MEET:

BOOKER
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STATE: NJ
AGE:  11 months
DOB:   Unknown
WEIGHT:  approx. 50 lbx 
SEX: Male
NEUT/UTD: Yes/Yes  
COAT COLOR:  White
DOCKED TAIL: Yes   
CROPPED EARS: No
CHILDREN UNDER 4: No
CHILDREN OVER 4: Yes
SEPARATION ANXIETY: No
OTHER DOGS: Yes
CATS:  Yes
CRATE TRAINED: Yes
HOUSE TRAINED: Yes
LEASH TRAINED: Working on it 
OBEDIENCE TRAINED: In Progress
MICROCHIPPED: Yes
ADOPTION FEE: $320 ($includes $20 microchip fee)
UPDATE 8/2/10 - Buddy (the cat) still thinks he would enjoy being an only.  but when Booker and I are gone, I think he is happy to see Booker return.  Who would he have to chase if Booker wasn't around?
Booker went on his first home check today, and he was a perfect gentleman!! 
Where do I start with the stories? 
We have a house on a lake,
there were a couple ducks on the dock,
I sent Booker out to chase them away.  He stopped at the edge, looked at the ducks floating in the water and jumped in.  He was very surprised that he couldn’t walk on water!?!
We were at the house again over the 4th.  I always worry about going to the lake that week, the noise from the fireworks -legal and illegal can get very loud, however Booker doesn’t seem the type to be bothered by the noise and not all the family had met him yet so we went.  Booker sat and watched the fireworks, I think he liked the ones that keep exploding bigger the best.  I am not kidding, he watched them!  They were across so we could really see them.  However when the legal ones were done, the neighborhood started setting them off on our side.  They were so  close Booker thought he could catch them.  I had to take him in the house, I was afraid he would get loose and really try to get them.  The family met him and everyone loves him.  He is a clown and will play with about anything, but a soccer ball is his favorite.
Bookers favorite treat is an apple.  I core it leaving the apple otherwise intact.  He plays with it much of the day, his favorite is dropping it down the steps, then he chases it down to the bottom and then takes’ it back upstairs and does it over again.  Booker likes any kind of fruit, especially lemon and limes.  He sucks the juice out and gets that sour look on his face, then goes back to sucking on it again. 
Booker is now 70 pounds of pure muscle, we take a couple good walks a day and go to the good dog park whenever we can.

UPDATE 4/19/10 - Booker just graduated from his obedience class(or should I say I graduated from our obedience class). We did very well, it is amazing how the group of dogs change over the course of the class.  Booker is high energy and we do a lot to be sure he expends that energy in an appropriate manner. We try toget tothe dog park once a week and I have discovered Booker loves balls. we were at a friends house and he found a basketball and played with it for easily 45 mins.  I bought him a basketball and within 3 mins he had put a hole in it. I haven't yet found a ball he willplay with without putting a holein it.  (he likespicking it up,but then it doesn't roll as well. he still plays with the balls popped, but never like he did that first time.  I saw a picture of Reese with an open ball, I will have to look for one like that for Booker.  I just look love this guy and he loves everyone he meets.  we will be taking him to the summer home first of May, it will be fun to see how he likes the water.

UPDATE 3/13/10 - We started our obedience class and Booker is doing great, I just need a little more work. He is starting to fill out to match his big feet and is a very muscular 65 pounds.  He has allergies so we are working on what meds he needs to help him with his foot sucking.  He is a great and still keeping us all in stitches.  I have a greater appreciation for all those questions on the home check form about stuff around the house.  If it is on the floor it is Bookers, if it’s not on the floor he knocks it on the floor and it’s his.  The worst mistake I made was getting a door draft fleece tube.  It was fleece like his toys, it was on the floor like his toys, it must be a toy.  I had this silly notion I could teach him to leave it alone.  Well that mostly worked, but when he wanted me to play with him he would go grab the tube and bring it to me.  We now have a blanket at the door to keep the draft out. 
So grateful he is in my life.

