Happy, excited and sad all together - animal related.

In August I had to put my beloved pug, Bogart, to sleep.  He was 13.  I miss him.  When I bought this house, the girl and I started discussing a dog.  I wanted more like a pug....she wanted a Great Dane :-P. Luckily we had to postpone till this month so we had time to research all options...breed, age, adopting vs purchase from breeder or store.  We have always Adopted but I find more the adoption process is harder, not very informative about the animal/flat out lied too etc.  anyway we had an interesting time looking into it all. Our lives are very different now so our dog options are different.

i had been kinda stalking the animal control shelter here, as well as the humane society etc.  yesterday I found a dog that seemed to fit what we were looking for, however, they were not open till today.  So this morning we showed up bright and early :-) he is perfect for us.  Perfect size, perfect temperament, etc.  granted we have only had him a few hours, but it feels right.  He will need a little training but so far so good.  Yay!!!! We are pretty excited and have enjoyed getting to know him.  He is thought to be 5 years old a dis a brown and white boxer, but on the small side for a boxer.

now for the sad.  This is my first adoption that has been obviously abused and he will bear the scars forever. It appears he may have been used as a bait dog.  The shelter said they think he wAs mauled around a year old but they do not know if it was a onetime thing or multiple times.  He has huge black scars on his body, his feet are missing skin and different kinds of scaring, his left ear is mostly gone, and looks like it had been chewed off.  The biggest scar is on his neck and the cone of shame from his neuter surgery has rubbed it raw.  He startles at loud noises and raised voices, but hissy cats dont seem to phase him lol. My heart broke when we met him and they told us his story.  Honestly how he looks ontheoutside is exactly how I feel on the inside.  How could I not love him???

he is a huge cuddle bug.  When you pet him he leans into you.  The more you pet, the more he leans     He follows us everywhere.  We took him to the pet store with us and he charmed all the ladies there.  They were helping us find toys etc for him, which he loves.  It was hard playing tug with him.  He would play but had as scared look in his eyes like he wasn't sure it was okay.  I keep assuring him it is and periodically he will bring me a toy to throw or tug.  

I am on my iPad and haven't figured out the photo thing from here yet.  I'm working on it I promise :-). I took photos of the scars and open wounds for comparison in a few months.  I won't post them here because I know it will upset a few...believe me it upsets me too.  

Oh and his name is Rocky :-)