Foxy

1993 to March 3, 2006

Foxy came to us back in May of 1995. We had recently lost our 14 year old Brittany, Buffy and I saw Foxy one day at The Nebraska Humane Society. She had just come in with her litter of 2 week old puppies and was scared to death. She huddled in the corner of her cage while her puppies where milling around. I asked the Kennel Supervisor if I could take her and her puppies home and foster them. Even though she was so scared, she allowed me to handle her and her puppies. I loaded them all in my Jeep and headed home. Once there, I put her and her pups in our outdoor kennel so she could get acquainted with our dogs. That didn't go to well as she was extremely protective of her pups when Duncan and Hulkster came walking by. Tried it again with out the puppies around and things went much smoother. Got her set up in the kitchen in a large crate and a blanket over the sides to give her some much needed security. Later that night, I decided she needed a bath. She was perfect in the tub but afraid of the hair dryer so we toweled her off and let her hang out in front of some fans to be combed dry. Once she was dry, she wanted back in with her pups. After a couple of weeks, I devised a pen so she could jump in and out, but the puppies couldn't follow. That worked great. Foxy never had an accident the entire time she was being fostered. She even had "her spot" on the couch and her very own blanket to cuddle in. Time was running out and I felt I needed to find her the perfect home. I thought I had found a nice lady that would give Foxy what she needed, that didn't end the best. By August, Fox was home to stay.

Foxy bonded especially close to Duncan. They played together, hung out together and slept together. She would get quite jealous when Duncan would try playing with some of the other foster dogs that were brought home, especially Grayce the Boxer.

Foxy tolerated so many foster dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. She would even go as far as to let some of the orphaned kittens nurse on her. Foxy was our Queen and would put the other dogs in their place by just a look, low growl or air snap. Not many challenged her, including our own dogs.

When Stone came in the picture, she accepted him as long as he didn't pull on her tail. They ended up being hunting partners in crime and cornered many rabbits and squirrels over the years.

Over the years, Foxy got to go many places that other dogs can only dream about. She went camping, fishing and boating at Big Mac, Lake Oahe, Fort Randal and even camped in Yellowstone. We usually went camping every holiday in the spring, summer and fall and our dogs were part of those trips. Her first outing, she was so scared getting into the truck. She sat in a corner and shivered for the entire drive. I'm sure she felt she was going to be dumped again. When she figured that hooking the boat up and loading the truck with camping gear meant fun times to be had, she was more than willing to go. In fact, she would jump in the truck if we left the door open when it was parked in the yard. She'd sit in the back and refuse to get out. It got to be a game with her that we'd have to drive it around the block before she'd get out. Guess she had us figured out too.

I am so happy that she was able to spend her last years in our new home with us. We built our home with our dogs in mind. Dog door in the garage, vinyl flooring and windows where they could look out without having to jump up on something were all important to us.

A few weeks ago, Foxy quit eating and was under the weather. The dogs and I had all fallen asleep together and when she got up, she was limping. That went away after a few days, and with that went her appetite. She quit eating and her energy level started to fall. She still enjoyed a good roll in the snow or grass and hopped around the house like a young dog, but something wasn't right. On a Monday morning, she woke us up having dry heaves. I took her to work with me that day and made an appointment to see the vet on the way home. That day at work will always be special to me as she was so happy to go for that car ride and to be with me in my office. She made friends with all my employees and their dogs. That vet appointment was not very promising. Her liver was enlarged and her liver enzymes were elevated. Our vet didn't know what was wrong and suggested an ultrasound. I opted to take her home and baby her with meds and special food. She received a steroid shot which at that time helped stimulate her appetite. I was so happy Tuesday morning when she ate her food with gusto and wanted more. I thought we had conquered her illness. That wasn't to be and by Wednesday evening, her appetite was leaving again. Thursday I called our vet and we put her on prednisone to see if that would again help stimulate her appetite. It didn't have a chance to kick in. Thursday evening she was especially affectionate and wanted to be cuddled and petted. She cuddled on Mike's lap and then she cuddled on my lap demanding to have her belly rubbed. If I quit, she would grasp my hands with her front paws and push them back to her belly. I had some extra time on Friday morning and called her in bed to cuddle under the covers. Each morning when I leave, Duncan and her go downstairs to spend the day with their "Grandma". That morning, she kept stopping and turning to look back at me. If I had known that was the last I would see her, I would have scooped her up and taken her to work with me again. By Friday mid-morning our little black dog as she was fondly called left us in her sleep.

She was truly a one in a million dog and we will miss her deeply for quite some time. Her special spots in our home are empty now and will never be filled by another like her.

Below is what I had put on her page years back. It will continue to be part of her tribute.

I am Mom's special project. I came to her by chance and since she has such a soft spot for all creatures, she took me in.

From the beginning I felt that I belonged with her and tried my best to show this. I was the perfect houseguest and even went to my own spot on the couch when told to. I really enjoyed playing with her other dogs, especially Duncan . I couldn't understand why she took me back to the Humane Society when I had behaved so well in her home. She kept telling me that she found a great home for me to be in. I thought no home is as good as these, soft things to lay on, a steady supply of food, a yard to kill for and great buddies to play with. I went to my new home and I tried to be good, but the lady that adopted me just didn't understand that I needed more than what she could give me. I overheard her one day talking to someone on the phone telling the other end to come and get this dog, as she just isn't working out. She's destroying my house and even bit me. Could this lady be talking about me? Who is she talking too? Maybe my real Mom will come and get me!! I could only hope. A few hours later, a familiar sound came to my ears..could it be!! Yes, Mom had come back for me!! I raced around so happy and full of joy. Then I noticed a look upon her face. She saw how skinny I had become and my beautiful coat that she worked so hard on was gone, but she knelt down and called me over to her. I raced and leaped into her arms never to let go of her again.

I heard Mom and Dad talking about placing me in a new home, but that didn't last very long.

Since that fateful day in May of 1995, I have been part of a real family. I've gone boating, fishing, camping and swimming. Oh how I love to swim. My first time out camping was at Fort Randall in South Dakota . Mom and Dad weren't sure how I'd act. I was great. They took me to an island and we all got out and ran, played and swam in the river. Oh how great it is to be loved and cherished.

Enjoy my pictures

Foxy