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Tribute:
In Loving Memory - Josie
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We got Josie at Boxer Rescue LA in November 2000. Our decision was partially due to our babysitting a boxer in the neighborhood, and loved having it around. We discovered Boxer Rescue by searching the internet. We wanted to rescue to avoid the puppy issues. Also, my wife had never had a dog before, so there were some concerns there as well.
We visited BRLA and were shown a number of dogs, and then they brought out Josie. She was a very small framed dog, but also had been on the streets for some time. She was probably 20 pounds underweight, skin and bones, and very timid. It seemed like we could take some time to get to know her and her to know us.
Taking Josie out for her first walks was a challenge. She was very shy and timid on the leash. Then we discovered she had a complete fear of traffic and large trucks. Too, she was scared of anything with a long handle like a broom. We figured she had experienced some abuse while living on the streets. But all the while, she loved us completely and seemed to appreciate that we had rescued her.
Soon Josie gained weight and filled in quite well. Her skittish behavior continued for some time, but got better a little all the time. Not the most dainty of ladies, she accumulated her share of scrapes, bites and wounds from hard playing at Doggie Daycare which she loved.
In May 2005, we adopted Higgins, a 1 year old male boxer we discovered in the BRLA kissing booth at the Manhattan Beach Pet Appreciation Day. He ultimately adopted us all, and after some adjustments, they were best of buddies. The two of them could not have been happier with each other. And truly bonded as a pair. As it seems many boxers do, they would snuggle with each other a lot.
Over the course of the past few months, we noticed a lot of odd little things in Josie’s behavior. She could no longer jump up onto the bed, or into our Jeep. Assistance was required most times she tried. Then we noticed some other small odd things, but did not connect the dots.
Unfortunately last evening, the two were playing really hard in the back and my wife found Josie collapsed on the ground. Josie was not moving. I ran and tried to perform mouth-to-mouth while my wife got the keys to the car and we got her to the vet. But her little heart was barely beating and then gave out.
Higgins seems to know that she is gone and is in a funk today. I am sure with time that we will all feel better, but will always miss our Josie. We will all miss her a lot and wish she was still here. She touched us deeply and has left a hole in our hearts.
Richard Knapp
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