Boxer dog stories featuring Tigger the brindle boxer

(Continued page 2)

My boxer dog stories continue with the pontoon boat episode. We went to the lake and rented a pontoon boat for the day. I enjoyed riding on the pontoon boat, but I did not want anything to do with the water. Dad and Mom would pull the boat up to the bank so I could get off and use the bathroom, but I did not go very good.

One time while we were at the bank Dad tried to help me off the boat on the bank so I could go, but I fell in the water instead. Dad said my eyes were as big as saucers and I was swimming in circles and then started swimming in the wrong direction. Dad jumped in and turned me in the right direction and I got to the bank. Dad said he was afraid I was going to have a heart attack, I don't know about that, but I think I did a number 2!

After the day was over, we turned in the boat and headed toward the car when I decided I could finally go. I stop and lifted my leg on a pole and I went, and went, and went. A crowd started to gather and they were saying "Look at him, he is still going". Mom, Dad, and I began to get embarrassed by the attention. That was my last time on a pontoon boat....thankfully.

My Soul Mate

At seven, I had gotten accustomed to being an only dog, but that would soon change. Mom and Dad left home one day and when they returned, Ooh la la, did they have a knock out! Her name was Buffy Sue and I fell head over paws in love from day one. She was perky, alert and full of spirit, and it gave this old man some spirit as well.

Buffy loved to play and chew on bones. If I had it and she wanted it, I would give it to her. She always seemed to want what I had, but who cared, I had someone to spend my time with.

Buffy liked to wade on the steps in our pool, but like me did not want to swim. We had a cover on the pool for the winter to protect it. Buffy decided she could walk on the cover, but it tore and she fell in the pool. Mom and Dad were not home and they don't know how she got out of the pool and I never told. I was just so glad she was OK, a little cut up, but she was fine. I gave her much attention after that for several weeks. Dad fenced around the cover and that was never a problem again.

I liked to drive as well. Dad had an old pickup he used to haul firewood in. He would park it in the back yard when he would unload wood and sometimes he would leave the door open. This was our chance. Buffy and I would crawl in the truck, and Buffy would always get on the passenger side and I would get on the drivers side and we would sit like that in the seat. Our neighbor would call over to Mom and Dad and say, "Have you looked in the truck lately?" There we would be on our imaginary trip, ma and pa boxer, in our old pickup. All Buffy needed was a bonnet!

Senior Moments

By now, I had gotten up in years, but was still healthy. (I was the most healthy of any of Mom and Dads boxers). My life was good, I had a loving family, a soul mate and a good home. I enjoyed life.

Mom and Dad would say, "Tigger, do you want to go for a walk?", I knew what that meant and so did Buffy. We would dance around until they would get our leashes and out we would go. They were not long walks, just around the block, but they sure were fun.

Occasionally, Mom and Dad would take us to the park to walk, and it was near the dam, about 10 minutes from the house. We would all pile up in the old pickup and away we would go. One day during our walk, I did a number 2 and a little was left on my butt, and nobody noticed.. We all piled back in the truck and I felt something on my butt so I just wiped it on moms arm, boy did Dad laugh! If Dad thought it was funny, then I would do it again, so I did, two more times. Mom said "Tigger you did that on purpose!", and put a halt to that, she could be "A good time killer" sometimes.

Mom made us our own bed about this time as well. She bought two old eggcrate mattresses and put two heavy comforters on it and two fluffy pillows, one at each end for Buffy and I.

As I was getting along in years, this new bed felt really nice. They put it at the foot of their bed so it would give us security, by allowing us to have something against our back. It also kept us off the floor, preventing drafts, and helps older dogs like me with our joints.

Life was good for an old dog. Buffy would keep me entertained and I would watch. I did not exercise a lot at this age, but Buffy would go on one of her "running streaks" in the back yard sometimes and Mom and I would just watch. I was happy and would give Mom and Dad that old "Tongue hanging out, ear lopped to one side crooked" smile.

Even though life was good, I was not feeling as good as I used to. One morning in February I began to seizure. Mom was home, thank goodness. She called Dad and the vet to come quickly and they did. Before they got there Mom gave me a large steak, because she knew this would be my last one and I loved them, although I did not get one very often.

I had eaten when Dad got home and he was holding me and telling me he loved me, so was Mom. The vet came and told Mom and Dad that a tumor had ruptured and at my age it would be best if I went to sleep.

I stood bravely as the vet sedated me and I went to sleep in Mom and Dad's arms for the last time at the grand old age of 11.

We enjoyed, loved dearly and still miss very much our ole Tiggie Boy. He was a blessing and a joy in our lives. He was the first of the boxers for us and he taught us that "boxers are the only breed for us". He also taught us that boxers become part of you, and are not just a pet. He was loyal, kind, patient, loving and always wanting to please us. Tigger was alone a lot, and when we got Buffy, to see him literally fall in love with her was so heartwarming. It also reinforced the fact that dogs do have feelings and emotions. We know this is true, despite what others may say. We will never forget our "Gentle Giant" Tigger. We love you Old Man!

General Tigger
01/23/83 to 02/25/94

| back |

| top |

| Contact Us | | Site Map |