Bob070309

MEET:

BOB

STATE:   ME
AGE:   13 yrs old or so
DOB:   Unknown
WEIGHT:   65 lbs?
SEX: Male
NEUT/UTD: Yes/Yes
COAT COLOR: Fawn
DOCKED TAIL: Yes
CROPPED EARS: No
CHILDREN UNDER 4: Yes
CHILDREN OVER 4: Yes
SEPARATION ANXIETY: No
OTHER DOGS: Yes
CATS:   Yes
CRATE TRAINED: Yes
HOUSE TRAINED: Yes
LEASH TRAINED:    Yes
OBEDIENCE TRAINED: Yes
MICROCHIPPED: No

UPDATE 3/23/10 - GRANDPA (BOB) PASSED TONIGHT @ 5:58 PM. HE DIED FROM PNEUMONIA ( & POSSIBLE BLOOD CLOT) IN HIS RIGHT LUNG. GRANDPA ALSO HAD A SECONDARY INFECTION IN HIS BLADDER. HE WAS SO HEALTHY THIS MORNING & BY THIS EVENING HE WAS WHEEZING & PUS WAS COMING FROM HIS PENIS. WE LEFT FOR DR LONG'S OFFICE AND GRANDPA WAS GOING DOWN FAST DURING THE 20 MINUTE DRIVE. BY THE TIME WE GOT TO THE VET HIS EYES HAD CLOUDED OVER & HE COULD NO LONGER RAISE HIS HEAD. DOC SAID TO LET HIM GO BUT I SAID IT WAS GRANDPA'S DECISION. I LOOKED HIM IN THE EYES AND HE TURNED HIS EYES AWAY.

WE'VE LOVED HAVING HIM IN OUR FAMILY. GRANDPA WAS QUITE THE GENTLEMAN. I'M SO GLAD WE DROVE TO MAINE TO ADOPT HIM.

GALI IS VERY SAD TONIGHT AND WANTED TO HUG ME WHEN I GOT HOME. SHE'S LAYING AT MY FEET RIGHT NOW ON GRANDPA'S BED WHICH HELEN GAVE US.

WE NEED TO RETURN THE WHEELCHAIR TO SCBR. CAN WE DROP IT OFF AT THE NY CONTACT PERSON?