UPDATE 2/11/10 - I have found a couple new good dog parks and have taken Booker to them, he loves to run and runs with anyone who can keep up. He has taken up a new hobby,  a decorator! Booker has a bed that he moves around the house, follows the sun, follows me, or maybe just needs new scenery? The bed also has a different color on each side which he rotates regularly. He has settled in and is almost getting along with the cat. He knows the cat is boss, but Buddy is not sure about his big feet! 
Booker continues to be the resident comedian, keeping us all in laughter.  He loves the snow and fruit, go figure.

UPDATE 1/19/10 - Our first week together!  Booker is acomedian!  He has us in stitches all the time.  His favorite outdoor toy is a frozen lemon.  He drops it in the snow than stomps on it a couple times, turns away then back again and trys to find it.  It is the funniest thing to watch.
Booker has settled in and is a delightful addition to our family. We are working on his leash manners and the changes in just a short time are amazing. He is very smart and wants to please.  His favorite treat is an apple slice. Booker and Buddy the cat have not made peace yet.  I think Booker is trying to play and Buddy thinks those feet are too big.  Buddy is never far away, he's keeping his eye on this silly dog that has invaded his once quiet home.

1/10/10 - I was adopted today!

12/31/09 - Although Santa brought Bookers lots of new bones, treats, and toys, he didn't get what he really wanted, his own furever family. I told him not to worry, that they will come for him soon. So till then he is enjoying his new favorite toy. A large hard rubber squeaky toy. Oh my gosh, he loves this thing and squeaks it all day long!! And in order to get us to play with him he nudges his head and toy into our legs and will follow us around doing so till we play with him. Too cute. Anyway, we had lots of visitors over the Xmas holiday and Booker did superbly with everyone and they simply adored him and wanted to take him home, not understanding why he is still with us. He was very obedient and well mannered the whole time.
     Yesterday we had a bit of a scare though. We had a contractor at the house doing some work, and well the back gate was left open and when I let them out in the dark, not seeing the gate open, all six dogs ran off, Booker included. Luckily my two little ones and my senior Boxer all came running to the front door. My 2 Danes no where in sight. And Booker, hanging out in the driveway with the contractor. All he wanted was to say hello to him and get some attention. As soon as he saw us and we called him into the house, he came running. He never took the chance to leave the property, and he listened the 1st time. My Danes on the other hand took the opportunity to enjoy a little race down the road, but thankfully where already heading home as we trailed out to look for them, and ran up the steps and into the house. So I was so relieved, proud and thrilled to know they all know where their home is and where safe in sound sleeping in their beds last night. Especially Booker. When he 1st came to us he would not "come" when called and really never picked up his new name. But when it counted, he did. I am so very proud of him. He really is such a good boy and will make someone an amazing companion. All he needs is a chance to prove it. With time he has to us.

12/20/09 - Well the past few days we have seen some comical things about Booker. One, he likes the chase flashlights, like you would normally see a cat do. Yeah, he chases it and tries to catch the light in his mouth, and he will even look right into it trying very hard to figure out what it is and how it works. Too cute. And secondly, his reflection in the oven. He was in the kitchen playing with one of his many toys and suddenly froze when he noticed another dog in the oven holding a toy. He just stared at it, dropped his toy and stuck his head up to the oven door to get a closer look. It took him a while to realize it was him. Yet he did the same thing again the same day and the next day. Too funny. He also likes to chase his own tail form time to time, and tries soooo very hard to catch up to it but always ends up short. LOL! He is sooo clumsy and ends up falling over. He is very playful and entertaining. He really can entertain himself for a while and he is just a blast to watch.

