BOXER ADVENTURES

 This boy! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Booker and Sisko (@boxeradventuresny)

 That was my mission today.  I wanted to chill, bask in the sun and relax.  I accomplished what I set out to do and the boys had a blast. Aren't they so handsome?? And when they were tired out, they chilled in the beach tent Marc got for them.  Sisko sometimes gets overheated in the sun and this works perfectly.   And look at how much room there is!  Easy to set up and clean!

 This week has been incredibly stressful at work. Today we had a "cool snap" after some near record heat.  I got home and Marc was out and wouldn't be home until later.  Both dogs were looking at me expectantly.  Not only was it cooler but thick clouds hid the sun.   So off we went to the local trail.  We could have run from our house, but so many drivers are idiots and with it being overcast. I decided to play it safe. We did a relaxed 5 miles and they patiently waited for me to take the obligatory pic so that we could get home.  Tonight was a raw drumstick for their efforts!

 Now that summer is finally here, we have been rewarded with some HOT temps! I am loving the heat, but both dogs have been laid right out.  We have a trail around our property and Marc goes out frequently in the afternoons, answering emails, reading the news, and getting some steps in/getting a break from sitting and leisurely walks that trail while the dogs run, play, smell and do all the dog things.  But this week Marc has taken them out and they make 1, maybe 2 loops and are ready to go back in the house. So today it was time to revisit the beach where they can run and run and run and then dive into Lake Ontario where the water is still pretty cold. First step - kayak to the beach! Then some swimming. It still surprises me when people act shocked and delighted when they see the dogs in the kayaks. "I wish I could take my dog, but he would never stay in the kayak!"  That, by far, is the comment we hear over and over.  I always think that people must think we h...

 I am happy to report that FINALLY we have won the battle against the worse eye ulcer Sisko has ever had.  I was becoming fearful that it just was never going to heal despite the weeks of treatment but.... You can see the white scar it left in its wake.  But the ulcer is gone. There is no predicting when - or if - he will get another one.  I have found that the earlier I catch these things and start the meds, I can maybe keep it from getting bad like this one was.   So looks like I will be looking Sisko deeply into his eyes each night!! 

 Our first Boxer was Tucker. I probably have not mentioned him here.  The memories are extraordinarily painful. Tucker came to us as a tiny baby.  He was too young to be away from his mother but it was us or worse.  He was sweet and cuddly and a maniac.   He introduced us to the Boxer breed,, and I was SOLD.  Hook line and sinker, I knew that this was the breed for me. At the time we had the first dog Marc and I ever had together, a German Shepherd named B'Elanna.  She hated Tucker from the moment she met him.  He would cuddle up next to her and she would get up and move.  He'd follow her and again cuddle up next to her until she gave in and let him sleep next to her.  It didn't take long before they were besties. His favorite thing in the world was to be chased.  He'd pester B'Elanna continuously until she'd chase him all over the yard.  When Tucker was about a year old, a cat showed up after a huge thunderstorm at our si...

 SUMMER HAS ARRIVED. Finally!   The only thing that I don't like about summer is how tough it is on the dogs.  Even mild exercise for Sisko gets difficult.  While neither has a problem breathing, per se, they both heat up quickly. Yesterday after work, Booker and I were able to get 4 miles in.   Then I went into the swim spa.  I tried to convince Booker to join me, but he was having none of that.  Instead he chose to run like a maniac through our VERY muddy stream that runs through the backyard and terrorize Sisko. So he ended up getting sprayed off with the garden hose.  He should have chosen the spa! Tonight, it was very cloudy and cooler, so I decided to take Sisko with us. I was prepared to turn around if he got too overheated but he was good to go. I kept the pace very slow, but he was happy to cool off once we finished a 5K. Pretty soon they'll have to take off time until fall. Anytime I can get them to the beach though, they will ...

  This is Sisko's eye this morning. What has it been - two months now?  This has been the worse ulcer I've ever had to deal with. But I think - fingers crossed - that we almost have it beat!!

 "Wait for the miracle" - that's a common phrase used in rooms like Alcoholics Anonymous and cancer wards - places where hope is needed. About 4 months ago I was reading about someone with a Boxer and she said something to the effect that literally overnight, on her dog's 2nd birthday, his personality changed.  He went from a total maniac to having some control - as much as a Boxer can have anyway. I scoffed at the time, totally assured that this would never happen with Booker. Yesterday morning Marc and I went to a biking event.  The afternoon was spent working on the yard and the dogs were outside playing the whole time. Today we headed out early to get in some beach time.  We walked the 1 mile path to the beach and then walked about a mile down the beach to stop, make coffee and relax while the dogs played in the water. We then ate lunch on the beach, The beach wasn't crowded, but lots of people walked by. As we headed back on the trail, I suddenly realized - h...

 Today is my birthday.  Last week was a stressful and exhausting time at work and it continued into yesterday.  Things returned to normal today,  After working the morning, and knowing things were under control, I looked outside at the sun and decided to sneak out.   I got home and changed clothes quickly and the dogs and I got in the car.  First it was off to Starbucks for me to get my free birthday sandwich and the dogs to get some pup cups.  Yum for all of us! Then a quick detour to the vet's office to get more (!) medicine for Sisko's eye. Then it was to the beach!  The temperature has gotten warm enough that is is too hot for either of the boys to run - unless there is a quick and easy way to continually cool off.  Did someone say Lake Ontario?? We ran the 1.25 dirt and grass trail and then crossed the boardwalk to the beach.  Then it was all fun and games. 7.5 miles later we were back at the car - tired and happy! Not everyone's id...

 I got the opportunity to try out a body cam. So today we went out to a local state park and got some footage.  The boys got to run, sniff, explore and sniff some more. They were so happy.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Booker and Sisko (@boxeradventuresny) m Now they are completely zonked out.  Remember, a tired dog is a good dog!!