URGENT-Rosie-URGENT

We need to find Rosie a permanent foster home as soon as possible. Rosie has come along way since we rescued her and is doing well physically. Rosie needs an experienced dog home home with no children or other animals. If you can, please help us help Rosie. She has come so far and we don't want to give up on her. Rosie's story is below. Rosie's ongoing medical expenses will be covered by Boxer Rescue Canada.

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Rosie was born on Valentine's Day 1999. She was produced by a pet breeder in the Lower Mainland and sold as a puppy to a family in the Fraser Valley . At some point in time this family decided that they wanted her to have pups. Was this was a decision made before their original purchase or an idea that cropped up later? Rosie was not purchased because of her pedigree. Her parent's were not champions in the show ring. Rosie was never shown before independent judges and was never health tested prior to her breedings.

In each of the years 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 Rosie produced a litter of pups. The total amount of pups produced by Rosie and registered with the Canadian Kennel Club was 34. In November 2004 an ad from Rosie's owner was noticed selling a 5-1/2 year female for $100.00. The change of ownership was registered that same month. Rosie had been sold to a family in the Lower Mainland.

On February 2, 2005 Rosie was found as a stray wandering in another municipality. Had Rosie been ditched by her new owners? The probability seems high; she was not wearing a collar and would likely have not walked through a tunnel or over a bridge to reach the area where she was found.

Rosie was taken to a humane shelter. She was in rough shape. She was coughing and wheezing, was missing much of her hair and her skin was patchy with open sores. Her tattoo was not easy to read and in a busy shelter no one had the time to investigate closer. The shelter contacted Boxer Rescue Canada about Rosie asking if we would take her into our care once she had spent the legally required amount of time. During her time at the shelter no one looked for her. BRC agreed to take Rosie and had the shelter proceed with medical attention.

Rosie's coughing and wheezing was due to a build up of fluids around her heart and lungs due to heart problems. Yes, Rosie has Boxer Cardiomyopathy and now congestive heart failure. Her poor coat and erupted skin was as a result of untreated hypothyroidism.

Rosie's after pictures were taken three months after her arrival in foster care and three months on heart and thyroid medications and a proper diet. She is a new dog both in appearance and in attitude and activity level. Rosie's diagnostic tests cost approximately $700.00 and her medications cost $90.00 per month. Rosie takes a heart medication, a diuretic to help prevent the build up of fluids and thyroid medication. Rosie celebrated her 6 th birthday in the care of Boxer Rescue Canada and will likely remain in our care for the remainder of her life.

Rosie will not be a long lived boxer. Our best hope is that Rosie will live to be 8 years of age. And while Rosie will not live long, the life that she now leads will be a quality life filled with love and attention.

And what of Rosie's 34 puppies? Will they be subject to the same health concerns as their mother? Reputable breeders test all their breeding stock before producing any puppies. If Rosie had been in the hands of a reputable breeder, health testing would have been done and it is unlikely that she would ever have produced puppies.

Of Rosie's 34 puppies, two have already been surrendered and re-homed by Boxer Rescue Canada . Do we expect to see more of her pups? Unfortunately, yes.

Please email is at holyboxersbatman@shaw.ca

Please go to http://www.boxerrescuecanada.org/ then scroll down the frame on the left hand side to “Available Boxers”. Click on “Available Boxers” then scroll down the right hand side until you read the story and see the pictures entitled “Urgent-Rosie-Urgent”.