Rain, rain, go away

Kaiser here. Quit raining! Does anyone realize how hard it is to go to the bathroom when you are getting drenched? At least I've got a place to go without getting my feet too muddy.

Kaiser speaks!

Ok, so this guy that thinks I'm his owner started this thing about me. Geez, like he doesn't have anything better to do. Ok, anyway, about me. I'm a 10 year old, single, fawn colored boxer. I'm not that tall, but when I put my 70 lb weight behind what I want to do, it gets done. Seriously, I'm a little short, but strong, Strong, STRONG! So, I'm getting a little old, but I still have it in me. Oh, and I'm single. I already said that? But it's important! Just type it in exactly as I'm saying it! Ok, you are taking it a little far, but you can keep that much in there. Anyways, I'm single, I'm fixed(no need to worry about puppies down the road, ladies!), and so far, every female dog I've been around that has tolerated me, well, at least in name(not in deed), she's my girlfriend. I've got a gal, which you could say she's my common-law girlfriend, i.e. we see each other a lot and sniff each other in various places, but that's about it.

Back to my owner, like I said, he thinks he's my owner. But he's more like my Dad, I know I've got a real dad out there, but don't remember him. This guy takes care of me and has been a great father figure. Of course, I'm older than him now, once we convert years, but we've got a relationship that helps both of us out. I've got a brother, he's human too, and he's pretty cool, but lives with his mom most of the time. I wish I saw him more. Plus, a few years ago, I got a new step family, for the first time, I've got a step-mom! She is very attentive of me, and makes me feel good by scratching for me behind my ears. I also got a step sister and two step brothers. They're pretty cool, except for the step brother who isn't human. omg. He's a black and white cat, about three years old. Not material for a BFF. Like tonight, the little fuzz ball was going bonkers because it was raining and he wanted out. Lol! Where is that guys brains? But he idolizes me, no matter how hard I try to ignore him! When I go out, he has to go out, then, when I'm ready to come in , he has to walk step in step with me, right by my side but behind me just a little bit. Anyways, a good family, and a good first post for me. Ok, quit typing now, I'm done, time for a nap.

Kaiser_Boxer

Seizures

When he was young, less than a year old, Kaiser had a couple of seizures. Both were in the morning, as I would hear him waking up, and knowing he would need to go outside to do his morning duties, I would let him out. Both times he took off outside at a reasonable jog, then I saw him flop over on his side, then his legs would flail. As I saw it happen, I had a feeling of total helplessness. Of course, there was nothing I could do. I approached him carefully, and I remember the first time, I thought he was choking on something, because his breathing seemed erratic. I used my fingers to make sure his airway was clear, then softly patted his side, and in a minute or two, he came out of it and slowly made his way back to his feet. I recall it happened again a few weeks later and then no more.

Until this past year, when he had some other health problems. He's had four or five seizures this year, but none the past three months. Of course, I'm not sure of the reason, Boxers are said to be prone to seizures, but all of them seemed to be preceded by scolding him for some reason or another. It's been a wet year, and he likes to drink water from puddles. Not usually a huge problem, but with his other problems, his thirst can be insatiable. So I would go get him at whatever puddle he would be at, would tell him sternly something like "Kaiser, you know you aren't supposed to drink from puddles, c'mon, let's get to the house". He would go into a light jog and Blammo! down on his side, stiff legged and once he even lost control of his bowels. There's not a lot I could do, just help him through it and help him to his feet when it was past. I still have a sense of panic and worry when it happens, but after this year, they are easier to deal with, but probably not for him. :-(

Introduction-Who is Kaiser?

Kaiser is a 10 year old, fawn, Boxer dog. Hopefully, others will read about his story and learn things about the Boxer breed. Of course, looking back upon his life so far as a whole, everything has gone pretty well. Looking upon specific periods though, may help a potential owner of a boxer realize the joys as well as health concerns of the breed. I am by no means an expert on the breed, nor a veterinarian, but I did grow up around Boxers. My parents raised Boxers for 20+ years and of course, I have owned...excuse me, have been owned by Kaiser for over 10 years now. So when I speak of health concerns, it only applies to what Kaiser and I have gone through, our experiences only.