"Shelby"

• 12/8/00 - Shelby's Foster Mom writes "Shelby is doing fine. Can't say she's completely housebroken yet. There are occasional slips. She's on medication for colitis and still bleeds but not every bowel movement. The acidolophis is helping her more then anything. It's even helped with the gas. On the other side, she's finding out more every day how to be a dog. She even barks now. Not too often because the habit was broke but when she's being playful and she's very playful at times. She doesn't like to go to the bathroom out of the yard. We've tried walking her for hours, running her out when she first gets up and she won't do her business out of the yard. Her one bad habit is she urinates and defecates on the concrete around the pool. We haven't tried to break her of that yet because we're just happy she goes outside. Her appetite is good. She gained a lot of weight from the prednisone, but is now back to a good weight. Her coat is shiny and even got a little lighter. She has a lot of gold coloring. I guess that comes from no stress. She plays great, a little clumsy but learning more each day how to be more graceful. She's right beside me now, where she always is, snoring. Our next step will be to teach her how to be a watch dog. She still spooks with loud noises and she's still a little scared when someone new comes to the door but we're working on it and she's getting better. However she doesn't jump if I get loud anymore. It's amazing how far she's come in only 3 months. Her progress is amazing. 
  
  She had a great Thanksgiving. A house full of people and the kids. Oh, she tried to mooch food from everyone, but everyone was instructed it would hurt her colitis so they behaved. She's doing great!"

• 9/12/00 - Shelby had her first meeting with big dogs. We took her to my sons house two nights ago. His boxer (Picasso) fell in love with her, and her with him.  He also has a Weimaraner named Sandy who played nicely with her, but it was Shelby and Picasso that played for hours. They ran, played tug of war with toys, kissed, and wrestled for hours. She had one of the best times of her life so far. We could tell because she and Picasso had the same big smile the whole time we were there. What a wonderful feeling to see her so happy. We weren't out of the driveway when she was sound asleep. When we reached home she did a potty, and went right upstairs to her bed. She's learning good things everyday.  She's learning to have fun, it's OK to play, it's good to be happy, and she's learning trust. She's taking baby steps with exploring outside the yard.  She still has a fear of leaving the house and yard other then by car. She had her first shower yesterday. She was very good. She let me scrub her little body. She knew she looked beautiful and she smells like a flower. She wasn't crazy about the hair blower but she liked being brushed. It won't be long before her past will only be a bad memory for her. Love and time will heal. 
   
• 9/10/00 - Shelby is doing so much better. She is becoming more playful everyday, and has lost that dazed look completely.  She seems to understand that life can be good.  Mornings are for wrestling and running.  She is at her best after a good night sleep.  She now rides well in the car.  At first, it was a little scary for her but she's fine now.  She lays down in the back seat and sleeps. We have to do a little coaxing to get her in but she understands there's nothing to fear and we will return home.  It's lifting her in that's a little difficult.  She is a little over 60 lbs. now.  She's filled out beautifully.  Has a great appetite.  
  
  She has a special magnetism.  Everyone who sees her has to kiss her or touch her.  We take her to our friends houses and she does well.  A little investigating and she's fine.  Everyone makes a fuss over her and she loves it.  She mingles well with people and other dogs. We're still having difficulty walking her away from the house.  She looks back and won't budge.  Still occasional slips in the house but getting better.  
  
  We had a full house all weekend and she was right in the middle.  Taking turns playing with everyone.  Oh, she even went on a boat ride.  She was fine until it started to rain.  After we dried off and went back outside, she was trying to get back in the boat.  Amazing, after all she's been through, that she still has trust in humans.  When you look into those big brown eyes, she will melt your heart.  She has learned so much so fast.  When something scares her, we let her take a little sniff and she understands it's nothing to fear.  A little love will cure all.
  
• 8/22/00 - Update: Just a short note to let you know Shelby is doing fine. She's not house broken yet, but we're working on it. She's not as frightened as she was when we picked her up. She is definitely a love. She loves to be kissed, hugged and to get attention from everyone. She especially keeps her eyes on my grandsons. Follows them everywhere and is already protective of them. She slept wonderfully through the night. This morning when I picked my head up she came right over to me, from "my husband's" side of the bed, with her tail and little hiney wiggling. How wonderful it was to see her express happiness. She did have a little diarrhea last night at 11:00 PM but hasn't done anything since. She ate well this morning. Still not enough for her size but that will get better with time. She's getting acquainted with the house, yard and we're trying to coax her for a little walking around the neighborhood. She'll go 2 houses down before she wants to turn back. Right now, Shelby is sitting outside with my son. Since my son has a Boxer it is real easy for him to love her and understand her. She's not lacking for attention. Our two little dogs are fine with her. My older Lhasa gave a little groan a few times but that's just her making sounds. Our peek-a-poo, has been great with her. Leading her around, showing her the ropes. Trying to teach her how to bark. Shelby doesn't bark. More later.
  
• 8/15/00 - Update: Shelby was spayed on Monday and has suffered a set back in her health. 
  
  She has once again started having bloody diarrhea, and is very lethargic. She is not eating, and has lost 10 pounds since being admitted to the hospital. The blood tests show that she has an elevated white blood cell count and an elevated pancreas level which may indicate pancreatitis. The vet put her back on IV fluids and is administering antibiotics. Poor Shelby is still very frightened of the world around her. When she is taken out of her kennel for walks she is very hesitant to move forward; however, on the way back she runs to the security of her kennel...the only type of home she has ever known. The vet can not tell us when she will be ready to leave the hospital, but we hope and pray she improves soon.
  
• 8/14/00 - Shelby is a beautiful 2 1/2 year old brindle female who had a tough start in life. Her purpose in life up to this point was to be exploited for the puppies she brought into the world. She was riddled with worms and had to be given IV fluids for several days before she was well enough to spay. Below is a report from one of the wonderful people who were responsible for rescuing poor Shelby, and driving her to the vet to safety.
  
  "Even though she came from horrific conditions (backyard breeder/puppy mill), her sweet face shows she has plenty of love to give. When we first picked her up, she was obviously tranquilized. I'm assuming all the action would have terrified her so this "breeder" person decided to drug her. By action I mean probably leaving her cage for the first time. During the ride to the vet, she was coming out of the drug and started to respond. She sat in the front of the van taking turns resting her head on my arm and looking up in my face or resting her head on my mothers lap and staring in her face. She would sometimes turn to my children in the back and very lovingly just watch them. When we got her to the vet's office she was the star of the show. Again, never being out of her cage she responded to everyone and everything wonderfully. She let everyone pet her and just love her. All the people there instantly fell in love with her. She especially liked seeing the other dogs, her tail would start wagging and actually showed somewhat of that known Boxer wiggle. When waiting in the exam room, we let her off her leash and she just walked around the room investigating like any other dog does. She was wonderful with the vet as he was with her. He nicknamed her SweetPea. In the few short hours we were with her, she melted our hearts. Even with all she had been through she is still so sweet."
  
  Shelby will need a quiet home with gentle caring people who understand that it will take time to get her used to the world around her. She needs to be showered with love and affection....and in return you will find a devoted companion who will be your friend forever. 

Please complete the on-line application if you are interested in Shelby.

  
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For Additional Information on this dog, contact:

NORTHEASTERN BOXER RESCUE
JANE SCOTT
P.O. Box 95
Sunderland Massachusetts 01375-0095
413-367-9292 Voice / Fax

E-mail: scotty@javanet.com