Dear Elayne,
My husband and my boxer always fight over the doggy bag from restaurants.
I love them both. What should I do? Your column is very cute and informative
as well.
Ramona "Waggy" Otto
Dear "Waggy",
In a perfect world we would be in restaurants with our dogs and styrofoam
never would have been invented. Give the leftovers to your pooch and distract
your husband with a nice rawhide chew.
Dear Elayne,
When am I going to see Boxers in boxer commercials? There's some
other breed in one airing now and when I saw it I thought, "Are
they just stupid?" Of course, the dog was going for the crotch...
Where can we audition?
Seriously, do Boxers make good movie dogs? (I'm seeing too
many spots lately!!!) I've been teaching Angel silent hand commands
just in case...
Angel the Boxer's wannabe Stage Mom
Dear Angels Mom,
Thanks for your letter, but I’m a little confused. Are you saying
they were advertising boxers? And using a pekingese to do it? And he was
going for the crotch? Are you sure you weren't watching a Fruit of the
Loom commercial? Their white boxers are very popular.
Now to the second part of your question. I'm sure boxers would be great
movie dogs, the close ups alone would rival Olivier. According
to our expert doggie behaviorist, Karla Spitzer, "Real boxers do
utility!" Meaning they are highly trainable in all fields of
competition. That's because they are brilliant, thoughtful and emotional,
which means they've already out acted everyone at the MTV Music Awards.
Let's keep it our little secret though. I can think of no worse fate for
a breed than being featured in a movie, causing impulse buying by unprepared
people, who then dump them on all the overworked rescues. In fact, I'm
currently writing a movie where a puppy mill boxer gets bought
from a pet store, and when the family falls asleep, eats them all. If
you knew how many purebred dogs we and all rescues take in yearly,
you'd tell everyone boxers are gossips and they borrow your sweaters and
don't give them back. Oops, gotta go. Just got the wrap up signal from
Angel.
Dear Elayne,
I am so glad that this organization exists.I own a boxer named Misty.
She is my "bud". She is the second one that we have had. I got
her when my son was about 2, and they are partners!!!!! I have also owned
a white one that was hours away from being put down, and she was the best
dog a person could ask for. Anyway after I saw you on Good-Day L.A. a
couple of weeks ago, I just had to hit this web site and I am glad that
I did. Thank You!!!!!!!!!
Karen Mahoney
Twin Peaks
Dear Karen,
Twin Peaks, I loved that show! We'll have to get together over a hot cuppa
joe and you can fill me in.
Thanks so much for rescuing boxers. As you know the reward is endless
joy. There was a study done, a survey of the top hundred executives in
America. They were asked to what they attributed their success. Believe
it or not, about eighty of them said they believed it was due to having
a dog as a child. Isn't that great? I would assume it's the feeling of
responsibility, trust and reward, and caretaking of others. So get
out there and get that two year old son of yours a briefcase! And I'm
sure you'd want me to tell our readers that to successfully have a dog
with such a small child, they should always have adult supervision, as
children don't know how delicate a dog is. And lavishing affection
on both in the presence of the other is the best way to teach them how
to treat each other.
We definitely owe Good Day LA (Channel 11) a huge thank you for helping
us place so many boxers this year. They have us on once a month. Wanna
help out? Call or email the station and thank them too!!
Dear Elayne,
If boxers could talk, what would they say?
Thanks,
Marcia in Florida
Dear Marcia,
"Count all the votes."
Dear Elayne,
Do you have a weekend pet adoption program? I miss my boxers but my 2
bdrm condo doesn't have a yard, that is why I am hesitant to get another
boxer. I used to have three boxers, actually four, one from Ursula in
your group,
Thanks,
Don
Dear Don,
You went from four boxers to none? That's like Pavarotti going on Weight
Watchers. I do understand though. Having a dog in a condo demands a regular
walking schedule, and time doesn't always permit it. If you are at work
all day perhaps a dog walker could come and exercise your doggie in the
afternoons, until you get home for that wonderful after dinner outing.
We have so many great boxers waiting for homes, I have to say that I don't
think going from a cage to a wonderful owner without a yard would be a
bad thing at all. However, if it's not possible right now, then let me
tell you that YES, we do have "weekend pet adoption" programs.
We call it fostering, and any time we can get a dog out of a run and into
a house with a caring, boxer knowledgeable person such as yourself, even
if it's only on weekends, it makes that dog so much more adoptable in
the long run. So please feel free to call us, and make an appointment
to come to our kennel on the weekends, and choose someone to take home
and work with, or just come and help us walk and exercise and put some
lovin' on some boxers!