12/9/09 - Well it's been a month since my last update on Booker. We've had a lot going on in the last month, hence no update. But during the Thanksgiving weekend he spent some time with my niece and her 5yr old Labadoodle and they got along famously, playing hard all day long for hours on end. Her family and friends loved him and agreed he is such a good boy for his age.
     We've had a few snow storms and he loves the snow. Sure, like most Boxers, after a while he'd prefer to be inside with his people, but he will run around in the snow, play ball, wrestle with the other dogs, and eat the snow. He loves to eat the snow!
     We recently bought him a huge rawhide bone, after we found out he enjoyed them and was good at not eating a huge chunk of it at one time like my own past Boxers used to do. But the funny thing is, I think he is intimidated by it. He will sit ever so patiently waiting for me to give it to him, looking at the counter, then me, the counter, me and so on. But he would not chew on it. He would lay with it, hug it, hold his paw over it, but not chew it for nearly two weeks. I was just talking about him last night about it and today, after playing outside in new fresh snow, he came in wanted his bone, and is now actually chewing on it for the 1st time. He must of heard me. LOL!
     He is a very good boy, knowing his basics, loves to snuggle and kiss, play ball (or any type of fetch), travels very well, is housebroken, crate trained, and non-destructive, calm for his age with times of zoomies, is great with our cat and dogs. He can just be a little moody with other males in an overstimulating environment like mine, having 6 dogs in an average size home, and plays rough, the typical Boxer pup way (but in no way excessive). He would love to have more room to stretch his legs and not have so much competition.
     We put up a stocking for Booker just in case, although he has asked Santa for his own furever family for the holidays. Will you be the chosen one?

11/9/09 - I wanted to send in another update on Booker and let you all know how far this boy has come from when he first arrived here. He has truly amazed us that my husband is really beginning to fall for him. With persistence, patience and a rigorous routine, Booker has become such a well mannered pup. With more time and dedication from a loving and committed family, I can see Booker becoming the star in his obedience class. He knows all his basics, and the eye contact he makes is amazing. I have him eating in the same room with other dogs and make them all sit and wait and watch me and I always feed him last. So while everyone else is getting fed and has started eating he will remain still waiting for me to release him, watching me the whole time, never once trying to get up to his bowl or to anyone else's. My 8yr old daughter has been working on his training as well and he is responding to her too. Last night she had him sitting, waiting, watch me, down, stay, before she threw a ball. Then he brought it right back and released it with "drop it" which is the one we have been working on. He still has a tendency to jump up on you when he gets really excited playing, but has improved greatly by the "ehh" sound and turning your back on him, no eye or body contact. The one we still need more work on is "come". He will do it most of the time, but not all the time unless you have something he wants, a toy, stick or treat. If he is occupied and you have nothing exciting for him, he won't always come. So I wouldn't trust him off leash in an unsecured area just yet. But other than that he has bloosomed with excercise, mental stimulation and guidance. Believe me when we first got him, we thought, oh my gosh, what did we get ourselves into. Now we can't believe he is still the same dog. He knows the routine and goes right into his crate without problems. When we are only gone for a couple of hours, I can leave him loose in the kitchen without any issues whatsoever. He is just one of the sweetest Boxers you'll ever meet. Won't you give him a chance?

11/4/09 - Hello, is anyone out there? I've been patiently waiting a month now for my furever family to find me. I've been working hard on my manners too and have learned to share my toys with the other dogs. I "sit" and "wait" looking my foster mom right in the eyes till she tells me "o.k." to eat my food, walk thru the gate, out the door, get my leash on, everything. This lady makes me work work work. But that's cool. It makes me feel good that I earn my rewards. The other day I was invited to sit on the couch with her. Wow, what a treat that was. I was so excited it took me a minute to settle down, but I showed her my appreciation with lots of kisses, before I laid down next to her on the pillow. Then when she told me to get "off" I got right off. Something about the other dogs trying to get on the couch too. I didn't care but apparently she was getting crushed with all 6 dogs trying to get in on it. But it was a fun while it lasted. She also gave me a bath. Yikes that was interesting but she told me to "stay" so I did. I just didn't like the water on my face. But she says if I didn't get dirty all the time I wouldn't need it. Oh well the price of fun!
While my foster family was out on some personal matters, they had a friend of theirs come let all of us canines out during the day and she was great. We all barked at her first and then when she let me out, I was all wiggles. She played with me outside with a ball haging from a tree on a rope. Man that was fun! I tried really hard to rip it off the tree, but just couldn't do it. She kept laughing at me, oh well with practice I'll get it, don't worry. But she was cool and I behaved like an angel.
Oh before i forget today foster dad cleaned off the leaves in the backyard, with what he calls a blower. Wow that thing was wicked. It made a lot of noise, smelled kind of funny and blew out all this air. Honestly it freaked out and wanted nothing to do with it. Some of the other dogs didn't mind it at all but instead of letting them know I was afraid of it, you know didn't want to loose my ego or anything, I pretended I was preoccupied with other things, yeah, that's right.
Oh another thing, I hear the holidays are coming. What ever that means, I've never experienced "the holidays" before being under a year old, but I'm ready if you are. Foster mom says there's lots of food, toys, music, family, decorations, and a man called "Santa Claus"??? that brings gifts. Now that's the kind of guy I like. Hmmm bones, squeeky toys, balls, lots of balls, ohhhhh yeah, that's what I'm talking about. But what I really want is this forever family mom talks about. It sounds soooooo nice. Please give me a chance. I'm really a very good boy. Pleasssssseeeeee!

