Mama

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A Tribute by: Sarah Anderson

Mama came to us about a year ago, August of 2003 (or thereabouts). Where some of our senior dogs are experiencing their second puppy hood, Mama was an old senior. She had obviously been a breeder - used to make puppies and not much else. Then she was dumped in the shelter when she was no longer useful. She could have been 8 when she ended up at Boxer Rescue, no longer breedable; she was of no use anymore as she was dumped in the shelter to die.
It's sad to think that the day she was pulled from the shelter to come to our kennel may have been the best day of her life. I hope not.
At the kennel Mama was given the star treatment. She was moved over into the smaller, more personable kennel where she frequently got to socialize with the other dogs. There is even a rumor that she was a "kept woman" by a much younger dog "Nick". Several people tried to foster Mama during her stay with us, but for one reason or another it didn't work out for them and she ended up back with us. Lillian, our Boxer Nurse struck again, working with Mama and giving her the love and attention she had been deprived of throughout her life.
A new Mama began to emerge: not the haggard, downtrodden dog that was brought to the kennel, but an excited, sociable girl who looked forward to some attention and love. It was near the end of July when Lillian began to notice something wrong with Mama's breathing - too heavy, too laborious. It was blamed on the sweltering heat. Precautions were taken to cool Mama down, but even as the weather cooled, the heavy breathing continued. On 8/16/04 Mama was rushed to the vet. Lesions were found in her throat, and Mama passed over the bridge, her head cradled in the arms of Lillian, the only home she ever knew.

A Tribute By: Raphaele

I would like to share my limited experience with Mama. I took her last Wednesday to a potential foster home in Venice. I picked her up in her run at Herrick and noticed that her "boyfriend' Nick looked particularly sad to see her off. Mama of course played the diva and did not give him one look back.
The couple was well intentioned and thought their boxer, Prince, was a very submissive male. Well, one look at him and I can tell you that he was about as submissive as Ursula and I COMBINED! We all know how great Mama could be on the leash and let's say that after she lunged at him a few times, Prince had enough and was ready for the kill. Despite failing to match her up, Mama was in rare spirit that day and had a great time frolicking in their huge grassy backyard
Needless to say, I brought Mama back to Herrick that night. However, on my way back, as I was attempting to drive through Mama's constant kissing and pawing, I noticed she had a big smile on her face. Mama was the only dog that I have brought to the kennel that looked genuinely happy to return. She just waltzed into that run, greeting her audience like there was no better place for her to be. And Nick was over the moon to have her back with him...
Thank you Andrea and Dennis for being there with her that day and making the best of the situation.
Most importantly, thank you Lillian for giving Mamma the home and affection that she probably never knew; She was truly home with you.

A Tribute By: Lillian

Mama's picture was removed from the site just recently. About three weeks ago she started to show some symptoms of a breathing disorder. It was on a Sunday, not wanting her to be uncomfortable she was taken to one of our local animal emergency clinics. They diagnosed her with a paralyzed trachea. They encouraged us to keep her comfortable and keep an eye on it. Sometimes hot weather aggravates this type of disorder. She was scheduled to be placed in a foster home close by the beach the following week. We were hoping the new environment would help her. Unfortunately, the foster home didn't work out, one of the dogs at the new home was not a good match for her, he was too dominant and she came back later that day. She seemed to be breathing ok, but by the weekend the symptoms returned and we knew it was time to take her to a specialist.
She was taken into the vet's office that following Monday. The doctors put a scope down her throat and they did find some problems with the trachea, unfortunately, they also found malignant tissue surrounding the trachea. At this point the doctor called me, it was recommended that she not have to live with this. The cancer was inoperable and it would have only caused her more suffering to bring her out of the anesthesia. She was starting to wake up from the surgery and luckily I work close by the vet office, I was able to be with her when she went to sleep. Her sweet head was in my hands and I new she no longer was suffering.
Mama was in my care for a year and she was a very sweet girl. I miss her terribly, but her quality of life was jeopardized. Thank you for thinking of her.