Dear Elayne,
I really enjoy your column. I have a possible hint for the cure
to boxers with gas (they can clear out a room in 20 seconds flat).
Our adopted boxer Sarah was keeping me up all night, so I started feeding
her on a breakfast tray, her dish was elevated about1foot. This really
helped, and probably improved the global warming problem, too.
Denise Resetar
Hollywood, CA
Dear Denise,
Shhh, we're blaming the global warming thing on the cows. Thanks for the
great suggestion. Even at the kennel, we have started to elevate the food
dishes by making small aluminum stands. You can also buy an inexpensive
small plastic patio table and cut a hole in the middle for the bowl. Feeding
them off the ground is thought to also be helpful in preventing
bloat and twisted stomach, and wetting the kibble is recommended also.
If you're going to use a breakfast tray, may I recommend adding a rose
in a vase and a copy of the Daily Growl.
Dear Elayne,
My family and I adopted our boxer, Dutch (Buddy) in June. At that
time he was 9 months old and had a previous life of being beaten, escaping
to the San Bernadino mountains, and being hit by a car. At the time
he was adopted, he was in extremely poor shape, but had gained 30 loving
pounds with the care of my husband, our boys, and I. He is thriving
and the best boxer anyone could be blessed with.
We just have one problem..................he eats his poop. Do you
think he was on the run so long that he ate poop to survive? How
can we break this habit?
Carol in Roseville
Dear Carol,
Boy was Buddy lucky to have found you wonderful guys! Sounds like he was
in a bad cable remake of "Papillon". Do you think you could
do anything with Robert Downey Jr.?
As to your theory of why he eats his poop, I don't think that's it. After
all, my people were on the run in the desert for forty years, and
the worst thing we ever ended up eating was matzoh. Of course, poop has
more flavor, and it might have been different if we were lost in
San Bernadino.
Buddy could have either a vitamin deficiency, a learned bad habit, or
he just likes fast food. If your vet says he's healthy and his bloodwork
is normal, then it's probably not vitamins. So, you are going to have
to add a product to his food, to attack the problem at the source. There
is a product called "Forbid" which can be purchased at a vet,
or possibly at a pet store. The recommended dosage is one packet daily
added to his food, for results in about a day or two. Here's the interesting
thing. The main ingredient is sodium glutamate, which is, taa daa.. Accent!!
So that's why we don't eat our own poop after having Chinese food! Add
a teaspoon of Accent to your boy's food and he'll be done with poop and
eating out of the trash in no time.
Dear Elayne,
We limit our links out from The White Boxer Chronicles to keep the
content simple and clear but I would like to link to your site from
our "About" page, if you agree. I think you offer a valuable
and fun service.
Anton Uhl
The White Boxer Chronicles
http://www.wtboxer.com
Dear Readers,
The White Boxer Chronicles is a beautiful and fun site chronicling the
real life adventures of two very loved white boxers. If there ever was
a clear argument against the insane practice of summarily dismissing and
killing white boxers, or even wearing briefs or any other kind of
bikini underwear, the beauty and personality of these two dogs is it.
Log on for a treat.
Dear Elayne,
I rescued a female brindle boxer about 6 months ago from the rescue.
The vet thinks she's about 4-5 yrs old and has probably had 2 litters
already. About 2 weeks ago she has started to walk with her back
legs facing the side. I know it's hard to visualize, but it looks like
she is trying to turn herself into the letter "C" but walking!
I have no idea what to think, and what worries me is that lately I find
her
constantly licking her top portion of her tail or stub?? Well, hope
you have some advice.
Thanks,
Becky Macias
Ventura, CA USA
Dear Becky,
So sorry I didn't have the opportunity to answer this letter sooner. I
hope you have already found some answers. However, our expert veterinarian,
Dr. Lara Rasmussen, DVM, has this to offer:
"This is a tough one to council. If she is not in any pain,
then it is
unlikely a spinal problem. Given that she is licking
at her rump, she may be very itchy or her anal sacs may be bothering her.
When a dog's hind end is really irritated, they can walk "side saddle".
If both legs are turning out to opposite sides (versus same side), she
may
have knee problems. But that generally looks more like limping."
I hope your doggie is already feeling better. You know, even in humans,
after two litters, you start to walk with your legs facing the side.
Dear Elayne,
I have a 9 month old female boxer named Sasha. Recently, her vet
noticed that she has demodectic (red) mange and that she contracted it
from her mother. He said that it is not contagious and that it is
strictly hereditary. I read about it on the internet, didn't look
like too big a deal. But when I ask people about it, they react
like it is a death
sentence. She is still young and is being treated by the vet both
with
ointment and biweekly dips. Is it as bad as some people say or will
my
little girl be ok?
