BOXER ADVENTURES

 Sisko is 7 and will soon be 8. Boxers, like other large breeds are prone to tears to their CCL – Canine Cruciate Ligaments. It’s the equivalent of our ACL (knee). Sisko injured his about a year ago. I noticed him holding up his back leg and limping pretty badly one day after running and playing on the beach. It was pretty clear that it wasn’t actually torn, it wasn’t painful enough for that and he could put some weight on it, but it obviously was partially torn or significantly injured. For many people, this would have meant a trip to the vet and scheduling surgery. But for me, both with myself as well as my pets, I prefer surgery to be a last resort if there are alternatives.  I have done a lot of research on CCL injuries, and this is what I know – statistically, when a dog ruptures his CCL and has surgery there is a large percentage chance that they will rupture the other one within a year. They put so much weight on the leg that did not have surgery that it wears it out and e

 Yes, I did sing that as I wrote it! Booker is now a year old.  We knew nothing about him coming into the world a year ago and that our lives would connect. Cesar Millan - who I absolutely adore - says that we don't get the dog we want , we get the dog we need .  I'm not sure what the universe was thinking, but apparently we needed a challenge! Our last puppy experience was Sisko.  And no doubt we had some puppy antics that kept us on our toes, but overall he was so easy! Booker is still a wild child.  He is incredibly strong willed and stubborn.  We still have not figured out how to calm him, despite us using every tactic we have learned over the years. He is the life of the party at all times, and can be exhausting. He is also fun, silly and sweet and doesn't seem to have a mean bone in his body. He has had a great year.  He's interacted with dogs, cats, chickens, horses and humans.  He is friendly and loves everyone he meets.  When we're out and about when a chil

 I can't believe Booker turns a year old tomorrow!  He's actually a little taller then Sisko, but I still see him as a little puppy!! Since I have to work tomorrow, we made today special for him.  So of course, we headed to the beach! He got to do some of his favorite things - like running like a maniac Swimming Doing whatever this was - maybe the tango? After the dogs were both exhausted we headed home. Just in time for football season, Booker got a birthday present! And finally the day ended with a delicious pig ear! With the exception of the traditional Sunday nail trimming, I think he had a pretty great day!

 All week the predictions were for rain all day today.  We slept in while the rain poured.   Happily the rain moved out and we saw how much rain we got - our fire ring and a neighboring campsite: We drove to Massena, NY and walked some trails at another campground and Booker played some chess. As we were leaving we made a pit stop to watch a large ship go through the Eisenhower Lock.  The dogs were not nearly as impressed as we were. On the way back, we stooped and walked along a dike trail and the dogs played briefly with a young Golden Retriever when we stopped to let them go for a swim in the St. Lawrence. They were well exercised and were happy to just relax once we got back.   It was a short but fun trip  - so happy we can take them so they get all these new experiences with us!

 Now that we bought a white trash camper, we decided to take another camping trip!  We went to a campground just an hour north of us to spend a couple of days. We arrived and found the campsites to be close to one another. Our neighbors were a couple, their teenage daughter and their elderly mother. We got set up and took a stroll around the grounds and then ate lunch watching the river that we stayed along. We then got the kayaks in and the woman and the older woman watched as the dogs jumped in. We kayaked along the river and went under an old metal bridge.   Later, as we were making dinner, the man came over to our site.  He complimented our dogs - saying how impressed he was with how they behaved.  That is the highest compliment you can get I think about your dog's. Of course we had to let this fellow dog lover meet them.  He hugged Sisko and said to him "I know I don't know you but I love you!" 😅😅😅 Of course the dogs loved the attention!   We hung out by the f

 Booker, like Sisko, is great with other dogs.  Sisko has always gotten along with every dog we've encountered and when a dog we've passed has acted aggressive or reactive he's avoided them. Booker has followed his lead. After we picked Booker up the day we got him we stopped for a while at our niece and nephew's house and he met their dog.  Their dog is, well, a little socially awkward.  She's a German Shepherd who was adopted in the midst of Covid and spent months isolated with only them.  Whether this is the reason or this is just who she is, she's very wary of people and other animals. It's weird for us, because our dogs are all over other people, but she doesn't want to be touched by strangers.  So when we see her we just ignore her and she usually sniffs us but doesn't want us to pet her. Yesterday they came up to spend the day with us and we went to the beach where the dogs could run and play. Booker was SO EXCITED.  He absolutely loved having

 I love running with the dogs.  But summer heat and Boxers are not a good combo.   So tonight was a cool down and we took advantage.  My plan was to run a slow mile and see how they did. Since they were both enjoying themselves we did a slow 10k. A tired dog is a happy dog!