10/18/09 - Hey Folks, it's me Booker.  My foster family, humans and canines, and me went for a hike today in the rain thru the Appalacian Trail. We had a blast!! So many sights to see and smells to smell. Wow, my sniffer was overwhelmed with all the scents of wildlife and it was so pretty! They put a harness on me, and I pulled a bit, but I couldn't pull them over! But by the time we headed back, I had given up trying. There were bridges and raised boardwalks along the way and it was a little freaky at first for me, but with everyone's confidence I followed right along. The humans were pretending to be some type of warriors or something and that we were being chased by gobblins and stuff. They were having a lot of fun, laughing and running with us, it was just great!! It really felt good to be a part of it. On the ride home, I just laid on their laps and fell asleep. I'm so pooped out that I thought I would send in an update before I take my nap. I may end up sleeping till tomorrow. Can't wait till the next time we go out. Do you like to go hiking and play? If so I would love to join you. Till then, good night.

10/13/09 - Hi Everyone. I wanted to send an update on our Boxer boy Booker. He has officially been with us a week and is making great strides. With consistency on his outings and lots of praise we have not had any accidents in the house. I have done slow introductions with all 5 of my own dogs and things are going well. His best friend is our female Dane, but he also plays with our male Dane. My senior Boxer has no real interest in playing with anyone and our two Terriers don't care for his rough play, but he seems to have finally learned they aren't worth the trouble and will leave them alone. Booker would do best with a dog his size or larger that loves to play. He and my male Dane love the zip cord in our yard, and play very nicely together chasing it back and forth in the yard. Booker thinks and acts just like a bunny rabbit the way he bounces and leaps in the air to try and get it. He is fun to watch and ever so clumsy. But nothing fazes him. He gets right back up and will try and try again. I will try and get a video of him, you have to see him. LOL! Training is going very well too. He can and will sit and wait for each meal and going outside. He also knows down and is learning off and stay. He's a smart pup and ever so adorable, giving the all famous Boxer kisses, and so soft and cuddly like a bunny. Right now he is dirty from all the fun he is having playing in the yard with the two Danes, that we need to give him a bath soon. We'll see how that goes and keep you posted. He seems confused when we wipe his paws coming in from a muddy day, but is getting used to it so I suspect we will have loads of fun.