Ms. Sara Phillips
Dear Ms. Phillips,
Your real problem is in asking people about mange. That's no way to start
a conversation. Begin with the weather, current books and music, moving
on to politics…oh…I can see why you 'd rather discuss
mange.
Your little girl will be fine , according to our expert vet Dr. Lara Rasmussen,
DVM,:
"Mange caused by demodex is not contagious to humans. It may
be present in multiple dogs (same litter commonly) if their immune
system is not up to speed. The word "mange" makes everyone
squirm. Sarcoptic mange is contagious to other dogs and people,
so that is where it gets the bad rap. No worries about the demodex.
It is almost always treatable, and your dog will be "normal"
soon."
Aren't dogs lucky? The worst thing they get from their mothers is mange,
we get body type.
Dear Elayne,
My boxer has worms. Have you ever had worms?
Scooter's Dad
South Pasadena
Dear Scooter's Dad,
I am so sorry but you will have to wait until we update our column before
we tell you whether or not we have had worms. Unfortunately, due to the
enormous volume of my viewer mail, (I am now up to three letters a month)
I cannot answer letters personally. And now if you'll excuse me, I have
to go drag my butt across the carpet.
Elayne,
Many years ago, you and I met during one of your local L.A performances,
and you really made me laugh with the wonderful stories you shared about
your boxer, I believe his name was Petey. We
met after the show, we exchanged phone numbers and you invited me
to your home with my boxer Tiger.
I am writing you to let you know that I adore your work, and your
true love of the breed, (no other quite like them), is most admirable.
I am very pleased that you are helping to support Boxer-Rescue (L.A.).
They are a hard working and dedicated organization. I lost my Tiger only
after 5 short years of her life, but have since been blessed with another
great boxer, Gabriella, who I have had since a puppy and now she
is 10 yrs old. I will certainly look towards Boxer-Rescue
in the future, when ready for another companion.
Hope we may meet again in the future.
Very best regards,
Susan Belisle, Burbank, Ca.
Dear Susan,
I remember it well. It was so rare to find boxer owners then (little did
I know) that I was in the habit of inviting total strangers to my
house if they promised to show up with a dog. I remember Tiger, and I
even remember you calling me to let me know when she was slipping
away. So, I guess that Ginko Biloba money wasn't wasted after all!
It's so great to hear from you again, and I'm so happy that you have Gabriella.
We should tell people that this happened around fifteen years ago, and
now that I'm a jaded show business celeb, strangers must prove they have
a dog before I invite them over.
Dear Elayne,
Me and my family are pet lovers. We have two pomeranians, a male
and a female, and a parrot. The problem is that they are full of ticks.
Every day we clean them but still ticks are found on them. Some of our
relatives don't even come to our place. We applied some medicines, bathed
them with shampoos, injected them with anti-tick, etc. but of no
use. Please help.
Vicky.
Dear Vicky,
So that's how you get your relatives to stop coming over. Thanks!
Here's what our expert vet, Dr. Lara Rasmussen, DVM, has to say:
"I would first recommend that you confirm that it is indeed ticks.
You can find many pictures on the Internet to make sure. If they
are indeed ticks and you are finding that many, the dog's environment
is quite contaminated with ticks. If they are just allowed in the
yard, you can have professionals treat your yard for ticks. The
dogs can receive topical medication specifically designed to repel ticks.
Ask your veterinarian for this. You may also want to have your house
treated, so that you are "starting from scratch" with no ticks."
They sound so unrelenting they don't even sound like ticks, they sound
like agents. If they are ticks, and that has to be confirmed
first, I think you need a professional exterminating company to come over
and blast your place inside and out, and start over. It sounds like you
have done everything possible to your pets. Remember, there's a bright
side to every problem, at least you got rid of the relatives.
Dear Elayne,
I love to kiss my Boxers right on the lips but my friends says it is gross.
I say dog germs are much less germy than human ones. Am I right? How can
I make them see things my way? I refuse to stop kissing my babies.
Trish in Phoenix : -)
Dear Trish,
Start by waiting at least a half hour after your dog has drunk out of
the toilet before kissing her on the lips. Also, try not to get caught
in that tricky:
"IjustlickedmyentirereproductivetractandnowI'mgoingtoambushyouforakiss"
moment.
I've been known to share an ice cream cone with my dog, back and forth,
so you may be asking the wrong person. But I'd much rather have doggie
germs than human ones. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to get infected with
unbridled happiness at waking up in the morning.
Copyright Brooklyn Productions, Inc. 2000
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