BOXER ADVENTURES

 This morning we hiked on a trail near us.  I've been running a lot with both dogs now thar the weather is getting cooler.  That is, of course, great exercise.  But they have been on leashes the whole time as we've been running either along our road or the multi-use trail.   So while they been getting exercise, it doesn't really provide the intense mental exercise that running off leash, exploring, listening to commands, smelling all the smells provides. Since this wooded trail is sparsely used, we could let them off to do all the things. They had a great time. As we were going along I noticed Booker overly a stump and suddenly... He lifted his leg . Aw man!  That was the first time that I know of that he has raised his leg too pee/  mark something. I knew he would - leg lifting to mark is largely a learned behavior and Sisko is king of the "I must mark my territory!" So now we get to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't decide to start mark...

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

None of our Boxers have been diggers - except on the beach!  Something about the sand drives them all nuts and they want to dig like crazy!   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Booker and Sisko (@boxeradventuresny)

 Booker ran his longest run today!  It still takes him about a mile to get into the groove.  Despite my best efforts to convince him to poop before we run, he has to stop around 1/2 mile in to stop and drop a large load.   Runners have lots of pooping issues, so Booker's fitting right in! Once he gets into the groove though, he does great!  Today we ran on a relatively crowded trail and he was only mildly distracted by people, other dogs and lots and lots of chipmunks!  Oh he wanted to chase the chipmunks so badly but a short firm  "NOPE!" from me and he resisted the urge to go after them and pull me down! Wefinished with 7 miles  - his longest run!

 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 ...

 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 o...

 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!