10/7/09 - Hi everyone, it's Booker here! I'm all new to this stuff but foster mom is helping me out. O.k. I've been here for almost a week now and I'm having fun and all, but foster mom says this isn't my permanent home and that my forever home is out there, we just need to find them. Well let's go then I say, but she says it doesn't work that way. What-ev-errr. Anyway I'm having a good time but I would like to meet my forever family.
     I have a lot of other doggie friends here, but we all don't get along that well (the boys and me), so mom has to seperate us with gates and that kind of makes me sad, but she says if we behave we can have some supervised playtime together outside. I just have a hard time calming down. I just want to play, play, play and some of them don't I guess so they get all upset and well I...... don't take their hints very well and I don't back down if they snap at me, I mean why should I???? I just want to play and can't understand why they don't, but so it is. My favorite is a big girl, they call a Great Dane, yeah so what! But she is awesome, we play a lot together. The boys are no fun, but she is great. Although she tires of me, too, after a while and mom seperates us to give her a rest. You see, I think it's pretty neat when they are trying to lay down and rest, I like jump on top of them to get them going again. Who has time to sleep?? Come on!!!! We are burning daylight here. Anyhooo, foster mom says I would probably be best with a female or a submissive male that is energetic like me to live with.  I like the little dogs too, but I guess I may be too much for them, so another Boxer or one similar in size and up would be best.  I don't mind cats, but I do like to chase them. As you now know, I like to play with everything and cats have a tendency to hiss and scratch, ouchh, so not cool!
     I'm still growing and don't know my own strength and can be a bit rough and mouthy so she says no kids under 8. I'm living with a 8yr old girl now and she's cool, but foster mom says anyone smaller may not understand me. I really like playing ball....... so....... an older skin sister or brother who wants to play ball or fetch with me would be really cool.
     Now for the boring stuff..... I eat really well, although I have a tendency to counter surf to find any left over snacks, but can never find any. Mom is good, she says because of the Danes, blah, blah, blah. Anyhoo, I go in my crate without any trouble and don't rip up any blankets in there and I don't go to the bathroom in there either. Yuk! Why would I? I may whine a little, but I settle down quickly and take a nice nap to get ready for the next WWF romp. LOL! A boy needs his rest. I did have a couple of pee accidents in the house the 1st couple of days, but give me a break, I'm nervous you know with all the changes and all, from a home, to a shelter to another house overnight and now here. That's a lot of chaos. Otherwise, I'm really good about going outside. I do pull a bit on the leash, but hey, I'm an excited pup, lots to see ya know? Mom says we need to work on it, especially will my tug a war games while we walk. She says that's a "no, no." Rules, rules, rules. No fun. Got it. Oh! You know what's really cool?? You have to see me climb a fence/gate! I'm really good at that! Yeah so a Great Dane is tall and all, but they can't climb like me. Oh they are sooo jealous! I jump up and get my paws in the links and climb like Rambo on Cliffhanger. Really cool. But I didn't do it to get out of the yard. Why? It's fun right here. I did it to get out of the pen they have sectioned off in the yard to seperate me from the other boys.
     Hmm what else can I say about me? Mom says I'm suppose to keep it short. Hey, no name calling mom. Let's see.... Oh mom says I'm really a good boy. Of course I am. She makes me sit, down, wait, stay, watch me all the time. You need to be firm with me for me to get the idea, cause my mind wanders on playthings, but please, oh please, don't hit me. I'm a little head shy ya know. I just need reminders sometimes, so much to remember all the time. I'll learn! I promise! If you are nice to me, I will. I want to make you happy. Together as a team, I know I can be the best boy you want me to be. Just give me a fair shot at it. Ok, ok, mom, I'm done. See ya!!!

10/3/09 - Booker as arrived. He is an adorable 8 month old white male pup with a very thick and silky soft coat, and a pup he is thru and thru. He is about 50lbs of exuberant energy with few manners, although he knows "sit" quite well. But he is very jumpy and pushy. He is currently residing with 5 foster sister and brothers, ranging in size from a Jack Russell to a Great Dane. We have done some introductions with some of the dogs, and he is very pushy showing a lot of dominant behaviors. Therefore we are going to take it very slow with him and some of the resident dogs before we can truly integrate him. And as we do, we will keep you posted. But for now I would not recommend him with kids under 4yrs of age due to his rough play, or with another dominant dog. As for cats, he seems very interested but again we will keep you posted as we get to know him more. One thing for sure though, this boy loves to play. He plays a great game of fetch and will bring the ball or stick right back to you, we just have to work on releasing it. He also loves to play soccer. We have a zip cord in the backyard and he loves to chase that as well. All in all this is a very sweet and playful Boxer pup that will need some guidance to be all that he can be as an adult. If you have the time, patience and love for this Boxer baby, get your apps in now. He isn't going to last long.
     Hope that works. Let me know if you need anything from me. As for vetting, it seems he received everything at the shelter and is ready to go.
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