January 17, 1999. My wife decided to get me an early birthday present. It had been about a year and a half since our last boxer, Whitney, had passed away at the age of 11. Her playmate, Shane, had died a year earlier at age 10. We were now complete empty nesters. No dogs - children off to college. It was just the two of us. But the house felt empty. My wife learned of Boxer Rescue and made an appointment for us to meet with Ursula at the Sun Valley kennel. We were interested in adopting a young fawn male, whom Ursula introduced to us as her "good looking boy." He was 14-months old and 75 pounds of pure energy. He had a number of scars indicating that he had had a difficult beginning, but he was still extremely friendly and playful. We immediately knew we would adopt this pup, and named him I pr "Indy" for short. Then l looked from inside the house, out came this scrawny underfed 8-month old brindle female. She quietly climbed into my lap, curled herself up, and went to sleep. What were we to do? It wasn't a matter of us choosing her-she chose us. So we left the kennel with two adoptees-Indiana and Zoe.

The two immediately hit it off, both with each other and with us. They went for jogs with me in the morning. They would play with anyone whom then came into contact with. They would even hang out with me at the town center on weekends when I would sit by the fountain and read the Sunday papers. Adults and kids would stop and ask to pet the dogs. I was amazed to learn how many of the adults admitted to having boxers as kids. On more than one occasion when I mentioned that they were adopted from Boxer Rescue, there would be immediate recognition and a mention of Ursula by name.

Indiana was our "goofy boy." It was not only his looks, but his actions. He was big and clumsy. He was definitely a kisser. Even people who didn't like to be licked by a dog would allow Indiana to show his affection. When he ran through the house, you had to get out of the way. And when he walked, he had this little pigeon-toe act in front which made him walk like John Wayne. This went on for two years. Then, one day, Indiana began having coughing fits. We took him to the vet. We were referred to specialists. We know boxers are prone to tumors, but having boxers for almost 40 years, we've never had problems with a dog so young. Even Zoe was concerned. She would accompany Indy to the vet and "question" him or her, checking out the equipment and the room before letting the vet near her best friend. You couldn't do anything without here approval. She wouldn't leave his side.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, it all happened quickly-three months from start to finish. Then the day came when we would have to end it. We all went for a walk in the morning. We played in the park (at least as best we could). When it was finally over and my wife and I returned from the vet, Zoe didn't even look around for her playmate. She already knew.

We've decided to wait a few months before returning to Boxer Rescue and adopting another dog. The fact that we're returning is not in question. It's just that all of us needed a little time to adjust. We miss our "good looking 'goofy' boy." He was one of a kind.

Indiana
November 1997 - March 2001
Peter & Aggie Winston

Note: Indiana died from cancer of the heart age 3.
Peter & Aggie Winston just adopted another boxer from BRLA in July 2001