UPDATE 2/10/10 - WANTED TO UPDATE EVERYONE ON GRANDPA (BOB). HE INJURED HIMSELF IN THE WHEELCHAIR RIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS. ONE OF THE STRAPS SLIPPED WHEN HE MOVED BACKWARDS AND HE LANDED ON HIS BUTT WITH HIS BACK DRASTICALLY ARCHED. WE TOOK HIM TO THE ROCHESTER EMERGENCY HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS XRAYED. THE DOCTOR FOUND NO GREAT CHANGE IN HIS SPINE AND FELT GRANDPA JUST HAD A REALLY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE WHICH PROBABLY REMINDED HIM OF PREVIOUS INJURIES. WE GAVE HIM DERAMAXX AND XANAX FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND HE WAS FINE.
GRANDPA HAD SURGERY 3 WEEKS AGO TODAY. HE HAD TISSUE GROWN OVER SOME OF HIS TEETH REMOVED,5 AGE-RELATED TUMORS/GROWTHS REMOVED, AND HIS ANAL GLAND LININGS CAUTERIZED. I FOUND A NEW VET THAT WE'RE USING. HE'S A 1959 CORNELL VET SCHOOL GRADUATE WHO DECIDED TO MOVE TO BATAVIA, NY FROM CALIFORNIA. HE'S GREAT!!! GRANDPA LOOKS SO GOOD ANYMORE AND HE IS MUCH MORE ACTIVE. HE MOVES AROUND PRETTY MUCH ALL BY HIMSELF EXCEPT THAT WE HAVE TO CARRY OUT TO THE GREENHOUSE WE PUT UP ON ONE OF OUR BACK PORCHES FOR HIS POTTY ROOM. HE HAS A VORACIOUS APPETITE AND BMs TO MATCH!
WE HAVE TALKED TO DR LONG ABOUT HARVESTING SOME OF GRANDPA's FAT CELLS TO BE SENT TO VET-STEM IN CALIFORNIA FOR GROWING STEM CELLS. CHRISTINE AND I WANT TO TRY STEMCELL INJECTIONS INTO GRANDPA's SPINE. DR LONG SAYS GRANDPA's SPINE INJURY IS NOT DM BUT RATHER LIKELY GRANDPA WAS REAR-ENDED BY A CAR COMPACTING HIS SPINE. DR LONG IS GOING TO TALK TO VET-STEM ABOUT PLACING THE STEM CELLS INTO THE SPINE. WE LOOK AT IT THAT GRANDPA NEEDS A CHANCE TO REGAIN HIS ABILITY TO WALK IF POSSIBLE AND THAT AS GOOD AS HE LOOKS & ACTS IT MAY EXTEND HIS TIME IN THE EHRENBERG FAMILY. WE'RE TRYING TO SAVE UP THE MONEY AS IT WILL COST AROUND $2K. WISH US THE BEST.
WELL, I JUST GAVE GRANDPA AND GALI SOME CRUNCHIES, CLEANED THEIR EARS AND PUT THEM ON THE BED. THEY'RE ASLEEP ALREADY. WE COULDN'T BE HAPPIER THAT WE ADDED GRANDPA TO OUR FAMILY. HE IS THE SWEETEST, GENTLEST OLD SOUL. HE'S TAUGHT ME A FEW THINGS IN THE 4 MONTHS AND 10 DAYS SINCE WE PICKED HIM UP IN MAINE. I'M GOING TO TRY TO SEND A PICTURE TO THE SITE SO THAT YOU CAN ALL SEE HOW GREAT HE LOOKS.
PS: HE'S A VERY PROUD DOG. WEHEN VISITORS COME GALI GOES TO THE DOOR TO GREET THEM AND GRANDPA BARKS & SITS UP BEST HE CAN TO LET PEOPLE MEET/GREET HIM.

