Need some opinions

IluvLucy · #1 03-12-2004, 10:19 PM

It's been about 1 month since our pup Lucy went to The Bridge. I still miss her a lot and not a day goes by when I don't think about her. But, I have also been looking into adopting a rescue Boxer. I found a young flashy fawn male that needs a home. My questions are this:
1) Am I correct in my assumption that an adult dog with all it's vaccinations is at very low risk of getting Parvo? I think I bleached just about everything that didn't move around here but it is possible I might have missed something somewhere.
2) Does anyone think that this is too soon to be getting another Boxer? I don't think I will be myself again untill I do but I would like another viewpoint. I've grown close to our AmStaff during this time and I'm hoping she won't be too jealous of a new dog.

Sooo......what do you think?

Gary

hanley · #2 03-12-2004, 10:50 PM

Go get the boxer, you have something to give him , and he needs you. Do it for Lucy, he won't take her place , but will fill an empty spot in your heart because Lucy was so loved, and you will never forget her, so share some of that love with a boxer.

NFBoxerMom · #3 03-12-2004, 10:53 PM

Although I'm sure no vaccination is 100% foolproof, I would assume that yes its a low risk..otherwise what would be the point of vaccinating?
Your vet would definitely be your best informant on that issue.

as for question #2...only you can decide if you're ready for another boxer. Although another dog will never replace your dearly departed Lucy girl at the bridge, a new furbaby may at least fill some of the emptiness in your home and heart since she crossed over, and help ease the grief a little. It's normal to worry that you'll lose your new furbaby tragically as well...just part of the grieving process I guess. But perhaps you can turn that grief into love for a rescue, desperately in need of his forever loving home.

Best of luck,

Lori

RamonasMom · #4 03-12-2004, 11:57 PM

The vet hospital I worked at always told me to avoid puppies after handling a parvo puppy even after I washed my hands with bleach so I guess older dogs will be ok.

I think getting another boxer will be therapeutic for you - and the new boxer! It's a win-win situation if ya ask me.

Bernice · #5 03-13-2004, 10:41 AM

I`ll never forget my beloved Rocky, he is tucked in my heart,in photo albums,my pc and his oil painting picture still hangs over our mantel and I truelly believe he is resting easier knowing we are happy and smiling again and I know Lucy would want the same for you.
go get that rescue!
Bernice and Hennessy Boy

Lael · #6 03-13-2004, 11:48 AM

Gary,

Firstly let me say that I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Lucy. Having a young pup myself, I cannot even imagine the pain you are experiencing. Know that my thoughts are with you during this time.

My personal opinion is that an adult rescue would be a great idea, especially since you are probably quite fearful of dreaded parvo in another pup. How old is the rescue? You said you also have an AmStaff... Does the rescue organization know how well this Boxer is socialized with other dogs? How about your AmStaff? My suggestion would be to communicate as much as possible with someone at the rescue organization about ALL of your concerns. Once you have peace of mind, bring home your new baby.

I truly wish the best for you.
Cat & Lael

Jaelle · #7 03-13-2004, 12:01 PM

Just one thing... I know parvo can stay a lot of time in the environnement, and if it's true that an healthy adult dog with a good immune system have very few risk to become very sick from parvo, rescue dogs rarely come from good breeding who take care of their dogs genetics and health, and some have suffer from few months of bad housing, so has to recover... You should probably ask your vet and the rescue organisation about that.

For the rest, if you feel you are ready, go for it as soon as the parvo risk is eliminated!

IluvLucy · #8 03-13-2004, 05:55 PM

The rescue boxer I am thinking about adopting is 1-2 yrs. old. He was taken from his previous owners because of neglect. This was in a different state. He is now in a rescue (not Boxer) about 1- 1/2 hours drive from where I live. Healthwise, the only thing I know of that was wrong with him is that he was very thin when he was taken away and has since been putting on weight. He has had a thorough vet check, up to date on his shots, neutered, heartworm checked. They tell me he is good with the other dogs there, but, they don't know for sure how he is with children. They say he has a really sweet disposition (he IS a Boxer!) and is crate trained. They don't know how well house trained he is.
My thinking is that there will always be SOME risk of Parvo no matter what. He is probably at just as much risk at the shelter being around other rescues, both puppies and adults, not knowing where they have been or what their backround is.
As for our AmStaff she seems to do just fine around other dogs although she has not been exposed to a lot of others. She would probably welcome another dog her own size to play with. Our 11 yr. old Boston Terrier doesn't play very much any more and tends to be kind of crabby sometimes.
Well, anyway, we are scheduled to visit him tomorrow(SUN) and we will see how he interacts with us and our 2 boys. I will let you know how it goes.

Gary

IluvLucy · #9 03-14-2004, 07:11 PM

We brought him home!

Let me just say it was love at first sight!

I had seen a picture of him before but it is just not the same. He gets along great with the kids. Needs some more time around our other dogs before I will feel comfortable leaving them together for very long though

I will post a picture as soon as I have some good ones of him.
Well, gotta go love him up some more!

BTW- His name is J.C.

Gary

Jaelle · #10 03-14-2004, 07:22 PM

Congradulations! I can't wait to see the pictures!