Saturday, November 27, 2010

Mr. Boz

He's not much of a talker. He can't read. He slobbers when he eats, he snores and oh god, does he have gas. But he comes when I call, he loves me more than he loves any other woman and when I gaze into his big, brown eyes I love him right back.

Here's one of the first pictures we took of Boz, when he first came from Boxer Rescue to live with us. Look at that lean, mean, fightin' machine! But of course Boz is no fighter. He's a lover to his core.

Boz was shy at first, just trying to figure out where he fit in the pack. But gradually he came out of his shell. He's a great communicator with a distinctive personality and a vast array of emotions. I had no idea how much I was going to love him. It amazes me how deeply we've bonded with him and how naturally his presence transformed a couple into a family.

I'm posting photos of Boz today to encourage you to read Giving Thanks for Animal Rescue by Karin Bugge at Altadena Patch, where bloggers local and worldwide pitched in words and photos of their adopted darlings. I also hope you'll adopt a pet if you're looking; as was mentioned in the discussion at Patch, you can find any kind of dog at local rescue shelters--purebred, mix, adult or puppy. Start at petfinder.com. There's no need to perpetuate puppy mills when these wonderful animals are already available.

It's been seven and a half years since Boz came to us from the shelter. The neighborhood kids know him; sometimes they ring our doorbell to ask if he can come out and play. He's a fun guy with a great personality, still learning new tricks, the dog of my dreams.

He's growing old now and I treasure every moment with him because I know he won't always be here. I often tell him, "I love you." He knows what it means. It means he's a good boy.

33 comments:

Latino Heritage said...

Ms. Leia is our dog. She came from the Pasadena Humane Society when she was 8 weeks old. She and Boz share some traits that would not be listed with social graces.
Like Boz she is a love and at 12 her body is getting tired; she seems even slower because of the meds she takes to help modify her allergies, hypothyroidism, and to keep away convulsions.
I've been lucky enough to have dogs in my life for over half a century. In that time I've never known a dog that was more loving.
She has been a constant source of affection. I am so glad that we found each other at the Humane Society.

Dina said...

A wonderful love story.

Mister Earl said...

Is he named after the 70s rocker from Canton, Ohio who played in the Steve Miller Band?

Petrea Burchard said...

Roberta, that's a sweet story about Ms. Leia. I know how you feel.

Thanks, Dina. We do love our Boz.

Mister Earl, Boz is named for Charles Dickens, who published early stories under his childhood nickname of "Boz," which may or may not have been pronounced "boze." We say "bahz."

Anonymous said...

Awwwww. He looks like some 30's movie star in the backseat of a limo. Except Ronald Coleman never said wooo-wooo-wooo.

I'll link this over at my place. Just to prove Boz had a waist.

Unknown said...

What a great tribute to a loving dog, Petrea! Boz is a sweetie for sure.

Petrea Burchard said...

Bark Gable. Gary Pooper. Jimmy Pewart. I got a million of 'em. Thanks for linking, Hiker.

That he is, Lori. Thanks.

Mister Earl said...

I like his tiara!

WV: emeat. No comment I can share.

TheChieftess said...

Boz is a sweetie...and what a handsome young pup he was!!!

Bellis said...

Wow, Boz was one good-looking young man! But he's aged well - the white around his face really suits him. Hope you have the pleasure of his company for many years to come.

Craig's list, Pets category, is also a very good place to look for animals that need new homes. That's where I found Abby. Her owner had a new job that involved a lot of travel, and she was lonely. As soon as we saw one another, we fell in love. (Abby and I, I mean, though had I been younger and single, I would have moved in with her owner, a dishy fighter pilot at Edwards Air Force base).

Petrea Burchard said...

We love this photo of Boz, Earl, and we've always wished that old plant shelf wasn't in it.

He was a looker, but we love him for his personality: sweet, willing and sweet!

Mister Earl said...

I know the feeling, Petrea. I have a nice photo of a baseball player with a light standard coming out of his head!

Unknown said...

A beautiful tribute to a great pup.

Susan Campisi said...

Boz was a real stud and has grown into a distinguished elderly pooch. I can see why you're so in love with him. I'm falling in love just looking at his pictures.

Anonymous said...

if you haven't, you ought to check out the area at the very top of Holliston

Margaret said...

What a sweetheart. I did not know that about Mr. Dickens, how literary. Sometimes people ask me if Scout is named after the Character in To Kill a Mockingbird. Actually, my daughter was just wearing her Girl Scout Tee Shirt when we were thinking of names.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, guys. Yeah, we had both just read a great bio of Dickens by Peter Ackroyd. Since Boz had a bit of an urchin quality, not to mention his history of being found on the street, it seemed to fit.

Anonymous: how cryptic. I'll check it out.

Petrea Burchard said...

Anonymous, I drove by the top of Holliston and refreshed my memory today. A lovely area, private street. I've posted some photos from back in there but haven't identified them because of the privacy thing. But there are plenty more pictures to be taken.

Shell Sherree said...

Males always look so distinguished with grey hair, don't they. And I've loved seeing Boz's baby photo, Petrea. I'm know Ella understands when I tell her I love her. Every moment with them is a gift beyond measure.

Ms M said...

A wonderful story, very appropriate for the holiday weekend. I'm so glad you and Boz found each other. :)
We have a kitty who's about 12 now that my office rescued in 2000, with her 5 kittens. We kept them in a spare room, took care of them, and then found homes for all of them, except the mom. And I ended up taking her home with me.

Jean Spitzer said...

Boz is handsome in both his photos. Lovely tale. You and he are lucky to have each other.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks for your stories, everyone. I love hearing them all. Ms. M, so many would have kept a kitten instead! I'm glad you kept the mom.

Yvonne said...

Well, how can I knit properly when I have tears in my eyes!? So many touching stories to follow, from Shell's blog. Sniffle.

Unknown said...

Hi Petrea, i've just discovered your blog! It's amazing how you are able to tell stories throught picutres and words!

Greetings from Italy
Pop Mosaic

Petrea Burchard said...

Hello Yvonne, thanks for stopping in. Yes, lots of stories! I've been reading them all, too. Thanks to Karin we were all so touched by Pepe's story that we were moved to tell our own.

Welcome, Pop Mosaic! Glad to see you and thank you for the nice words!

Trish said...

LOVE the "baby" pic of Boz. The tiara is wonderful and a little photoshop work would take it right out of the picture.

LOVE AH's comment about proof of his waist!

Amazing how he has become more distinguished with his whitening. Hope he just keeps ticking along. We knew a golden who turned into a "snowface" as she aged. Sad to see them age, but glad to be along for the ride!

Petrea Burchard said...

Boz does have a waist, by the way. You just have to look at him from above.

Steven said...

Without dogs, man would have vanished eons ago. Fish sustains a man, dogs nourish a man. I love dogs.

Petrea Burchard said...

I believe you're right, Steven.

Dina said...

Ah, so. I always wondered about Boz's name.
In fact, Petrea, after all these years I'm not sure I'm pronouncing your name right. Is that a long or short first e and what syllable gets the accent?

Petrea Burchard said...

I forget that people aren't sure how to pronounce it. It's "puh-TREE-uh."

One of these days I'm going to have a new website and I'll put a pronouncer on it. Thanks for asking.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Love to "meet" Mr. Boz! He looks adorable!
I also have a lovely friend, named Flora, and she has 13 years. She is an old ladie and I also treasure every moment with her!

Petrea Burchard said...

Hi Sonia, welcome! I think I know how you feel about your Flora.