UPDATE 10/31/09 - GRANDPA BOB IS DOING EXCEPTIONALLY WELL SINCE WE WENT TO HELEN'S HOUSE IN BRUNSWICK TO ADOPT HIM. WE HAD TAKEN GALI & TIKI WITH US TO GET HIM. WE HAD A PRETTY FULL VW PASSAT WAGON ON THE TRIP BACK TO GENESEO. THREE DOGS, A WHEELCHAIR, DOGGIE BEDS, A BAG OF FOOD & OUR LUGGAGE!
WE GOT GRANDPA HOME & I UNLOADED HIM/SAT HIM IN THE FRONT YARD. GALI & TIKI RUSHED TO DO THEIR BUSINESS & RUN INTO THE HOUSE TO EAT. ALL OF A SUDDEN GRANDPA STOOD UP & WALKED TO THE STEP ON THE FRONT DECK. I YELLED FOR CHRISTINE TO LOOK OUT THE FRONT DOOR TO SEE THIS PROUD SENIOR BOXER STANDING THERE. I PICKED HIM UP IN MY ARMS , KISSED HIS HEAD & TOLD HIM HE WAS HOME NOW & FOREVER. BOY DID HE EAT!!! HE HAD KIBBLE, DRIED CRANBERRIES, SWEET PEAS & BLUEBERRIES FOR HIS FIRST MEAL IN GENESEO.
ALL THREE BOXERS SLEPT BETWEEN US THAT NIGHT & DO MANY NIGHTS.
WE WENT & BOUGHT 60 OF THOSE RUBBER 18" SQUARE TILES AND CONNECTED THEM TOGETHER THROUGH THE HOUSE FOR GRANDPA's ASSISTANCE GETTING AROUND. MOST OF THE TIME HE JUST PULLS HIMSELF ALONG WITH HIS SUPER MUSCULAR FRONT LEGS WHILE DRAGGING HIS REAR END.
WE GOT HIM TO OUR VET 2 DAYS AFTER ARRIVING. HE HAS A STAPH INFECTION BETWEEN HIS REAR LEGS SO HE WAS PUT ON ANTIBIOTIC. IT TOOK 2 BOUTS OF CIPRO TO FINALLY KNOCK OUT THE INFECTION. NOW WE PUT PURE CORN STARCH BETWEEN HIS LEGS EVERY FEW NIGHTS AS HE PERSPIRES QUITE HEAVILY BETWEEN THOSE HIND LEGS.
THE FIRST SATURDAY NIGHT WE HAD HIM HOME GRANDPA GOT EXTREMELY SICK. HE WAS SO ILL & LISTLESS THAT I HELD HIM IN MY ARMS ALMOST ALL NIGHT PUTTING COOL COMPRESSES ON HIS HEAD & STROKING HIS NECK. BY ABOUT 3AM HIS BREATHING GOT VERY SHALLOW SO I HOOKED UP AN OLD OXYGEN MACHINE & CHRISTINE MODIFIED A MASK TO PUT OVER HIS MUZZLE. I SAT THERE CRYING & TELLING GRANDPA HOW MUCH I LOVED HIM & THAT HE WOULD ALWAYS BE ONE OF THE EHRENBERG FAMILY. AROUND 4 I FINALLY TOLD HIM IT WAS OKAY TO LET GO & PASS BECAUSE HE HAD LIVED A FULL ADVENTUROUS LIFE & THAT IF HIS STRENGTH WOULDN'T LET HIM GO ON I WOULD STAY WITH HIM UNTIL HE WAS AT REST ^& THAT CHRISTINE AND I WOULD LOVE HIM FOREVER AS A FAMILY MEMBER. AT 5:30 CHRISTINE WOKE ME UP & SAID TO GO TO BED FOR A WHILE WHICH I DID. I FINALLY PASSES OUT CRYING.
I WOKE UP AROUND 7:45 & THERE WAS GRANDPA ALERT AS I HAD EVER SEEN HIM & CHRISTINE TOLD ME HAD JUST EATEN HIS BREAKFAST. HIS EYES WERE SO BRIGHT & CLEAR & GAVE ME A WIDE SMILE WHILE GENTLY WHIMPERING. I HOPPED OUT OF BED A GAVE A BIG HUG WHILE HE WAS LYING ON THE SOFA, I CARRIED OUT OUT INTO THE BACK LAWN. I WNET BACK INSIDE GOT A COFFEE & CHRISTINE SAID WE SHOULD TAKE HIM TO THE EMERGENCY VET HOSPITAL IN ROCHESTER. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR THIS REAL DEEP WOOF & LOOK OUTSIDE TO FIND GRANDPA WALKING TO THE EDGE OF THE WALL WHERE I HAVE TO PICK HIM UP TO LIFT HIM INTO THE HOUSE. HE SPREAD HIS FRONT LEGS FAR APART & WAS STANDING ON THE KNUCKLES OF HIS REAR FEET WITH HIS RUMP WEAVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I KISSED HIM ON HIS EAR & TOLD HIM HOW MUCH HE MEANT TO ME & THAT I WOULD ALWAYS BE THERE FOR HIM.
