01/17/12: UPDATE > Rest in peace Layla ....

"It's with a broken heart and tears in my eyes that I write to tell you that we lost our beautiful Layla last Thursday, January 5. Just two days earlier, an ultrasound found a large, aggressive, and inoperable tumor in her chest. Several liters of fluid were drained, which meant we could take our baby girl home and spend just a little more time with her. She passed peacefully, while I stroked her and told her how very special she was.

We had Layla for almost seven years, but it just wasn't long enough. I guess it never is. You guys know as well as anyone how I felt about my little one-eared goofball. She was a treasure, a precious gift. She was beautiful, mischievous, joyful, captivating, loving. She was everything, and she drew me to her from the moment I saw her on the Rescue website. I truly believe, as weird as it seems, that we were meant to share this time together.

Even stronger than deep grief, the feeling I have is profound thankfulness. I can't tell you how thankful I am that Northeastern Boxer Rescue was there for her when she needed to be rehomed, and that we were allowed to foster and then adopt her. The only thing worse than losing her would be to never have been loved by her. We were allowed the honor of returning her love and, from the bottom of my heart, I'm grateful for that.

I know I'll see her again some day. I'll hear her distinctive "WooWoo", I'll watch her do her kidney bean dance, I'll look into her soft eyes, I'll kiss her sweet face, and let her wash mine. But I'll miss her every day until then."

4/30/05 - Layla has been adopted!

4/28/05 - No longer accepting applications.

4/12/05 - Update from Layla's foster Mom: "A few things I forgot to mention about Layla!:

- Jane had warned me that Layla had the ability to jump her previous owners' 4ft fence, so I've had her on leash in my own fenced yard (4ft).  She's not used to all the new sights and sounds on my property, and I have no doubt she could and probably would go right over my fence if her curiosity got the best of her.    
- The other day, she allowed me to take an object from her mouth because I wasn't sure what it was and needed to know she hadn't picked up something harmful.  It turned out to be a piece of a doggie biscuit, and I was so impressed that she allowed me to take a treat from her mouth without resisting!    
- The only basic command she seems to know is "sit", and she's not terribly consistent with that one!  I'll gradually work with her on that, but I don't want to overwhelm her with it right now.  I'll spend some one-on-one time with her and make it fun, and she's so smart I'm sure she'll learn all that stuff in a snap.   
- She has a awesome nose, and sniffs out things my Labradors would never notice.  She'd probably shine as a Search and Rescue dog LOL   
- She likes to sit in the Jacuzzi!  Goofy girl :-)   
- She likes to explore the shower after you get out, and will lap up any water left behind.  She'd love to come in there with us while we shower, so it's a balancing act holding the sliding doors closed with one foot while showering!   
-  She LOVES LOVES LOVES fresh marrow bones!   
- She wasn't eating much the first couple of days, I'm sure due to all the confusion and upset.  But her appetite has picked up now, and she's loving a little scoop of non-fat yogurt mixed with her kibble.   
- She gives very gentle little kisses.   
- Because her lips are lined in black, from the side, she looks like she has a perpetual grin!   
- Last night while we were giving her belly rubs, my son said, "So, why can't we keep her?"   A little voice inside my head was yelling, "No, no, no!".  But I looked at her and thought....hmmmm.  LOL  Hope someone wonderful comes along to adopt her before she becomes entrenched in our hearts!"

4/6/05 - Update from Layla's foster Mom: "Things have really started settling down here :-)  Still a bit hectic at times,   but I'm really very, very  pleased!  

If I'm being honest, I have to admit that, that during the first 48 hours, there were many times when I said, "What in the world have I gotten myself into?!"   I imagine that's pretty typical though.

I don't think Layla's been exposed to other dogs on a regular basis, and seemed a bit lacking in the doggie manners department.  She does get over-excited when she plays, and my Labradors were initially  taken aback by the Boxer style of play and, I think, were pretty  put off when she jumped on their backs with her paws.  But, to be fair to Layla, she certainly wasn't prepared for the big Labbie tails smacking her in the face, and I think she was pretty offended by that!  So, there were some unintentional insults being handed out all around! LOL.

