering and even long-term fostering. Everyone knows I’m the boss, and that’s just the way like it.

I convinced Dad that his first foster, Mister Zeke, would be a failure (apparently everyone says it’s a good thing). Dad left for a business trip the last weekend in October, and when he returned a few days later, Zeke officially became my brother. My patience has been tested by several follow-on fosters, including 8 month-old Caliente. She was a dusty little thing with a skin infection and something called demodex mange. However, she was an awesome playtime buddy for Zeke and me. Incidentally, I recently forgave her for destroying the first squeaky toy (and my favorite, by the way) that Dad gave me shortly after my daring, but successful rescue attempt in late July.

The next interesting one was this big guy named Drake. He’s all white, except for the top of his brindle nub. It took me a little while to figure out he was deaf, but I think that’s what made him special. The day that Drake went to his forever home with his new brother, Rocky, Dad held both Zeke and me extra tight. There’s no denying that there were a few tears on his pillow that night, but I think they were tears of happiness, because Drake got a wonderful family. We’re all working with Heath, a handsome fawn male with a black mask, hoping that his forever home is right around the corner. At the same time, Miss Ruby and Senore Enzo Ferrari have come to stay awhile, as they recover from near starvation, neglect and heartworm treatment.

I want to thank my foster moms, Aunt Kaffy and Auntie Gail for their understanding while I was with puppy, both before and after delivery. Gail has the best tasting shoes. Kaffy helped me raise the All-Stars, who are all worthy contributors to society. Even though I’m done raising puppies, I do want you to know that I am raising foster boxers (with Dad’s help, of course). It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Peace, Love & Boxers,
Alabama

Getting ready for the holiday!

The boxers at LBR are getting ready to celebrate Independence Day! Here's LBR Alum Homer learning about pinwheels.



Okay, now he's ready for his closeup!

Remember -- the 4th of July is a dangerous time! There are all sorts of loud scary noises from those firecracker-thingies. A lot of dogs will be afraid and try to get away, even if it means running away from home. LOTS of dogs turn up in shelters after the July 4th weekend. Please make sure that your furry friends have a safe and secure place to spend the holiday.

A very special legacy

I'd like to introduce you to two very special boxers. This is Lauren...


And this is Millican.

They were named in honor of Lauren Millican, a LBR volunteer who sadly passed away this week. We chose to name our next two fosters after her to honor her wonderful spirit and the legacy she left behind. We love you, Lauren!

Would you call this a content family?

Mama May just loves her babies! And Bizzy Bea and Junebug sure love her too.

Caliche on the hunt!

"It's coming, it's coming, it's coming!"


"YES! Score!"


"Sure, maybe I'll share it . . . or maybe not."

Jack is a Hero!

Jack was surrendered by his owners in May, and went to a new Legacy Boxer Rescue foster home.  His foster mom promptly fell in love with Jack and decided he wasn't a foster any more.  He was staying!


Jack was acting odd yesterday morning and kept trying to get his new mom to go outside.  When she went outside, she smelled a very faint gas odor and immediately called the gas company.  There was no leak around Jack's house, but it turns out there was a gas leak down the street.  The repairman said that Jack probably saved someone's life today!

Jack is very modest, and is not a fan of posing for pictures, but everyone wants to see the hero, right?

A Rescuer's Legacy

Unlike most days at RainBow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals were confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had spent some time waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was happening and began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge to watch. They knew this was something special.

It wasn't too long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung heavy and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals on the pathway...the ones who had been at RainBow Bridge for a while...knew the story of this sad creature immediately. They had seen it happen far too many times.

Although it was obvious the animal's heart was leaden and he was totally overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign of injury or any illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this dog had not been restored to his prime. He was full of neither health nor vigor. He approached slowly and painfully, watching all the pets who were by now watching him. He knew he was out of place here. This was no resting place for him. He felt instinctively that the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he came closer to the Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who spoke softly to the old dog and apologized sorrowfully, telling him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their special people could pass over the RainBow Bridge. And he had no special beloved people...not here at the Bridge nor on Earth below.

With no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked toward the fields before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he spotted a group of other sad-eyed animals like himself...elderly and infirm. Unlike the pets waiting for their special people, these animals weren't playing, but simply lying on the green grass, forlornly and miserably staring out at the pathway leading to the Bridge. The recent arrival knew he had no choice but to join them. And so, he took his place among them, just watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting for his special people, could not understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the pets who had been there for some time to explain it to him.

"That poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his owner grew tired of him. They way you see him now, with graying fur and sad, cloudy eyes, was exactly the way he was when he was put into the kennels. He never, ever made it out and passed on only with the love and comfort that the kennel workers could give him as he left his miserable and unloved existence on Earth for good. Because he had no family or special person to give his love, he has nobody to escort him across the Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?"

As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be seen a single figure...a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite ordinary...a person who, just like the elderly dog, had just left Earth forever. This figure turned toward a group of the sad animals and extended outstretched palms. The sweetest sounds they had ever heard echoed gently above them and all were bathed in a pure and golden light. Instantly, each was young and healthy again, just as they had been in the prime of life.

