Boxers don't bark... That was pretty much true of our white boxer, rather unusual for him to bark. Can't say that about the current three. Couldn't begin to tell you how many times I yelled, "Hey, you're BOXERS not BARKERS!!!!"
Both the girls, Ruby and Kalani learned to "speak", but have never been able to get Jack to.
As for cats... Had 2 up until last summer. Now, I do have to be up front, I don't much consider myself a cat person...
Diamond - He may have had an identity problem as he acted more like a dog most of the time. [
] Actually got him about a month before our white boxer. Was visiting in NJ and he was literally picked up in the middle of the street. The lady worked for humane society, guessed he was maybe 4 weeks old and offered him to Sophie. As it was also our anniversary, how could I say "No" to my dear sweet wife. We did have 2 cockatiels at the time. Anyway, took him home to Va. I didn't pay that much attention other than making a litter box and placing some milk and food. Come Monday, he was looking pretty pathetic so Sophie took him to the vet. I wasn't there, but Sophie says that after a quick look, the vet says, "Have you considered starting over" Kept him overnight with instructions to call next day and IF he survived, vet would tell us how to care for him. That cat became our constant companion because not only did I have to feed him kitten replacement formula with a syringe, but had to heat a surgical glove half filled with water to help maintain his body temp. Too many stories about him to fill up this thread, but he was a great cat. Last sumer, he was looking pretty ragged, to the point that one weekend last July we actually pondered taking him to the vet if that was the humane thing to do. Later that Sunday, he strolled down to the house site where we were working as usual. Seemed like he was making his rounds - saying farewell. He wondered off, never to be seen again. He had a really great life for 16 years. Still not a cat person, but I do miss him at times.
Focus - our black female cat. Very strange[8][8][8] Sophie actually rescued her from under a vacant porch in '98. Not sure what happened to the mother, dog catcher was supposed to get the rest of litter. She was probably not yet 4 weeks old according to vet's guess. Again, I was the nursemaid, hand raising this little ball of fur. She'll be 10 yrs this month. She has grown up to be totally opposite of Diamond. World revolves around her... no wait - she IS the world. [
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] When our white boxer died, she was inconsolable, would wander about the house just a wailing and looking for him. She was part of my motivation to get Ruby. She is quite funny to watch with the new puppy, Kalani. Definitely missed her opportunity to set the pecking order when she was the bigger of the two, now Kalani pesters her relentlessly. What's funny is to watch her "box", making me wonder if perhaps Kalani just thinks she's a funny looking boxer? Oh well...
David
Ninole Resident