But now, just 4 days later, I have to say she's doing wonderfully!  She has absolutely attached herself like velcro to Rudy, my youngest lab (2 ½ yrs old).  Poor Rudy is exhausted by the end of the night!  Layla is a bundle of energy, but she's slowly starting to understand that she doesn't have to romp every single minute of the day.  They even take time out for naps on the couch now!!

My oldest Lab, Raven (our Alpha princess and Ruler of All Canines), has accepted Layla very well.  She seems to think the silly romping is beneath her.  My other Lab, Taz, has gotten used to Layla being here, they even napped together yesterday.  We've dubbed him Sgt. Taz because he seems to think he's a police officer, appointed to step in and start barking his fool head off whenever Layla and Rudy seem to be having too much fun.  What can I say, he's a kill-joy!

As far as any issues, we are pretty much taking the position that, at this point, she's a blank slate. She does not seem to have been taught much in the way of house manners. She puts her paws up and explores everything...counter tops, bureaus, tables, etc.  Tries to pull things from bookshelves, etc.  She's a very curious little girl!  We're looking at her as though she were a young puppy, with boundless energy and virtually no appropriate training, and gently trying to show her the right way.  It has only been 4 days, but she is a VERY smart girl, and is making progress already.  

I was concerned about how she would be walking on leash, but I took her out for a walk yesterday, and she did very well.  I was so proud of her.  Hardly any pulling.  Our intention is to start taking her for nightly walks with my own dogs, to help her get used to being out and about with other animals.

Although I have a crate set up, because I'm concerned she might hurt herself trying to get out of it, I haven't used it much.  I work about 4 hours a day, and I've been putting her in the master bathroom with a comforter, some toys and a tasty marrow bone, and she's handled that just fine.

As far as housebreaking...  I have not had a problem with that so far.  But that could be because she isn't left all day.  She only had one accident, I think it was on her second day here, but nothing else since then.  I have to mention that when she piddled on my rug, she really cowered when I stood up to clean it : (

Now for the good stuff!! I really can't say enough about what a sweetheart Layla is.  She makes me laugh because her face always looks so serious.  She will come up to me and lean against me for a butt rub.  Tonight when I was rubbing Rudy's butt, she worked her way under my other hand so I could do hers too!  She's settling into the routine,  making herself right at home here, and feels comfortable enough to cuddle up with us on the couch for a snooze.  She's been sleeping on my bed at night.  Once she's asleep, she is out like a light, and I don't think she moves an inch until morning!  She sits and waits very patiently with the other dogs for her treats, and takes them very gently.  She shows no food aggression during mealtime, though I do set her bowl away from the others.  She eats much more slowly than my Labs (not surprising if  you know Labs!)  so, when they have finished wolfing their food,  I put my dogs in a down until Layla is done.  

Layla is just a very sweet little girl.   Really, I think all she seems to need is attention, a lot of love, and some patient, gentle training and guidance.  I think it would be wonderful to see her placed in a home with another young dog for her to romp with.  She has never had that, and can't seem to get enough of it!  She's really precious."

1/16/05 - Layla

You may have noticed that Layla is missing her left ear. Last July, while on vacation Layla was attacked by another dog. She was taken to a local veterinarian who stitched and bandaged her wound. Three days later, the family took her to her regular doctor because of a terrible odor. When the vet removed the dressing from Layla's ear she had a raging infection and the only course of action was total removal of the ear flap.  The vet said had she been given the proper initial care this would not have happened.   

Layla is spayed and up to date on her vaccines. She loves treats and is a very good girl in the car. Her new home would have to enjoy sharing their bed and letting her cuddle on the couch with them. Layla likes to swim and is used to playing in a fenced yard.      

Layla does not like the vacuum or being alone for extended periods of time. Not surprising for a young boxer.   

She has had no experience with cats. We will update you as we learn more.

If you are interested in adopting this dog, please fill out an online application first.  Then e-mail ALL contacts listed below.  Be sure to include your full name, city, state, and area code in the subject line of your message.

Northeastern Boxer Rescue

Jane Scott  -  JaneScott@BoxerRescue.com
AND
Pam Fosco - pam@boxerrescue.com 

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