WE WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM & MET THE MOST WONDERFUL DEAF VET, KIM DODGE. SHE DID ALL HIS VITALS & THEM TOOK GRANDPA FOR XRAYS. WHEN SHE BROUGHT HIM BACK SHEW HAD GOOD NEWS & DISTURBING NEWS. SHE WAS QUITE CERTAIN THAT HE DID NOT HAVE DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY BUT HE DID HAVE FUSION OF HIS VETEBRA FROM THE MIDDLE OF HIS BACK TO THE SECOND LAST VETEBRAE IN HIS TAIL. SHE ALSO INFORMED US THAT BOTH HIS KNEES (STIFLES) APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN AT SOME TIME.
DR DODGE PUTR HIM ON 50MG OF TRAMADOL TWICE TO THREE TIMES A DAY FOR HIS ARTHRITIC PAIN.
WE FOLLOWED UP WITH JIM TOMPSETT, OUR PERSONAL VET & HE RECOMMENDED GETTING GRANDPA INTRO PT & OTHER TREATMENTS TO SLOW DOWN THE CLOSING OFF OF THE SPINAL COLUMN BY VERTEBRAL INNER SPURS. JIM IS AN EVALUATOR FOR THE NYS VETERINARY SCIENCES SOCIETY & STATE OF NY DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSING. HE WANTED US TO TRY DR KRISTIN BROWN AT THERA-VET IN WEBSTER, NY. HE'S TO DO AN EVAL ON HER PRACTICE IN 2010 & HE WANTED TO FIND OUT SOME OF HER THERAPIES. WE TOOK GRANDPA FOR AN INTAKE EVAL LAST WEEK WITH KRISTIN. SHE SPENT ALMOST 2 HOURS TALKING WITH ME WHILE SHE PROBED & EVALUATED HIS STRUCTURE, MUSCLES & SENSES. WELL WORTH $175. AS SHE WAS FINISHING HER EVAL SHE BEGAN CHIROPRACTIC MANIPULATIONS, THE FLEXION OF JOINTS & MUSCLES. SHE THEN PERFORMED LASER TREATMENT ON GRANDPA'S KNEES, HIP JOINTS & THE VERTEBRA OF THE BACK. SHE ALSO GAVE HIM THE FIRST OF EIGHT ADEQUAN INJECTIONS. SHE, AS DR DODGE, DOES NOT BELIEVE GRANDPA HAS DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY BUT RATHER MUSCULAR TE ARING, BROKEN BONES, & OVERT FUSION OF VERTEBA.
DR BROWN & I CAME TO AN AGREEMENT ON A TREATMENT PROGRAM:
1. TAKE DASEQUIN INSTEAD OF CHONDROITIN & MSM 2.ADEQUIAN SHOTS FOR AT LEAST 8 TIMES.
3. FEEDING STANDARD PROCESS MUSCULARSKELETAL SUPPLEMENT DAILY.
4. FEEDING STANDARD PROCESS IMMUNO PROTECTION DAILY.
5. CONTINUE WITH TRAMADOL FOR PAIN & FLAXSEED OIL FOR OMEGA-3 & OMEGA-6.
6. CONTINUE HOLISTIC DRY KIBBLE, PRESENTLY DICK VAN PATTEN'S SWEET POTATO & VENISON.
7. VARIOUS FLAVORS OF BLUE HOMSTYLE CANNED FOOD.
8. SOLOXINE TWICE A DAY FOR THE HYPOTHYROID CONDITION WE JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT LAST FRIDAY.
WE LOVE HAVING GRANDPA IN OUR FAMILY. HE MAY NEVER FULLY WALK AGAIN BUT REST ASSURE ALL THE VETS INVOLVED IN HIS THERAPY ARE PULLING FOR IT. HE IS ONE PAMPERED DOG HERE AT OUR HOUSE BUT TIKI & GALI GET JUST AS GOOD TREATMENT.
THE OTHER DAY WE WERE IN BUFFALO AT THE PET SUPPLIES PLUS STORE ON SHERIDAN DRIVE. I GOT TO MEET MIKE, THE MGR, & HE TOLD ME SCBR IS THERE ONCE A MONTH. WHILE WE WERE THERE CHRISTINE SHOWED ME A LONELY KITTEN THAT HADN'T BEEN ADOPTED IN WEEKS. CHRISTINE REALLY WANTED HER SO MIKE GOT ME IN TOUCH WITH THE ADOPTION CVORRDINATOR BY PHONE. SHE DROVE OVER IMMEDIATELY & CHRISTINE GOT TO BRING HER CALICO KITTEN HOME. NOW WE HAVE GALI, TIKI, GRANPA (BOB) & NOW CALLIE FALEEN. NO MORE FOR NOW.
GLAD WE HAVE A GE CARE CREDIT CARD FOR ALL OUR VET EXPENSES.
SHALOM!!!
DALE EHRENBERG
THE BOXER WHISPERER

