05/28/12: Felix is Adopted!
04/12/12: On hold /
Currently not accepting
applications for Felix
03/16/12: Felix Is The
Snuggle King
We
received a call from a
shelter several weeks ago,
asking if NBR could help a
handsome 5 year old neutered
boxer named Felix. He was
brought to the shelter by
his family who were now
traveling and could no
longer care for him. This
sad boxer boy was part of
their family since he was a
puppy, but he was now
considered a burden. Their
children had grown and moved
out of the house, so they
dropped Felix off at a kill
shelter where he had a good
chance of losing his life.
Felix was obviously
traumatized having been
abandoned by his family and
was not doing well in the
shelter environment, as you
could imagine. Based on the
shelter’s behavior
evaluation they determined
Felix would not be adoptable
through their adoption
program. Their reasoning;
“He was mostly aloof and
ignored the handler through
the test and when he did pay
attention he tried to clasp
the handler with his paws”.
(This seems like typical
boxer behavior to us). He
also was very uncomfortable
when introduced to a
stranger.
When we read the
shelter's report regarding
Felix's behavior we arranged
for one of our experienced
volunteers to evaluate
Felix. She could find
nothing that was of concern.
Unfortunately, at that time,
we did not have an available
foster home and could not
immediately take Felix into
our program. Thankfully, the
shelter agreed to keep him
until we had room.
Kudos to our volunteer
Barry, who agreed to foster
Felix. After an eleven hour
journey by car, Felix
finally arrived safe and
sound. He traveled with two
other dogs and was handled
by many people during the
transport; he was a very
good boy giving lots of
kisses to all. A tired and
weary Felix arrived home
with Barry and soundly fell
asleep.
Felix will be seeing a
vet in the next day to check
his apparent ear infection
and to find out if he has a
bladder infection. He has
been urinating more
frequently than normal and
this type of infection is a
common side effect of
stress.
Update From Felix’s
Foster Dad:
“Everyone meet Felix!
I've only had a few days
with him, yet he is a gentle
boy who will not leave my
side. He gives lots of love
and is happy to just hang
out with you. When we go to
the park he walks on-leash
beautifully (he never pulls
on the lead). Then again, we
haven't seen any
bunnies...maybe tomorrow if
we're lucky. He really
enjoys a walk and loves
being at the park. Felix has
done wonderfully with other
canines, both traveling
across the northeast and
with my friend’s little shih
tzu pup. He, understandably,
is a little discombobulated
but seems to be bouncing
back from his ordeal
quickly. I've only heard him
bark once and that was
because Riley, his little
doggie buddy, started
barking first. Other than
snoring...not a peep.
Felix rides in a car
wonderfully and will usually
go to sleep in about five
minutes. Physically, it
looks like he needs to gain
a few pounds. Emotionally, I
can only imagine what he is
going through...he's got a
sad look sometimes, but as
long as there are people
present he seems to be a
happy boy. I'm sure the last
several weeks have been
tremendously hard on him,
but, once he gets a solid
family behind him, that will
be quickly forgotten.
I am not sure if he
knows any basics (sit, stay,
etc) as I want him to just
unwind a bit and know he is
in a safe place. I can't
wait to watch the Bruins
game tonight with Felix
because he'll jump up with
you on the couch and lay his
head on your lap and just be
content to be close and
finally loved...more to
come…”
