08-08-2007, 07:35 PM
Boxers - someone mentioned boxers?
We just happen to have two of the most spoiled fur children on island. LOL
I was not going to post to this thread, but after Punagirl invoked my name...LOL
I have own 2 pits in my lifetime. The 1st (Leilani) was acquired Windward area Oahu back in late 70's. Not pure, had some other terrier mix, but looked all pit. Sweet, friendly, but great watch dog who could get out the fence whenever she wanted. My neighbor claimed to have seen her jump the 6 ft chainlink. Don't know her long story as she became part of everything that my ex got to keep after we went back mainland. Also had a very nice german shepherd at the time.
Pit #2 (Mandy) we got in NJ. Our son was a kinda rough and tumble kid and my thinking was a pit would be a good match for him - I was right. She may have been one of the most even disposition dogs of my life. About the only bad thing she did was "eat" the car upholstery one time on a trip and we had to leave her in the car a bit. Unfortunately, we did have to get rid of her when she was about 4 years old. We lived on the German economy at the time, in a row house - something like a townhouse with a tiny back yard, but only way to the yard was through the house. Sophie and I both worked, Aaron was in school, so Mandy was home alone all day. She didn't like that. Three days max, she could escape any fence I erected. One time, she actually chewed thru the wire. The fact she had full run of the house and free access via doggie door to outside yard did not placate her. Each time she "escaped" she'd just settle someplace down the road where she'd watch people. By all reports, she never misbehaved (all the neighbors knew her), but the local police don't look kindly on loose dogs. After several warnings, we were told the next time would result in a summons and hefty fine. Exasperated, we felt there was no option but a new home. We took her to the local facility, paid their fee and sadly left her. These facilities find homes, do not put animals down. Happily, about 2 years later, we spied her prancing down a street on leash with her current owner. Back up to when she was just a pup, perhaps about 6 months old or so- a young fellow from Arkansas worked for me that had also bought one of her litter mates and asked if I'd dog sit his pup over a long weekend. Without hesitation I agreed. What a weekend!!!!! His dog had to be the meanest I've ever encountered. Didn't dare let her around Mandy, or even us. When I complained to the owner, he proudly stated that was the way he wanted her to act.
Years later, and we had returned stateside, had the itch for a dog again. Sought the advise of the neighborhood vet on his thoughts re different breeds. Had good things to say re pits, but not all their owners. Also said from his experience the least trustworthy, most likely to bite breed was cocker spaniel - reason was the breeding, too high strung. Of course he also gave high marks for boxers - and the rest is history, wellllllll NOT quite We are actually about to have a new little boxer girl join the ohana end of August. Now if we can find a cute name...
David
Ninole Resident
We just happen to have two of the most spoiled fur children on island. LOLI was not going to post to this thread, but after Punagirl invoked my name...LOL
I have own 2 pits in my lifetime. The 1st (Leilani) was acquired Windward area Oahu back in late 70's. Not pure, had some other terrier mix, but looked all pit. Sweet, friendly, but great watch dog who could get out the fence whenever she wanted. My neighbor claimed to have seen her jump the 6 ft chainlink. Don't know her long story as she became part of everything that my ex got to keep after we went back mainland. Also had a very nice german shepherd at the time.
Pit #2 (Mandy) we got in NJ. Our son was a kinda rough and tumble kid and my thinking was a pit would be a good match for him - I was right. She may have been one of the most even disposition dogs of my life. About the only bad thing she did was "eat" the car upholstery one time on a trip and we had to leave her in the car a bit. Unfortunately, we did have to get rid of her when she was about 4 years old. We lived on the German economy at the time, in a row house - something like a townhouse with a tiny back yard, but only way to the yard was through the house. Sophie and I both worked, Aaron was in school, so Mandy was home alone all day. She didn't like that. Three days max, she could escape any fence I erected. One time, she actually chewed thru the wire. The fact she had full run of the house and free access via doggie door to outside yard did not placate her. Each time she "escaped" she'd just settle someplace down the road where she'd watch people. By all reports, she never misbehaved (all the neighbors knew her), but the local police don't look kindly on loose dogs. After several warnings, we were told the next time would result in a summons and hefty fine. Exasperated, we felt there was no option but a new home. We took her to the local facility, paid their fee and sadly left her. These facilities find homes, do not put animals down. Happily, about 2 years later, we spied her prancing down a street on leash with her current owner. Back up to when she was just a pup, perhaps about 6 months old or so- a young fellow from Arkansas worked for me that had also bought one of her litter mates and asked if I'd dog sit his pup over a long weekend. Without hesitation I agreed. What a weekend!!!!! His dog had to be the meanest I've ever encountered. Didn't dare let her around Mandy, or even us. When I complained to the owner, he proudly stated that was the way he wanted her to act.
Years later, and we had returned stateside, had the itch for a dog again. Sought the advise of the neighborhood vet on his thoughts re different breeds. Had good things to say re pits, but not all their owners. Also said from his experience the least trustworthy, most likely to bite breed was cocker spaniel - reason was the breeding, too high strung. Of course he also gave high marks for boxers - and the rest is history, wellllllll NOT quite
We are actually about to have a new little boxer girl join the ohana end of August. Now if we can find a cute name...David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident