Otto070110

MEET:

OTTO

STATE: ME
AGE: 3 yrs
DOB: October 2006
WEIGHT:   53 lbs
SEX: Male
NEUT/UTD:    Yes/Yes
COAT COLOR: White w/ brindle
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
ADOPTION FEE: $300

UPDATE 8/10/10 - One Week Update
So we picked up this sweet boy from his FM's house. He was a little nervous to leave but settled in for the car ride quite nicely. Otto is the polar opposite from Jerri and Bruno. He is quiet and reserved. Actually I take that back.He knows his limits but he is a very vocal dog. I get to hear his wookie talk when they all want attention.
I took Otto to his vet apt last Thursday. He weighed in at 51.6 lbs. Definitely in need of some lovin'. the vet recommended mixing some wet food with his dry food for now. Otto is totally digging it. He should be at normal weight in no time.
The same day I also took Otto to the cardiologist. She gave him an echocardiogram. After review she said his condition has not progressed since he was 16mos which is great!! She said he can exercise to his limits and to keep him on the same meds for now.
Otto experienced his first thunderstorm last night at our house. The dogs sleep in our room and he jumped up so fast and was shaking like a leaf and panting hard. It broke my heart at 2:00am. It passed quickly and he continued to hog the bed after.
Otto is settling in quite nicely with our pack and I believe he is viewed as the older more knowledgeable one.
I can't wait to see how he grows and his personality continues to show!!!

8/1/10 - Otto has been adopted!

7/27/10 - Pssssst--Otto here. FM is at work so I'm writing to tell you about my heart condition. FM mentioned that I have one, but didn't say much about it.
     So... I have something the cardiologist calls "moderate sub-aortic stenosis." It is the reason that in my before-home I had a few fainting episodes. They happened if I got too active. So that's the reason that I'm not as hyper as some other Boxers my age. I like to take care of myself. I think that's why I am so slender--too much weight is not good for your heart!
          Now you need to know that I enjoy a good walk, and sometimes I even run around the yard--just not for hours at a time! FM got my medicine, and that is supposed to keep me from fainting anymore. The new vet that I got to see up here in Maine thought that I was doing great and was happy to hear that the heat hadn't bothered me (FM does NOT have any AC!!!) He said that my condition did not appear to be life threatening--I was glad to hear that! Another thing--FM is REALLY bad at math! My medicine only costs $4.00 a month. And I'm worth it!

7/23/10 - This little cutie is turning into a little monkey! He has discovered the toy basket and LOVES the balls. He is so much fun to watch while he entertains himself rolling one around. He also has decided that he wants to tease my rocky--he will stand at the top of the stairs waiting to playfully pounce on Rocky--who at nine years old is NOT interested in playing at all. So this little pipsqueak who is half the size of Rocky keeps him from coming upstairs!
     Otto's surrendering family had written that he "was afraid of loud noises and thunderstorms." And we found out that that is true. We had VERY severe thunderstorms here in Southern Maine two nights ago and he was a quivering little fellow who wanted to curl up on a lap on the couch. No noise or misbehavior, just quivering until the storms had passed. (One thunderburst was so loud and so close it startled me!)
     We can't believe this sweetie hasn't been snatched up yet--are YOU his home-to-be?

7/15/10 - Otto was seen at my Boxer-loving vet's office, and, no surprise, they all fell in love with him. His medical records, including his cardiology report were reviewed, and his heart and a few arteries were listened to carefully.
     There was consensus that Otto does have a mild heart condition and should take a medication, Atenolol, that will slow his heart rate down a little bit. His overall health was confirmed as being very good. Given that he has not had any adverse effect from the heat, or the level of exercise he has been choosing for himself, or his being off the meds for a few weeks his new trial dosage is half a 25 mg pill twice daily. That means that his meds are only $8 a month!
     More good news is that Otto is up to 53 pounds of solid muscle, and continues to be a sweetheart. He was perfectly behaved in the car, even when I had to run in to drop off his prescription, and again when I had to run in and pick it up. (I was able to park under a tree and leave the windows and roof window open enough that the car did not get hot.) He also walked very nicely on the leash.
     He tries to play with Rocky, who has no interest in playing. Then Otto will pull a toy out of the toy basket and entertain himself. He had a blast with a ball he found in there, but has had no interest in chewing anything.
     Otto is ready to leave for his forever home. I'm just surprised that this guy hasn' t found his yet!

7/13/10 - Otto goes in for a vet check tomorrow so we can get the scoop on his heart condition, and he can start on his meds (if he still needs them.) We'll also get his gunky eyes checked out.
Here at the Riverview he has both earned full house priveledges, and demonstrated that he IS very comfortable in a crate. He has also demonstrated that he is quite the watch dog. We had a bunch of strangers around doing work, and he let me know that something was going on. Like a typical Boxer he was just fine with all the strangeness as soon as I let him know things were OK.

7/2/10 - Otto has settled in! He has met Rocky and they are getting along great--not that I was anticipating any difficulties, becuase I could see their little nubs wagging at each other as soon as Otto arrived.
He has calmed down enough to be eating, and to want lots of loving. He hasn't seemed to enjoy the crate, although he has tolerated it fine for the times I've had him in it. And he figured out the doggie door in record time, and has no problem ambling up and down the deck stairs to the back yard.

7/1/10 -Otto has arrived at the Riverview Boxer-Hostel after a long drive with Helen from NY. She said that he was a great car companion, but that he was missing his family. I am sure that they are missing him, too. He is a tiny little peanut! I don't think I have ever seen such a little male before--I am used to the big 90 pounders! But although he is small, he is well proportioned, and cute as a button. I can tell he is unsure of himself and probably wondering what has happened to turn his life upside down. But since he has already let me pet him, and offered me the tiniest of a Boxer kiss, I am sure that he will be fine.
     Otto has had a chance to check out the backyard (and all of its inviting scents) and some of the house. He's even touched noses through the baby gate with Rocky who can't wait to meet him. I can hear him taking a long drink while I am typing, and that is another good sign that he is already calming down and settling in.

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