This is Roxy. Gorgeous girl, 2 yrs old, knows all her basic obedience and has excellent recall.
I saw the ad for her on Kijiji. I was smitten. Went out to Beaumont (45 min drive) to meet her and the owner, Danielle. I learned that the original owners bred Roxy at 14 months old. This is reprehensible! Danielle said it was an unwise decision for them to get Roxy and they felt badly that they didn't consider the fact that they were growing their family and wouldn't be able to meet Roxy's needs once the new baby arrived. The remainder of the conversation went well and I took Roxy for a long walk. She did well in the heel, requiring only a few 'reminders' to follow.
Back at the house, Danielle's 2 yr old daughter played with Roxy: picked up her feet, played with her paw pads and counted her nipples. Roxy stood quietly, the gentle nanny, over the girl. It was precious. I told Danielle that I would call her the next day with my decision. She told me that she really liked me and would be thrilled if I took her as she appreciated my demeanor with Roxy and Roxy felt comfortable with me so quickly. This was Tuesday afternoon.
I gave it a day + to decide, not wanting to make an emotional decision (a new life goal). In the end, I called Danielle to tell her I would take Roxy if I could bring Molly out to meet her and evaluate her reaction to my 2lb pup. Danielle informed me that she would be visiting her mother on the wknd and that she lived in Sherwood Park so I could come on Friday night with Molly.
I then asked Danielle if she could fax me over Roxy's vet records. Danielle informed me that the people they bought her from were moving and said they would forward the records to them when they got settled. That was over 4 months ago but she would call them to see about retrieving them for me. Things were going well...or so I thought. This was Thursday.
On Friday afternoon at 1pm, I called Danielle to inquire about the vet records. No answer. Left a msg on the voice mail. No return call forthcoming. 5pm Thursday afternoon (we were scheduled to meet at 6pm), I called again. She answered but it was evident she was caught off guard by my call. Wasn't she expecting me? I suspect she failed to 'screen' my incoming call.
"Hi, Danielle. I was just calling to see how things were progressing with those vet records."
"She's gone."
"Pardon me?
"She went to her new home this afternoon. They live on a farm and were really nice."
"And they didn't want vet records, right?"
Click.
To say I was disappointed would be mild. I steadied myself though, reminding myself, "You get what you need." I've been working diligently on reminding myself that all things happen when they should, how they should, with whom they should. My only job is to do my best to make wise decisions and trust God to guide me. I told myself when I decided to take Roxy that I would only do so if vet records could be produced. There are soooooo many schemers on Kijiji, you have to be hyper vigilant in order to protect yourself from ne'er do wellers.
I consulted with a boxer breeder I've known for a couple of years now. She told me that a lot of people will try to breed a boxer only to find out that she cannot have decent/healthy puppies, especially when they breed her too young as in Roxy's case. Also, when you breed them that young, they often develop health issues that prevent them from having future litters and can potentially cause health issues later on in life.
This isn't saying that Roxy doesn't deserve a loving family. She most definitely does! But I've seen too many people 'rescue' a dog only to have to give them up because they discover health issues that were NOT disclosed by the previous owner. Health issues that result in treatments that are costly and sometimes, prohibitive for the owner. This sends the poor dog through yet another cycle of being re-homed or euthanized. So unfair! Her new family should spay her immediately, though. I hope all this is NOT the case with Roxy and that she truly went to a good family that will love her and take good care of her. Although she was not meant to join my pack, I'll remember her gentle nature and presence. God bless and keep her.
NOTE: Before obtaining a dog, it is reasonable to budget for health care which can include 2-3 trips to an emergency clinic if illness or injury occurs past regular business hours. Emergency care can quickly enter the $thousands. Be prepared! Many pet owners subscribe to Pet Plan Insurance which can come in handy when unfortunate events occur.