From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, a group of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came close to the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tender pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew even brighter as the figure softly murmured each name. Then, the newly-restored pets fell into line behind the figure and quietly followed this person to the Bridge, where they all crossed together.

The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. "What happened?"

"That was a rescuer," came the answer. "That person spent a lifetime trying to help pets of all kinds. The ones you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of such unselfish work. They will cross when their families arrive. Those you saw restored were ones who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are permitted to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor pets that couldn't place on Earth across the Rainbow Bridge. You see, all animals are special to them...just as they are special to all animals."

"I think I like rescuers," said the recent arrival.

"So does God," was the reply.

- Author Unknown





All of the dogs at LBR would like to bid a sad farewell to Lauren, one of the very special breed of humans called rescuers. When we are sick and hurt, when we are abandoned and alone, when all other humans have turned away from us, rescuers are there. For some of us, they help us heal and find our forever homes. For others, they give us a loving companion to help ease our way to the Bridge. For all of us, they give us love. For that, they hold a very special place in all our hearts, and in the hearts of the people lucky enough to become our forever families.

Lauren died very unexpectedly this week, at only 23. She loved boxers, volunteered with LBR, and planned to become a foster home as soon as she had a house. She had a generous spirit, which her parents recognized by asking for donations to LBR in lieu of flowers. The boxers here on Earth will miss you very much, Lauren, but I know there will be many dogs waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge for your final rescue.

Pet fair!

Boy, Pet Fair is SO much fun. There are awesome LBR dogs all over the place, all ready to give boxer kisses and snuggles to anyone who comes by. I don't go to PF anymore because I've already found my furever home, and Mom says everyone would (naturally) want to adopt me if I went so it's not fair to the other dogs. But Mom goes and gets lots of smell mail for me to catch up on all the news. Let's see what we have...

This pretty girl is Tulia. Her coat's in pretty rough shape right now because she had a lot of nutritional issues. But she's eating right now, so she'll lose that boniness and grow a proper sleek fur coat soon. In the meantime, she's as sweet as can be!


Look at Reno pose! He's such a handsome guy, and he listened to his foster mom so well.

This handsome guy is Pepper! He's still just a puppy, just under a year old, but he was really calm most of PF. Mom said he was getting loved on by all the little kids and just soaked it up.

And here's Nikiya! Mom just LOVES her She's only 5-6 years old, even though she's got a pretty gray face, and she's very calm and sweet. You can't see them in this picture, but she has sassy pink toenails!

Look at that pretty Miss Demeanor concentrate! I think someone was holding a treat. Mom said Miss D got lots of attention from the kiddos too. She doesn't do real well in PF, because all the strange dogs around stress her out, but she has some furbuddies at home she loves to play with.

Look, it's Joplin! This little girl got lots of attention for her beautiful coat and because she's still so tiny.

Don't forget Heath! He may have toffee in his head, but he's definitely a good boy. He loves to lay in the "frog dog" pose with his legs splayed out behind him, soaking up that nice cool tile.

Maybe you should come to our next PF and meet these awesome dogs for yourself! LBR has a PF twice a month, once in Garland and once in Hurst. We also sometimes have another PF on the off weekends, trying out some new dates and locations. You can check the "Meet Our Boxers" tab on LBR's website for all the info.

WE WON!!!

It's not official until Dr. Becker announces it, but the contest ended last night and the poll showed LBR 723 votes ahead. WOOHOO!!!! For everyone who voted and encouraged others to vote, here's a thank you from all the LBR boxers!

Bizzy Bea and Junebug sez, "Plz vote fur Legacy Boxer Rescue! Tink how many keyooot puppies like us LBR can help with $20,000!!!"

Voting ends Tuesday at midnight PST. That means one more day of voting! If you haven't voted yet, please go to Dr. Marty Becker's Facebook page, click "like", and then go to the "Shelter/Rescue Giveaway" button the left and vote for Legacy Boxer Rescue. First you LIKE, then you VOTE, then some boxers get some HOPE!

If you've already voted, please share the link! GO LBR!!!

Hi, Dr. Becker!

Some folks from LBR got the chance to meet Dr. Marty Becker, the man behind the big contest we're trying to win. He finished off his nationwide tour at a Petco right here in DFW, so our Pack Leader Sharon (in the white shirt) and some other LBR volunteers and alums went to visit him.


We had to show him the awesome work LBR does! So we brought a few alums along to work their wiles on him.

Dr. Becker loved them all, of course! I'm told he and Mulligan had a special connection.

Our Pack Leader promised Dr. Becker that we'd win his contest, so don't make a liar out of her! The contest ends THIS WEEK, so we need to really get out the vote!

Just go to Dr. Marty Becker's Facebook page, "like" it, then go to the Shelter/Rescue Contest link on the left and vote for Legacy Boxer Rescue!!! If you've already voted, then please share with your friends. We're down to the WIRE!!

Guess what?!?!?!

Cinderella's biopsy results came back totally NEGATIVE!!!!!!! No nasty old cancer for her! Mom was so happy when she found out, she started crying. I don't know why humans do that, but I gave her and my sissy lots of kisses to celebrate.

Thank you for all your support, Maggie Mae and your amazing friends. You really helped Mom and Cinderella feel better during this very hard time. Power of the Paw works every time!!