9/2/09 - I was adopted today!

8/31/09 - Bob is being adopted on Wednesday. They are driving to Maine all the way from Central New York State. He has been blossoming here. He is no longer anxious, he can actually allow me out of the room without panic. Now he only patrols the kitchen at meal times. He does not really like any help when his back legs give way. We have the wheelchair, but I don't know if that will ever be an option. His adoptive parents will be taking it along just in case and will return it to SCBR when it is no longer needed by Bob. All in all he feels pretty good. He has figured out that the rugs give good traction and is very deliberate when walking across the tile parts of the floor so that he doesn't slip. Some days he actually dances when invited out for a short walk in the grass and other days he just looks at me and tells me "not today, thanks". I will sorely miss him, but the trip across the continent would be very difficult for both of us, getting him into and out of the truck. He is a shining light and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have him in my heart.

7/26/2009 - Bob here. Just want to put in my two cents. I really like being here and just love the dog beds FM(Foster Mom) has around the house. One between her office and bed and one in the Living Room ?near the kitchen?. Strategically placed so that I can be close wherever she is. A short walk, breakfast and dinner, cookies, and some petting from residents and visitors alike are what life is all about. Walking on the grass keeps my feet from getting torn up. I wanted to thank Wendy for springing me from the shelter, Joanna and Bill for driving from Maine to New Jersey to bring me North, Sue for taking care of me and making sure I safely arrived at the Doghouse. I am now a content SCBR Senior Boxer. Love Bob

7/25/2009 - Well, we went to see the Vet today for an evaluation and update on shots, some pain meds and some meds for his tummy. He is already doing better today. Since he has been at the Doghouse his getting around has improved some and he loves going for a short walk in the grass with the girls, he actually jumps around when he sees the leash. We cannot say how long this will last, and we will be looking for the "SCBR boxer wheelchair" left by a predecessor, Baxter, several years ago.   Absolutely loves his food and dives right in. This old guy is just the most loving and happy guy you can imagine. He is feeling way better and is just a joy to have around. He certainly deserves to live out his life with some basic comforts

7/17/09 - Bob came to us from a shelter in New Jersey. He was found as a stray, so we don't know a lot about his background. It becomes pretty apparent, quickly, that Bob is an old guy with one or two serious health concerns. He has degenerative myelopathy, which means that the nerves in his hind end are wearing out and not sending signals from his brain to his legs. Therefore, his back end is pretty weak and it takes a lot for him to get up, jump, or walk. If he keeps moving he's fine, but if he stops, the butt slowly sinks. Its hard for him to keep his balance. He's also got some skin stuff going on and tumors all over.
     Having said that, you forget about all that about 10 minutes after you meet him because behind those eyes, Bob is allllllll boxer! You can just see the mischief in there!! He WANTS to run and chase a ball. He has the best attitude! When he was staying here in Puppyland, I thought to make him all cushy on the couch and spoil him. He'd get down and position himself right in the traffic of all the puppies wrestling and chasing each other; playing grandpa to them all and being apart of it in his own way. There isn't a person out there who won't fall completely in love with this guy!
     Now he's with Miss Helen, who knows how to take the best care of guys like Bob. I hear she's got a harness that will help him talk and somewhere around, there's a doggie wheelchair! I also hear that Bob is about to become a world traveller as Helen gets ready to head to Alaska!!! Wow, has he fallen into clover, or what?!?!?!? What we're able to do for Bob in the time he has left makes me proud to work in rescue!

7/4/09 - Well we went to NJ this weekend to get some dogs and I had it all planned out where to put everyone in the Explorer so I could keep everyone separate for the ride home. I had an extra large crate for the three pups, a large crate for Diamond the expectant mom and the old guy Bob would have half of the back seat next to my son. Well you know what they say about plans. The pups had not been together in a little over a week and the little girl was scared to death of everything including her two brothers so I could not crate her with them. She started the trip on my lap but about halfway home she and Bob came up with a better solution. She climbed in the back seat and cuddled up to him. I guess she could tell he was a friend. Bob spent the rest of the trip home kissing her and cleaning her ears between his naps. It was almost like she had found her long lost grampa and he was so happy to take care of her. I fell in love with him on the way back and really hope what ever time he has left is wonderful. He really deserves it. I attached a picture of them cuddling on the back seat